Back At Home & In The Dales

[Wensley]

Hi All.

When I joined this forum a number of members expressed the view that they would be interested in news of the Wensleydale Railway. Yesterday and today see action at Ainderby Gates Level Crossing on the little used link between Leeming Bar & Northallerton. The works train had been tripped to the crossing on Wednesday and ran via Castle Hills, Northallerton in order to run round. The consist was:

03144 + 'Shark' + Mess Van + 'Lowmac' + 'Flatrol'

Crossing timbers were removed on Friday night when 03144 visited to split the consist either side of the crossing. Yesterday saw all the crap dug out from under the old crossing deck and the new sleepers being prepared. Works should be completed today with the laying of the new timbers with the road re-opening at 6pm.

Photos of the actual work will be on http://www.wensleydalerailwayassociation.com shortly with photos of the train itself and a recent MoD train added to my website at http://www.clagmonster.fotopic.net. More photos of MoD action will be added very shortly and I will be at the line next week to carry out a survey of the DMU stock for the line. I intend to add photos of each works train thread to the forum after this date.

Also of interest may be that I am starting a thread on the 'Railway Modelling' forum on this site detailing my efforts to re-create the whole of the WR works train. Keep checking back for updates with comments also being gratefully received regarding all of the above.]

[DSY011]

Thanks for the update Wensley Did the closing of the crossing cause any problems? Some people can get very bitchy if they can't take their cars where they want to go.
The new thread on the Model Forum will be intresting. I love seeing models coming together.

[Wensley]

The diversion route did not add much to people's journeys and there aren't many houses down the road that are directly afected by the diversion.

Cheers,
Jonathon

[John H-T]

Hi Wensley,

Thanks for posting the composition of your works train. Ours at The Ecclesbourne Valley is BR Brakevan, Tool Van (standard 4 wheel plywood Van) and lowmac, up to now normally powered by our trusty old Ruston, although one of our 03's is sometimes used and increasingly our 20: D8001.

However we are about to gain a new 0-6-0 shunter. More details in my "Dash to Duffield" thread, when it arrives.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[Wensley]

Right. I have decided that as there seems to be considerable interest in movements on the line I will keep this as a blog and also answer as many questions as possible about all aspects of operation.

MONDAY: 03144 hauled the works train from Ainderby Steeple to Leeming Bar platforms on Sunday. Today the train was shunted onto the North siding (opposite platform) and 03144 returned to the yard.

TODAY: NO NEWS

Later in the week there is an MoD booked to visit so there will be a full update once that has run as well as photos on my fotopic site: http://www.clagmonster.fotopic.net

A day at the railway next Monday to draw up a seating plan for each DMU coach and possbly hauled stock will provide an update on standard operations during the engineering shut down.

In the meantime fire away with any questions!!!!

[Wensley]

MoD today. Booked to convey 25 Warrior Armoured Vehicles on 25 Warwell wagons. Further details and photos this evening.

[Wensley]

MoD ran today as booked in plenty of snow. Hauled by 66069 the train formed the return journey as 7X14 which left Redmire over 2hrs ahead of the booked time.

Photos of some snowy action at:http://www.clagmonster.fotopic.net

[Wensley]

Yesterday saw another military service to Redmire. Consisting of 25 'Warflats' and hauled by 66193 the train was running 24hrs down due to losing its path on the Northbound run. The 'Warriors' were unloaded at Redmire and the train started the return journey at 15:36. The train was noted passing Ainderby Gates at just before 17:00.

Photos at http://www.clagmonster.fotopic.net

[Wensley]

Following a quick visit to the Wensleydale Railway last night to collect some graphics I am producing for correction I was able to snatch a couple of photos of a visiting ballast cleaner and the ballast train before dashing off for an MRI scan!!!!

The ballast spreader is visiting for crew training runs before moving on to the Tyne & Wear Metro.

A selection of photos at http://www.clagmonster.fotopic.net

[jay]

Is the widening of the A1/M1/A1M whatever its called down by you going to affect the railway at all?