BobM Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 (edited) Hi Guys.... In 2003 I became a working member on the SVR, having been a steam enthusiast since childhood and a frequent visitor to this superb heritage railway, it seemed a logically step and long held desire now that I have greater free time, to join the team somewhere on the valley, not only to contribute, hopefully something constructive back for all the fantastic times I have had on the railway previously, but also to make like minded new friends - to that end I was honoured to join the folks at Arley Station. I have no great talent, but having been in horticulture for nearly 40 years now, I can there combine my dual loves or gardening and steam heritage.....although I have acquired in the years at the station 'skills' in maintenance and hard landscaping! The SVR has been non-operational during the National Lockdown and that period has shown just how much we should value the time spent with friends, once it's gone it could be gone forever! In this section I would like to just post as a volunteer on site, interesting images now and again when I am on the staff roster, of solely Arley Station, including operational locos passing through, any visitors and station infrastructure......that may prove interesting either for modelling purposes or any that are just appealing...? If anyone has a Great Western Railway layout that requires an image anything they are modelling and requires and image of it, if we have it at Arley I'll gladly post a photo of it. We (that is the SVR) hopefully will restart operations in mid-April......Take care guys..... Regards always Bob As it was in 1959....! Copyright courtesy of Kidderminster Railway Museum Edited March 6, 2021 by BobM 15 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didcot Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I'm looking forward to being able to visit Arley again. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 (edited) 'Back Home at Last' After what has seemed an eternal lockdown, a small socially distanced group (including myself) of 6 Arley volunteers have been permitted to return to the station today to have an inspection of the station and its facilities......so as promised from now on it should be possible to post now and again views of both the station and the 'traffic' passing through, also perhaps one or two of the gardens as they are a foil for the station itself? I was pleasantly relieved to see that the gardens, which are my primary volunteer role at the station, although looking a bit 'winter bashed', with the debris of leaves and spent plant growth covering the beds, should be with a bit of tlc brought back to satisfaction within a few weeks given favourable weather.....? So as soon as there's loco's steaming or 'fuming' their way through when I'm there, I'll post anything interesting.....if anyone is modelling a GWR themed layout and you want a reference item, if we have one I'll gladly image it on here....... In the meantime....... Here was the glorious view this morning of the advancing glorious weather that engulfed us here in the west midlands today, I have so much longed to see again.....at last I could! The Clee Hiils to the west and the Wyre Forest below, snuggled somewhere in there is Arley Station, my 'second home'..... The gardens are looking a bit battered by the combined effects of winter weather and four months without a sod being turned, but should soon be awakened! Will post as soon as able.... Regards always Bob Edited March 29, 2021 by BobM 4 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Is the round point rodding still there? Attached my only decent picture of that rodding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 27 minutes ago, Tim V said: Is the round point rodding still there? Attached my only decent picture of that rodding. Hi...... Some of it yes...! Hope this helps? Regards always Bob 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 (edited) Keep up the great work. I think Arley is the nicest station in the UK. I especially appreciate the gardens on the far side. I expect I will be there having a little picnic under the shade of the trees with grandchild no 3 this summer - I have done with previous 2. I've missed Arley station more than any other heritage place. The last time I was on the platform was 8th March 2020. When I took this photo I was looking forward to the spring coming and all that goes with it, who would have thought what was about to happen? Edited March 29, 2021 by Chris M 5 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 1 minute ago, Chris M said: Keep up the great work. I think Arley is the nicest station in the UK. I especially appreciate the gardens on the far side. I expect I will be there having a little picnic under the shade of the trees with grandchild no 3 this summer - I have done with previous 2. I've missed Arley station more than any other heritage place. The last time I was on the platform was 8th March 2020. Hi Chris..... Great to hear from you. thanks for the kind comments, we have missed being there and the visitors that make the SVR what it is...... Keep an eye out for the details of service details as due to Covid rules, Arley may have to remain closed to non-ticket holders sadly for a while yet despite the services running,...? When about please say 'Hello'... Regards always Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, BobM said: Hi Chris..... Great to hear from you. thanks for the kind comments, we have missed being there and the visitors that make the SVR what it is...... Keep an eye out for the details of service details as due to Covid rules, Arley may have to remain closed to non-ticket holders sadly for a while yet despite the services running,...? When about please say 'Hello'... Regards always Bob We probably have spoken but don't recognise each other. I guess neither of us look much like our avatars. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) A 'Frost Bite and Vitamin D day'......! Despite a few snow and soft hail showers passing through on a chilly breeze, there were also spells of warm to the face spring sunshine, and what the heck if it is cold.....'we're back'! With the resumption of services planned for tomorrow, 7714 and 2857 were both light engine movements today......but the 'star' of the day was to see 2999 'Saint' 'Lady of Legend' passing through on test runs....looked and sounded superb...1 Oh how I have missed the spectacle of steam and the tart aroma of burnt coal! Regards always Bob Edited April 11, 2021 by BobM 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted April 12, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 12, 2021 The footplate on the Lady, looks awfully exposed, running tender first. Thanks for posting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 I hope to get to Arley on Thursday. It would be nice to be able to go on the platform but its fun to be on the road bridge when a train goes under so that will be fine. If you are there on Thursday Bob (around 11:00 to 11:30) I'm the short fat old bloke accompanied my wife and 2 year old grand daughter. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 12, 2021 Author Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Chris M said: I hope to get to Arley on Thursday. It would be nice to be able to go on the platform but its fun to be on the road bridge when a train goes under so that will be fine. If you are there on Thursday Bob (around 11:00 to 11:30) I'm the short fat old bloke accompanied my wife and 2 year old grand daughter. Hi... Hope to be there Thursday.... Sadly the station and platforms at Arley, due to covid restrictions will have to remain closed, but there still should be as you say, a fine view from the road bridge. Regards always Bob Edited April 12, 2021 by BobM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didcot Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Good to see trains running again and the Saint stretching her legs. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris M Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 A view from the bridge today. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 A few views from today's activity...a splendid day was had by all.... Regards always.... Bob 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
didcot Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 I'm slightly jealous. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted April 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 16, 2021 The Lady looks good and sounds great! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 Was she turned during the day? She appears with both the smokebox and the tender towards the Kidderminster end of the station in the piccies 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted April 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 16, 2021 On another thread, she worked an ecs to Kidder and was turned to be smokebox first towards Kidder. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted April 18, 2021 Author Share Posted April 18, 2021 Hi..... Sadly 2999 'failed' with a broken pin today so wasn't operational..... A couple of views of 'The Pig' passing through Arley on another glorious spring sunshine day.....from a Arley gardeners point of view though..please can we have some rain! Regards always Bob 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted April 19, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 19, 2021 Sorry did not see you Bob, as I was concentrating on stopping in the right place. What a glorious day and weekend it was. Happy visitors, happy volunteers and a beer or two to finish it off at the end of the day. Not sure about you, but it was like putting on an old pair of comfortable slippers. The pig was a delight and you would never think she is near the end of her ticket. She steams well, no knocks to speak of, good and steam tight, well apart from the offside valve chest drain, but what's new. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted April 19, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 19, 2021 (edited) This was my view of Arley yesterday whilst waiting, we did not stop on the way back. This photo has had to be removed due to a change in rules which now prohibit such images even though taken when stationary, in mid gear, breaks hard on. Edited July 25, 2021 by Blandford1969 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted April 25, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2021 I’m very much enjoying this thread. Thanks for starting it Bob, and for all the work at the station. Here’s a selection of photos from a 1940s weekend some years ago. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted April 25, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Mikkel said: I’m very much enjoying this thread. Thanks for starting it Bob, and for all the work at the station. Here’s a selection of photos from a 1940s weekend some years ago. Nice photos, blimey that is a few years ago, 4 July 2015 , and I still escape the camera on my face, lol Edited April 25, 2021 by Blandford1969 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 6 hours ago, Mikkel said: That Army fellow His shoes are a disgrace An officer (Lieutenant ?) should know better Andy Who's hoping to drop by and watch some trains go past some time 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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