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greatcoleswoodhalt

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    Spa Valley Railway

    in Preservation

    Posted · Edited by jafcreasey

    From e-newsletter No 3 dated June, 19th: -

     

    Quote

    VOLUNTEERS NEWS:

    With the restrictions eased slightly and with appropriate social distancing measures in place, our fantastic, hardworking and truly dedicated volunteers have been able to undertake some essential lineside clearance at a variety of locations across the railway!

     

    This will open back up some great photographic locations when our train services recommence.

     

    We are always on the lookout for more volunteers and maintenance of our lineside is something often missed when people join a railway.

     

    We are particularly looking for someone to take charge of our Lineside Clearance, so if anyone out there enjoys volunteering, working outdoors, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and would like the opportunity of being in charge of 4 1/2 miles of lineside maintenace which includes:
    • Keeping on top of vegetation.
    • Managing various teams of lineside volunteers.
    • Following appropriate railway rules and regulations.

     

    Then please get in touch! We’d be delighted to hear from you.

     

    Working on the lineside is a very rewarding task, makes the views even better for our passengers and if you’re into photography you get access to otherwise off limit areas to take photos of our beautifully restored steam and diesel trains!

     

    If you’d just like to join us to help keep on top of our lineside clearance or are interested in taking the lead on Lineside Clearance at our heritage railway then please email jonnie.pay@spavalleyrailway.co.uk or direct message our page.

     

    Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work!

    Regards 

    Jonnie Pay
    Commercial and Finance Manager

     

    Crisis Fund Update - Provided by David Cross - Treasurer of Tunbridge Wells & Eridge Railway Preservation Society

    As at the 3rd June 2020, you had raised at least £8,432 for the Crisis appeal, and further donations have come in since then.  There will also be Gift Aid to be claimed for many of these donations.
     
    We have also had one off, COVID-19 grants and a COVID-19 business rates holiday. This amounts to £37,123, and means that the railway can meet, large one off costs like the insurance.
     
    We have managed to meet the first step of the appeal, which was to cover fixed costs and very essential maintenance.
     
    The Leadership Team led actions have also minimised costs.  However they are looking to the future at the next steps, and there will be a need to fund essential works, and take advantage to carry out works that would normally have to wait until January when there would be no services.
     
    The next stage is to raise between £3000 to £5000 per month to cover regular fixed costs, and essential volunteer work. There will also be the continuing need to:-
     

    - Have one off appeals such as hiring a 360, and the materials for the yard work, again my thank you to the very quick and generous response to this appeal - Led by Paul McKinnell

    - Continued fund raising for the Jinty Appeal

    - An appeal to help the landslip works, where significant further work is anticipated from January 2021.

     
    We would also look to secure further grants, but when we look into these we are excluded from applying for many of these, however if you would like to help the railway, by preparing bids where we you think, we could qualify for a grant, please contact me via finance@spavalleyrailway.co.uk.

     

    • Informative/Useful 1

    Spa Valley Railway

    in Preservation

    Posted

    From e-newsletter No 2 dated May, 20th: -

     

    Quote

    To date through your kind generosity we’ve received over £6,000 in donations to support us whilst we remain closed, a huge thank you to everyone that has donated.

     

    We have also received a business support grant from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and looking ahead to August we have allocated this money to paying our annual Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance, a fixed cost and something we cannot do without.

     

    Whilst this has taken the pressure off slightly we still have fixed costs of around £5,000 per month which we need to pay. This is for items such as electricity (which takes quite a large portion), bookkeeping, fixed term direct debits, telephone lines and internet (so we can remotely view the CCTV).

     

    The railway remains closed pending government advice on when attractions such as ours can reopen. Upon reopening it is highly likely a limited train service will operate, if it is financially justified.

     

    We have received a number of requests with regards to re-opening or a form of train service during 2020.

     

    Currently, all 'Events' previously advertised have been removed due to the ever changing situation, our website has been updated to reflect this.

     

    The Spa Valley Railway has considered options that will allow a limited return to public service when we're permitted to do so and to indicate our initial plans, if any train service does operate later this year it will consist of our Class 207 DEMU 1317. This in itself, to comply with the expected Social Distancing measures will be of limited capacity and a very limited service would operate.

     

    This is subject to further UK Government advice, ORR/HMRI Guidance and whether or not such a service is financially justified. We will not risk the Railway.  We are extremely grateful to everyone donating to support our railway throughout this unprecedented situation.

     

    We will not be providing a date until we:

    - Get the go ahead to re-open.

    - We are satisfied we can safely resume train services with our Recovery Plan in place, that sits with our Safety Management System.

     

    We will not be rushing back into a Gala or Special Event scenario so please do not expect our railway to burst back into life with all the locomotives in steam or running.

     

    Our pre-booked customers will be contacted in due course with their available options.

     

    It is costing around £5,000 per month to keep the Spa Valley in a 'sleeping' state, items such as the WiFi to view the CCTV remotely, electricity to power them and other fixed term costs still go out but without the trains we have no income.

     

    If you are able to help us in anyway, even if it is a small donation, all the £10's add up and help cover costs, then please do consider donating to us via PayPal:

     

    PayPal here:

     

    Please only help us if you are in a position to do so, your own health and wellbeing must come first.

     

    We will operate again and when that day comes, whilst it will be very calm and steady, we hope you will be able to support us.

    If you wish to setup a regular standing order to assist us, you can use the following details:
    Account name: Crisis Fund SVR

    Account type: Business reserve account 

    Account number - 8 5 5 0 7 4 7 4

    Sort code - 5 5 - 7 0 - 1 3

    IBAN - GB42NWBK55701385507474

    BIC - NWBKGB2L

    Bank address

    Natwest
    89 Mount Pleasant Road  
    Tunbridge Wells  
    Kent  

    Please ensure you enter the correct name when setting up a standing order/bank transfer, as with the new rules, they need to match.

    You can of course Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible, our Gift Aid forms can be DOWNLOADED HERE.

     

     

    Even though we are an Heritage Railway, we have adopted modern methods for keeping in touch.

    The Railway's Leadership Team are meeting regularly using Microsoft Teams, they are openly discussing everything related to this Crisis, included but not limited to, government advice, guidance and support from ORR/HMRI, our own experiences.

    British Rail closed our line in July 1985 and Corona Virus in 2020, but we will operate are Heritage Steam and Diesel Trains again soon.

     

    • Like 3
    • Informative/Useful 1
    • Friendly/supportive 1

    Rails of Sheffield/Dapol/NRM Announce OO gauge Stroudley A1/A1X

    in Rails of Sheffield

    Posted · Edited by jafcreasey

    Perhaps if 'pedigree' hadn't been used so often feedback may have been kinder, or more considerate?  Unlikely, but Hornby's release demanded that a claim be made.

     

    I pre-ordered A1X Class No 32655 in Mar'18 and looking at what's been shared thus far I'm glad I haven't waivered.

     

    Until they start being delivered (to the wider public!), herewith further pictures found on Twitter this morning: -

     

    My one and only Terrier was the Dapol Stepney, bought by my father in the 1990s - a prized possession.  Whatever the sticking points, the progress made is incomparable.

    • Like 4

    Bluebell Railway news

    in Preservation

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Neal Ball said:

    I just think they are a bit slow off the mark.

     

    I would agree and possibly less innovative - the Swanage Railway held a Virtual Diesel Gala on Facebook over the weekend - the event page reached 32,000 people alone.  As of yesterday (26th), they've received £132,362 since the start of the pandemic.

    • Informative/Useful 1

    Dapol 00 Gauge LSWR B4

    in Dapol

    Posted

    On 28/03/2020 at 17:34, Calidore said:

    I hate to be that person, but... Have Dapol got 30096 wrong?

     

    I was just checking some photos to make sure she was in the same condition during the 50s as she was during the later years, intending to change the late crest for an early when the new batch are available.

     

    It looks, during both periods, like the plated-over cab front panels were joined with straight seams rather than the curved ones represented on the model.

     

    I agree re the front of the cab; have however just found the following for the rear: -

     

    30096 - Adams LSWR Class B4 0-4-0T - built 11/1893 by Nine Elms Works as LSWR No.96 - 12/50 to BR No.30096 - 10/63 withdrawn from 71A Eastleigh, where seen 1962.

     

    image.png.6ff433b19106fd7eb51b1b4721370631.png

    • Agree 1

    Bluebell Railway news

    in Preservation

    Posted

    The Spring '20 edition of BLUEBELL NEWS has been made available online due to the "extenuating financial and logistical circumstances caused by the current Covid-19 crisis": -

    https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bluebell-News-Spring-2020.pdf

     

    Per their post on Instagram, the railway advised that the "standard magazine format will be resumed at the earliest opportunity".

     

    The railway lauched an Emergency Appeal last week whilst it has no income.

    • Thanks 1

    Bachmann collectors club and others

    in Bachmann

    Posted

    On 01/03/2020 at 09:55, Butler Henderson said:

    They are having problems at the moment evident on the web page with no online ordering possible. I phoned a week last Wednesday after doing the basic registering on line, gave them club number the registration had produced along with my card details and the wagon and membership card turned up on Friday (along with the J72 that I ordered at the time).

     

    The Bachmann Collectors Club can now be applied for online again: -

    https://www.Bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk/page/membership

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