Successful July Open Day

We were delighted that the weather was kind to us on Sunday (5th July), and that our motoring friends from the Cambridge, Norwich & Broadland MG Owners Clubs managed to find us with their fascinating variety of MGs, old (and newer models too!). We were delighted to welcome them, they all were very happy, and we hope our visitors enjoyed them too !
We managed eventually, to run a three train service (albeit that we were a bit short staffed due to holidays etc,), with Lucille, Hotspur, The General, Thunderbox and The Shay all taking their turn. So apologies if you had to wait a little while for a ride, but it was a lovely afternoon and everyone was in good spirits, so thank you for coming to see us !

The MG 'convoy' arriving

Parked inside the 'Tunnel' circuit

and two of the trains... The Shay ready to depart















and Lucille heads towards Laurel Sidings

All photos: George Aldridge

ALR's Latest Asset ?

As a special 'thank you' gesture to the ALR Wednesday Club members, this super sunshade has been very kindly donated by, wait for it, a Wednesday Club member !
Most useful, thanks Dave....the only problem is......

The new asset being tested at 12.30


The new asset being tested at 15.30 !!!!


Just joking Boys !

MGOC to visit ALR

So we hear you saying, what is MGOC ? well it stands for MG Owners Club, and we are delighted that on SUNDAY 5th JULY 2009, which is this coming Sunday!, the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway will be welcoming some 30 to 40 restored MG's (and maybe some other makes?), as the Cambridge, Norwich & Broadland Clubs are having a run out to Ashmanhaugh for a Summer Picnic, where these lovely vehicles will be displayed all afternoon.

Why not come and have a look, ride our trains, have a cuppa, and just enjoy the surroundings? Should be good !!!!!!

Some work.......some play !

Signal box rose bed in bloom!
Photo: George Aldridge

Today saw us 'enjoying' a morning doing some jobs, trimming grass edges, weeding and tidying up around the platform area, more lathework on the wheel blanks (well done Ray!), track circuiting relays being installed (more on this later!), trackwork tweaking, replenishing fire buckets (it has been hot this week, marvelous), feeding and watering the roses, etc, etc, etc.

Then in the afternoon we had a play!

Lucille and The Shay pose in the station
Photo: Brian M

Alan fired up Lucille and gave some of our members a first experience of driving this lovely little engine, should have seen their faces!!!!!! and, after some fine tuning and a plug change, we got The Shay going, sent him/her out for a gentle first trip around the triangle to get him/her the right way round, then, after putting the cab back on and a bit more tweaking to get the fuel mixture right, we took her round the circuit, twice....excellent! The loco runs well, is easy to drive and is going to be a good performer for the ALR, there is a lot of power there and we look forward to seeing the loco handling some passenger trains, maybe next Sunday, our next Open Day? We will see !

Alan shows Tom the controls
Photo: Brian M

The 'L' train coming nicely along the back straight
Photo: Brian M

The Shay sets off for its first full circuit of the extended ALR with Geoffrey in charge
Photo: Brian M

..and out in the Boondocks, a fine site (the loco not the driver! ???)
Photo; Brian M

...and finally, Boys & their toys ?, George's Mamod with Lucille & Thunderbox!
Photo: George Aldridge

TTFN

The Whitwell & Reepham Railway

Photo: George Aldridge

Thursday evening saw a group of us visit this very new railway, following an approach to the railway's Mike Urry, by our 'Social Secretary' resulting in an invitation for us to 'come and have a look round'. So we did and we were more than impressed with the progress made on the restoration work carried out so far on this lovely site set in the middle of the beautiful Norfolk countryside, and sitting as it did (and does) on the original Whitwell & Reepham station site on the Midland & Great Northern Railway's route between Melton Constable and Norwich.
There is a a short but interesting run to the end of the line, (one steam loco & one diesel), a classic original station building gradually being restored, an interesting selection of rolling stock, the original goods shed being used as a loco shed and the original platforms are still in very good condition.

Photo: Brian M

So, thanks to Mike, Dawn & Richard for giving up their time to proudly show us what they have achieved already. Well worth a visit.
We will be back !

'Annie'. Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 Saddle tank No 945 (built 1904) .
Photo: George Aldridge
Baguley-Drewery No 7 (Works BD3733 (1977)
Photo: Brian M