Ashmanhaugh Light Railway

The first loco crossing !

2012-01-24T09:25:00.006Z

The well loaded 'test' train negotiating the bridge for the first time!
Photo: John Pond

Last Saturday was a momentous day for the ALR's new bridge, which was 'christened' in grand style by a well loaded train comprising 'The General' (in charge - well mostly!), hauling 'Thunderbox' and three well loaded coaches (oooohh, them there passengers do look nithered!) . All went well we are pleased to say ! It is rumoured that a speed limit sign will make an appearance shortly in this area (but for minimum not maximum speed!!!!!!)

"Steady as she goes Chaps"
Photo: John Pond

Work is also proceeding with two new signals (protection for Laurel Sidings), The Shay's new drive rod has been replaced (thanks Ray!), clearance checks will take place on Wednesday, the timber for the new fencing panels is being cut ready for assembly, Richard continues with his 'gardening' works, cutting here, trimming there! Some additional roof insulation has been fitted to Laurel siding shed to prevent condensation dripping onto the coaching stock from a translucent panel area.
We have also ordered the Loncin engine and Eaton drive for the ALR version of 'Spuggy'', that most popular loco that visited us last year and made such an impression! and the trackwork Boys have been and still are very busy replacing the new insulated fishplate joints with new material which is hoped will be longer lasting than the original stuff!
Oh yes and Hotspur's tender is now well 'bitumened', and the loco is ready for placing in Winter storage , for we will no doubt get some yet !

Think that's about all for now.........TTFN

More January Jobs

2012-01-11T22:53:00.008Z

Lots going on while the weather is kind to us here in sunny East Anglia !.

Dave is progressing his chassis in the workshop for 'Buggy', the electric powered (hopefully!) loco that he is developing with parts obtained from a mobility scooter. He is a bit concerned as to whether the motor will be powerful enough, but we will see in due course !

and Ray is busy with his most favorite job ever, turning the wheels for 'Buggy' from blanks on our old and struggling a bit South Bend lathe!

The Boys have been scraping the paint or whatever coated the inside of 'Hotspur's' tender, so we can apply some new waterproofing (bitumen paint).

Dave thanks the Boys for a job well done !

Richard has been doing some leaf clearing in the 'green' tunnel area where they love to congregate. He has formed a leaf store so they can't escape back !

We have a plan to erect some more fencing from the platform end to the footpath crossing to make this area more people wander proof!

Final tidying up of the bridge area ballasting and soiling continues and the last decking planks are being fitted once they have been slimmed so as not to be higher than the rail tops (The Shay doesn't have a lot of ground clearance!).

TTFN

Our new bridge takes place !

2012-01-06T09:02:00.008Z

We have been very busy over recent weeks with the various tasks involved in 'building' our new bridge. Progress has been excellent due to the enthusiastic efforts of our members and we are very pleased to be able to show you photos of the bridge which is now in position. The final track replacement to each end of the bridge is being done and then the remainder of the decking can be fitted and the installation tested! Wow !

Brackers and Ray working on the track joints near the bridge section
All photos: Brian M

More exciting news soon !!!!

TTFN

Seasons Greetings !

2011-12-16T14:49:00.008Z

We would like to wish all our followers and visitors a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2012. We hope to see you at some time during the year, but if you can't make it, keep up to date with what's happening at the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway by continuing to visit our website!

From all the ALR Gang !

HAPPY CHRISTMAS !

This'n That Time

2011-12-08T11:39:00.012Z

View across the lake with proposed bridge location at about 2 'o' clock!

As we move forward into Winter, progress is being made on several fronts at the Railway. Work on the new bridge continues, with the foundations and abutment blockwork completed, and assembly of the steelwork sides coming on nicely. (in the workshop where it's nice and warm!!!) The decking tmbers have arrived so no excuse, should be done soon!

Bridge steelwork assembly in progress, 7th December 2011.

All the signals and signs have been taken into their Winter storage and the necessary maintenance will be carried out as and when. (we think that means, 'before the next Operating Days !')

We also now have an excuse to run a 'logging' train, as several weeks ago a quite large Ash tree decided it had had enough of this life, and collapsed near Cobnut Junction, but fortunately adjacent to the site boundary, so it didn't fall over the track (thank you!). So, plenty of logs for our hosts to enjoy for quite a while!

A 'fallen over' Ash tree study!
All photos: Brian M

We need to construct a 'leaf pen' too, so we can gather and compost the leaves and stop them from covering our lovely track! (put it on the list....which one? !!!)

Lucille is being re-assembled and The Shay is being 'un-assembled' so we can assess the remedial action required, and Hotspur is to have his/her tender cleaned out and sealed over the winter period.

The Shay minus its front truck drive rod on 7th December 2011

Our Christmas meal is booked at a local Hostelry and we plan to run a some 'Mince Pie Specials' on Wednesday 28th December for members, families and friends (as long as there isn't toooo much white stuff!

TTFN

So what's this then?

2011-12-02T11:12:00.000Z

Chassis progress in November Photo: Brian M & DJ

Deep down in the depths of the lovely Norfolk countryside just to the South of Norwich, we recently came across an interesting project being developed by one of our members. He's not giving too much away but from what he tells us it's going to be another loco for the ALR, 'Buggy' ! Using parts from a recently obtained electric powered disability 'scooter', and with some advice from our Yorkshire 'Spuggy' friends, he is currently putting the chasis together and working out how to do the rest! He's being very vague about what it will look like but promises that it will be 'different' with an interesting colour scheme!
Can't wait!

TTFN

A bridge for the ALR

2011-11-18T10:24:00.006Z

Assembly work in progress on a bridge side in the ALRC workshop
Photo: John Pond

After much deliberation and discussions, we are now delighted to be in a position to go ahead with our long term plan to introduce a bridge on the ALR!! The details have been finalised, we have received approval from the local Planning Authority, the steel work is on site and being assembled, and the track lengths and ballast are lifted at the proposed location!

ALRC members removing track in the bridge location area on Saturday 12th November 2011

Photo: John Pond

The plan is to provide a 10 ' 0" long bridge at the Lakeside back straight where the 'keep your arm & legs' in sign is. The bridge will use the RSJ's that we already have, on which will be constructed a timber deck structure with steel sides ( a Pratt through truss like M & GN's at Potter Heigham). It will be 5' 0" wide to allow a walkway on each side of the track, which will also allow JP's 'sit on' grasscutter to pass over the bridge. The bridge will sit over a slight depression to represent a feeder stream into the lake disappearing into the trees. John has also engaged a Contractor to dig out the existing lake to make it deeper, using the excavated material to regrade the banks and to enable some further planting to be carried out.
We anticipate the work being completed by Spring next year.

As an additional benefit, this may allow another interesting 'activity' for the members to indulge in ! Watch this space !!!!!!!!

TTFN

First Class Guy Fawkes Night

2011-11-08T11:12:00.002Z

Last Saturday was another very sucessful and enjoyable day and evening for the ALRC. We had organised another evening of fun, fireworks and food for some 45 members, families and friends. The weather behaved and there was soup, followed by hot dogs and jacket potatoes, and then for afters, gateaux and cream, followed by mulled wine!
Thunderbox, General and Sergeant performed during the evening hauling trains, and then an excellent firework display rounded off the evening, marvellous!

TTFN

Tis Autumn

2011-10-18T10:58:00.009+01:00

Sunny 'alfresco' lunchtime in October !!!!!!

Photo: John Pond

All at once it is Autumn and the days are shorter, it's getting cooler and our 'busy' days are done for this year, which has been a good one on many fronts, the weather, the Birthday Parties, the Open Days (not one cancelled this year!), the visiting locos (and their crews!), the friendly people we have met, and the fun we have had !.......and of course we have some things planned which we hope come to light in the not too distant future which will enhance the ALR and make it more enjoyable for everyone !

As part of the ongoing tasks scheduled 'we' have done a bit of tree felling! There has been a very old, knarled, Robinia (False Acacia) tree adjacent to the workshop with roots that are beginning to be a problem, to say nothing of the leaves and twigs it deposits on the roof which needs a regular clean to prevent the drains from getting blocked, so a 'tree surgeon' was called in and the tree is no more! Jane tells us that these have been there as long as she can remember (just a year or two then Jane!), and there is still one left, between the house and the Holiday Cottages.

Robinia felled - plenty of logs there Jane ?
Photo: David Jones

Maintenance work is taking place on the coaching stock, being made much easier now that we have the pit.

David & John get to grips with coach maintenance

Photo: John Pond

It seems that the Signalling Boys are coming up with plans for a new lever panel and diagram in the signal box which we are sure will be impressive!

...and there is a possibility of a 'new' loco at the ALR as one of our members had the opportunity to acquire a mobility scooter recently, which now resides in his workshop at home, but in bits. From the pile of bits, a chassis is evolving and we are told, plans are in place for a 'different' loco body (and colour scheme) to be constructed in due course. No more details can be extracted at this time, so it's wait and see!!!!!!

....and, we have this Saturday, what should be the last 2011 Birthday Party for one of our member's Grandsons, so a nice day will be welcome. Hotspur is undergoing its annual check and hydraulic test this Wednesday, so if all goes well it should be steamed up for the Party.

Plans are in hand for our annual Firework Night Party for members and friends on November 5th (when else?), and our Social Secretary tells us that he is currently organising our Christmas meal at a local Hostelry (yes, it's creeping up to that time of year again!). In between the two we have our Annual General Meeting on November 12th which will set the scene for next year, so plenty going on in one form or another!

TTFN

End of Season approaches

2011-10-08T11:13:00.008+01:00

The Birthday Party train with Hotspur (and Alan !) in charge. Photo by Dawn

The summer season is at an end and so is this year’s season for ALR Birthday Parties. This year has been the most successful so far for Birthday Parties with one nearly every weekend since just after Easter.We have one more before we close part of the track for some winter maintenance and some (possible) bridge construction work.

Last weekend (17th Sept) saw another very successful ALR Birthday Party for a young lad, Sonny, who was five and we had 24 very excited children and their parents, aunts, uncles and Grand Mum, all enjoying the rides and a Picnic on the open field.

The afternoon was very sunny and warm until just before the end when we had a burst of rain, but because the sun kept shining we had the added pleasure of a double rainbow.The attached photo's are just three of dozens taken by Dawn, one of Sonny's aunts. She gave us permission to use them as long as we gave her a credit, so here goes.

All PHOTO'S BY DAWN.!!!

Sonny and Nanny on the rainbow brollie train. Photo by Dawn

Kindly note that we will not be taking firm bookings for next year’s Birthday Parties until January, by which time we should know when we can have the full track open again. Keep looking at the Web Site and watch the progress. By the number of enquiries we have had so far it looks like being another good year, so if you would like a party, as soon as you have Christmas out of your system, give us a call.

Dave B

Sonny's Uncle Steve and Cousin Archie. Photo by Dawn

Final 2011 Open Day

2011-10-06T11:48:00.002+01:00

Hi, didn't we do well last Sunday! Our final Open Day for this year was just brilliant, warm (even hot!) sunshine, lots of happy visitors, a visiting loco, a visiting Guard, all in all a great afternoon, thank you all for coming!
'Hotspur', 'The General', and 'Thunderbox' bore the brunt of the services with John's visiting 'Toby' lookalike helping out once again. (thanks John & Jo, great to welcome you again). We were also pleased to be assisted by Tony from the Nottinhgham Club who was on 'holiday' in one of the Cottages on site, and who had 'brought' his Guard's gear with him, just in case!, so he helped out with the guarding turns which was excellent.
Sorry we have no photos to show you but your 'roving reporter' suffered a broken ankle whilst on holiday in Cornwall last week, so at the moment is doing no roving at all! But we'll do what we can to keep you up to date with the happenings at the ALR over the coming weeks/months, when we should have some exciting developments to tell you about !

Keep smiling

TTFN!.

September snippets

2011-09-09T20:15:00.001+01:00

The Lakeside scene this summer before 'The Strimmer' got to work to remove the rampant growth !

We enjoyed a very pleasant Open Day last Sunday (28th August) when we were extremely lucky (again) with the weather, which behaved itself until about 4.30 when we got some precipitation from above, (no, not Hotspur priming !....rain!), so it didn't really spoil the afternoon. (we just got soaked putting everything away, but that's all part of the fun eh?). We had time to chat to our visitors, one of whom was delighted to see some ex Little Melton stock running, as he used to 'play' there many years ago when he was at University. Although it has to be said he was quite upset when he saw the photographs that we had taken at Little Melton when we were removing the track back in 2002, as by then it was really overgrown and neglected, shame. But its 'Spirit' lives on we are pleased to say!

So 'Hotspur', 'General', 'Thunderbox' and the 'Shay' ( just a short appearance) did the honours, as 'Lucille' is still unavailable due to repairs and refurbishment works being carried out. It is very unlikely that she will be back in service for our last 2011 Open Day on October 2nd, as we have found one or two other 'things', as you do, that need attention!.
We also will be doing some work on the Shay after the final Open Day, as the drive shaft has shifted about 10mm, due, we think to the derailment in May. The bearings at the bottom of the piston crankshafts are a bit 'sloppy' too, so we will take the opportunity to remedy those as required.

Our S & T Boys have been experiencing problems with the telephone installations recently and it now appears that there is a fault in the cable that runs from the signal box to Triangle Junction, so a new length is being installed to rectify the problem. (not the little people at all then!)

The first stretch of cable about to be tucked under the Terram adjacent to the edging boards 'en route' to the Triangle area

Timber for re-sleepering has been obtained and some of it cut into sleeper lengths so the Track Gang can carry out some replacements here and there, mostly on Den section. Over the Winter it is intended to make up some track sections so we can carry out quick track panel replacements where required.

...and of course the horticultural works continue ! The strimmer has been busy around the Lake area tidying up.

Richard (yes it is, honest!) busy Lakeside.
All photos: Brian M

..and finally, we had a look at some website 'stats' which always make interesting browsing! Did you know that in the month 8th August to 6th September 2011, there were 1280 page visits from UK (1063), Germany (108), U.S. (43), China (22), New Zealand (10), Australia (8), France (7), Turkey (7) Switzerland (6) and Denmark (6). Last Tuesday there were 60 hits and on Wednesday we had 93 views! Excellent, thanks everybody, keep on looking!

TTFN

Birthday Party with a difference !

2011-09-03T22:09:00.009+01:00

Number 131 stands proudly outside the ALR workshops shortly after being unloaded on Saturday

Photo: Brian M

Another good day at the ALR today when we welcomed John & Jo Berry and their family and friends for a Birthday Party with a difference. With this one you bring your own loco !
We had said to John a while back when we knew Jo (John's Other Half) had booked the party, why not bring your Tram loco along again for a run? John had brought the loco to the ALR once before, many years ago (not exactly sure, just checking 2004 or 5 methinks !).
"OK" he says, "that would be good, thanks, she hasn't had a run for a couple of years". So he did.

Needless to say, the little loco was soon at home on our circuit with several members 'having a go'. So we all enjoyed the hot, sunny afternoon, with 'Hotspur', 'Thunderbox', 'General' and 'Number 131 The Tram Engine' (yes he does look a lot like Toby, our little visitors thought!), all taking part.

Superb little loco !

Photo: Brian M

We were very impressed with the loco's hauling capacity as it had no difficulty with our 'DWT' (Driving wagon trailer) and coach 41 and passengers, and at a fair rate of knots too!
So thanks John, we had a lot of fun!.

The Tram is dwarfed by its bigger brothers Hotspur and Thunderbox

Photo: John Berry

TTFN

P.S. John is very much involved with the North Norfolk Model Engineering Club whose members operate the miniature railway tracks (3 1/2" and 5" gauges) up at Holt on the North Norfolk Railway, definitely worth a visit if you haven't seen it and ridden it, you won't be disappointed!

From Norfolk into Suffolk and back.

2011-08-29T14:15:00.009+01:00

A glimpse of the lovely garden. Photo: Brian M

Some while ago we had been invited to visit the Little Orchard Railway in deepest Suffolk by Rex & Janet when they visited the ALR during our May Open Day. So on Sunday, a goodly ALR Gang (14 in all !) discovered this lovely little railway (in size but not heart!) built and operated by Rex and his very friendly 'helpers'. We had a great afternoon chatting, admiring the garden, driving trains, (even the Girls had a go !), watching trains, discussing railways and stuff, it was excellent!
Then we were treated to a very tasty BBQ followed by a variety of 'afters' including a huge chocolate Birthday cake to celebrate Helen's recent 'important' Birthday! (one of the LOR's 'helpers').

All aboard !

The railway's Number 5 and 'Glenda' were in charge of the trains, which ran more or less all afternoon non stop, and driven a lot by the youngsters!!!!!.

Kevin explains the controls to Alan.

So, if you haven't seen this super railway then you should try to get there on one of their Open Days, you won't be disapointed! (see 'www.littleorchardrailway.co.uk').

Relaxing and chatting!

TTFN

Posh Hotspur

2011-08-28T11:38:00.009+01:00

Well, as promised we bring you at last, an update on 'Hotspur' now that most of the scheduled (and some unscheduled!) work has been completed. As you can see from the photos, the loco now carries her side tanks once again which completely alter her appearance and we have obtained some 'ALR' decals which have now been applied to the tender. Our 'head' painter, Barry, (no he doesn't paint heads, just locos and things!) has been busy repainting the loco whenever he could get possession of it for any length of time, and, we are told, all is now just about done! (well almost, just inside the cab to do !!!!) She does look smart and is going well....

TTFN

All photos: Brian M

A 'Work and Play' weekend !

2011-08-26T15:50:00.000+01:00

It's not all about 'working' on the railway, we do have some 'social' fun too! For instance last Saturday evening some 15 of us went across to the Mid Norfolk Railway and enjoyed a tasty supper on a 'Fish and Chip 'Pig' Express' train organised by our Friends of the 'Flying Pigs' reknown!!!! One of the MNR's Class 101 DMU's was chartered (it was even showing 'Fakenham' on the destination blind !!! excellent, if only!) and we tootled down to Wymondham Abbey meeting the other F & C Special on its way back to Dereham hauled by ex GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank No 9466 at the Thuxton passing loop, looking very smart in its black livery. (Well respect where it's due even if it is Great Western !) There was a bar on board and a raffle was held during which several good prizes were collected by the happy travellers. It was a really good night with a great atmosphere, and it's good to see the Mid Norfolk Railway purposely moving forward and improving all the time.

...and then to Sunday, when we took our publicity display stand to the 'Larger Scales Model Railways' exhibition held at East Dereham and organised by the 'Flying Pigs' Group. A good variety of layouts and trade stands attended, giving a pleasant, if quiet day for our Guys who were able to chat to the visitors, another good opportunity to meet up with old friends and to make new ones!

Meanwhile back on the 'work' front, we have completed the installation of the dedicated ALRC water main into the Clubrooms, painted the inside of the 'chicken shed', oops sorry, Ticket Office, (hope you approve Ladies, much brighter now eh?), more work on completing the telephone installations over on the Lake section, we have had the piston plates off 'Lucille' ground down as they were a bit 'uneven', and new cylinder gaskets are being made up, and on Wednesday there was even a 'where shall we put the bridge' gathering by the lake following which some orange paint has appeared in the grass together with some sticks poking out of the ground, so things are starting to happen on that front, it seems !, and further work continues on the track circuiting installation and improvements. Oh and a bit more weed spraying, bush/tree trimming, and grass cutting has been done. Think that brings you up to date, see you soon........

TTFN

P.S and talking of Flying Pigs reminds us that there is one over on the North Norfolk Railway at the moment! Yes, LMS Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 No 43106 has arrived and will be out and about on this lovely line until the end of September. The loco which used to work over the old M & GN line through Sheringham, will hopefully take part in the NNR's Steam Gala (Sept 2nd to 4th), and the 40's Weekend (Sept 17-18th). Excellent, will be worth a look!

TTFN (2)

Succesful August Open Day

2011-08-09T08:44:00.008+01:00

The busy scene on Sunday afternoon as Hotspur loads while The General passes.
Photo: John Pond

We were delighted with the attendance on Sunday which proved to be one of our best Open Days ever! Although breezy, the weather behaved and we just had one slight 'sprinkling' but apart from that it was fine and mostly sunny. As there were lots of other attractions taking place last weekend we were not expecting to be so busy, so thank you all for coming, we hope you enjoyed your afternooon with us, we hope you enjoyed seeing the 20 or so MG cars (many thanks Guys & Gals, we hope you had a good day too !) that came along, and we hope you enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, we are so lucky to be able to play in such a lovely setting!

The MG's resting with their owners!
Photos: John Pond/Brian M

All our locos except Lucille were out and about during the afternoon with three trains running to try to keep the queues down a bit, and all went well, we are pleased to say. Lucille is stopped at the moment as we try to find out where all her steam goes to so quickly! She has been 'difficult' for a while now, so after taking some advice from a much more enlightened, experienced, professional engineer (and chemist), who works on another of our local railways, our Boys are in the process of stripping the loco down so we can see what is happening (or not!).

Lucille's innards being 'got at' by Ray over the pit last Saturday.
Photo: Brian M

TTFN !

Charity Bike Ride

2011-08-04T08:47:00.006+01:00

We are delighted to be able to tell you on 31st July one of our member's sons, Ryan Butler and his friend James McCrea completed a London to Paris bike ride to raise money for the MacMillan Cancer Relief Charity!

They began from Greenwich Park in London on Thursday 28th July and arrived on the outskirts of Paris on Saturday evening, leaving a short distance to ride into the city early on Sunday morning. The highlight of their trip was a circuit of the Arc du Triumph and a ride down the Champs -Elysees and on to the Eiffel Tower where their 'fan club ' was waiting to cheer them in. The Boys were delighted that traffic was very courteous and stopped to let them across the Arc du Triumph !!!!!! We also hear that the Butler/McCrea 'Fan Club' enjoyed a very good evening or two in this vibrant City!!!!!

The trip was originally organised by a company, but earlier in the year they changed the date of the ride, so the boys decided to organise it themselves with their partners acting as support team, travelling with them in a camper van. This meant they paid their own expenses enabling all the moneys raised to be given to the charities of their choice. In Ryan’s case The MacMillan Cancer Support..

Ryan James at the end of their London to Paris charity cycle ride celebrating under the Eiffel Tower. Photo: John Butler

Well done Guys.......Should you wish to donate to this very worthwhile Charity you can, via Ryan's website, www.justgiving.com/RyanButler1 ,or if you are visiting the ALR this weekend there is a donation envelope in the Clubroom which our members will direct you to. Many thanks....

TTFN

Time flies

2011-07-29T09:04:00.008+01:00

Lucille & Thunderbox on Birthday Party duties on 21 st May 2011.
Photo: Brian M

Hello again, yes we are still here and keeping busy, it's that time of year when one or two or three of us have been nipping off on holiday to 'recharge' our batteries and maybe pick up some tips if we can get near a railway!
But back on the ALR front we are doing all those things that need to be done, such as grass & bush trimming, track, point and signal maintenance, laying a blow down slab adjacent to the pit road outside the shed so we don't keep filling (well nearly!) the pit up with hot water, giving the platform seats their annual timber treatment, painting the point levers and plates, thinking about where we are going to build the bridge! oh yes tis on the list, so watch this space! etc etc etc.....

The locos are all servicable at the moment, Lucille has been given good tube clear out with a new brush which we are hoping will improve her steaming as she has been 'difficult to keep going for long recently. There is also a plan to introduce an axle driven, variable rate water pump to help....we are also having the water checked to ensure our 'water treatment' mix is producing the right result. Hotspur's repaint job is more or less complete and needs the ALR transfers placing on the tender, then we can let you see her as she is now!...
...and pssstttt ! there are rumours that we are planning to build our own version of 'Spuggy', the very popular Lister look alike!!!!!!! (many thanks to Martyn & Co who kindly sent us drawings!)

We also tried using the large Gazebo roof (no sides) last weekend during a private Family Picnic event, which was sucessful, easily put up and removed, so we plan to leave the frame up as this provides very useful additional shade (sunny) or shelter (rainy) when we have a Public event.

We are also looking forward to our next Open Day on Sunday August 7th, when as an additional 'attraction', the local MG Owners Clubs (Broadland, Cambridge & Norwich) are visiting for the afternoon and will be displaying their cars around the site. Trains will be running from 2 til 5 pm weather permitting, and we look forward to seing you there?

TTFN

'Spuggy' passing Cobnut Junction on 30th April 2011.
Photo: Brian M

A Good Charity Open Day

2011-07-05T14:26:00.005+01:00

The Lakeside wild flowers have spread even more this year !

We were delighted that the weather stayed very kind over the weekend so we could welcome our visitors in aid of the local Leonard Cheshire Home Disability Charity. It was a good afternoon with plenty of visitors enjoying the sunshine and the side stalls, Tombola, competitions plus the lovely cakes and refreshments. Thank you all for coming to support this local Charity.

On the operating side all went well with Hotspur, Lucille, General, Thunderbox and The Shay all taking their turn and performing faultlessly! We initiated the use of the calling on signal for trains waiting in the layby siding as well, so only two more signals to 'fire up' and the signalling personnel will then be in full charge! Ha ha!

The Shay waits to be called into the station by the new signal in the Layby siding on 3rd July Open Day 2011

On the work front during the week we installed a soakaway from the water tank to 'distribute' the surplus when its full, made up some 'duckboards' for the loco pit so we can have dry feet when its wet in there, and did some more 'gardening'. The green woodpeckers were about too.....

TTFN

An American Influence !

2011-06-29T21:46:00.009+01:00

The impressive Santa Fe F7 A & B units unloaded and ready to roll!

We had a great weekend for on Saturday we had a visit from a super Santa Fe F7 A & B unit locomotive brought along by fellow 71/4" Gauge Society member Ivan Hewlett and his family. Ivan arrived late morning as arranged, and the combo was easily unloaded from Ivan's trailer, and 'fired' up. After a trundle round the Triangle to get the loco facing in the right direction, and a brief chat on how we run the railway, Ivan set off and did one or two circuits with a big smile on his face!

Father & Son trundling back along the Home Straight after turning at the Triangle.

The loco was very impressive and the sound of that horn was excellent, made my day! We picked up the two car set on the way past Laurel Sidings and then I was then given the chance to drive the loco round the circuit which left me with an even bigger smile on my face, a very impressive loco it is, with a very professional control panel. Ivan's son then had a go with Dad in the first carriage and by then the Grandparents had arrived so they had a trip round too!

William takes a driving turn with Dad and happy Grandparents on the cushions!

As we had a Birthday Party in the afternoon we confirmed with Ivan that he was happy to participate, which he was, and so the loco along with Hotspur, General, The Shay, Sergeant and Thunderbox all had their turn in giving our Party visitors rides around the circuit for the whole afternoon. The F7 had to retire unfortunately with a transmission problem, which we hope is easily remedied, but all in all a good time was had by all !!!!! Even the weather behaved!

Another Happy Birthday Party train departs.

All photos : Brian M

TTFN

P.S. Don't forget that our next Open Day (Sunday 3rd July) is a bit of a special one as it is a Charity Event in aid of the local Leonard Cheshire Disability Home in East Carleton near Norwich. So please come along if you can to give support to this very worthwhile local Charity. We will be running trains from 2 til 5 weather permitting, with teas, cakes, and competitions for all the family! See you there?
......and, we may have another surprise loco taking part !

Flying Pigs AGM

2011-06-24T10:20:00.004+01:00

We received these two photos of the proceedings last Saturday, thanks Rosemary! (and for the mention in the Eastern Daily Press today!!!)

A happy Alan with Hotspur

Brackers about to depart with another trainload of Flying Pig members !
Photos: Micheal Thorpe & Rosemary Cooper

TTFN

Getting There!

2011-06-20T11:07:00.005+01:00

The 'call on' signal having some final tweaks in the workshop (18th June2011)

We are getting nearer to having the last of our signals installed and as you can see, the 'calling on' signal is just about ready to install at the exit of the 'layby' siding where trains wait to be called into the station when needed. Not sure what all the 'technical bits are that make it work, but as long as it does!!!!!!

The 'business' bits!

Saturday was another busy and enjoyable day. We were delighted to welcome the 'Flying Pigs' members to our railway for their inaugural Annual General Meeting. All went well and we are sure we will hear more from this Group (of which the ALRC is a member) now that they have formalised their activities. The Group caters for 'O' gauge modellers and above.
Hotspur, General and Thunderbox were out and about during the day, dodging the showers, and later, in the afternoon we had some excited children riding round for a Birthday Party, when the Shay also made an appearance.

TTFN

Seven to Devon!

2011-06-14T08:58:00.017+01:00

Seven Happy Chappies at Buckfastleigh Station

Last weekend saw us enjoying our annual 'ALR Boys Away' weekend when this year we headed for Devon. Our 'Social' Secretary had come up with an excellent itinerary and on the way down on Thursday, we stopped off to spend time at the Devon Railway Centre at Bickleigh, a former station on the Exe Valley line which closed in 1963. Set in a lovely woodland area there is a variety of attractions there for the whole family and it proved to be a pleasant break for us (and our driver!).

A model village scene at the Devon Railway Centre

Then onwards to Brixham, our base for the weekend where we were well looked after by Judith & Kevin Cartwright at their ideally situated B & B establishment overlooking Brixham Harbour (www.seatang-guesthouse.com). This fine old sea captain's house is full of train models (lots of GWR for some reason?), paintings and photographs, so plenty to see and chat about there! Highly recommended!!!!

View from the 'Sea Tang' at Brixham

Friday saw us heading off to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company via the Brixham to Dartmouth Ferry on the old WW2 'Fairmile' vessel. After disembarking at Dartmouth, we had a quick look round this busy old historical town, and then took the ferry across to the P & DR station to await the train to Paignton. The black 'Torquay Manor No 7800' duly arrived (and eventually ran round!), hauling us up this picturesque line to Paignton where we strolled through the town to catch the ferry back to Brixham.

Bally gets friendly with his mate Isombard at Dartmouth station !

Boys aboard the Devon Belle Pullman Saloon ready to depart Dartmouth (eventually! where is that loco?)

Saturday was a great day. We drove up to the South Devon Railway's terminus at Buckfastleigh where we were given a very warm welcome by the staff and vounteers there, and treated to a tour round the facilities by a very enthusiastic Andy Matthews, Duty officer for the day as it was their 50's & 60's weekend (thanks Andy, much appreciated!). This is a lovely authentic working railway true to the GWR heritage but also catering for the more modern diesel era enthusiasts. South Devon Railway Engineering Ltd are based there as are R K Pridham Engineering Ltd, recently acquired by SDRE Ltd and relocated there. So most jobs can be dealt with and there are ambitious plans to develop the site further.

Class 25 D7612 picking up the token as the train departs Buckfastleigh Station on the SDR

We also spent time on the 71/4" gauge railway there where Gary showed us round before we took a ride round the circuit. It was good to see some junior members helping at the station.

We were also lucky enough to be shown round the signal box at Buckfastleigh to see how the railway was controlled, fascinating.
Then we took a trip down the line to Totnes and back, during which time we won a cake in the raffle (and ate it !), and enjoyed a good 'crack' with the Buffet car staff! What a great and friendly railway this is!

So, with time to spare, what shall we do now Chaps? Well, we headed off to the Trago Mills complex near Newton Abbot where we had heard there was a miniature railway. Blimey, there is!!!!! A most impressive 10 1/4" gauge, 2 mile long, three station railway running through the complex of shops and entertainments. The loco on duty was Number 24, a Sandy & Rangely Lakes 2-6-2, (excellent!) which threaded its train through this massive 'playground'. We were lucky here again, and after obtaining the OK, our driver dropped us off at the workshops where we spent a fascinating and enlightening hour or so in the company of the railway's Chief Engineer. It turns out that a lot of the equipment here came from the Suffolk Wildlife Park! Small world eh?

The Bickington Railway's No 24 crosses the road at the Newton Abbott Trago Mills complex

The weather up to now had been quite kind to us, but it wouldn't be an ALR Boys Weekend Away if it didn't rain, and did it rain on Sunday, never stopped all day! We planned to pop into Pecorama at Beer on the way back home and so we did. It was very wet and wild (steady!) up there and the 71/4" line wasn't running unfortunately, but after having a good look round the shops and the model railway displays we popped into the station on the way up to the car park to have a quick look. We got chatting to the staff there and they were kind enough to take us down to the workshops and sheds area so we could have a look round. Their locos and coaches are very impressive, esecially Claudine, 2-4-4 T No 9, and Otter 2-4-2 No 1, what a pleasure it must be to drive these lovely, large locos around this fully (automatically) signalled layout, and get paid for it!
So, after a quick cuppa we returned to the vehicle and headed back home through the wet full of inspiration and good ideas! Another very enjoyable weekend, where next year Chaps?

TTFN

Here and there

2011-06-01T20:59:00.006+01:00

Those little jobs keep on coming and you may see the results of our labours when you next visit the railway? We have been putting up some more signs which were kindly donated by a benefactor involved in stripping obsolete signage, legitimately we should add, as part of an 'updating' exercise, from mainline railway stations in the southern part of our country, some of which we felt we could put to use straight away! Here's one, what do you think? See if you can spot any more when you next visit !

You may also notice that we have fitted a smart new, 'corporate' vinyl sign to our Clubroom entrance door!

Our veteran (1933) South Bend lathe has been in use again, this time Ray is delighted to be turning some axles for 'Sergeant' instead of wheels (which he is very good at!)

We are currently making and installing the last of our signals which, when completed, will enable us to use a variety of routes, making the ride more interesting for our visitors (and us!). The majority of the maintenance work to our track has now been completed and so Ray is wondering what to do next! Just joking Ray!
Richard, with some help from others occasionally, is working wonders with the 'horticultural' stuff, as, despite the, still, very dry weather, the bushes are growing like mad!

Some of the ALR Gang admire the Midland compound

..and today, (Wednesday) a group of us popped across to Hemsby to enjoy their railway in wonderful sunny weather, so we could admire and ride behind the variety of locos performing. Always an enjoyable experience where a warm welcome is guaranteed.
Later, back at Ashmanhaugh, we were able to show Alan Priest and his colleagues from the Home Counties and Bath, around the circuit, using General. A good day!

The Deltic ready to go
All photos: Brian M

....and, don't forget our latest Open Day is this coming Sunday, 5th June when we look forward to welcoming you, see you then ? Trains will be running from 2 til 5 pm weather permitting!

TTFN

Happy Birthday Party

2011-05-22T16:28:00.010+01:00

'Lucille' and 'Thunderbox' preparing to leave Ashmanhaugh (Central ?) with Birthday Party Specials!

Another good week at the ALR with a very Happy Birthday Party on Saturday when the children and their folks had a great time, and did they make some noise? Great, so well behaved too, we were impressed. The weather was excellent too, very warm and sunny! 'Lucille', 'Thunderbox' and 'The Shay' came out to play.

'Thunderbox' heads round the Lake as seen through the wild flowers.

The Engineering (coaches !) Boys also managed to get Doris back on the road having fitted a pair of new homemade, plain and simple bogies that were completed recently in an attempt to keep her on the track. It worked and the coach was given several gentle laps around the circuit with 'General' to ensure all was OK. It was, so someone then said, "shall we put the top on?", "Why not", was the reply. So the lid was brought out from the shed and fitted. Then some more careful circuits to confirm all was OK. It was. The coach rides really well as two guests holidaying in one of the East View Farm Cottages confirmed, they were impressed and thoroughly enjoyed their unexpected trip around the circuit! (As did the young family who were staying in the other Holiday Cottage who had a trip later on round the circuit behind 'The General'!)

'Doris' going back together again!

'General' takes a covered 'Doris' along the Back Straight past 'Chestnut Junction'

We also enjoyed driving round the alternative circuits now that we have a few more signals and points commissioned. Keeps everybody on their toes! We can now come into the station area off the Back straight without coming through the 'layby' siding, and we can now also take a 'right' coming into the triangle section off 'Den' section to take us around the Lake section. So, we're nearly there just two more signals to commission and a bit of tweaking to do to the track circuiting, and then there is talk (and will be much more yet!) about upgrading or rebuilding the signal box control panels.

'Lucille' heading round the Lake with happy party goers!

All photos: Brian M 21st May 2011

TTFN

Birthday 'Boy'

2011-05-19T09:44:00.003+01:00

Ray with his trophy and certificate.

On Wednesday (18th), Ray, our hardest working member, celebrated his 8oth birthday. Over the Winter and Spring, Ray has 'embarrased' us younger members (and when we say younger we mean a bit younger than Ray!) by working mainly on his own in all weathers to get our track up to scratch for this year's running season, and we think our trains are running better than than they have ever run before.
To mark the occasion, we presented Ray with a Certificate and a Golden Rail trophy during the lunch break, and Ray provided us with sausage rolls and a cream cake.
We should also mention that Ray cycles several miles to get to the ALR and after a full day's work cycles home again.
So, keep it up Ray, you seem to have many years work left in you yet!

DB

The 'Little' People ?

2011-05-17T12:49:00.004+01:00

One of our phone box installations , this one at point 9 approaching the Triangle.

We have a telephone system on the ALR which is very useful. It is a BT 'Inspiration' kindly donated to us in the early days by one of our members. We have since installed handsets in the signal box, workshop, ticket office, Laurel Sidings storage shed and siding, at point 26 in the layby, on the platform, at point 9 (triangle approach on Den section) and at point 12 on the 'home straight'. The system is very useful and allows us to communicate with the various parts of the railway easily, but, we seem to have a 'phantom' caller! Weird or what ? At no particular time, and for no apparent reason, the handset in the Workshop will ring but when answered there is no one there!!!!

So if anyone knows who this might be and what they are trying to tell us ?, you know where we are !!!!!!!!!

TTFN !

Sucessful May Open Day weekend

2011-05-02T09:31:00.012+01:00

Star of the weekend 'Spuggy' coming onto the layby with a happy Martyn in charge!

We have had a great weekend! The weather has been excellent with blue skies and a 'cheeky' breeze, but fine all weekend.

Three Happy Brighouse Lads with 'Spuggy' in Laurel sidings
ready for the Open Day to commence!

We were very pleased on Saturday to welcome some of the Brighouse & Halifax Model Engineers 'Gang' who were in Norfolk along with some of the Bradford Society members, visiting the Hemsby Club for a few days with some of their locos. Martyn had asked if they could visit us with a couple of locos on the Saturday, and as we had agreed recently as a Club to start to have visiting locos again, we were delighted to welcome Martyn, with Brian, Ray and Co, to the ALR with 'Spuggy'. Martyn did intend to bring his Romulus as well ,but apparently there was steam issuing from everywhere so he decided not to bring it! So we had a great day preparing for the Open Day and then in the afternoon let 'Spuggy' loose around our circuit. This lovely little loco was an instant hit with the ALR Gang and most of us had a drive (or three!). On several occasions were members heard saying,"I want one !". So, not making any promises just yet, but .......watch this space!!!!.
As the day drew to a close we all agreed that it would be great if the loco could 'sleep overnight', and take part in the Open Day on Sunday. Martyn, Brian & Ray were more than happy to do that so the loco was tucked away in the ALR shed for the night, and we all went home happy Boys!

JP brings 'Hotspur' past the Back Straight Home signals.

Sunday was another super, sunny day and we welcomed our first 2011 Open Day visitors, with 'General' and 'The Shay' hauling the first trains of the day. Hotspur came out to play eventually after our Engineers cured a whistle valve problem, along with Thunderbox, Sergeant and of course 'Spuggy'. Lucille was given the day off, as there was a water and driver shortage! Woodpecker Lodge was opened for the first time on an Open Day and was a popular stopping and sitting point during the afternoon with its photo displays and sunny aspect. We welcomed several visitors from other railways including Brighouse and Halifax, Barnsley Society of Model Engineers, Barton House, and Little Orchard railways. So all in all, an excellent afternoon, not the busiest, but nice and relaxed, plenty of time for chatting and catching up! and finally, no double header to finish the proceedings but what must have been the slowest trip ever round the circuit (by 'Hotspur' with some help, thanks Guys, clinkered up fire is my excuse!) , and then 'Spuggie' helped to push the train round to the shed. So it was a sort of 'double header' but more American 'shover' practise than two on the front!

'Spuggy' with a full train at the Back Straight Home signals on Open Day.
All photos: Brian M

Our grateful thanks to the Brighouse Boys for making our weekend (think they quite enjoyed it toooo!), and of course to our visitors on Sunday, see you next month?

TTFN

Just about ready !

2011-04-29T19:09:00.003+01:00

Hotspur negotiating the Tunnel section past our lovely new bluebells on Wednesday 27th April!

We are just about ready for our first Open Day of 2011 on Sunday, with a few last minute jobs to do tomorrow, and then let's hope we have a nice day on Sunday. It's been very good here today - Friday - lovely for The Wedding as well, what a happy and delightful couple they are eh ? We wish them well . So let's hope for a good start to the season!

We will be open from 2 til 5 pm as usual, light refreshments will be available, (as will our second loo!), ride prices as last year, and we look forward to seeing you !

TTFN

April Update on the ALR

2011-04-14T08:53:00.007+01:00

Hello again, how time flies, we are into April already and being cheered up by some lovely warm, sunny days which have helped us to get on with some of those outside jobs that the harsh Winter weather prevented us from progressing.
We gave the two steamers a run round last weekend to make sure they were all ready for the coming season and we were pleased (and relieved) that they both ran well. We used the session to enable three of our members to gain more steam loco experience, and they did!
The signal arms/dollies have all been put out and some work is being done to ensure they are all working properly including confirmation on the signal box control panel that they are doing what the signalman thinks they are !

All our greenery has now decided to flourish (including the weeds!) and is growing like mad so the gardening work is underway. We have planted more greenery in the tunnel section to try to get our 'green' tunnel more so, and we now have some planters on the platform and outside the lodge which brighten the place up. We have also completed the paving and chippings outside the Lodge so it does look quite smart and we are looking forward to being able to use it for displays during the season. It's quite a good spot for a cuppa on a sunny afternoon too!

The trackwork is being continuously tweaked, levelled, tamped and ballast made up where necessary.

So, we are nearly ready for this year's operating which kind of starts this weekend with a Birthday Party which may iron out any 'bugs'.! and bring us up to speed? We are taking the ALRC display stand to the Norwich Model Railway Club's Annual Exhibition on Saturday where I am sure we will meet up with many familiar faces. The Broadland Model Railway Club will be there too, following their recent move to new premises at Panxworth, where they should be able to spread their wings a bit, with room to leave layouts up and a separate Clubroom to relax in ! we wish them well in their new home.

We are delighted that the MG Owners Clubs will be visiting us again this year on our August Open Day, and you will have seen that the railway is hosting another Leonard Cheshire Home Charity Day on our July Open Day to raise some money for this very worthy local Charity.

...and even the ducks are happy on the Lake!

See you soon? TTFN

Ashmanhaugh

2011-03-22T20:03:00.000Z

Origins of village names are fascinating and we (& others!) have been doing a little delving into our railway's home village history. It seems the village dates back to the 10th century or even earlier! There are several interpretations as to the origin of the village name, the most popular seemingly of Anglo - Saxon influence, being 'the enclosure of the 'aescmann' or pirate ! 'aesc-mann' was 'pirate', 'haugh' from 'haga' or 'hagi', a fenced enclosure (for sheep?). So in ancient records can be found 'Assemanhaghe' (around 1175), 'Ashmanhag' (1183), 'Assemaneshawe' (1254), and 'Ashmonhawe' (1535). There was a Bryant map of 1836 which gave the spelling as 'Ashmanhaugh'. Nowadays the most popular pronunciation locally seems to favour 'Ashman'or'.
The village boasts a lovely round tower church, St Swithins, being the probably the smallest one out of 124 in Norfolk, and there is another nearby at Beeston St Lawrence. The 2001 Census shows the village population as being 197 in 74 households. (hope you've done your 2011 one?)
Today the village, although appearing to be quiet and sleepy, is a very active place with the old Village school now the centre of activities being the village Hall (the Preston Room), hosting a wide variety of events throughout the year for the villagers, and others, young and old. There are gardening, art, Senior Residents and Bookworms Clubs, film nights, themed meal evenings, Jumble sales, quizes and there is of course a thriving cricket team. Apart from the usual farming activities there is also a coal yard and a boatbuilding facility!
Thanks to various sources, particularly Bob Payne and the Village Parish Council website.

Marching on !

2011-03-13T12:41:00.014Z

Happiness is ! and it's not very often Minimus is looked up to !!!!!!
(Club joke !)

Well, have we had a good week ? Yes we have ! With an almost 100% turnout of members on Saturday (12th), well done Guys, lots of jobs are being progressed, and we include a selection for your browsing.

'General' has seen a lot of attention with chassis, drive chains, axles and brake system all checked and serviced. New springs have been fitted to the brake mechanism to keep the shoes off the wheel rims which had been a bit of a problem, especially when reversing. So we now need to go and get the sound unit to really bring this handy little loco to life !

Dave & John attend to General outside the workshop.

Brackers, Alan & Ray finalising the Lake flat crosing signal 'gubbins'

We have now 'commissioned' the colour light signals that protect the Lake flat crossing, which trains activate when entering and leaving the appropriate track circuiting sections. We are impressed, they do look good with the LED lights really standing out.

A 'green' coming off the Lake section approaching the flat crossing.

View of the other colour light signal approaching the crossing from Birchwood Junction,with John in the background 'earthmoving!

Lucile was fired up to test that all was working OK after some attention in the workshop over previous weeks, had a good run round light engine and then with a set on. All good !

Above: The Pit Gang attend to Lucille!
and below, Lucille approaches Lake crossing with the signal showing 'green, yippee, system works !

The workshop external wall was given a creosote 'treat' and the roof area cleaned and washed.

We also cleared all the arisings from the loco pit and other excavations which were transported round to John & Jane's back garden and used to fill in the pond. Why, well after a cleaning session last weekend John & Ben found there to be a distinct absence of fish. (well, just one tiny gold fish)...Herons ? nope, it seems that Otters are now in the area with a family reported in the lakes at the nearby Hoveton Hall Gardens! So the Ponds have decided to fill the hole in and landscape the area rather than to feed the otters !

and finally, can't be too sure Dave, like it ! Can't really go wrong ????????

Until next time, TTFN!

Spring's On The Way

2011-02-24T18:04:00.005Z

Roamer One !

Ah! we can see lots of signs of Spring out there now, thank goodness, when a Young Man's fancy turns to ........well, you know............all those jobs that need doing ! Our new toilet and locker areas are well on the way to being complete now with the painting almost complete, as the photo shows. We just need to put in the final finishings (the piccys on the walls and the flowers !), but you will need to come and see us to experience the completed job !

Suite Two !
Photos: Brian M

We also now all have our own individual locker for which a Grand Draw took place last Saturday, So we are now moving into the Clubroom to give this a redecoration job which leaves the adjacent workshop to be finally fitted out and painted, then we can get to grips with all the outside jobs that need to be done! Some of those are in progress with the new handbrake levers installed on all three coach sets and further 'tweaking' of the track still continuing...

Oh, and we suppose you are all wondering what on earth 'Roamer One' is ???????. well, it stands for 'Ray's Own 'andy Mobile Engineering Roamer' which contains all Ray's tools and ''things '' that he needs to tweak the track....and One ? well there's bound to be another one (needs flanged wheels to ride aong the rails, Boys!) innit?, so that'll be Roamer Two !

TTFN

Soon be spring !

2011-01-30T11:06:00.010Z

Oh this is great, thanks Boys ! Our own little houses!
Photo: Dave Jones

Hi there, we have been busy little 'Ashmens' recently, 'beavering' away at various tasks, in spite of the weather! and so have the Ashmanhaugh ducks who seem to have found the perfect nesting site,,,,,, in our new lockers ! ! ! Once it gets warmer we are sure you will see them once again happily enjoying our lake !

Work is progressing very well on our new toilet and locker room area with plumbing and electrical works all done, just need to connect the new loo to the drains. All wallboard joints and holes are all filled ready for the painting to start. As you will see from the above photo, our new lockers are coming along with doors being fitted which will provide all our members with some 'personal' storage space. Lots are to be drawn to decide who gets which one !

We had a bit of a problem with Lucille during the Mince Pie Specials running on December 27th, when she suddenly would only go backwards, very tricky! So, having cleared out all the 'stuff' from the workshop area, we were able yesterday, to get the loco up on the stands so our 'engineers' could investigate the problem. This was, as suspected a 'loose' valve on the rod on one side, so that side wanted the loco to go backwards, the other forwards ! Not good. Anyway it seems the problem is now sorted so we can continue with the other maintenance items on both steamers.

We are also changing the handbrake mechanisms on the coaches to give a positive lock when the brakes are applied, which the 'rotary' method was not giving us. One set has been fitted with the new lever and cabling as can be seen from the photo. Work will now proceed on the other sets. The new pit has been very useful in progressing this work.

New brake lever fitted and cabling complete. Photo: Brian M 29th Jan 2011

We have also given Woodpecker Lodge another coat of cedar preservative and the window frames are being painted cream. We are looking forward to seeing this welcome addition in use during the summer.

'Stalwart' Ray has been steadily busy tweaking the track over the last few weeks, in spite of the cold conditions, so it will be in good 'nick' once running starts. Ray has also just taken delivery of a very smart new 'electric' bicycle, complete with all mod cons, and we are just wondering how best to modify it for use a TIV (track inspection vehicle !) Just joking Ray!

It was also very nice yesterday, (Sat 29th) to welcome a long standing Society member, Brian Moretti to the railway. Brian was in the area and had expressed a wish to come and have a look, and as we are always willing to show off our railway, along he and his friend came. We think they were suitably impressed ! We were certainly very impressed with his account of life on the East Herts Miniature Railway Society situated within the Van Hagues Garden Centre at Great Amwell, near Ware, where Brian has spent many happy years!

A moody, wintry shot of the wind turbine
Photo: Dave Jones 27 Dec 2010

TTFN !

Happy New Year !

2011-01-13T12:13:00.010Z

There were some rails here somewhere says John !

Hello everyone, we hope you are all recovered from the festive season ! It seems ages now since Christmas as we proceed into 2011 which we hope is going to be a good year for everyone !

We managed to have our Christmas Dinner at a local Hostelry just before Christmas although several of our members were unable to make it due to the extremely icy conditions ! One intrepid couple set out but ended up in a ditch after not travelling very far so decided to go back home! They were both OK fortunately, just a bit shaken up. The ones who did make it had a good evening we hear !

We had also planned to run some Mince Pie Specials on 27th December for members and friends and again the weather and the Christmas 'family' activities prevented some of us from making it, but those who did brave the conditions were met with some very, picturesque snowy scenes and after some snow clearing (who said 'we' should make a snowplough? !!!! ha ha!) , some running did take place as can be seen from the photos!

Happiness is !
All photos : John Pond

Since then, the New Year has seen us very busy giving the signal posts a repaint, some work being done fitting new, more substantial brake levers to the coaching sets, and the provision of the new toilet and member's locker room area is now well advanced. It is rumoured that paint brushes might be employed this weekend ?

Signal posts being painted in the workshop

and Hotspur enjoying some winter sunshine !
Photos : Brian M

Happy New Year !

TTFN !

Seasonal Greetings

2010-12-20T09:44:00.007Z

All of the 'Gang' at the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway would like to wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

We hope to see you in 2011 !

Winter Wonderland ?

2010-12-06T14:20:00.011Z

As we shiver in this sudden wintry spell, which to be fair, has left us considerably better off than those in other parts of our country, we plod on with those jobs that the weather hasn't prevented us from doing ! We have taken in all the signals, locating them in their new home in the Laurel Sidings Running shed, (to give the shed its posh new name !) and we are in the process of replacing the spectacle glasses which have faded in the sunshine (remember that stuff?). Then, hopefully we will get an eager 'volunteer' (or two?) to repaint the posts so they are all spick and span for next year !.

Signals stored in their racks in the Laurel Sidings shed

Work is now progressing well with the new toilet and 'staff'' locker room areas with the new partitions up, and ceilings and doors being fitted. Soon be ready for the painters ! When this is done we are to redecorate the Clubroom which is now in need of a 'refresh'!

The two upper photos show the area opened up ready to form the new toilet
and locker room areas, with the lowest one showing the new partitions forming
the new toilet lobby area, looking towards the existing toilet door. The new staff
locker room door can be seen at the right hand side.

All Photos: Brian M

Even managed to find an hour to pick enough sloes to make some more lovely Sloe Gin, yummy !

We still have a long list of 'things' to do (where do they all come from?) which will keep us out of mischief over the coming months which will enable us, and you (!), to further enjoy our railway........

We are also looking forward to our annual Christmas meal at a local Hostelry next Friday evening. Christmas is rushing upon us at a very rapid pace !!!!!!! Hope you are not getting tooooooo stressed over the Christmas shopping !

TTFN

Award winning Cottages !

2010-11-21T09:45:00.007Z

As you may be aware, there are two luxury self catering holiday cottages adjacent to the ALR which were converted from the old farm buildings by Jane & John some years ago, into the popular holiday Cottages that you see as you approach the railway today. Well, we are delighted to tell you that the Cottages achieved 'Winner of the 2010 Regional 'Enjoy England' awards for Excellence for Self Catering Holiday of the year' at the annual ceremony held at Ickworth House recently. The award covers properties in six counties so this is a fine achievement.
But not only did the cottages win that award, on Friday evening at the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Award ceremony held at The Holiday Inn, North Norwich, the Best Self Catering Establishment was awarded to Plum Tree Cottage, the larger of the two, capable of sleeping up to six people in 3 bedrooms.

Well done Jane !

Should you wish to find out more about these lovely properties (with a miniature railway very close !), you can go straight to the Cottages' website by using the link (East View Farm Holiday Cottages) on this page.

TTFN

Asmmm you may be aware, there are two Well, we are delighted to tell you that the Cottages achieved 'Winner of the 2010 Regional 'Enjoy England' awards for Excellence for Self Catering Holiday of the year' at the annual ceremony held rfolk Award ceremony held at The Holiday Inn, North Norwich, the Best Self Catering Establishment was awarded to Plum Tree Cottage, the larger of the two, capable of sleeping up to six people in 3 bedrooms.
Well done Jane !

Should you wish to find out more about these lovely properties (with a miniature railway very close !), you can go straight to the Cottages' website by using the link cottages adjacent to the ALR which were converted from the old farm buildings by Jane & John some years ago into the popular holiday Cottages that you see as you approach the railway today. Well, we are delighted to tell you that the Cottages achieved 'Winner of the 2010 Regional 'Enjoy England' awards for Excellence for Self Catering Holiday of the Year' at the annual ceremony held

But not only did the cottages win that award, on Friday evening at the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Award ceremony held at The Holiday Inn, North Norwich, the Best Self Catering Establishment was awarded to Plum Tree Cottage, the larger of the two, capable of sleeping up to six people in 3 bedrooms.

Well done Jane !

S

No Guy & Damp Squibs !

2010-11-08T09:41:00.002Z

Friday evening, being November 5th was our now, Annual Bonfire night 'do', 46 hardy members, family and friends turned up on a very damp evening to enjoy a mega display of fantastic fireworks (well done Daves!) and some tasty soup, hot dogs, baked potatoes followed by a variety of gateaux, yummy! (well done John, Jane, Val, Alan & Jill ).
We were delighted that our new 'Woodpecker Lodge' is already proving its worth, providing a valuable, dry storage area for the fireworks on the night.
Unfortunately due to the rain, we decided not to run any trains so we were able to spend the whole evening mixing and mingling and having an enjoyable time!

During the past couple of weeks we have been busy sorting out the 'old' loco shed, which now has a workbench, paint and electrical storage cupboards, a smart gardening tools rack and a lot less clutter. We are finding stuff we didn't know we had!
The running shed ceiling insulation is well advanced, and the loco pit covers are made ready to be fitted.
The trackwork in the station approach area has been lifted and its geometry altered to make a 'smoother' entry curve off the back straight, and the track boys are planning their winter maintenance work schedule.
We have also started work on forming the new toilet and locker area so you will see some changes when you come to see us next year!

TTFN

Some Interesting feedback !

2010-10-26T09:14:00.005+01:00

ALR Autumn colours
Photo: John Pond

From time to time our 'technical person' delves into the dark world of Bloggs and websites to come up with some interesting data which we thought you might like to hear!

During the period 24th April to 24th October 2010, the ALR 'Blogg' has been visited 1905 times with visitors spending an average of 2.03 minutes on the site, during which time there were 4738 page views. The average page views per visit was 2.49 minutes.

58.64% of these visitors were new and the visits 'spiked' on May 1st, June 6th, July 4th , August 1st and September 5th, which coincide nicely with our Open Days!

17.43% of the visits were direct, 31.23% were 'referred' and 51.34% came via search engines.

Our most viewed pages were 'About the ALR, 'How to find us', 'Locomotive 'Sergeant,' and 'Locomotive 'The Shay' !

The top 5 visits by country were UK (1777), USA (30), France (11), Australia (10), Germany (6). we were visited by visitors from 40 countries in total, wow!

All of which tells us just how valuable the site is in spreading the word, excellent. Thank you all for looking, and please continue to do so !

Our thanks to Neil for the research.

TTFN

2010-10-26T09:12:00.001+01:00

Another busy week

2010-10-08T09:12:00.011+01:00

The scene as the locos were being steamed up for their 'test' .

On Wednesday we welcomed Brian (71/4" Gauge Society President & Hemsby stalwart), & Reg (of Hemsby & 'Britannia' fame!) to the ALR to carry out the inspections and tests required on both our locos for their 'steam tickets' to be renewed. All went well, we are pleased to report and an interesting morning was enjoyed, culminating in a trip around the circuit for our 'guests' behind Hotspur. We also managed to rectify the lubricator, on Hotspur that had not been working properly, (or even at all ? for a while) thanks to Andy & Ray, and oil is now being sent to where it is required! We also found that air is getting into the smokebox which would explain the difficulty we have had in maintaining steam pressure on Hotspur for any length of time, so this now should also have solved that problem! So, all in all a good session!

Hotspur comes round past Bamboo Junction (see the sign?) after her steam test.

Hotspur with Brian & Reg enjoying a well earned ride coming past Birchwood Junction.

The boys have now also fixed the track over the new pit and Lucille did the honours by being the first loco to use it, as you will see from the photos. This facility is going to be a really useful asset to the railway as we will now be able to get right under the locos for inspections, maintenance and repairs.

Ray tries out the new pit (and approves!)

We have also started the winter maintenance of our track with some pointwork in the station area being uplifted for some rebuilding work. We are also making a metal paint cupboard in an attempt to start to organise our stores (good on yer Barry!) within the workshop area which can now be cleared out following the move of our locos into the Laurel Sidings running shed. We are also about to fix insulation to the underside of the Running Shed roof to prevent condensation forming during the Winter.

One of our new signs (at Cobnut Junction).

All photos: Brian M

TTFN

This 'n That

2010-10-04T13:31:00.004+01:00

Woodpecker Lodge nearly complete. Photo: Dave Jones

Hi, several things going on recently,
We have now erected our cedarwood Summer House following a very kind offer from some friends of one of our members to have it. We have just been waiting for the 'OK' from the local Planning Authority before putting it up. It will provide a very useful facility (as you can see from the photo), mini clubhouse, display area, storage etc, etc...........it is to be called Woodpecker Lodge !

Just trying it out are we chaps ? Photo: Dave Jones

We have also now erected some junction signs around the track to remind us where we are, very smart we think ?

The new loco pit at Laurel Sidings has the trackwork in position across it so we are nearly there with this job....

The insulation for the running shed roof is now on site so there's another job to do which should stop the condensation dripping all over our nice rolling stock during the Winter!

...and last Saturday we took our Display stand to the Broadland Model Railway Club's annual exhibition at Aylsham where we had a very good day talking to lots of visitors and managing to find time to admire some lovely model railway layouts. Well done Chaps! Good show !

TTFN

Last 2010 Open Day sucess !

2010-10-04T13:17:00.004+01:00

We were delighted with the response from our visitors on Sunday following our decision to go ahead with the afternoon despite an 'orrible weather forecast! We had expected to be sat there looking out at the pouring rain, drinking tea, gloomily, thinking of all the other things we could be doing! But instead we managed to run all afternoon to satisfy a really good turn out of visitors, with some light rain now and then during the session, thank you all for coming. (we had one family who had travelled 200 miles to be with us, thank you so much!).
We had a really good time with Hotspur, Lucille, General, Thunderbox and The Shay all making appearances during the afternoon.
The steam double header 'Grande Finale' was not, as the two steam locos could only manage 75 PSI of steam between them so they didn't both make it! Hotspur got lost somewhere on the circuit leaving Lucille to limp home, but everyone took it in good spirits and it just proves once again how tricky these lovely 'little' engines are to keep going for 3 hours!
So another first for the ALR, we didn't have to cancel one Open Day this year! Well done everyone and many thanks to all our visitors, (some very regular) who make such nice comments about the ALR, we are flattered and very pleased you enjoy your visits so much!
See you next year?

TTFN

September time

2010-09-20T11:17:00.004+01:00

As September rapidly disappears we are still keeping busy, although we are into the 'late summer holidays' time when some of us hope to catch some lovely Autumn days somewhere on the Planet !
We welcomed another happy Birthday Party visit last Saturday, followed by a 'Footplate experience' session which was thoroughly enjoyed by all (well done Steven! and Alan of course!).
On the jobs front we have replaced the Shay's handbrake cable, (not easy but our erstwhile engineers like a challenge!), continued with the gardening (bit like painting the Forth bridge), and we have installed six Junction signs (photos to follow), very smart, so our drivers know roughly where they are on the circuit?
So something to look out for when you visit on our next Open Day on SUNDAY OCTOBER 3rd. Hope to see you there!

TTFN

The ALR track detection system

2010-09-07T15:11:00.008+01:00

After 18 months development, the ALR Track Detection system is up and running, although there is still some fine tuning to do. The basics are that the track detects when a train is present by a short circuit being detected across the two rails via the metal wheels and axles of the engines and carriages. This triggers a low impedence relay which is housed in the trackside distribution boxes (in batches of four- one relay for each track section - see photo).

We spent some time experimenting with different relays until we found one that had suitable impedence and drop out voltage characteristics. If these were wrong we found it difficult to achieve relay switching in wet weather conditions because the resistance across 200 wood sleepers drops dramatically when wet, and holds the relays on. Also the length of track sections had an effect.
The track is divided into 16 sections. The switched contact of the relay is fed to the input of a 555 electronic timer circuit which is designed to give a 5 second consistent high on its output as soon as it detects a train. The reasoning behind this is to give a constant output even if the track is dirty in places resulting in relay judder. This 5 seconds also allows the next section of track to be detected and displayed in the signal box before the last carriage leaves the previous section.
The output of the timer circuit is then fed via another PO type relay to the display board in the signal box which lights up relevant LED's on the display board. As you can just see in the photograph, there are three sections lit, 'Bamboo', 'Home straight' and the first ''Lake' section which indicate there are 3 trains running.

At this month's Open Day we had 4 trains running simultaneously for the first time and the track detection system enabled the signalman to keep trains evenly spaced ( most of the time!) around the circuit.
DB

2010 Open Day Number Five-excellent !

2010-09-07T14:59:00.008+01:00

Lucille makes her way around the Lake

Our latest Open day for this year last Sunday (5th September), was another very enjoyable day for us all, and we hope our visitors too, you all seemed happy, and if you are happy, then so are we!
The weather once again was excellent, with a steady breeze and plenty of lovely warm sunshine......

The stars of the show were, The General, Hotspur, Lucille, The Shay and Sergeant who all performed very well (good driving I say!). Hotspur decided to take its own route rather than the one the signalman had set as it entered the station area on one trip, which resulted in the loco having a rest in the ballast! But we like a challenge, and after a few minutes the loco was on the rails once more, the trackwork checked and we were on our way again! We decided not to use 'Den' section for the remainder of the afternoon just in case there is a problem with the pointwork, and so with a slightly shorter ride we were able to keep the queue moving steadily forward.

It's also good to be able to spend time chatting to our visitors and on Sunday the local railways were well represented with staff from the North Norfolk, the Mid Norfolk, the Fenland Light Railway and the Little Orchard railway visiting us! Particular thanks to Andy P who gave us some invaluable advise on the mysterious art of steam loco firing!

So one more Open Day to go and that's another year almost gone!

TTFN

P.S. Just been reminded that good 'ole 'Thunderbox' tramped round on Sunday too....ooops !

Birthday Times !

2010-08-29T17:04:00.015+01:00

Our Honourable Treasurer achieved the 'Magic 70' last Wednesday and very generously threw a Birthday Party at the ALR on Saturday evening for quite a few of his many friends. We all had a great time, enjoying a delicious Hog Roast, the odd drink or two (or maybe more?), a few train rides ('General', 'The Shay' and 'Sergeant' had a wander round), and much hilarity. The weather was extremely kind and so a great evening was had by all.

Thanks Al !

Alan prepares to tuck into one of the biggest (& nicest !) pork pies we have sampled, kindly donated by one of our members !!!

The 'Hog' smoking nicely !

Guests enjoying the 'Party ambience' !

'General' approaches the platform full of happy party goers, with young Ben driving and Dad guarding!

The Shay about to set off

Meanwhile, the new loco pit progresses, more gardening is being done, the 'fitting out' of the new running shed continues, final signal installations continue, and we look forward to our next Open Day, this coming Sunday, September 5th.....we hope to see you there!

Trains will be running from 2 til 5.

All photos: Brian M

TTFN

P.S. On Saturday we were treated to the wonderful sight of three, yes three, Buzzards working the skies above the railway. These superb fliers are breeding in the area now we hear, and at least one of the three, we think, must be this year's offspring.

August Update

2010-08-16T11:04:00.009+01:00

Aubrey enjoying his Driver Experience session with 'Lucille' on Saturday 13th August.
Photo: Brian M

Hi there......lots going on this month.....in spite of holiday absences !.....

Our August Open Day was an enjoyable one with a good attendance (thank you!), and good weather. We were nicely busy but not rushed off our feet so it was good that everything behaved enabling everyone to enjoy the afternoon. Following a suggestion by one of our Ladies, we have started to have a 'picnic' session after we have cleared away on Open Days so those of us who want to bring along some nibbles, sit, relax, have a drink and a chat can do so, nice idea!

We have concreted the base to the new loco pit at Laurel sidings which will enable us to construct the concrete block walls and get the pit ready to use.

Pit concreting in progress on Saturday 13th August.
Photo:Brian M

We are fitting levers to replace the handbrake wheels on the coach sets which should give a firmer and quicker hold when required. Some rewiring to the alarm systems is also in progress..

'Jonesy' working on 'Doris'
Photo: Brian M

On Saturday afternoon a lucky man, Aubrey, came along to have a go at driving a steam loco on one of our Driver Experience sessions, which he and his family and friends thoroughly enjoyed (we did too!). Big smiles all round, and what a lovely afternoon for it !.

Aubrey oils round guided by Alan & Ben
Photo: Brian M

We were also busy with tree and bush trimming, track maintenance and fitting out of the new shed at Laurel Sidings so we can move the locos down there permanently. The plan is to use Laurel Sidings as the running shed where locos will be prepared and disposed of, and where we can make up the train sets ready to come straight into the platform, when required, via the 'layby siding', rather than changing locos at the platform.

Our Social Secretary has been trying to organise a 'Fish & Chip' Supper on the Mid Norfolk Railway, but unfortunately this had to be cancelled as we could not get enough people to attend , so instead, 21 of us enjoyed a very nice meal at a local 'hostelry' last Friday evening......excellent. We should do that more often !!!

Finally we are taking our Display stand to the 'Flying Pigs Eastern Rail 2010' exhibition on Sunday 22nd August. This exhibition, being held at the Neatherd High School in East Dereham, is for '0' Guage railway modelling and above (up to 71/4" ) and will be open from 10.30 to 16.30, maybe we'll see you there !

TTFN

Super Saturday

2010-07-25T19:46:00.013+01:00

An excellent day last Saturday saw our members busily working away on lots of jobs........ but first we had a Birthday Boy who kindly provided Pork Pies and cake, yummy!!!!
Thanks Dave, 37 ?, yeah right, you wish!!!!!!

Dig in Chaps !
All photos: Brian M

The two steam locos got a much deserved steam clean (naturally!)

The platform fence painting was completed

Trackwork in Laurel sidings received attention as the recent hot weather had taken up all the rail gaps which caused one or two gauging problems!

and some final wiring connections to the track circuiting installations were being completed into the signal box.

We even had a play during the afternoon , firing up 'Lucille' so we could 'train up' (sorry!) more drivers....Sargeant came out to play hauling Doris and Mavis for a while, and 'The General' had a few trundles round, testing the track circuiting work that was being done.......

We also used the righthand leg of the triangle to access the Lake section for the first time, it is rumoured !

Ray is fixing a slight leak on Lucille prior to her being fired up.

TTFN

P.S. Will you be coming to see us this Sunday ? Hope so, trains running from 2 til 5pm.......

A Very Good Week on the ALR

2010-07-19T09:49:00.012+01:00

Hotspur approaching the Home Straight signals with a Birthday Party train on 17th July, with the Shay in the background en route to the Lake section.
Photo: Brian M

This week has been a very good week, (well they are all good but some just better than others!).
On Wednesday, we concentrated on doing some gardening and track maintenance work, Dave is tweaking the track circuiting set up as when the sleepers are wet, in some sections the resistance builds up and prevents the panel lights in the signal box from extinguishing! (think that's what he said?) anyway he thinks he may have solved it so more testing to be done on the bench first before he 'amends' the set up. The same problem occurs on the 'big' railways apparently.! We are hoping to give you more detail about how it all works once he has it working OK.

We ran Hotspur, General and The Shay during the Birthday Party in the afternoon, and the weather just about managed to behave with only one short shower catching us out on the circuit with the Birthday Party passengers ! Nevertheless a good time was had by all ! We used the Welsh coal that we are trying, and were pleased with the performance, good steady fire, very little clinker on the grate or residue in the smokebox, excellent! So we could be placing a bigger order !

Lucille heading along Home Straight with a Birthday Party train on 26th June

Photo: Brian M

On Sunday we took the ALR Publicity stand to the Potter Heigham Model Railway, Transport & Craft Exhibition which was held in the old School in the village. The Broadland Model Railway Club were also present, taking along 'Corru' with its first extension board, 'Gated', (don't ask, all will be revealed in due course!) & 'Tobyham', privately owned by Jon Bird, one of the BMRC's members.

Jon Bird's 'Tobyham' at Potter Heigham. Photo: Brian Lowe

We had a busy day, chatting to lots of interesting visitors, and hopefully encouraging those who haven't been to the ALR before, to visit us! It was an interesting exhibition with a good selection of model railways, model boats, NICE's (Norfolk Internal Combustion Engines) fascinating, working displays of some very old machines, arts & crafts, plants, and vintage cars.
We had a very enjoyable but tiring day !

TTFN

Busy Weekend

2010-07-05T13:25:00.009+01:00

Hotspur & Lucille approach Lake flat crossing on Sunday 4th July.

Photo: Brian M

We have had a great weekend on the ALR, and the weather was fantastic! Thank you !!!!
We had another sucessful Saturday Birthday Party session, during which we gave 'Hotspur' a run to test her 'whistle' which had been fitted with a stronger spring' ! It was a bit too strong but our engineering boys had a look (well done Rodger!), gave it some 'tweaks' after which it was fine, but up to that point yours truly had smoke coming at him from everywhere up front! Cough, cough, splutter, splutter! We also managed to get lots of jobs done in readiness for our Sunday Rotary Charity Open Day....
We are trying some 'real' Welsh coal (as advertised in the 71/4" Gauge Society mag,) to see how we get on with it, and first impressions are favourable after trying it out on Sunday as well.

'Thunderbox' loading. Photo: Brian M

'General' loading while 'Lucille' coasts by onto Den section for the 'final approach'

Photo: Brian M

Sunday, of course, was our July Open Day when The Rotary Club of Norwich presented a Special Charity Day. Rotary had organised refreshments, cake stall, raffle, face painting, an ice cream stall and games. The afternoon was a roaring sucess with one of the best turnouts we have seen on the railway due in no small part to the Rotary Marketing 'machine' doing a great job with all the local media. Our thanks must also go to Archant who sent along their reporter Tracey Gray, and photographer Colin Finch a couple of Saturdays ago to run a feature on the railway. That they did, with features in the Eastern Daily Press, The Norwich Evening News and a double page spread in the North Norfolk News! Excellent ! This kind of publicity makes us very proud of what we are achieving on the ALR, so thank you all for coming to see us and making all the hard work worthwhile!
We ran three trains all afternoon with 'General', 'The Shay', 'Hotspur', 'Lucille' and 'Thunderbox' all on duty, running faultlessly throughout the hot afternoon. Well done everyone!

The 'Grande Finale' double headed steam train runs down Lakeside cutting through the wild flower displays

Photo: Brian M

Party time

2010-07-02T10:02:00.005+01:00

'Lucille' coasts down Lakeside cutting past the wild flowers with a Birthday Party train on 26th June 2010

Photo: Brian M

We are having a run of Birthday Parties at the moment, which are very enjoyable events, both for the lucky birthday boy or girl, their parents and friends, and of course ourselves, as we can enjoy running trains without having to worry too much about reducing the queues we often get on Open Days! It also gives us chance to practise the various skills required in running our railway in a realistic environment.

Locos being prepared for a Birthday Party session at Laurel Sidings
Photo: Brian M

ALR Snippets

2010-06-12T17:17:00.010+01:00

Our June Open Day went well but June did burst out, bless her, with a good old downpour at about 16.30, just as preparations were underway to run our 'double header', so we called it a day and had an early night ! Thank you to all our visitors for coming to see us on the day.

.....................................................

We are expecting to have the outstanding signals fitted within a couple of weeks which will be excellent, as it will make life a bit easier for our signalling staff, allowing them, in conjunction with the track circuiting system, to excercise more 'control' over our trains. It will also of course allow our visitors to watch their train's progress past each signal and to see which route their train is to take !

.....................................................

We are getting used to the new wind turbine that is now, mostly, whirring away producing electricity for our landlords. It is surprising how soon you get used to such a new addition, it is very impressive as you ride round 'underneath it, it's as though it's been there for ages! We're still trying to figure out how to recharge our batteries through it !

................................................

We are also very impressed with the wild flower display going down to the lake through the cutting which is so prolific this year, only the second, isn't nature wonderful !

..............................................

Four of our members went on the ALR Annual Weekend Away in mid June, which this year saw them heading North. They called in at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway on the way up, and then across the Humber Bridge up to the hotel at Whitby. A wonderful meal was enjoyed on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Dining train on the Friday evening, which was more than excellent we gather ! A trip had been arranged to Eden Camp near Malton which proved to be very educational with its varied dioramas. Then a whole day was spent on the NYMR who were having a 'sixties' weekend, with constant 'Heartbeat' music played at every station! Then on the way home a visit had been arranged to the Hull & District SMEE site in West Park. Phew !
Well done to our Social Secretary for all the arrangements and driving !

..............................................

Progress on the new loco pit at Laurel Sidings has slowed down due to other 'pressures' but the external loco servicing power points and a new telephone box have been installed, and we hope to get on with the pit's construction soon, but don't hold your breath!

................................................

That's all for now Folks, more soon !

July Charity Event on the ALR

2010-06-12T17:08:00.003+01:00

We are pleased to announce that the Rotary Club of Norwich are holding a Charity Day on the ALR on Sunday July 4th, from 2 til 5 pm. As well as the usual train rides behind our varied loco stud, Rotary are organising face painting, teas & cakes, competitions and quizzes during the afternoon. The event is in aid of the Leonard Cheshire Disability East Carleton and Sierra Leone, and should be an afternoon of fun for all the Family.
We hope you will come along and support the event !!!! (We have requisitioned some sunshine from the stores !)

Thanks....

Another enjoyable Evening

2010-05-28T09:12:00.007+01:00

Lucille ready to depart , while The Shay awaits its turn on the middle road.
Photo: Brian M

Our friends from the Norfolk Railway Society visited the ALR again last evening (Thursday 27th May) allowing us all to renew old acquaintances whilst enjoying plenty of trips round the railway interspersed with teas, coffees, biscuits and much banter! The weather was superb enabling everyone to appreciate the lovely surroundings in all their Spring 'freshness'.
Lucille, General, The Shay and Sergeant (with Doris), were on duty and all behaved impeccably!

Sergeant and Doris ready for passengers ! Photo: Brian M

Lucille arriving back at the station with a full load. Photo: Brian M

A most enjoyable evening !

TTFN

Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers visit

2010-05-18T10:14:00.005+01:00

On the evening of Wednesday 12th May we were delighted to be able to welcome a good turnout of members from this local Society (Eaton Park based), who were re visiting as a Group for the first time in 4 years (although we do see their members appearing from time to time on our Open Days!). The weather was kind although chilly, and the evening saw Lucille, The Shay, Titan and The General all making appearances throughout the session.
A good evening was enjoyed by all with much tea and coffee being consumed and much 'chatting' going on, which is what it is all about eh?

TTFN

Ah So That's What It Is !

2010-05-18T09:55:00.002+01:00

Photo: John Pond

Well, now we know what all those strange activities were.....not a new underground conrol centre or anything to do with moles ! Our LandLords are going 'green' with the installation of their very own wind turbine. The photo shows the turbine shortly after being hoisted into position following its fabrication from a 'kit of bits' on the ground.....very impressive. There is apparently, no truth in the rumour that the turbine will be utilised for the charging of the ALR's electric locos' batteries, nor will it be providing the overhead catenary power supply for the tram that may be built ! !!!!!

TTFN

May 2010 Open Day News

2010-05-03T15:54:00.010+01:00

Lucille's driver acknowledges the Guard's 'right away' signal and sets off.
Photo: George Aldridge

Our first Open Day for this year was a fairly quiet start to the season, with a steady 'trickle 'of visitors on this very cold, but fortunately, dry afternoon which had us complaining about the 'lazy' northern breeze that went, not around, but 'straight through' one !!!.

Hotspur ready to go with Lucille working along the back straight.
Photo: George Aldridge

Titan, The Shay, Hotspur , Lucille, The General and Sergeant all ran during the afternoon but The Shay only managed one trip before being stopped with a front truck retaining bolt 'disappearing' on its first trip causing the front wheels to do 'wheelies' occasionally ! Disappointing, but the repair should be straight forward fortunately.... It was Titan's first public run since its upgrading works were completed, just in time for the Open Day, and the loco ran perfectly, being a welcome addition to our loco fleet. It was also pleasing to see 'Sergeant' out on the circuit with Coach 40 for the first time, allowing our visitors a different experience !

Titan looks good in the platform awaiting the first trip.
Photo: Brian M

Our PIC for the day had suffered a damaged tendon recently so he carried out his duties with the help of a 'runner' and an electric buggy, kindly loaned by one of our members. There was a suggestion that it could be 're-gauged' quite easily so he could have zoomed around the track !, but the engineering boys politely declined (for now ?).

The PIC going through his prestart checks!.
Photo: Brian M

The PIC for the day tentatively approaches the foot crossing on his electric steed .
Photo: Brian M

The afternoon was completed with the now obligatory double header, this time with the two steam locos doing the honours with a couple of much appreciated circuits.

TTFN

Another Busy Week at the ALR

2010-04-22T14:31:00.009+01:00

Ashmanhaugh Village sign (outside The Preston Rooms) Photo: Brian M

Things are hotting up now that we are well into April, (including the temperature thank goodness!). We were once again invited to take our Display Stand to the Ashmanhaugh Village Open Day, last Saturday, where John and Ben were able to talk to villagers and visitors about our railway.

Also on Saturday, a lucky young man enjoyed celebrating his Birthday with his friends and their families. Our first Birthday Party of this year saw Hotspur, Lucille, Thunderbox and The Shay out and about. A a good time was had by all and it gave us chance to hone up our operating skills! The weather was perfect and the youngsters had a great time !

Our S & T boys were on site on Wednesday doing more signal installation work, and they had brought with them, amongst other bits and pieces, the (impressive) colour light signals that will be installed to protect the Lakeside flat crossing (photos when installed!).

Andrew & Dan being famous !! Photo: Brian M

More green and cream was being applied and Titan is now ready for a run!......

....and Wednesday 21st April was the day when the skies around us started to fill up once again as flight restrictions due to the 'danger' from the 'volcanic ash' occurence were lifted. We were treated to a fast, low level run by a Harrier followed by a similar pass by a Eurofighter. Wow !, you could almost feel the pilot's exuberance ! As the day progressed, helicopters were busy once again ferrying personnel to and from the offshore rigs, and some airliners were seen traversing the skies again as the airlines started the task of getting back to their normal routines.

TTFN

So What's Going On ???????

2010-04-22T14:08:00.008+01:00

Well, things are happening down at the ALR, whatever next, there's diggers and trenchers and steel fabric and stuff !

There's a big hole in the ground and some trenches....

Is it a new underground model railway?, or a new control or signalling centre,? a new den for Ben, ! ? , or even a safe route for the moles (bless 'em) ?????? Somebody suggested it was a substation to supply the overhead catenary !!!!!!!

All photos: Brian M

Time will tell, but in the meanwhile one or two photos to give you some clues, and maybe when you visit us next you will know what's been occurring!

Watch this space !

TTFN

Preparing for our 2010 Operating sessions

2010-04-15T09:05:00.006+01:00

Hotspur being prepared for an afternoon's steaming Photo: Brian M

As April flashes by we are busy getting everything ready for our new operating season, which starts this Saturday (17th April) with our first Birthday Party for 2010. Hotspur was given a work out today to give our members more steam experience, to ensure all the trackwork and points are in good working order, and to allow us a couple of hours of fun. It turned out to be a lovely sunny afternoon so it really was quite pleasant to meander round the circuit behind a steam loco again! 'The General' has also been trundling round with the two new coaches in tow.

Thunderbox & The Shay settle into their new home. Photo: Brian M

We have started to shuffle our stock around to utilise our new storage sidings, which will give us more space in the original loco shed to use this as a maintenance and repair workshop, leaving the Laurel Sidings area as carriage and wagon storage sidings together with a 'running' shed for our locos, once the area is finished with new loco pit and battery charging facilities completed.

Coaches & wagons also settling in Photo: Brian M

Work is progressing on 'Titan' and 'The Sergeant' with the aim of having these two locos in service this year. 'Sergeant' is being fitted with a braking system which will allow a coach to be hauled, giving more choice of rides for our visitors.

The ticket office and adjacent fencing and gates have been given the 'green & cream' treatment and the platform has been de-weeded and cleaned, and the first grass cutting is underway, so the site is now looking good after the long Winter. The blossom is out, as are the pheasants and we even have some recently (last Autumn) planted bluebells almost ready to flower, excellent !

So we look forward to our first Open Day on Sunday May 2nd, maybe we will see you there ? Hope so......

TTFN

Busy, busy at the ALR !

2010-03-16T10:01:00.011Z

Lots going on at the moment, must be the Spring like weather that's lifted our spirits !

On the trackwork front, we have been busy over the last few weeks making and laying some additional storage tracks, including not one, but two 3 way points! The work includes the provision of a siding to accomodate a full loco inspection and ash drop pit which should make life a lot easier for our loco crews. The photo shows Dave laying in the sections of track for this siding, and the pit will be constructed in the bottom left hand corner where it has been provisionally set out.

Inspection pit siding in progress Feb 2010. Photo: Brian M

The Shay has now received a 'scratchbuilt' rear lamp to match the front one, which has built into it the option to show a white or a red light (LED's). Geoff now knows why it took 10 years for Edwin to build this super loco ! While we were at it, we could not resist fitting two miniature water buckets that have been donated to us that we think look the part !The Shay with new rear lamp and buckets. March 2010 Photo: Brian M

Refurbished signs are appearing on the railway as the original ones are refurbished with plastic lettering that we hope will be more weatherproof.

The new entrance signs in place March 2010 . Photo: Brian M

Sergeant is receiving some attention with work in progress fitting a braking system so this loco can haul a coach, giving us another variation for our visitors to try!
Work also continues in the workshop (keep going Ray nearly there!) to provide 'Titan' with larger diameter wheels so this loco can be fully fit for use this year.

We are also gearing up to carry out the annual maintenance of our buildings and fencing with the application of some more green and cream!, and we have noticed that the weeds are coming to life......great!!!!

Finally, quite a few of us spent time in and around Sheringham this week to witness the formal opening of the main line connection to the North Norfolk Railway (Thursday), which was followed by a three day steam celebration. Pete Waterman carried out the formal opening from an open topped double decker bus, whereupon the loco and its five coach train (and following Class 37) moved slowly forward to the sound of detonators, whistles and cheering crowds. The photo shows 'Oliver Cromwell' approaching Beeston Common on its arrival in Sheringham at 14.10 on the Thursday.
We look forward to seeing further interesting arrivals onto the NNR from the mainline network!

'Oliver Crowell' approching Sheringham at Beeston Common March 11th 2010 Photo: Brian M

Phew! TTFN....

Busy Weekend

2010-02-28T10:56:00.006Z

We have had a really good weekend on the 'publicity' front as on Friday we were invited to take part in Radio Norfolk's Dave & Becky Show as a follow up to their visit to the ALR last May during their Sunday morning 'Treasure Quest' programme. We were made to feel very welcome by all the Radio Norfolk people and had plenty of time to talk about the railway, which we thoroughly enjoyed and which we hope will encourage some new visitors to the railway this year.

.....................................

Then on Saturday we took our publicity stand to the Mid Norfolk Railway's Model Railway Exhibition at East Dereham. We shared duties during the day with our friends from the Broadland Model Railway Club who displayed their fascinating 'Corru' 009 scale layout. We were kept very busy during the day chatting to lots of people about our railway, which again we hope will generate some new visitors this year. Quite a lot of interest was shown in our Birthday Party and Driver Experience sessions.

Pre start conference! Appropriate caption on the wall ?

Photo: Brian M

John talking to interested visitors. Photo: Brian M

'Corru' in action Photo: Brian M

Our calendar is already starting to fill up as we have visits arranged with the Norwich & District Model Engineers and the Great Eastern Railway Society whose members will be visiting the ALR on seperate evenings in May.

TTFN

More progress

2010-02-07T10:56:00.010Z

Nameplates fitted to our newest coach. Photo: Brian M

A good turnout of members at this time of year is always welcome and enables us to make progress on several fronts. We have been lucky again with our weather this week with Wednesday being a lovely sunny day and yesterday (Saturday), we enjoyed a glorious morning, the day then turning misty and damp in the afternoon.

As promised we now are able to show you the nameplates which have been produced for our newest coach which we can now confidently report is to be called 'mavis' ! The photo above shows the plates which are very impressive!

The 'Shay' and 'Thunderbox' have been checked over, started up and given a trundle up and down the shed sidings to ensure they are in good order, which they are. The Shay's rear lamp is just about finished, ready for fitting and painting (or painting and fitting?)

The new control panel for 'The General' is coming along nicely as the photo shows and is now fitted in the loco ready for final connections...

The General's new control panel Photo: Brian M

...and finally, hopefully for the last time this Winter, some more views of the railway in the recent snow and frost

All photos by John Pond 30th January 2020

TTFN

2010 Month One nearly gone

2010-01-31T11:29:00.003Z

Hi there, how time flies, soon be February and the days are already lengthening !!!!! We are still managing to press on with some jobs despite the wintry weather, we had some snow again on Friday, fortunately not much, but the temperatures are still well down ! So the workshop gets a bit crowded when the guys turn up for our Saturday sessions, and the 'crack' is quite good !

Work is proceeding well with some new points for our Laurel sidings area, the General is having quite a bit of attention, including the rebuilding of the 'control' panel in the cab so all the controls are on this panel, including a new throttle lever arrangement. We have done some serious maintenance on the electric motor to ensure it is in top condition this year, as we felt the performance of the loco was down in the latter stages of last year, and this may have been one of the reasons. Some new batteries have also been obtained. The paintwork is being rubbed down ready for a repaint, some of the wheels have been reprofiled, and we are currently looking for a suitable (economic!) diesel sound unit for the loco, so if anyone can point us in the right direction, we would be grateful!

Good progress is being made fabricating a rear light (red and white LED's) for The Shay.

We are replacing some of our signs using plastic lettering to make them more durable, the locolift is about ready for painting, and we are planning a 'massive' sort out and tidy up of our loco shed, so as to provide some storage area at the back, so we can find things !

TTFN !

Wintry ALR

2010-01-14T17:11:00.009Z

In 'Den' section looking towards the triangular junction

We have had our share of snow here in Norfolk over the last few weeks, although we have been let off lightly compared with other parts of the country. These lovely photos show a completely different ALR in the fresh snow.......

All photos: John Pond

But, we are a keen bunch at this Club and we can still get on with some jobs.......the boys have been working away at our loco lift which is now nearing completion. Yesterday the LLST (answers on a postcard please to .....!!!!) was sucessfully tested using one of our wagons, as the photos show.

On the way up the detachable ramp with help from the winch

In position 'ready to for attention !
Photos : John Pond

Hello 2010

2010-01-03T14:02:00.007Z

Several of us turned up yesterday (Saturday 2nd Jan) for a chat, to shake some Xmas and New Year cobwebs away and to see what wanted doing. So, after said chats and a warm sausage roll or two (and some cheese straws !), we took in the signal dollies which are detachable from their posts and equipped with multi pin plugs and sockets. We need to do some maintenance as some of them require a bit of a paint touch up, and we noticed one or two broken spectacle plates, so there is always a job or three to do !

The site was looking lovely following a light covering of snow overnight, the sun was shining and it was not too cold, so good to be out in such lovely surroundings, we still can't believe how much the trees and bushes have grown in this last couple of years.

Oh and we forgot to mention that following an article that appeared in the Autumn edition of the 71/4" Gauge Society magazine, we have made up a trial spark arrestor, which was tried out on Hotspur during our recent Mince Pie Special runs. The device is basically a piece of steel cut and bent into a 'collar' that sits in the chimney with an angled flap that deflects the exhaust slightly forwards, as you will be able to see from the photos. It was very sucessful in preventing the usual 'debris' attacking the driver and the front end passengers, so we will probably make one for Lucille as well and see how we get on. So thanks to 'Xz' who penned the article, watch this space !

TTFN

Photos: Brian M

Bye 2009

2009-12-31T18:07:00.004Z

Hotspur & Lucille working up the bank approaching the Lake crossing. Photo: Aldridge

Well, we finished the year in style with a flurry (yes we did have some snow too!) of events, including the Club's Christmas Evening meal at a local Hostelry where some 20 of us enjoyed a lovely meal and convivial company, then there was the trip to the Cromer End Of Pier Christmas Show, good old fashioned Christmas entertainment, two and a half hours of singing, dancing and merriment!, and to round the year off, on Sunday some 25 members, families and friends visited the ALR and enjoyed mulled wine, sausage rolls and mince pies punctuated by some trips around the circuit behind Lucille and Hotspur, excellent!

Happy New Year Everyone !!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2009-12-13T17:30:00.006Z

All The Gang at the ALR would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all our best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our Open Days in 2010 !

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

New coach progress

2009-12-13T11:22:00.004Z

We just thought you would like to see how good the new coach (still not sure whether she is Mavis or Maisie, we'll have to see what the posh nameplate says when it's done !!!) looks in her smart new paint scheme seen here standing proudly in the station area on 12th December 2009.

Photos: Brian M

TTFN !

December Update

2009-12-08T09:41:00.002Z

We are now concentrating on progressing some of those jobs that we didn't have time to do whilst we were making sure that all was in order for our Open Days during the summer, which include....

.Mavis, (there is still some doubt whether she will be Mavis, as several alternatives have been suggested, and one which went down really well was a 'Barbie' version in a tasty pink livery, but this is unlikely !!!!!) this new coach is in the painting stage, so is progressing very well.....

..The hydraulic loco lift is also coming on well with the last few bits to be welded on and then this item will be ready for a paint job (Hi Vis yellow we think so nobody will trip over it ?)

...Work is also progressing well on the track circuiting installation, with the fitting of the insulated fishplates on the 'H' section timbers out on the circuit, as well as the mimic board which has now been tested and is very impressive! So, all being well this sytem should be in use in the New Year, making life a lot easier for our signalling personnel.

....The underground conduits and cabling are now all laid ready to connect up to the remaining signals yet to be installed, which again we are hoping to have commissioned in the Spring (2010 that is!)..

.....We are planning to start work on the revised toilet area in the Spring so that this should be complete by the first 2010 Open Day in May

......and we are having a 'Mince Pie Specials' event for members, families & friends on the Sunday after Christmas which should help to blow away any Christmas cobwebs !!!!!

TTFN

'Mavis' develops

2009-11-18T16:55:00.007Z

The Boys were busy in the workshop today working on Mavis's bodywork, which is taking shape nicely, as the photo shows. She will soon be ready for a paint job......

Photo: Brian M

Meanwhile, outside in the very blustery, but not cold (13-14 degrees), weather, John & Dave were fitting more of the 'H' sleeper supports for the isolating track sections.

Back inside, we were also doing some work to The Shay which involved fitting an operating rod to the new bell to give a positive action rather than the sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't ring we had with the cord method used on the old bell. Some touching up of the paintwork was also done.

TBC

Website feedback

2009-11-16T14:17:00.002Z

We did a check recently to see what kind of use you nice railway fans out there made of our site, and were pleasantly surprised ! We found that since January this year we have had 2313 visits from 1578 unique visitors. You looked at 5726 pages with an average of 2.48 page views per visit, with the average time spent on the site being 2 mins 6 secs per visit.... So we have doubled our traffic in the last year with still 2 months to go! Our new versus returning visitors in 2008 was about 60/40 % returning whereas this year it's more 70/30, highlighting that we have a regular audience.
So thank you very much, we hope we can continue to improve and hold your attention ! We do have one or two new 'thingys' up our sleeves!

TTFN

Le Lit d'Ashmanhaugh

2009-11-06T14:53:00.009Z

As promised, photos of the embryo hydraulic loco lift/stand taken on Wednesday in a raised position, whilst we were assessing the method of modifying said bed into a mobile loading/unloading/repair/maintenance stand. The rusty box section (suitably cleaned and painted of course!), will be attached as shown with an angle iron 'stop' at the right hand end, and a pair of box section 'rails' will be fabricated to fit into the left hand end, detachable & hingeable to rest on the track for loading/unloading. We may fit a winch to assist in getting locos on and off the stand be used when the 'driver' doesn't fancy driving the loco onto it !.......

.....and just couldn't resist including these photos of another lovely Ashmanhaugh Autumn !

All photos: Brian M

This 'n that

2009-11-02T08:44:00.002Z

Hello again.... just a short update regarding on going 'jobs' on the Railway. Some time ago we were given a 'surplus to requirements' hospital bed, you know one of the hydraulic foot operated ones, which we thought we could turn into a lifting platfom for carrying out maintenance and repair works to our rolling stock, safely and at a convenient and comfortable height for our maintainers ! some of whom are no spring chickens anymore !!!!). Well, now that we have a little more time, our engineering 'crew' have had a closer look and are confident that for very little cost (our 'honourable' Treasurer will be very pleased to hear this!!!), we can convert it into the said lifting ramp. This will be another step forward for us and will enable us not only to safely and comfortably carry out works to our stock, but will enable us to load and unload locos onto trailers whenever we want to take a loco elsewhere or receive visiting ones at the ALR. It will be used off the concrete area in front of the workshops with the help of short section of portable 'ramp' track to gain the foot (300mm) or so height of the ramp at its lowest level. Work is underway, photos to follow!

Our latest coach, Number 41, currently under construction, is to be named 'Mavis' we hear........

The Shay is having a new bell fitted which is much louder and more 'masculine' we think, than the existing one, and new suspension brackets are being made. We have the bits to fabricate a rear lamp for the loco which will contain red and white lights, and we are looking at making or obtaining a suitable 'chime' whistle, air operated, which will really annoy one or two ????? but you will know where the loco is ! It was suggested recently by our revered loco boiler inspector that the loco was just crying out to be converted to steam ! Thank you Brian, but we are very happy with our lovely loco the way it is thanks!

.....and, we are hoping for a nice dry evening on Thursday when the Club is holding it's 2009 'Bonfire Night' do, about 40 members and friends are expected so it should be a good evening...

TTFN

Autumn works on the ALR

2009-10-28T16:01:00.007Z

Engineering Crew reassembling Set 3's final bogie. Photo: Brian M

As we enjoy this lovely 'Indian ' Summer, we are progressing tasks on several fronts, now that our 'operating season' is finished, The Engineering Boys have been busy turning wheels out of EN8 steel blanks for the first of our coach sets to be rewheeled (16 required & turned !). The photo shows the last bogie standing complete shortly before refitting to Set 3 on Wednesday 28th October 2009..

We are also busy constructing another single coach (Number 41), in similar style to our existing ones, that may be attached to any train giving us more flexibility, and helping to reduce passenger waiting time on Open Days. The bogies are more or less complete, and the underframe, made out of Beech, is also just about complete as the photo shows, with Dave & Ray giving it a coat of paint on Wednesday 28th October.

The two bogies awaiting their 'superstructure outside the shed on 28th October 2009. Photos: Brian M

Work is ongoing out on the track, with adjustments being made to the gapping and levels where necessary, and some re sleepering is taking place. Dave is also busy fitting the track circuiting wiring and isolating 'fishplate' material around the circuit as necessary.

It's good to note that the Lake is filling up a bit now that we have had some rain, so it is doing its job, even after this long dry spell during which it didn't quite dry out !

TTFN

The ALR loco fleet

2009-10-05T22:11:00.006+01:00

ALR loco fleet 10th September 2009. Photos: John Pond

We took the opportunity recently to get all our locos out for a photo call so you could see them all together, and here they are posing in the September sunshine.
Just in case you don't know all our locos, they are, starting at the left, 'Lucille' & 'Hotspur', on the middle line, 'Sergeant,' 'The Shay' & 'Titan', and on the right, 'General' & 'Thunderbox'.

TTFN

Last Open Day for 2009

2009-10-05T11:05:00.009+01:00

The Shay & Thunderbox ready to commence the day's running. Photo: John Pond

We were blessed with a simply wonderful day on Sunday for this year's last Open Day, with warm sunshine all day. Lots of people came to see us, enjoying rides round the circuit which is looking great in its Autumn colours.

Sergeant comes through the trees with a short goods! .
Photo: George Aldridge

'Lucille', 'The Shay', 'Thunderbox' and 'The General' shared the afternoon's duties, with 'Sergeant' making an appearance with the goods wagons. 'General' got tired and had to be stopped during the session, and Hotspur was unavailable due to an expired boiler ticket.

The afternoon's running was completed with 'The Shay' and 'Thunderbox' performing our now mandatory double headed train with two trips around the circuit!

The double header sets off . Photo: JohnPond

So, thank you to everyone who came to see us this year, we hope you had a good time, we certainly have enjoyed showing you our wonderful little railway, and we hope to see you all again, (and some new faces? ), next year.

Thanks from all the ALR Gang !

Impressive view of Lucille ! Photo: George Aldridge

Bye for now!

'Doris' (Coach 40) problems cured !

2009-09-24T08:40:00.005+01:00

The Shay and train ready to depart Ashmanhaugh Station. Photo: John Pond

Circumnavigating The Puddle! Photo: John Pond

We were very pleased yesterday when, after spending the morning fitting a point motor to one of the shed access points, we had a bit of a 'play' after lunch. The Shay was fired up and trundled round to Laurel Sidings to collect a coach set and Coach 40 (affectionately called 'Doris). The boys had carried out further mods to the bogies after consulting with our 'Eaton Park' friends, (who use the same ones on their coaches), and this seemed to have cured the problem. So we thought we would do a few circuits in a train to see how she performed. It would also give two more of our members experience at driving The Shay. We were delighted that the coach ran perfectly and didn't fall off once, the ride was comfortable and it seems that after a few more circuits, the coach should be ready to enter service! Well done Chaps! Now where's that Tram ?

Ditto (Barry riding Shotgun!) Photo: John Pond

TTFN

September Open Day

2009-09-07T11:29:00.019+01:00

Happiness is------double header on the way! Photo: Jane Pond

We were delighted that last Sunday's weather was very kind giving us a warm sunny afternoon to welcome our visitors and run some trains on our penultimate Open Day for this year. It always pleases us that our visitors are prepared to travel such distances to enjoy our railway and this Sunday was no exception with people arriving from such places as Eastbourne, and Hereford. Blimey!!

Top table crew (can't read, obviously!). Photo: Anon !

Bottom Table Crew relaxing . Photos: Brian M

We used Lucille, Hotspur, The Shay and General, with the Sergeant making an appearance on a goods train, and all performed impeccably, (helped of course by their drivers!.) As a 'grand finale' we like to run a double headed 'special' and this Open Day was no exception. We ran a full train of our three coach sets around the circuit, twice (much to the delight of one of our regular young attendees whose previous best number of rides was 18, exceeded on this occasion by 1! ) So he was happy, as were his long suffering Mum and Grandma! We aim to please !!!!!

Sergeant enters the station area Photo: Brian M

We were nicely busy but not too hectic, so we were able to circulate and chat to our visitors, when not 'operating', which we do enjoy doing.

Hotspur passing the Signal Box to enter the Den section. Photo: Brian M

General comes through the station. Photo: Brian M

Hotspur sets off on another circuit. Photo: Brian M

By all accounts it was quite an 'Anglia TV' get together too, as there were several people there who did work there or are related to staff who did!. Now there's an idea for a reunion event Folks!!!!!!!!

Lucille arrives back at the station. Photo: Brian M

Double header prepares to leave. Photo: Brian M

The two steamers restart after a signal stop (which tested 'em), but they succeeded! Photo: Brian M

Coming over the lake flat crossing. Photo: Jane Pond

Thanks for coming to see us, we had a great afternoon! TTFN

P.S. Sorry there are no photos of the Shay, which worked hard as well during the afternoon , but as I was driving the loco , couldn't take any action photos! Did anyone get some ?

Thanks, Brian M

ALR Summer (just!) BBQ

2009-09-05T19:19:00.008+01:00

Mr B with Lucille, all ready to go! Photo: Brian M

Last Wednesday evening was the night when some 22 ALRC members, families & friends enjoyed a tasty BBQ (thanks to Ray, Geoff , Jill & Alan ), and enjoyed some chat and took some train rides. Lucille, The Shay, General, Thunderbox (complete with Xmas tree lights!) and Sergeant trundled around our track into the darkness until rain stopped play just after 8pm.

Cooking In Progress. Photo: Brian M

It's always fun to drive around in the dark (some of us can do that all the time!) when the railway is a different place, with the signal lamps gleaming in the darkness to allow us through or not. One of our Junior members was practising being a 'signalling ' person and did a very creditable job, which is not easy, especially when there are 5 trains on the circuit! and one or two of our members had a go at driving to gain more experience.

Lucille overlit (!) by Thunderbox. Photo: George Aldridge

At one stage we were 'attacked' by an Apache, yes it's real cowboy country on the ALR when you're out in the 'boondocks' ! This one was of the RAF type (we think), heading in the general direction of Norwich Airport, which as some of you will know isn't to far away from us.

Our 'Apache', rapidly disappearing! Photo: George Aldridge

So, all in all, another good night on our super railway, just enjoying and relaxing !!!!
Can't be bad eh ?
TTFN

2009 Aysham Model Railway Exhibition

2009-08-25T12:07:00.004+01:00

On Saturday 26th September, the Broadland Model Railway Club, (based at the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway, meeting on Tuesday evenings), is presenting a Model Railway Exhibition. The show is being held this year at the Jubilee Centre at Alysham and will be open from 10.30 am til 4.30 pm. Some 15 layouts will be on display together with trade stands. (we are taking our display stand, and look forward to meeting you!).
There are Park & Ride arrangements with the Bure Valley Railway at Wroxham Station, and parking is available at Aylsham Station. A Routemaster bus will meet all Bure Valley Railway trains at Alysham, taking visitors up the the Exhibition venue and back.

Refreshments are available at the Jubilee Centre and the Bure Valley Railway's 'WhistleStop' restaurant at Aylsham will be open for full meals & refreshments.

Admission prices are Adult £3.50, Concessions & children £2.50.....also discounted exhibition & BVR train tickets are available.

Should be good !
Further information can be obtained at info@bvr.co.uk - www.BVR.co.uk - Tel 01263 734115

'Tis Nearly Autumn

2009-08-25T10:07:00.008+01:00

As we approach the end of our 2009 Open Day season with just two more to enjoy, 6th September & 4th October, we are looking ahead & planning the jobs we need to do, apart from the normal day to day and end of season maintenance tasks on the railway, taken care of as part of our normal ongoing duties.

We have decided that we will build another, seperate, coach to match the existing timber sets that we obtained from The Little Melton Railway, which will help out a bit on Open Days and give us flexibility in running varied train sets. Eventually we intend to convert the existing 2 coach set into a 3 coach set as & when funds & resources permit.
We are also looking at providing a loco lift facility to make maintenance access easier for our personnel who are not getting any younger! We are lucky in that we have obtained a 'hydraulic' hospital bed kindly donated by our local St John Ambulance friends, and we think that this can be 'adapted' for this purpose. If the 'loco lift' is mobile then this could also be used as and when locos come to us, or go to other railways in the future (another activity that we would love to do!). In this respect we are looking at providing a pivoted section of track alongside the signal box so this can be used to load/unload stock onto road transport. We also have a trolley and ramp that came with the Shay that could be used.

We are also conscious that our toilet facilities are a bit 'meagre' on Open Days and currently are looking into providing more W.C.'s to help out for next year.

Our Junior members are currently building a small 'N' gauge model railway that will be push button operated for our Open Day visitors to amuse themselves with!

The Club's Social activities are always very enjoyable and we have planned a Club BBQ in September, a Bonfire Night 'do', our traditional Christmas Dinner at a local Hostelry, a trip the the Cromer 'End of The Pier' Christmas Show, and looking ahead, our ALR Weekend Away will see us heading 'up North' to North Yorkshire where our erstwhile Social Secretary will have some good excursions for us to enjoy, no doubt !

Can't wait!

TTFN.

Fun Day !

2009-08-17T14:40:00.011+01:00

Locos lined up ready for the 'off'

Last Saturday saw us having a Club running day when we spent all day enjoying our railway, with some of the members trying their hand at new tasks, or just getting more experience with their existing ones, and others just enjoying the rides and the relaxed atmosphere! It was, again, a very lovely day, we are so lucky with the weather generally, it's been very enjoyable!
So members were practising driving, guarding, signalling, andbeing a Person In Charge, with Lucille, Thunderbox, The General and The Shay all in use. A good day, as we hope the photos will show!

TTFN

Lucille being 'prepped'

OK Guys, so who's doing what !

The Boys find out what's what on The Shay!

The 'Young Ones' in charge with The Shay on the back straight

Lucille coming up to the Lake flat crossing with concentrating driver!
All photos: Brian M

Another good day

2009-08-06T08:42:00.004+01:00

Wednesday was another very warm, sunny day which makes 'working' on the ALR an absolute pleasure. It's amazing what you see if you 'look' and yesterday was no exception. There were frogs in the grass, shrews, ladybirds, newts, grasshoppers and ladybirds (or Bishy Barnabees as they are called in these parts), all of which makes us realise what a lovely spot this is......We managed to get a few more jobs done, grass cutting, strimming under tree belts, more work on Coach 40's chassis
(we are getting there slowly!), and we got the Shay running. It was a very 'gunged' up carburettor, and the loco is running fine now, as some of the gang (Ashley, Ben & Dave) who drove it round the circuit found out, it is very easy to drive. It also allowed the boys to test the track circuiting system on the first sections installed, which worked fine, so all systems go now!
TTFN

Excellent August Open Day

2009-08-03T09:10:00.004+01:00

We were delighted that the weather was very kind to us again yesterday, allowing everyone to enjoy a lovely, sunny and warm afternoon for our 2009 August Open Day. We ran a 3 train service for most of the afternoon, with Lucille, Hotspur, The General and Thunderbox in charge. Unfortunately, the Shay was failed just before the session due to a flooding carburettor caused by a worn or faulty needle valve which we hope to replace this week..
So, we were pleased with the attendance as the queue was not too long, everyone was in 'happy' mode, and a full crew allowed us to have time to chat to our visitors, which is always a nice thing to be able to do!

TTFN

Hello !

2009-08-01T18:39:00.004+01:00

Well here we are again, we haven't forgotten you!, it's just that we have been 'distracted' by holidays and family things ....but rest assured, we have been quietly beavering away on a variety of tasks to keep everything in order and to improve our railway.
Following our visit to the Great Cockrow Railway on our way back from Devon in May, we took the decision to install a 'failsafe' system of track detection, (which we had been thinking about for a while) and our S & T boys have been sitting at some of our electrical cabinets fixing 'things' with soldering irons !, and a mimic diagram is being made to hang in the signal box above the window overlooking the platforms so, eventually, our signalling personnel will KNOW where the trains are instead of having to guess which one will emerge from the 'boondocks' first .
We have also been doing some works on our Shay loco, including moving the 'oil tender top' back to give us a more comfortable driving position, with the controls moved back slightly too and a new fuel tank has been fitted with a sight glass so we know when to refuel! We now just need to source a proper American chime steam whistle that the Shays had, but operated by air, so if you have any ideas on this one, please let us know.
We have also, of course, been gardening, isn't stuff growing quickly, and there's a lot of it! it's like painting the Forth Bridge!!!!!
We have also installed some concrete bases for some more signals which are to be installed to control trains entering and leaving the Lake section.
and, talking of the Lake (which at the moment is more like a big puddle!), we spotted some newts and fish in there the other week. The fish were a bit small to identify but we thought maybe tench or catfish? surely not? we'll see.......
We recently bought a wheel press to make the job of fitting/unfitting wheels onto our rolling stock axles much easier, and our engineering boys are still turning out wheels from steel blanks to replace the wheelsets on our coaches, and tomorrow...... we have our August Open Day, so we have our fingers crossed for good weather, and maybe we'll see you then?
TTFN

Successful July Open Day

2009-07-06T16:13:00.016+01:00

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 ?

2009-07-02T14:00:00.004+01:00

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

2009-06-29T10:03:00.005+01:00

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 !

2009-06-27T20:14:00.010+01:00

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

2009-06-12T20:50:00.010+01:00

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

A typical ALR Wednesday

2009-06-10T21:17:00.011+01:00

'Hotspur' resting on a shed siding.

There were five of us at the railway today, as we are into the holiday season now with some of our members enjoying time away, (and no doubt visiting other railways !). So, with lots of gardening to do, we were busy trimming the bushes around the site to keep them in order and helping to maintain some gaps here and there to help our signalling people to catch a glimpse of a train now and then!
Our engineering Boys were turning coach wheels from steel blanks on our trusty old lathe, as we gradually replace the cast wheels on our coach sets, making coupling bars for The Shay, tweaking the steam whistle on 'Hotspur' to prevent losing valuable steam whilst running, and making up point switches.

John works on a point motor installation

The General & The Shay bask outside the shed

Titan looks good on the middle road

Thunderbox & Lucille on the shed roads

Photos: Brian M

An enjoyable day !

ALR Open but WET !

2009-06-08T09:44:00.002+01:00

Our June Open Day this year was very wet, to say the least. It was fine, if cloudy for most of the morning, with just the odd shower, and so everything was put into place ready to receive our visitors. But, then Mother Nature decided the grass and bushes and trees needed some water (and she is right, they do!), and down came the rain, just after 1, and it never really stopped until just after 5 !
Even so we had some keen visitors, thank you, we were pleased to see you and to take you round our railway, we hope you can re visit on a fine sunny day to really enjoy the ALR!
Lucille and Hotspur did the work, which was fairly laid back, (& wet !) ,we did not run an intensive service!!!!!. General & Thunderbox were on standby.
Let's hope for a nice, warm, sunny day on July 5th ? Hope to see you then ?

TTFN

Great Eastern Railway Society visit

2009-05-29T10:20:00.006+01:00

The General & Thunderbox prepare to take out another trainful of happy visitors.

Photo: John Pond

Our friends from the GER Society came to see us on Thursday evening (28th May), enjoying a lovely, warm, sunny evening riding round our extended circuit, and enjoying a chat over a cuppa and a biccy. There was an excellent turnout of some 30 plus members, which kept Hotspur, Lucille, The General and Thunderbox happy!

'tis Hemsby Week Again

2009-05-29T10:08:00.005+01:00

Our youngest member passes the 'older ones'

Photo: John Pond

Eight of us popped across to Hemsby on Wednesday to ride some trains and renew acquaintances at this very friendly railway. Some 33 locos were visiting we were told, and we were more than impressed with these wonderful replicas of standard gauge locos and stock. The railway was very busy with a constant procession of trains with everyone having a great time, despite the bitterly cold breeze!

An impressive GWR train on the circuit

Photo: John Pond

Busy, busy !

2009-05-25T19:10:00.009+01:00

We are into our busy time now with lots of gardening to do as well as the 'railway' stuff, so Saturday saw a good turn out of members involved in a wide variety if tasks.....
there was strimming...

there was grass cuttting.....

There was 'mardling' *

and there was....coach wheels being formed out of steel blanks on the lathe....

and there was....some tweaking of the Shay to make it servicable for the next Open Day (hopefully!), such as repositioning the fuel tank to give gravity feed to the engine, we need two couplings, a lanyard to make the bell work, and a whistle that will sound like the chimes these locos had !!!!! then we need to run the loco round the 'triangle' so it's facing the right way to enable you to admire all that wonderful rod motion going up and down!....

and there was.....final coat of exterior paint going on the workshop (just one wall to do now and it's finished !!!!!!! )

and there was.....signal box windows being cleaned (but don't let his Missus know !!!)

and there was....further 'walking' trials with Coach 40 that is still a bit twitchy and wants to fall off the rails whenever it can, but the Engineering Boys will sort that out in due course ?

and there was .....final tidying of the ballast on the new 'back straight'

.......and just look at wonderful array of wild flowers that are appearing along Lake cutting. John & Jane planted lots and lots last Autumn and what a picture they are..

All photos: Brian M

P.S. * Just in case you haven't heard this expression, in these parts 'mardling' means 'chewing the cud', 'having a natter', 'gossiping' , Kalling (Yorkshire one that!) etc , etc, but don't get me wrong, we don't mind as long as the job gets done, eventually ! Well done Lads, the ballast looks a treat!

TTFN

ALRC Locomotive No 2: The Shay

2009-05-20T18:24:00.005+01:00

This magnificent award winning locomotive is a one third scale model of a narrow gauge [two foot] Shay and was built by Edwin Peck of Norwich. Shays were designed primarily for use in the North American logging industry. The prototype of this particular model was built by the locomotive works in 1915/6 for CW North, not for logging, but for use in hauling materials used in road building.

Edwin started building the loco in 1991 and devoted ten years to this project, a project that must have been a real labour of love. Working in what is basically a garden shed and with the minimum of machines, most of the loco was hand made, he even made the patterns for all the gears by hand including the complex bevel gears, out of MDF. He then had them cast in a local foundry. The work he did must have impressed others because Edwin was awarded a very well deserved bronze medal at the 2000 Norwich Model Engineering Exhibition, and that was before the loco was finished!

Edwin was invited to bring his Shay to the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway's first anniversary Open Day on 31 July 2004, where it was driven by his grandson. After a break of almost five years the locomotive returned to the Railway taking up permanent residence on 29 April 2009. The Shay is now owned by two of the ALR's founder members.

The bare technical details are run of the mill stuff; it is powered by a 5hp Honda engine driving an Eaton 6/7 hydrostatic unit. However what it does clearly illustrate is the way in which a very convincing steam outline locomotive can be produced without a workshop full of machinery and the need for boiler testing. Production costs are lower and insurance cheaper. Seeing this loco running with all its highly visible outside working parts it is only when it gets close that one realises that it is powered by an internal combustion engine and not by steam. This illusion is helped by the engine exhaust smoke and gases passing out through the chimney.

GD/BM April 2009