Telford Steam Railway - Lawley is open for business

[marsa69]

Yesterday, Sunday 28th Sept, saw the end of our 2014 running season. To mark the end of an extremely busy and challenging season, but also a very successful one, we held a Volunteers Open Day. With a very big helping hand from some glorious weather we had one of our busiest days of the season so far. A big turnout saw lots of people leaving happy as they enjoyed a great day out with all our attractions running faultlessly. Not only that but we had a surge in new memberships as people were able to see first-hand how they can actively contribute to helping the TSR achieve its goals. But it wasn’t just new members who came along but existing members who had previously thought that they didn’t have any specific skillsets that could be of benefit to the railway.

We can now look forward to utilising this new intake of volunteers into the TSR family and getting stuck-in to the long list of tasks that need doing over the winter months to enable to us to firstly run our Santa Specials in December and then more importantly our long awaited northern extension to Lawley next Easter.

All this wouldn’t have been achieved if it wasn’t for all the visitors, new and old, who have supported us throughout 2014 with their patronage. And last but not least an extremely big thank you for the selfless and dedicated work of all our volunteers without whom we wouldn’t be able to operate. Here’s to Christmas and then the future challenges of 2015.

 

[marsa69]

A long overdue update.

With only 8 weeks until our official VIP opening of our new northern extension to Lawley our active volunteers have been working feverishly in the cold winter weather. The focus of all the work has been on levelling and packing the track and the building of our temporary platform. Today (01/02/15) saw the platform face completed. Next will be to to start building a wall out of concrete sleepers which will then be backfilled with spoil before the construction of the actual platform surface. Hopefully the wall and platform surface can be completed by the end of Feb. Alongside this is the need to build a path to give access from the local estate, erect fencing trackside and platform side, build a pagoda and tart the place up a bit.

This is a big step for us and as always donations of time, money and manpower are always welcome. Once this is finished we then have the task of running trains for 6 months

 

[40126]

Good stuff mate

Steve

 

[marsa69]

Once again today we had an excellent turn out at Lawley. The concrete sleepers that are being used to retain the back fill behind the platform are in place along the full length with six stacks completed and back filling complete. The other stacks are in various stages of completion and if there is another turn out of volunteers next weekend then it will likely be completed ahead of schedule. At one end we now have the satisfaction of being able to stand at platform height. Once again Bob and Julie provided the hot soup and bread rolls and the coffee later on and a train was even dispatched to provide a delivery service. Next stop……Doseley here we come!

 

[marsa69]

In this months edition of ‘The Railway Magazine’ our work here at the Telford Steam Railway has been recognised by the inclusion of a five page article in the ‘Lazarus Lines’ series. It accurately highlights all that we are trying to achieve here at the TSR and shows, through the mainstream railway media, that we are very much ‘open for business’. The magazine also goes on to mention elements of the railway twice more in the same edition with reference to the resident Class 108 DMU and the extension of our 2′ narrow gauge track. If you haven’t yet seen the article then please find yourself a copy and read for yourself how we are presented to the outside world.

 

[John Miller]

It sounds like you're all doing a great job there - Congratulations!

I had a quick look on the website but I couldn't see any map of the track - where would be the best place to find track diagrams of the main track. the tramway, the model railway and the Phoenix railway? .... many thanks!

 

[marsa69]

This weekends update for those of you following our progress

Lawley update 15/02/2015

 

[marsa69]

It sounds like you're all doing a great job there - Congratulations!

I had a quick look on the website but I couldn't see any map of the track - where would be the best place to find track diagrams of the main track. the tramway, the model railway and the Phoenix railway? .... many thanks!

Hi John,

Only just spotted your post, sorry. A map is still being developed for the website so please watch that space.

For the rest of you here is the link to our latest developments

Lawley update 15/03/2015

 

[Simon]

That's a great achievement and a very solid looking base to build upon, well done to all of you - especially working through the winter

Simon

 

[marsa69]

Amazing news with regards to our extension

Lawley update 22/03/2015

 

[Simon]

Well done

Simon

 

[Dog Star]

A very nice photo gallery at the link, thank you for sharing with us.

 

[marsa69]

A few shots of tonights work at Lawley consisting of some finishing work to the platform itself. The 108 sat waiting to enter the platform to return the gang home and one of the t'other platform site are two good shots

 

[40126]

Hi Mark

Is that the end of the line ?. Can you go any further ?.

Steve

 

[demu1037]

If there is still anyone who doesn't realise how much effort has been put in to this project, reflect on where it started from ......



this is looking towards the new platform in 2007

 

[marsa69]

Can't find the comparison pic I wanted but here's two from the other side of the tunnel

Copyright, Dave Angell

Hi Mark

Is that the end of the line ?. Can you go any further ?.

Steve

That's the lot going north Steve. More houses to be built in the way and Morrisons built their deli counter over the old trackbed a bit further on.

 

[marsa69]

Well it's finally happened. We can now run trains to Lawley. Full report here;

Lawley re-opening
​

 

[marsa69]

If there is still anyone who doesn't realise how much effort has been put in to this project, reflect on where it started from ......

View attachment 42445

this is looking towards the new platform in 2007

Here is a comparison shot to highlight just what has gone into the undertaking

 

[iploffy]

And what an enjoyable time we had. we had upwards of 500 peeps attending at Easter and the Bacon butties went down a storm lets hope that its popularity keeps climbing

Ian

 

[Rippers]

Extremely enjoyable day spent at the line Bank Holiday Sunday..................... a planned short visit stretched to much of the day thanks to the warmth and enthusiasm of the host lines volunteers.




Rocket in service along with the lines newly restorred Midland Region class 108 2 car DMU acting as coaching stock on this occasion.





Nice to see one of the MK1 saloons too (I had no idea any had survived and happily this one is now under restoration............. and I am led to believe might feature a working bar when completed.............).



I did manage to say hello to Marsa later in the day (managing to interupt him scoffing cake at the time) but hey timing was never one of my strong points!

Nice to see a preservation outfit that has a clear vision of where it sees itself going and most importantly one that isnt trying to live way beyonds it means. Though the collection of industrial steam and diesels locos with local ties is a real strong point that is if somewhat under played by the line that I could see.

A guided trip around the workshop with the shops forman turned into a particuarly memorable part of the day with my wife (steam enthsiast and manager in the charity industry) monopolising the conversation in trying to guide the chap showing us around on how best to apply for grants and lottery funding.

Hopefully some of her advice and ideas will have stuck as she reckons that playing to the strength of the lines collection of local exhibits and tieing it in with some kind of on site education facility for the new and existing schools and the like in the area could be an avenue to open up for all sorts of grants and corporate assistance. (as has proven successful at her own site)

Particuarly as it is clear that the line could do with some additional safe undercover storage for is rarer items of rolling stock such as that fragile autocoach and 6 wheel MR parcels van.