Gartell Light Railway

Signal Renewals end of 2011

2012-01-10T16:10:00.000Z

Afternoon all

Please find below a few pictures of signalling upgrades (removals)being carried out at the GLR. The signal on the side of the bank was removed to make way for another semaphore signal which will be located between the main line and Pineway Siding. Besides, it did have a reasonable lean towards the field, not good!

Bertie trying to hide in the Location Cabinet up on Pinesway Bank. CJ can be seen walking back after disconnecting the signal on the bank.

Just like pulling teeth! - So glad we done have to this heavy work by hand.

Off to be stored down the bottom for cleaning & prep. Know doubt CJ already knows where its going

Track renewals - Nov 2011

2011-11-19T16:40:00.001Z

Last Sunday we got on and sorted out that kink on Pinesway Bank, that takes you back to Common Lane. Starting by lifting & getting the rough alignment, the old track was removed & newly acquired installed. 4 pairs in total were replaced and the whole job looks vastly different.

Time was taken as we had a large crew to re-align the track on the bank. To be fair, i think we made the panels in the yard & using the Merlo, popped them on the bank, plated and sort of thought that would be good enough. However, it was realised that in the close season, the track here needed moving, mainly as it was just to close to the edge of the embankment. With a crew of 8 on bars & the ballast cleared from the end of the sleepers earlier, it was actually a fairly straight forward job.

Excellent, 2 jobs that when looking through the lens or standing at Pinesway Junction, looked and i hope know-one minds me saying, looked blooming horrendous. Still sorted now. Another job done.

Please find some piccy's below.

Final Open Day Oct 2011

2011-11-15T20:19:00.001Z

Please find a selection of photos from our open day at the end of Oct 2011. Last one of the year i'm affraid. Very exciting projects are afoot for the 2012 season. CJ has plans for various signal changes. He's like a small boy at christmas. SIGNALS! Luckily, we're not all infected with this afliction. He is on medication for it. But to be fair, we wouldn't be able to run the railway as we do without them.

But before then. Dont forget the Model Railway Exhibition. 11 & 12 Feb 2012.

See you all soon. Will try to keep you all updated over the winter.

See ya, Steve

From an open day in 2011

2011-10-22T10:28:00.000+01:00

Thought i'd add some of these photos from one of the open days in 2011. I cant be certain of when i took them, only it was this year, oops. Please enjoy. I do quiet like the ones showing all the wagons out on show, lots of hard work but worth all that effort.

Looking back to Common Lane Shed, with the footbridge & vistor centre

A selection of GLR box vans

View from the picnic area across to Common Lane. John Gartell in conversation with Julian Birley. Julian lives reasonable local and very often just appears for a chat. Very helpful man with all things railway.

No. 9 - Jean with erm Jean. Mrs White leaning on her namesake with Alan (Chalky) firing for another run to Bournemouth!

Hmm, trains or ice cream, trains or ice cream?

Overview of Common Lane from the Signal Box.

No. 6 - Mr G backing onto the carriages at Common Lane

Amanda waiting for the passenger train hauled by No 6 - Mr G

GLR Steam Show 2011

2011-10-22T10:00:00.000+01:00

Well better late than never. At the end of July this year, the Gartell Light Railway held its now annual steam & vintage show. Yet again the weather was kind to us & the people filled the overflow car park. Many exciting exhibts and exhibitors with an interesting selection of 'toys'. The tents were kept busy with the excellent crafts & displays, not forgetting the bar, which took steady trade all weekend.

This year we had a caravan club book in, they must have enjoyed themselves as they've already booked for next year. Damm, that means i've got to sort out another one!

Please enjoy the photos below.

Gartell Steam Show THIS WEEKEND (30/31 July)

2011-07-26T21:59:00.005+01:00

Just a little reminder, that our 4th Gartell Steam Show this weekend. Come along and see the sights at a slower pace. Relax by the lake watching the trains & model boats, see minature steam marvals and full size traction engines, browse through the trade stands & displays, vintage vechicles of all types or just sitback and watch the world go by. And much more. See you soon.
Heres a few pictures from previous years

Steam Show 30 & 31 July...not long now

2011-07-13T13:22:00.002+01:00

GLR Steam & Vintage Show 30 & 31 July

This year show is on the 30th & 31st of July. 10.00 - 17.00 both days, with an addmission charge of just £2.00 excluding rail travel, normal ticket prices apply.

We have well over 80 exhibits booked in (thats nearly double previous years), ranging from steam traction engines, cars, stationary engines, bikes, commercials, models on the lake, birds of prey, tractors, trade & craft stalls and mouch more.

Our bar will be serving locally produced real ales & cider throughout the weekend & the pines buffet will be in full operation selling food with hopefully an outdoor bbq near the bar.

Its been a while......

2011-07-05T20:50:00.003+01:00

Evening all

Was it really Feb my last update, oh dear, oh dear. Must have been busy

couple of quick piccys then, not all GLR but hey.

First off, my winter project. My new n gauge Layout - Kindling. Why that name, simples, the base board was all made from a box pallet about to be throw out at work.
Looks like CJ's getting his signal fix again! Sam - you could at least look interested......
Just a view from Park Lane on one of our opendays, with the horse enjoying themselves.

Burning Bridges

2011-02-24T15:00:00.005Z

Well we built the bridge for hopeful 'new extension' several years ago. Codename Operation Overlord. With this complete, its that simple case of paperwork, paperwork. However, it was realised the bridge had a hump, well was higher than needed and from a distance was quiet obvious. It was built so the sleepers sat on top the concrete piers.

So with a bit of gentle adjustment (CUTTING GAS) we could lower the track so it was fixed to piers with plates. In total dropping the running height by about 4 inches. But more importantly a smother gradient and not such a drop back down to the road for the crossing.

Before

The gentle application on technology

The GLR Umpa Lumpa's
Replacement steel frame in place.

The track restored and fitted. Looks very High Speed Train. There is some steel plates fitted either side now aswell.

GLR Model Railway Exhibition 2011

2011-02-24T14:24:00.006Z

A big thank you to all that helped and visited our little bash again this year. For the 6th year in a row, its a record breaker. I still don't quiet know how we get so many layouts, traders & displays in the Pines. I've requested again for an extention to the building and again have been advised to go away, oops.

A big thank you must go to the volunteers, from the railway staff running the trains, the girls in the buffet who i owe a big thank you & of course to John & Christine for allowing us to 'play' all weekend.

Still here a few piccy's from the weekend and we look forward to seeing you on our first open day of the 2011 season on Easter Monday.

Anyone got any photos of the 2010 Steam Show

2010-11-20T12:16:00.002Z

A plea from myself.

I like to keep a photo record of events held at the GLR.

Unfortuantly, i've only got 3 photos from this years show held at the end of july 2010.

If anyone has got any, please can they forward them on by
email to srodd_sprnet@tiscali.co.uk it would be very appricated.

I know we launched the Beer wagon & run a Milko train, probably the first time since the line shut but i didnt see much of it due to organising the show.

As i say, any photos would be nice for myself and i can let everyone on here know aswell.

cheers

New Website up & running

2010-11-20T12:13:00.002Z

Just to let you bloggers know that the New GLR website is live.

visit www.glr-online.co.uk

Please suggest anything i've missed

cheers

Anyone fancy a steam up this weekend

2010-07-21T12:26:00.003+01:00

This weekend 24 & 25 July 10.00 - 17.00 is the annual steam show. Boats, steam engines, tractors, lorries, cars, trade stands, motorbikes, etc

Real Ale bar including Beers from Cottage Brewery & local produced cider

All we ask is you relax and enjoy yourself & admission is just the cost of a train ticket

I've booked the sunshine (unlike last years overcast drizzle) but the red arrows this year might be a bit difficult.

We look forward to see you.

Please find below some photos from last year

Ah, the bar looked buzy

Watching the boat boys on the lake

Road & rail steam - we're expecting more this year

Just some of the classic cars & display stands from last year

Steam show gathering pace

2010-06-28T13:09:00.006+01:00

With our annual Steam & vintage show now 4 weeks away (crikey, better pull my finger out) things are coming together & falling into place.

We're expecting trade stands, crafts, model displays, steam traction both on rails and on the road, tractors, cars, comercial vehicles, classic bikes, stationary engines, model boats on the lake, a bar running all day serving local Real Ales & cider, aswell as our trains running with something special happening on the Saturday & fine volunteer staff running the Pines buffet.

The steam section this year - we're expecting to have Stuart Wells from the Lynton & Barnstable Railway with his fine 7.25" one-third scale YEO locomotive, respendent in the pre-Southern era L&B livery & hopefully a spot of track for him to "play". Along with minature steam from displays on a tables through 2", 4" and a couple 12" to the foot monsters.

Our fully licensed bar will be having again a selection of local real ales from the Cottage Brewery Company as well as local cider from just round the corner in Templecombe.

Plenty of various crafts & trand stands with a little bit of everything for someone from cakes - toys, that missing nut you can't find to custom made pockect watches, along with our recently refribished shop.

I'll update more in a week hopefully if i remember.

Cheers, Steve

The Wrong Way Back - Please Support

2010-06-05T10:14:00.008+01:00

Not railway related but worth a mention.

Just passing on my support to Neil, Mark & Dave doing the hard work. Aswell as the support crew with Justin & Lee.

These mates of mine, are raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Alzheimer’s Society, by doing a charity cycle ride. Only a few hills - From Wincanton to Lands End & back again.

They set off this morning from the White Horse, Wincanton & hope to have the trip completed in under 2 weeks.

Please support & sponsor either sending a cheque to :-

The Wrong Way Back
163 Cale Way
Wincanton
Somerset
BA9 9SA

Or

If you would like to Donate money online or at your nearest Lloyd's TSB you can find our account details at http://neilspinney.homeserver.com/blog/?page_id=126

Good luck guys. Hope you dont mind, nicked one of your photos, ta Rodders

First auction of the year

2010-03-20T11:36:00.006Z

Don't forget, DVCA auction at the GLR takes place this Thursday 25th March.

Classic vehicles, railwaymana, Automobilia

Admission by catalogue only

For more details visit the DVCA website at http://www.dvca.co.uk/

Viewing the day before the Sale from 10.00 am until 7.00 pm.

Sale Day from 10.00 am. Sale Starts 11.00 am.

Catalogue Price £10 (Admits two) By Post £13.

Cafeteria.

Ample Parking.

Goings on at the GLR

2010-03-20T11:03:00.004Z

Here's a few pictures to show what else has been going on over the winter.

Gardening Penny style. New signal wheel goes in for the new signal works at Common Lane station throat. All part of the modifications being done for crossing

CJ up a ladder. Must be to do with a signal

Knit one, Pearl One. Sleeper changing at Comman Lane

Black & Decker, Black & Decker

Strike a pose

Couple of vans under construction

Another great weekend - Model railway 2010

2010-03-20T10:36:00.007Z

Sorry for the delay. Had a few issues to deal with outside of railways and work.

Still, an excellent weekend was had by all at the 5th model railway exhibition. Very busy, lots of people and exhibits & grows year on year. A big thank you must go out to all the exhibitors & visitors. The hard working volunteers of the GLR on the railway, in the buffet & car parks. With out all of you, we would struggle to organise this type of weekend.

Here's a few piccy's from the weekend. I do have lots more which i'll try to add another day.

Dave Lears new layout

Burnham Boy's new layout

Reg must have been busy, he's got nothing left

Chandler Thicks N Gauge - One of the new, younger recruites of Cale Rail

Star of the show, No 6 Mr G with Fireman Micheal on the footplate

Car park was busy all weekend

West Camel's excellent oo layout

Mike Bakers fantasic Diorama. Mike had his home O gauge featured in Hornby Magazine at the start of the year. Mike is also one of the volunteers at the GLR

Live steam indoors. IDEAL. Its the way it should be. Thanks to the 16mm Boys

Model Railway Exhibition this weekend

2010-02-09T11:05:00.004Z

This weekend the 13 & 14 Feb is our 5th model railway exhibition.

Doors open 10.00 both days, closes Sat 17.00 & Sun at 16.00

Adults £4.00 Concessions £3.00

18 exhibits in total including 2 trade, railway displays, diorama, demostrations & most importantly layouts.

The range from Nn3 in a brief case to 16mm live steam (indoors)

Steam on the GLR mainline running passenger services to public demand & a small additional charge.

Refreshments will be available from our Pines Suite Buffet

Come along & enjoy steam in real life & in models.

See you there.

Welcome to an all'white 2010

2010-01-10T18:35:00.005Z

Evening all.

Been over the railway today only 2 of us daft enough too. Well would you believe it, its snowed there aswell. Nothing stops in the Gartell world, yard was clear, business as usual & we still had the panto today. When i cleared up before leaving today, all i could hear from the 'Pines' was laughing & oh no it isn't.

Still it a looked very nice with the snow, so with camera to hand we took a couple of piccy's. Rest of the day was helping Big H in the shop sorting magazines, fun Honest.Common Lane Box.
Common Lane Foot bridge no. 2 with signal bridgeView of the station enterance from the carpark.
View from the car park up across the field to Pinesway box

Final Joke of the year

2010-01-10T18:33:00.002Z

How many Signalman does it take to change a light bulb??

Santa Specials 2009 part 2, Video if its worked

2010-01-10T18:04:00.007Z

Well here we go. Could be a laugh, might work, blah, blah

Videos of Santas at the GLR 2009. You might have to play them through once before they play properly, depands on your download speed for streaming.

Santa Special passing the former S&D fogmans hunt

I apolgise for the sniff. No 6 at the head working hard up Common Lane bank, past the former location of Garden Halt.

Santa's Specials 2009

2010-01-10T16:15:00.006Z

After a very busy weekend of christmas fun & a visit from Santa himself, here is a selection of photos i managed to squeeze some time to take.

No 6 Mr G on the first run of Sunday, just crossing of the cattle creap towards Park Lane.

No. 9 Jean, uncoupled from the train at Pinesway Junction & return to Common Lane light after banking duties. No 6 just about to depart from Pinesway Junction after N0.9 has detached.No 9 at Common Lane shed (well i know it was, not that you can tell). Clearing the drains before coupling up to the stock for the next run. With her sat around on banking duties & the very cold weather, this was causing more water build up than normal in the cylinders. Does look good though.

Santa's grotto is hidden in here somewhere.A quick click on the camera & i quiet like this shot of No.9 Jean just lifting at Pinesway Junction after banking duties.Common Lane at night.I couldn't work out why everyone was in the signal box until now.

Strike a pose

2009-12-14T13:47:00.002Z

Received this photo of Mike showing people around the engine shed on one of the August Sundays. Strike a pose Mike.

Watch out. The penny's are about

2009-12-14T13:19:00.004Z

Over the last millennium, the 2 Penny's, like the chuckle brother only larger & older (i know pot & kettle), have been rewiring the complete system at the GLR. One of the final things was the re-wire of Pinesway Junction Signal Box. This was 99% completed by the autumn. With the final part being the mains supply upgrade completed by a qualified sparky in December. Pinesway is now complete, ish. Below are some photos of their work.

Before

After
The Penny's. Their not related, must just be the breeding. Both called John Penny. Easier if you go with the one with the braces is Bertie & the one with the smug grin or trapped wind is CJ

More on the steam show from the Drifters

2009-12-14T13:08:00.005Z

Received some photos from the Shepton Mallet Drifters.

Thank You for the photos

August Bank Holiday Weekend

2009-12-14T11:02:00.003Z

A few piccys from the August Bank Holiday weekend. I wasn't their myself, i had a lovely time over at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for their annual steam show before heading up to the Dorset steam fair. 11 day's in chateau "Ivor Williams."

Photo's kindly sent from J Penny

Numbers 1, 5 & 9 in Common Lane yard

Number 9 passing under the bridge on her return to Common Lane. The bridge you won't find on any of the S & D maps. Newly constructed by the GLR several years ago. Still the newest construction on the S & D with trains using it???

No 9 on Pineway bank heading for the junction. Passing "SID" on the northern extension line. Sid was over the railway for boiler work & overhaul for the Lynton & Barnstable. Sid was cold on this day but was tried a couple of days after before returning to the L&B for their Steam Gala

No 1 "Amanda" thumping up through Common Lane bank

GLR Steam show 2009

2009-12-10T11:04:00.004Z

Late update but you know that from me now anyway.

Our 2nd Steam show at the GLR was for the first time over 2 days with lots more interest than before however the weather prior to the show in other regions kept people away, although in the end we had a good & varied selection of machinery & displays. Saturday was excellent weather-wise but Sunday the grey cloud loomed most of the day but never opened.

Being only 2nd show, things can only go on the up, as word spreads, etc. Lots of new faces again this year. Steam shows take anywhere up to 10 years to get a footing, so fingers crossed we're doing it right.

Still have some piccy's to enjoy

Classic cars on the Sunday. Under the cover is a Model T but it doesn't like the rain.
Foden Steam Wagon No 13752 "Reliance"
The Foden was parked up next to the bar which stocked Cottage Brewery's beer including Somerset & Dorset Ale.

J C Carpenter & Joinery hard at it. He builds furniture like this aswell! "Erbie" 4" scale foster. Shown by Carl Humpries

Drifters were back again causing mayhym on the lake again

Townsend Amusments were in attendance.

BSA Taylor Dow Racing machine

Blimey its christmas

2009-12-10T09:08:00.002Z

OK. Where has the last 6 months gone. Blimey. So first off an apology. I didn't realize its been that long since i done a update. Steam engines, model railways & beer (sometimes not even in that order) have kept me a little on the busy side.

Still, IT'S CHRISTMAS.

Err, if you don't know, its our Santa's Specials THIS WEEKEND. 12/13 December. Bit short notice i know. These are BOOKING only. For bookings please call 01963 370752 & ask for Charlie.

Still I'll get some photos on here through the today & tomorrow. Starting from the Steam show back in July, how long ago was that now.

See ya soon

The steam show is coming.

2009-07-10T11:53:00.003+01:00

With continuing late nights & phone calls at all hours. Must mean its getting close to our annual steam & vintage show. Being held at the railway in the field by the car park over the weekend of the 25th & 26th of July. Only our 2nd year and word seems to be spreading. Entrys to date include

Vintage cars & lorries
Vintage tractors & stationary engines
Miniature Steam traction engines
Static displays
Fully licenced bar & refreshments availble
Working model boats on the lake courtesy of the Shepton Mallet Drifters
Musical entertainment from the Two Castles Youth band on the Sat Only
Childrens fun fair

A little bit of something for everyone. Entry is just the cost of your train ticket & a small donation. See you there. I'll pop some photos from last years on after the weekend

Auction action at the GLR this June

2009-06-08T10:14:00.003+01:00

We have 2 big auctions at the Gartell light Railway this June.

1st is the DVCA Summer classic car & Automobila auction. Viewing by catalogue only on the 24/6/09, with the auction on the Thursday 25/06/09. Visit their website for more information on www.dvca.co.uk

2nd is the Talisman Railwayana Auction. Viewing & auction on the same day Saturday 27/06/09. Again as with the previous auction held by them, many S&DJR lots have ben entered, please find some of them listed below. Visit there site at www.talismanauctions.co.uk.

S&DJR ITEMS:- Firebuckets Notice, Trespass Notice, Beware Of Trains Notice, Evercreech Junction and Templecombe Plated Handlamps, Radstock Plated PW Trolley Lamp, 12" Dial Wall Clock (Ex Bath Loco), 73050 Loco Worksplate, 92205 Loco Smokebox Plate, 71G Shedplate (EX 45440), Templecombe Driver's Box, Presentation Coat Of Arms, Corfe Mullen Lever Plate, Full Title Enamel Poster Board Header, Named Instrument Plates, Signal Box Registers, Wagon and Luggage Labels, Milepost (Ex Stalbridge), Bournemouth West Junction Enamel Signal Box Board, Single Line Tablets Shillingstone - Blandford (Fibre), Shillingstone - Blandford (Steel), Bath - Midford (Alloy), Templecombe - Stalbridge (Fibre), Bath plated Milk Churn.

Oh, and just a reminder, as if having these on beforehand wasn't quite enough. WE OPEN ON THE SUNDAY 28/06/09 FROM 10.30 full train service all day, with the last train being at 16.30

Think i'm going to have the next week of the recover.

Random photos - work update shhhhh

2009-04-23T16:17:00.003+01:00

Whilist i got 5, here's some random piccy's i've found on my work computer. Ooops.

Good train in Common Lane Sidings

Yours truly trying to find the right size hammer to hit my thumb. Operation successful.

Mike Lucas doing his thing. Sign writing the milk tank.

Da Da. One milk Tank sign written

Driver James on his first sole run after driver training on the Big Bagley. Heater On James??

Star of our first open day 2009

2009-04-23T12:19:00.005+01:00

On the one hand it seems to have been a long winter. On the other, where the hell has it gone, we've not done half the thing's we were planning to do & the next minute its the first open day, very scary.

However, having seen her under construction for several years now, one of the best things about our Easter open day apart from the weather & the wonderful passengers (a lot of new faces as well) was of course the first running of No.9 Jean, the GLR's second steam loco.

Alan "Chalky" White has done himself proud once again, with construction of his 4" Fowler Road Loco, restoration of his Fowler road roller "Progress" & not to mention one of the constructors of our first loco, Mr G at the North Dorset Locomotive Works, being just some of his previous works of art. If you own a oo model railway, i as well as yourself know the occasional issue of locos out of the box, don't run, DE-rail, poor running, etc. Now think on the lines of a 2 foot gauge loco out the box. Problems, Na. The only one that appeared all day was a slight leak on the air brake system somewhere (now fixed). There had been a couple afternoons of gentle running in light & with a wagon or two but that's it. How to test your new loco?? Answer a) Gentle maneuver's in the yard & shunt the odd wagon. b) Run a light goods in between passenger services to get a feel for the old girl. c) Double head the first passenger train of the day. If you answered c, congratulations. Yes Chalk's way, get on with it, if it breaks, his got something to fix. He's at his happiest when he's mending or creating.

Still enough of me going on, some photos i think. see ya

New track for the Somerset & Dorset

2009-04-07T15:40:00.006+01:00

As noted on a previous post, I've had some broadband issues. Still here's a selection of photos from our weekend of track renew.

We removed the old track in complete panels. There Merlo came in very handy. Also, handy them coming out whole, as the plan as soon as the higher powers allow is to re-install them the other side of the hopeful new crossing at Common Lane.

Start of the relaying

Couple of John's lad from the business side helping out. Dan - the chap in the hi-vis only got back from his honeymoon a couple of day previous. Good Luck, matey
Plant & laser level technology. Tolerance to 00.01 of mm.

3/4 of the way there. Not re-ballasted yet but getting there.
As we re-levelled the track we found that the crossing needed redoing & we had 6 spare concretes left, so its now done past the crossing. Ready to do the next lot.

Where the track has been levelled, some parts now are 2 foot off of the original trackbed that was left.

Pretty much done. In total we dropped approx 48 ton of new ballast on this section.

If Tiscali made broadband packages

2009-04-06T08:52:00.003+01:00

This is not the view of the GLR. This is mine.

Apologies for the lack of updates/contacting people for the Gartell Light Railway. I've now been without broadband for some considerable time now.

If Tiscali made broadband, they'd probably make the worst broadband package in the world.

Talking to a call centre in Bombay, correction on hold to a call centre in Bombay for 40Min's every day to hear someone who hasn't got a clue and a small grasp on the English language, reading a script of they're current faults. I never realised that Wincanton was connected to the exchanges at Manchester, Isslington, Chelmsford, Woodham-Ferrers, Wickford, Ilford-North.

Rant over. I will try and sort something. Might have to do a couple using work PC, shhhhh

Laters

Thank you for Visiting the GLR model railway 2009

2009-02-27T11:35:00.005Z

Here's some pictures from the model show at the start of the month. A very good turn out of both exhibitors & public, especially when you consider that 10 miles away east, nothing could move because of the snow. Goes to show we were right & that the odd couple of layouts that were missing no-one noticed.

Once again thanks for visiting. We hope you all enjoyed it. Next years will be on the 13 & 14 Feb and believe it or not, our 5th annual exhibition. Slightly scary i think.

The Burnham Model Railway Club Tea Drinking Display Team

John from Turleigh Models at Bruton with a vast array of modeling stuff

Still snow on the ground but the car park is filling up nicely. By the middle of Saturday it was full

One of are expert model makers & general mischief creator Barry Baker with one the the Burham boys

Treacle Mining from Exmoor in a briefcase

Boys over from Bridport

David from Shaftesbury & Gillingham with his new n Gauge

The Albany G Gauge all the way from Surrey. This chap very kindly for a small donation allows the kids to use the railway. From the donations he raised, which we organised to go to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, the sum of £50.00. Fantastic.

Operation Overdue

2009-02-20T11:44:00.004Z

Morning Bloggers. Was planning to add this update at the start of the week. Work as always has got in the way, just seems to be me, myself & I with a brain there at the mo. So much so that the photos on here are from John 'The Telephone' Penny, mine are still on the camera.

Still. Operation Overdue. We ran out of time last winter to do this so last Sunday we finally run out the next batch of concrete sleepers in readiness for track renews in the coming weeks. This will then give us concrete sleepers from the throat of Pinesway Junction all the way down to Sally Lovell's.

On Sunday we had 2 locos in use, No5 Alison as pilot & No2 Andrew as banker (all will become apparent). With 3 loaded Bogie flats each with approx 4 ton of sleepers & the well wagon with the mini 360 on there with the Gartell & Son Patent hook & sleeper removal attachment. We think total gross train weight was around the 16 ton mark. Last time the trackbed seen these weights was probably when the track was lifted.

Sad i know but by the last 20 or so sleepers, we were unloading at a rate of 1 every 25 seconds.

With these now down the next plan is to remove the fish plates & ready the old panels (10 in total) to be removed whole & placed in storage.

Please enjoy the selection of photos below

N02 Andrew on the back at Pinesway with the 360 being loaded

Doesn't Andrew & Joe make make the unloading look easy. Beats manual labour any day of the week.

There's still another truck & loco on the front of this piccy. You can see the weights & the task at hand now. Defiantly glad on machinery now.

The model railway show is 100% ON

2009-02-06T20:31:00.002Z

Evening all. Just got back from the railway. We are 100% on this weekend with the Model railway show. Come down and enjoy. We've got a big scale layout, that the owner lets the children use for a small fee. The fee is going towards the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Plenty of layouts, 3 trade stands, Demostrations, refreshments, trains on the railway.

We're open from 10.00 both days. Just bear in mind that on Sat, dont be suprised if theres a couple late or still setting up if your one of the early birds.

GLR Latest

2009-02-05T20:58:00.001Z

Evening all. Glr weather hound here. Roads, fine, fields, fine, its currently raining in sunny Somerset. See you all the weekend

Its Snow joke - The Model Railway show is GO GO GO

2009-02-04T20:35:00.003Z

Just incase anyone is worried. The model railway show will still be going ahead. Just for your information theres NO snow on the roads around here for about 40+ miles.

So no need to panic, our first event of 2009 is still ON. Dont forget layouts, trade stands, demonstrations, service on the GLR.

Here's a little piccy from last Sunday, bit of bramble clearing. Feel the Heat.

More usable mileage returns to the S & D

2009-01-11T17:41:00.002Z

Just before christmas the GLR's track mileage was extended. The head shunt at Park Lane was extented by 14ft. Giving us plenty of room for those double headed specials & maybe one day Double Headed Steam summer saturday. Look at space left, after this small install, there's now discussions on whether we could extend the loop in the station at Park Lane bay about 20ft further.

I have to admit i've only got 1 piccy but my claim to fame is that, I was the first to travel this bit of track by train for approx 42 years.

Christmas 2008 at the GLR

2009-01-11T15:53:00.004Z

A bit late but i sure your getting the idea now that i never seem to do things for time.

Chrismas 2008. Please find Below a selection of photos.

It's panto time, Oh no it isn't, OH YES IT IS

2008-11-01T09:42:00.001Z

The Gartell Light Railway would like to invite you to a presentation by the Chaplins Travelling Pantos of DICK WHITTINGTON.

This presentation if ONE DAY ONLY on Sunday 11th January 2009 at 2pm. Adults £7.50, Children £5 (under 2's FREE).

Booking is essential as there are only limited seats & there selling fast.

Light refreshments available before the performance & during the interval.

For the booking hotline please ring 01963 370752, ask for Charlie to reserve your seat now.

Better late then never

2008-10-23T19:54:00.003+01:00

Here a selection of very quick photos taken at our steam up in July. I took these at about 16.00, so just a tad rushed. Enjoy

GLR Steam Show This Weekend

2008-07-24T15:33:00.003+01:00

Just a reminder that this weekend the 27/7/08 the GLR is hosting a Steam Show. Exhibits expected are Shillingstone Station Project, Washford, possibly Midsomer Norton (if you read there magazine although I've not heard from them), Shepton Mallet Drifters (model boats), tractors, lorries, cars, steam wood sawing, up to at least 6 miniature steam engines, Mendip Model Truckers, Ferguson Club, plus not forgetting the railway still has its normal 3 train service. All refreshments will by from the Pines Suite.

If you need more info contact myself on 07970 113270.

Below is a photo of myself doing a bit of free advertising at Portland the last weekend

No comment

Photos from the railway auction held 19/8

2008-07-24T14:57:00.004+01:00

Selection of photos taken on Friday morning before the masses & before i went to the Portland Steam Show, which by the way was fantastic.
Whats Keith looking for??

June 08 open day

2008-07-11T21:22:00.006+01:00

A selection of piccys for your enjoyment. One note for the notepad. Towards the end of the day, No. 6 Mr G was turned on the roundabout in preparation for the The Weeding Special the following week.
Welcome to the GLR. Platform 2 full with all the relevant churns & signs.

God help us. Network Rails finest.

No 6 on coal stage & water tower before turning

One man roundabout. Yard shunter Dan flexing his stuff. Please note Driver Uphill 'Hi I'm the driver, hi'. Another note, one person turning, 3 stood or sat still, myself & i think 2 others. The great thing about being British, 1 working the rest watching. Hi, I'm the driver, hi

How she looked at the end of the day, passing gov's house on the return to Common Lane.

Penny man, looks happy. Either had a pay rise or one the chocolate in our staff competition (FIX)

The GLR at Merehead

2008-07-11T21:01:00.005+01:00

Merehead back in June was fantastic. The sound of 9f Black Prince dragging 1800 ton of wagons & stone was something to savour. Loads of steam and diesel locos plus lots of other stuff including model railway, tractors & traction engines. Here's some photos, some with comments. Apologies with the quality, i took them with my phone.

John Antell with his Fowler engine. John transported most of the railway kit in. Bit of a bus-mans holiday for him i guess.

Carry on camping. Harold, Cj & Keith, one of the funniest things you can watch. The gazebo went back courtsey of the dustbin.

GLR world tour this weekend 21/22 June 2008

2008-06-17T12:23:00.003+01:00

The Gartell Light Railway will be attending the 150th celebration over at Merehead Quarry near Cranmore (the East Somerset Railway). We are not bring the usual display stand and postcards. Sorry to disapoint you.

We bringing the whole shoting match. Stand, Shop, Ticket office, carriages & No. 6 Mr G.

The organisers have built a special platform for passengers to travel, along with laying a 3rd rail in the middle of there own for us to travel on.

Heres a bit more info i've knicked off the ESR website. Check the information more closely at http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/

Highlights include:-

Regular Stone Trains hauled by the heavy freight locomotives
Static and working exhibits from the Steam, Heritage diesel and current eras
Sales and Exhibition Stands
Tours around the massive Merehead Quarry running every 20 minutes between 09:30 and 17:00
Brake Van Rides between 09:30 and 17:00
Driver for a Fiver between 09:30 and 17:00 (extra charge applies)
Branch line trips to Westbury

Heritage Traction

Class 50, no.50049
Class37, no. 37906
Class 14, no. D9526
Sentinel PB39 (operating on the ESR at Cranmore West)

Modern Traction

Class 59/0 Foster Yeoman
Class 59/1 Hanson
Class 59/2 EWS
Class 66/4 Freightliner
Class 66/7 GBRf
Class 60
Class 73 Railfreight
Class 08 Mendip Rail

Yeovilton Model Railway show 2008

2008-06-17T12:07:00.005+01:00

Sort of related to the GLR as we moved 3 large bundles of leaflets over the weekend.

The model railway club i belong to, Cale Rail, were invited to attend the 1st Model Railway show over at the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton. We took along are layout Brinley Green. Poor Brin never got to see he's own layout finished, so we have & named it after the man himself. Below are a couple of photos from Steve, a bloke a nabbed taking photos and asked if he could email them. Cheers chap, much appreciated.

Roundabout behind the 10 engine, 5 road loco shed
Works yard with sheds & loco in the back ground
Engine shed, now with added smoke. I bought a smoke generator.
AEC collecting cable drums from the works yard
Sean Barrington trying his roller in the works yard. Sean's proper roller, an Aveling & Porter is currently being re boxed. So we thought it would be nice for him to have something to play with. A wider view of the engine shed
M7 in siding attached to the 110 ton crane

Honk, Honk.

Blackmore Vale Lions Visit the GLR

2008-06-17T11:44:00.003+01:00

A couple of weeks ago now, the Blackmore Vale wing the Lions visited the GLR on a Sunday. They utilised the Pines Suite & the railway. A spot of lunch was enjoyed by all from are on site caterers, followed by a couple of trips across the S & D behind No. 6 Mr G, our resident steam loco.

The Lions special sat in platform 1 at Common Lane.
Junior fireman Uphill just keeping a eye on things. Our new batch of coal seems a bit flavorsome.
The Lions special to Park Lane underway. In the background you can see Andrew parked the the carriage sidings.

Theres no place like Gnome

2008-05-22T21:16:00.003+01:00

I finally caught the blighter. The rare & mysterious Gartell Gnome. A beast that very rarely comes outside except once in every Sunday. Usually he's found deep in the wiring undergrowth & rabbiting on the phone about dings & rings, bells & whistles. The GLR gnome is not the sharpest tool in the shed as can be seen below, wheres the water for fishing. But is that us being stupid because he's eyeing the 10 pair, triple copper coated, plastic coveredddddd, ohhh.

Sad i know, but there's only one Bertie.

Thank the lord there only one, imagine if there was two, on second thoughts, don't.

Blinking ballest

2008-05-22T20:36:00.004+01:00

As you will have seen the new hopper works vey well. Now we've got to lift the track. Infact these are from the first run through, we.ve actually dropped about 35 ton in preperation for the new concrete sleepers & new rails. Before the first loads of stone
After the first 3 loads of stone
Lifting in progress. This was from the CJ method. 6 blokes, 1, 2, 3, lift. Very hard work
Ahh, boss has arrived. Boss also remembered the the jack had been modified to deal with lifting with new stone. Just a gentle bit of up & down and up it comes.

The education department returned. Seen here is James, currently learning to be an artist at Bath. And i do mean an artist with paint not the artist with beer. Seen aswell is the lifting bracket.

14 ton latter. We've don this twice more since. In some places the the track has been lifted 18". Very hard work but very rewarding.

Heavy Haulage with the PW gang

2008-05-22T20:05:00.003+01:00

We've rebuilt the ballest wagon. New boggies, larger hopper & stepper sides so the stone falls out a rate of knots.

One of the newly built bogies from J Uphills fair hand. Roller bearing axle boxes & a work of art in every way.

Mr Rodd jr after his artist moment.

Seen just before turning over to work on the lever linkages. You can see the add-on above the old yellow paint.
Hmmmm. I think the unloading needs a rethink. Having to squeeze the Merlo down the line all the time might make it a bit tight.
The light, gentle touch of the oxy torch. I think its more for weight reduction & aerodynamic's.
Now that looks a useful bit of kit. Being re-railed at the old Garden Halt crossing. (Yes we have decomissoned stations on the GLR aswell)
One lump or two. Lets fill her up. In actual fact it holds about 4.5 tons or nearly 2 of these bucket loads. Trouble is now we need to build a ballest silo as we can now empty the lot in about 50 secs, ish
A stop & chat with boys after the first run. A look of suprise was seen as the previous version was a tad slow on the unload.
First run through before lifting and packing. Approx 14 ton in about half hour. You will note the new rails ready to go.

You dont see one update for months then lots all at the same time.

2008-05-22T19:54:00.003+01:00

First off, apologies GLR blog fans. Work went what you could say, up the swany. I'm nearly back to just doing my job now. I've also had my 2 steamers to get sorted for the rally season but we're back for a couple of weeks, so here goes.

Above. Fireboxes for a couple of traction engine at a secret location. Been giving a hand with these aswell. Say give a hand, more make the tea. A small part but the British Empire was built on tea.

Gardening anyone??

2008-03-20T21:46:00.005Z

Below is a selection of photos from about Jan i think when it was decided that the trees & brambles by Sally Lovell's was just to much. It may look a bit cruel but actually much of the wood by the track was growing over from the hedge line sum 15 ft away.
Brainwashing the younger generation, fantastic. The lad in the blue overalls is junior fireman Micheal & the lad in the red is Chris. Chris needs a mute button sometimes but has taken to learning how all the wiring works like duck to water, naturally under the supervision of telephone & wiring god Bertie. And is very handy when it comes to cleaning the back of the signal frames.

The view after clearance. Much improved. Also note that the Bagley is out on a works train, shhhh done tell anyone.

What a pleasant sight, man & machine as one. Andrew Gartell removing the build up alongside the line & getting carried away, he landscaped the best part of what we cleared. IDEAL

Don't give up the day job CJ. We uncovered the remains & steps of the fog mans hut. CJ thought it wood make a lovely BBQ area. The errrr hearth is made up from the original remains. You never know we might rebuild a hut back there one day, Project 2020 i think.

Lets have a catch up.

2008-03-20T21:12:00.005Z

Lets give you a few snaps from the previous couple of weeks or is it months, not to sure. It'll be Easter before i know it.

Another batch of the concrete sleepers curing the works wash shed. We need about 128 to get us to Sally Lovell's Crossing.

Now seen load on our newly converted flat wagon. More in a later post. Visit us on Eater Monday, we have quite a nice looking works train in progress, so far 2 wagons full of concrete's.

Couple of weeks ago the weather was ideal to get some of the cleaning & servicing jobs out the way. Seen hear the carriages are being washed by CJ, the man in the HV vest & holding a watering can is Keith. Is he A - Rinsing the coaches after washing, B - Supervising or C - Washing the ballast????

Getting ready for the relaying. CJ & the gov, John Gartell barring the new rail of the wagons. There's a dip along this part which we think needs about 4 ton of ballast to raise it level. Oh, and here's Keith again, supervising.

The Network Rail Managers version of 'The Matrix'. Doesn't CJ look light on his feet. Or is he doing the Highland Jig.

Model Railway Exhibition 2008

2008-03-04T11:16:00.005Z

WOW. What a weekend?? The sun was out, the newly extended car park was overflowing & the trains were busy all weekend.

2 trade stands - just the right amount & not selling the same gear in competition with each other.

12 layouts - all scales, gauges, era's. Some electric, a DCC and LIVE STEAM.

We would like to thank all the visitors, exhibitors, trader & staff for what was the best exhibition on record. Our only trouble is now, is we've got to better it again next year, d'oh.

Next Years exhibition is on the 14 & 15 of Feb 2009

The 16mm Live Steam proved very popular & this was the best i could get photo wise due to most of the weekend there was no room to get near it.
The Burham boys were present and causing chaos as per usual
OO Gauge DCC Loco Shed
Narrow Gauge "Norden Mine"
N Gauge from Dave Lear of the Crockerton Club
Cale Rail's new layout, at the exhibition called "Green Park Shed". Named after the designer & builder Brin Green & because of our location that weekend. It is with great sadness however that i report the passing on of Brin, who never got to see he's layout finished. A man who was always willing to show other people how to build layouts if they showed the interest. A man you could learn a great deal from if you were willing to listen. A dear friend that will be very sadly missed. As a fitting memorial to him, the layout will be simply known as "Brinley Green"
What a sight?? The car park was only extended over the winter right back to the hedge line & we still on Sunday managed to have cars queuing to get in. Best build us a multi storey for next year John.

Dont you hate D.I.Y.

2008-03-04T11:12:00.002Z

Probably not to much of a rash statement. Sorry about lack of updates, the dreaded DIY took over the last couple of weeks & sorting the Model railway exhibition. Still i think we're back in business, lots of developments at the GLR, some of which can be revealed and some that are pet projects for the moment.

Still the next update will be stuff from the exhibition in Feb.

Model Railway Exhibtion This Weekend

2008-02-06T17:17:00.000Z

Come along to the GLR this weekend for our annual Model Railway Exhibtion. We have 2 traders, 12 layouts in various gauges from n to 16.5mm narrow gauge live steam. A hourly train service on the GLR main line. We're open at 10 o'clock both days, closing at 5 on Saturday & 4 on Sunday. Adults £3.00, Children & OAPS £2.00. There is a small additional charge for the train. Below are some photos from previous exhibtions.

Silent Night at the Pines

2007-12-18T12:40:00.000Z

A couple of pictures from Saturday Night after all was quiet at Common Lane with just the station lights & a few christmas lights looked very relaxed and calm. I hope there clear enough.View out of the footbridge as you arrive in Common lane. The shop to the left, with the Pines Room straight infront.

A slightly different view of the same area.

Looking down through Common Lane Station towards the Visitors centre & Common Lane Shed.

Looking back at Harolds Retail Empire or the Glr Shop which ever you prefer. Just visible is the phone box.

Santa's Specials on the GLR

2007-12-18T12:06:00.000Z

A very enjoyable weekend was had by all playing trains during our Santa's Special weekend. 10 trains ( 5 each day), all completely full with Grandparents, Parents, Children & some children that were more grown up than the parents. Presents, Mince Pies, Squash, wine, biscuits, more wine, elf's, more wine.

Please find below some photos of the weekend. There should be some of a man in a red suit but i could never catch him to get a photo. Guess I'll have to try again on the 25Th.

First train of the weekend on Saturday Morning. No. 6 Mr G gently brewing up in Platform 1 ready for the 11.00 to Park Lane.

Mr G just coming through our now FULLY automated level crossing. With the final piece of the puzzle installed during the week by CJ, the crossing only needed a tweak before functioning beautiful all weekend. Credit to CJ & Bert's on one less thing to worry about.

The Santa's Special returning into Common Lane. Awaiting on the platform would be Father Christmas & several of the GLR Elf's.

Speaking of Elf's. Meet Senior Elf Lucas, caught checking his Christmas list for Father Christmas. Even Mike wants a new pair of sock's & a soap on a rope for Christmas. aah

Look at that trio of beauties

2007-11-30T12:44:00.000Z

A bit late but happens to be the same time as a similar photo is in steam railway this month. The view looking out of Common Lane station towards the car park foot bridge. We never realised how plain the bridge looked until CJ put his thinking cap on. And as much as we take the you know what out of CJ for his passion or should that be obsession for signals, we all agree, its transformed the view out of the station.

Load test trials but its a suprise

2007-11-30T12:39:00.000Z

A photo of No 2 Andrew & No 5 Alister with No 6 Mr G just visable in the background. This photo captures the top secret loading & gauge trials of something currently under construction. You'll have to guess for now.

Now what can we build with these??

2007-11-29T12:15:00.000Z

Just a couple of photos to show a recent delivery to the works yard. One skip full of axles & axle boxes. Now what can we make with these. 4 box vans, 4 ballest hoppers, 1 new coach for each set, brake van, no 2 brake vans, couple of well wagons. Hmmmm, I best stop all this day dreaming as that should be enough for J Uphill to do over the winter.

Shillingstone the morning after the night before

2007-11-06T12:26:00.000Z

As promised here are some photos from the end of season bash with the Three Oakfords Preservation Club hosted at Shillingstone Station.

Sunday Morning and all is quiet. Left of the picture is Dave Antells Wallis Advance Roller, Centre is Chalky White's Fowler Roller "Progess" & Right is one of Norman Young's fleet of historic Lorry's. This being one of the Atkinson's he owns.Unearthed in the station yard is the signal box base (I can see CJ foaming at the mouth already). You can see the mounting plate for the signal wheels with what appears to have a wheel attached underneath. Below. Is this the start of the signal box?? I don't know, looks about right but i forgot to ask.
There new Ruston shunter standing in the cattle dock awaiting attention. They need to do a bit of fettling with the compressor engine which is a Wolsley WD1 supplied although probably should be a Ruston Radiator cooled.
Stood on the down platform looking back at the progress being made. The down appears to be all there & about the right length for the Pines to steam on through. Much work still needed but so much has already happened & took place.
Finally, the meeting of great minds. When was the last time on the S&DJR that the retails from different station discussed stock and sales levels. So for the 1st time in probably 50 years meet Arkwright one from the GLR in the green jumper Harold Rodd & in the blue jacket is Arkwright two from Shillingstone. Never before has Granville be so concerned about his delivery bike.

GLR on Google Earth

2007-10-18T17:26:00.002+01:00

Heres a link to an overhead view of the GLR. Its a few years out of date now but nice none the less. steve

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=ba80dh&ie=UTF8&ll=50.99499,-2.402717&spn=0.000596,0.001175&t=k&z=19&om=1

Photos from the 7-5 Open Day

2007-05-16T12:39:00.000+01:00

I apologise now for the quality of some of these. It was overcast most of the day, I'm not a professional photographer and worst of all is my camera. Made around the same time as Noah was chopping trees down for his new row boat. It's got about half a mega pixel and is made from granite and lumps of iron. Still enough excuses here's the proof.

The view greeting visitor as they enter the footbridge to the station yard. Just seen behind the bridge is n0. 6 Mr G. The car is an Austin A35 owned by one of our volunteers, Trev. This is one of many he owns, much to Mrs Trev's disgust. Behind the car is our station side picnic area, enjoy your Picnic whilst watching the trains go by.

Mr G sat at Common Lane with the safety's just lifting.

John Uphill bringing another train load in to Common Lane behind Mr G.

No 5 Alistair in Number 3 Platform at Common Lane with the missed goods for Pinesway Junction or is that Bournemouth West??

Revolutionary new couplings for No. 2 - Andrew. These require no guard involvement, you just couple up with the connecting bar on the engine and the scoop on the carriages guide the bar into its location. All the guard then has to do is drop the pin & clip into place, the air lines and safety chain. Simple, how did we do without it!!

Our 33 Crompton and Alan Keef/Deutz in Common Lane

The view from Platform 1 at Common Lane looking toward the head shunt with the well wagon and the car park behind. In the distance you can see Pinesway Junction box & the signal bridge

No. 2 - Andrew After refit

2007-05-16T12:26:00.000+01:00

Here's a couple of photos of our new No. 2 Andrew after a little nip n tuck operation by our resident surgeon John Uphill. If you compare these with the image lower down this page of her as she arrived there several differences.

The first is plain to see, gone is standard military drab green for Brunswick green, JCB yellow & Signal red buffer beams (We didn't nick your signal paint honest CJ). Second, the cab roof has had 6" taken out and the drivers window lowered. Finally the headlights have been replaced with the GLR standard Diesel fitting.

Seen here entering Common Lane from the cab of our 33 Crompton - Amanda.

New website online

2007-05-01T20:56:00.000+01:00

At long last and after much nagging from some parties, we got a new website. Hopefully you will find it a lot clearer and easier to use.

It nearly all there and has taken some considerable time to do. Please bear with me on the updates to complete it as it is summer now (fingers and legs firmly crossed) so the railways open and I've got traction engines and beer to look after.

Don't for get the website www.glr-online.co.uk.

And on the subject of free plugs. The railway is open for business this Bank Holiday Monday the 7th May. 10.30 - 16.30. If you made it to our Easter one, you will have seen our new loco in its original guise. Now however, she's a little bit different, shorter cab and a new shade of green. There was something about military drab that didn't appeal.

See you at our open day.

Update 2 J Penny

2007-04-09T19:35:00.001+01:00

Update 2 by J Penny

1) What fun playing trains can be! Kevvy and CJ in the process of greasing fishplates. Dirty work? You bet!
2) The team on April 1; John G, Steve, Adam, Keith, CJ, with Dave in front. Photo by Bertie, who did do some work too (honest) Fencing the back of the platform just about finished.
3) Would this lot be good enough to make an Olympic Fencing Team? The chain link fence to prevent our loyal patrons from throwinmg themselves into space at the back of Park Lane platform, is extended to sufficient length.
4) Work in progress to put up posts to support the fencing at Park Lane. Not bad for half a day! Note hydraulic crane which was invaluable to lift the posts off the wagon. They needed to be long as of course the platform is on an embankment.
5) A brief view of the rare Kevinus Goddardus a shy, burrowing creature, seen here in typical pose. It seems to have evolved the mistaken belief that if he cannot see us, we cannot see him.

Quick photo update from John Penny

2007-04-09T19:09:00.000+01:00

I've received a bulk load of photos from John "i love telephone's" Penny. Updated in a couple of posts due to the amount. Quick update as I'm a little worn out after 3 days of sorting, painting & cleaning ready for the open day we had today. More news to follow.

Comments & photos by J Penny

Steve 'Call me Picasso' Rodd sets about a repaint of the tools and messing van, also known colloquially as 'the Panzer Wagon'. Our lounge next then Steve...?

John Gartell gets to grips with the latest addition to the loco stud as he takes the Bagualey-Drewry of 1973 vintage for a test-drive. More tech-spec as we get it!
Just to prove it isn't all 'playing trains' The wind severely damaged a tree along the section that was part of the S&D trackbed, and further examination revealed a large amount of rot in the trunk. Another further along was going the same way, so down they had to come... At least they were destined to be used to keep a wood-burning stove going for some time!
As a matter of interest, they were a variety known as 'Goat Willow'.
GLR stalwart Mike Lucas caught in action! Mike has constructed and painted almost all the signs seen around the GLR over the years, even including the gradient posts, which give the place even more of that 'railway feel'.

41 years ago

2007-03-06T20:47:00.000Z

I don't really know how to start this one. Some anniversaries are good like birthdays and weddings, and some are bad like our departed and weddings. This one a mix of both i think. 41 years ago local people where left with something missing as the S&D closed for the last time.

But is that a bad thing, yeah ok, the roads may not have clogged up so much with the daily commute and your food you buy may well have been still local, well some of it is, it just does 500 miles to do 50 yards. But we wouldn't be here. The GLR has now been open to the public for over 17 years and in existence for many more.

From humble beginnings with a couple of lengths of track and some old peat wagons, to what we have now, 2 full working signal boxes, 3/4 mile of line, steam hauled trains, a fleet of coaches and wagons, etc.

We must also remember who else has risen from the closure. Our nearby friends at Midsomer Norton who are faithfully and carefully rebuilding the station, outbuildings and extending the line, not forgetting running standard gauge trains on the Somerset and Dorset. This site was nearly under housing not so long ago, like many of the old stations Wincanton, Henstridge, Sturminster Newton, i could go on. They wouldn't be here if the S&D was still running.

Our other nearby friends (probably about the same distance from us, not got a map to hand) are the Shillingstone Station Project beautifully restoring the station and surroundings. with hopes for track and trains in the future, their looking very promising as well. Not forgetting 9F Morning Star being stabled there. This project survived because of two reasons, one because of the closure and two the station was saved somehow when the industrial units where built.

Finally, cant do all these mentions without the West Somerset Railway, ok their at Bishops Lydeard but the S&D trusts taken over Washford to all memorabilia and anything S&DJR and called it home. there hosts being the largest hertiage line the country mean that we all get fabulous coverage.

Still must stop the woffle now, get back to kicking the website into touch, well start again at least

3 cheers for the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway and all her children.

New Tank wagon started

2007-03-04T22:16:00.000Z

We've started work on constructing a liquid bulk carry, tank wagon to most people. The wagon was going to be a milk tank but the tank we've aquired lends itself more to a petrol tank. Seen below are a couple of images to show the work in progress. The first is myself (am I really losing that much hair!) removing the excess metalwork to get down to a bear chassis. Punch, Hammer, Ouch

Just as a point of interest, the work is being carries out on our inspection ramp stroke roundabout, sorry turntable. A very useful piece of kit. the next picture shows that the toffee hammer in use above was not quite man enough for the job. If at first it doesn't move, get a bigger hammer.

The final one only can have one title, with reference to all music lovers. Great balls of fire

A quick catch up 2006

2007-03-04T21:48:00.000Z

A tad late but I've always been told better late than never, not to sure if that applies to the Internet where things move faster than a West Country. Unfortunately due to my previous job i had minus 2 days a week out of an 8 day week. Now, I'm more in the normal time zones and this blogging stuff a piece of cake anyway. To prove this fact John "Bertie" Penny will also be contributing to this blog (Doesn't know yet, but he will.).

Just an example of how the GLR is set in beautiful surroundings. A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, well Common Lane Box is close enough.

test of GLR new blog site

2007-03-04T19:19:00.000Z

Evening to those friends interested in the GLR.

TEST

Update of lots photos soon via this page whilst glr-online goes under a refit