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Operation....These pictures show something of the operation of the railway in its present form
Cleaning Flooded Easter engines returning
Lawrence cleans the coaches and talks to prospective passengers when we thought we would be operating at Easter - unfortunately the mechanical state of the locomotive meant we couldn't operate but the cleaning, which took over four hours, was not in vain. Although Easter started well as far as the weather was concerned it deteriorated badly as this Easter Monday shot of a flooded Par 3 crossing shows. By early May we were able to return the locomotives to the railway. This shot shows them loaded on the trailer at Bredgar ready for transporting back to the Strand.
engines returning first test par 3 crossing
The only place we are able to load and unload was at the short straight section near the loop points. Here David Best weighs up the options! Lawrence with a test train while running USA 112 in. Negotiating the par 3 crossing.
HST on test hedge cutting departing riverside
The HST under test with the heavily weighted USA style coaches. Elaine gets to work with the shears on the overhanging bush near the station. Elaine again, this time on USA 112 leaving the station.
works train passengers at last exiting the tunnel
The works train consisting of the HST and the USA tail car. Lawrence with our first ever passenger train. Later the same day leaving the shelter of the tunnel.
entering riverside taking fares approaching loop points
Approaching Riverside. Elaine collects the fares on a hot and sunny operating day. Approaching the loop points which are always in shadow. We had to keep a sharp eye open in case obstructions had been placed in the check rails or point blades.
waiting for passengers rain sheltering
Not every day was busy----this was Bank Holiday Monday just after a shower. Further showers saw the umbrellas up. With descretion being the better part of valour we spent the rainy bits in the shed.
still waiting par 3 crossing approaching station
When the rain stopped we got the train out again - fortunately the threatening sky kept away for the rest of the afternoon. Takings for the day were less than half we would have expected. Lawrence gets the sunny drive as he passes the par 3 crossing. Passing the loop point the line crosses the path before curving round towards the station.
final curve Childrens playground Rev Bob
The entire current serviceable rolling stock is seen on the curve just before the station. The long curve around the perimeter of the childrens playground. The local vicar, Robert Featherstone, brings one of the last trains we operated on behalf of the owners into the station.
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