Latest News from the AMR

24th July 2010
Michael Faraday (the model locomotive, that is,) visited the Spinney Light Railway on July 24th for another trial run. Being a private garden railway, passenger loadings were light, but a moderate loading up a 1:26 gradient was not much of a problem for the loco! Unfortunately, the tarmac at the level crossing (across the driveway) was too high, and we had to remove the shoebeams before we could start! (But, it doesn't look too difficult to refit them.) The carriages were the Aristocraft type, so the loco should be well at home with the AMR's carriages also!

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Waiting in the bay at Spinney. The lights are on, having just emerged from a pitch-black tunnel!

12th July 2010
Loco 18, "Michael Faraday" visited the Great Cockcrow Railway on July 10th for their Friends and Family day. As a volunteer at that railway, AMR General Manager Adrian Allum saw this as an opportunity to put the loco through its paces (and it performed remarkably well), and to raise awareness of the AMR - albeit to a small audience. Somewhere for the driver to sit was provided by "Sarah Siddons'" riding truck, but this was very uncomfortable and stronger springs will need to be provided! An assortment of 2, 3 & 4 car trains were hauled, none especially heavily loaded, and average journey time (each) was about 15 minutes continuously. All this from two small 85Ah batteries!
Another private railway event is being considered, but has still to be confirmed.

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Loco 18, "Michael Faraday" basks in the sunshine at Green Lane halt, the furthest extremity of the Great Cockcrow Railway. There is a vague hope that the riding truck will at least have 'primer' painted on before returning to Acton!

27th June 2010
Three volunteers braved the baking weather to paint parts of the ticket office and newly delivered mess room, so that they form some "family resemblance" with the signal cabin. After lunch, loco "Michael Faraday" was brought out for safety testing, and we noticed two things (one of which had actually been noticed when we arrived): the newly laid track has not stayed straight with heat expansion (the pre-drilled holes for the rail-joiners (aka fishplates) are too far from the end of the rails to allow room for expansion); and the hedge that our recent track extension reached is not there any more! Looks like our next track order will be sooner than we expected! We didn't repair the buckled track as it was just too hot to carry on working outside, but we intend to cut away about 5mm from the ends of the rails. New track will be ordered without these holes pre-drilled!
At the end of the day, the loco, along with the riding truck designated for use with "Sarah Siddons" was brought away so that it can represent the AMR on one or two other railways, albeit, private functions. It is hoped that there will be time to paint the latter whilst it is away!

 
 
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Top Left - The new mess room, already with some parts painted. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right - Daniel about to drive "Michael Faraday" with Dave as a passenger. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - Dave driving; but look what the heat has done to the track! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Right - The modified appearance to the Signal Cabin. [Photo: D. Bullions.]

30th May 2010
Four volunteers did some work at the AMR at the end of May. The main job was to lay a point in the carriage siding near the signal cabin. With this, we were also able to lay a siding, but with nothing beyond the point presently, there is no access to the siding. More damage had been found to signalling cables, believed to have been the work of animals, but they seem to be knowing where to act! A repair was not made as we are looking at rewiring the area completely once the mess room has been delivered. Sadly, the mess room has been delayed and we're looking into the matter! Jonathan tested his loco on the track, and this also gave us the chance to test a modification to the track circuits; the loco was fine but the track circuits weren't! (We need to install capacitors to prevent the track relays oscillating whenever stock with dirty wheels is on the track!)

 
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Left - The point and the new siding to the left. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - Jonathan with his loco testing the new track. [Photo: A. Allum.]

26th April 2010
The Acton Miniature Railway and the Little Red Train got together on April 24th & 25th to provide rides (and raise awareness of the AMR etc) at the Spa Valley Railway's Gala Weekend. Unfortunately, with the event aimed more at the enthusiast rather than the family, we carried only 35 passengers on the Saturday and 40 on the Sunday! This made for a very boring weekend, but most of the team made the most of a trip along the SVR, and this served as fair relief! The SVR had the L.99 Pannier tank steam locomotive in service (along with a 'Jinty' and a Polish 0-6-0), and one of their LU 'T' stock cars also made a few journeys, which proved very popular; people (by choice) were packed in almost as much as on the LU today! Our miniature railway was set up in the loco shed, and a Plate-layers' trolley had to be used to get the equipment on and off site! Back in the days of ownership by Fred Blois, the LRT had been carried in a goods wagon at a preserved railway, so this is nothing new!

 

 
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Top Left - LRT and L.99 side by side. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right - "T" stock car for the Bakerloo Line? Surely not! [Photo: D. Bullions.]
Middle - Dave drives the LRT into the loco shed. [Photo: D. Hill.]
Bottom Left - The LRT's portable track being transported on a platelayers trolley. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Right - The LRT and equipment loaded onto the platelayers trolley at the end of the day, ready to be rolled back to the minibus. [Photo: A. Allum.]

27th March 2010
Five AMR volunteers continued with the track extension beyond Wesley's Halt at the end of March, and we have got as far as we can without cutting down the hedge! We have also extended the carriage siding (made easier by lowering it, so that there is now a slight down-grade from the point). Plans to test the LRT (following power issues at the Open Weekend) were dampened partly by the weather (literally) and partly by the lack of time.

 

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Top Left - Ballasting on the new extension beyond Wesley's Halt. [Photo: B. Foley.]
Top Right - Digging out the ground to allow the siding to be lowered. [Photo: B. Foley]
Bottom - One of our carriages sits on the extended track at the siding - without rolling - a job well done. [Photo: B. Foley.]

16th March 2010
The volunteers at the Acton Miniature Railway had an enjoyable weekend whilst the Museum Depot was open in March, partly due to the fact that we weren't "rushed" as much as usual. Passenger numbers were much lower than we're accustomed to, but there seemed to be a drop in the number of people attending the main event (judging by queue length), so our Fare increase is probably not to blame! (In fact nobody complained about the increase, and we do feel that even at £1, a ride on the AMR still represents good value for money.)
Tram loco, "Livvy" was back in service following a pretty major overhaul, and this loco's performance has improved incredibly. The 38 tube stock (aka Little Red Train) ran out of power during the Saturday due to an uncoupled electrical connection between the cars(!), but otherwise performed admirably. The Metropolitan "A" class steam loco gave a good performance without needing extra power from the motor coach; and we had a second steam loco, "Alison," owned by one of our regular volunteers, who has spent six years with his father bringing the loco into working order. It suffered a few niggling problems over the weekend, but on the whole it worked very well. On the Sunday, MetVick "Michael Faraday," a loco similar to our "Sarah Siddons" was in service also. This loco is taking up temporary residence at the Museum to represent the AMR until "Sarah Siddons" is back in service, and was at the AMR's official opening in 2005.

 
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Left - "Alison" and the "A class" at Depot Approach. [Photo: B. Foley.]
Right - "Livvy", now with significantly improved performance [Photo: B. Foley]

Four panels of track were laid on the Friday (we ran out of time to do any more), and this small extension made a big difference to the feel of the distance travelled. We had some modifications to the signalling; all of the signals have been converted to LED aspects - inside the same housings. Although they were not much brighter, the amount of light given off was more even and easier to see from a distance, as well as close up. We've used warm-white behind the coloured filters, and some of the green aspects are a bit too 'blue,' but they'll more than do! Also, two new "Whistle" boards (one either side of the crossing near the signal cabin - at Harrison's Crossing) look very smart and remind the drivers to give a suitable audible warning as they approach this crossing.
We are now engaged in two small projects and one large one. The two small projects are the provision of the Mess Room (and this includes painting it and the Ticket Office at the same time), and the continuation of the track extension to reach the hedge. This latter project will also see modifications to the so-called Carriage siding so that the excess track panels can be laid there. The big project will be the provision of lineside fencing, as we still have an issue with vehicles bouncing up over the kerb! There will need to be removable sections for where the railway is close to the kerb edge; and a suitable way of achieving this, is something that we are having to think about!

 
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Left - The 38 Tube Stock gave excellent performance (despite one power-related stop)! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - "Michael Faraday" returned to the railway and is seen here with "Livvy" in the background. Note also, the new "Whistle" board! [Photo: D. Bullions.]

28th February 2010
Six volunteers worked upon the railway on February 27th, with an assortment of jobs. The new laser-cut buffer stop was fitted at Depot Approach (this one is a modified design so that it doesn't interfere with the track circuit) and all others refitted. Minor modifications were made to the ticket office as a small safety precaution. Signalling work comprised repainting four levers and quadrants in accordance with the revised allocation of lever functions, fitting up the new temporary track diagram (for the March weekend only - we hope), and running the cables out to track section "AB" in readiness for working in conjunction with the Automatic signal, A600. We also had a visiting steam locomotive, owned by one of our younger volunteers, who has spent a lot of time restoring it to working order, and his efforts and patience are now beginning to pay off.
During the week leading up to the Open Weekend, there will be some work taking place, hopefully including the delivery of ballast so that the extension can be laid in time! We are also working on some (hopefully all) of the signals to convert them to LED operation, so that they will give off more light! We have heard that the Autumn event will probably be sometime during October, and that consideration is being given to a Summer event in 2011. In the meantime, we are hoping to arrange a Summer event 2010 for our volunteers and friends.

 
 
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Top Left - "Alison" being prepared for service at Harrison's Crossing. [Photo: D. Bullions.]
Top Right - The new track diagram is attached to the ceiling. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - Looking along the levers (Nos 5, 9, 10, 11 repainted). [Photo: B. Foley.]
Bottom Right - The new unpainted buffer stop with metal parts in two halves! [Photo: A. Allum.]

14th February 2010
Some signalling work was done at the AMR on February 14th, including the completion of the Stock-Take! Thankfully, no damage was found this time, though the signals were not put out and tested. Many adjustments were made to the lever frame to make it fully compatible with the revised lever numbering, but one more alteration is necessary (in addition to repainting some of the quadrants)!

8th February 2010
The General Manager came across this video of the AMR on Youtube, and the owner, Bod, has kindly given us permission to post it on this website.

Despite being filmed less than two years ago, it shows how much the AMR has changed since then.
The gazebo 'signal cabin' has now been replaced by the permanent structure, the station layout at Depot Approach has been revised and we now have a permanent ticket office.

31st January 2010
Four volunteers attended the January work party on the 30th. Three got on with building more track panels and managed to complete four more (giving us a total of eight, which is more than enough to extend the track to the hedge beyond Wesley's Halt). The other had the demoralising task of repairing 36 vandalised signalling cables, all around the Depot Approach disconnection box! This rather put back the proposed signalling work for the day, and was not completed. We have also found a supplier (so we think) for ballast, but we need to get a new quote for the correct type!
February's work party takes place on the 27th, and if there is enough of us present, we will lay the track to the hedge and ballast it as well. There is a possibility of a steam locomotive being brought to the railway for testing purposes, and we hope to install the Depot Approach automatic home signal!

 

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Top Left - New track panels inside the Museum Depot, ready to be laid. [Photo: B. Foley.]
Top Right - Former AMR General Manager, Jonathan Riddell working on a sleeper. [Photo: D. Bullions.]
Bottom - Present AMR General Manager, Adrian Allum repairing signalling cables at Depot Approach. [Photo: D. Bullions.]

3rd January 2010
An extra work session was arranged for the 30th December, with the primary job of fitting trunking along the fence at Depot Approach for the signal cabling, following damage. But with four volunteers present, there was also work on three more track panels, so it was a productive day. Two new "Whistle" Boards were tested for sighting, and have been taken away again to have the last bit of painting done. Also, two pairs of 'point' lever quadrants have been removed from the lever frame in the signal cabin to be exchanged for 'signal' quadrants with our friends at Malden. Other signalling work was on the lever frame itself, with all cabling from levers 7 and 11 being transferred to 6 and 5 respectively, as part of the reshuffling of lever duties. The new signalling plan is a proposal for the diagram that will be installed in the signal cabin (but signal A-12 will now be A-600), but it does give a good general idea of what we're working toward.

 


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Top Left - Drilling out the sleepers ready to accept the track fixing screws. [Photo: D. Bullions]
Top Right - A track panel under construction. [Photo: D. Bullions]
Middle - The proposed new signalling plan. [Diagram: A. Allum]
Bottom - A half-size segmented track diagram for the signal-cabin has been produced for evaluation. [Photo: A. Allum]

20th December 2009
On December 19th (one week early so to avoid Boxing Day) three volunteers set to work at the AMR. Two had come via a detour to near Hemel Hempstead to collect enough rail, sleepers and fixings for ten 10' panels of track, kindly paid for through a donation from a friend of the Museum. By the end of the day, one panel had been made up. Being so near to Xmas, we decided to run a few trains and have a few mince pies, and this we did; but not before repairing no less than 11 damaged signalling cables; all in the same area as the previously cut cables! An extra work session is likely very soon so that we can buy and fit conduit for the cabling to go into instead of being tacked to the fence. Former General Manager, Jonathan Riddell was there with his rebodied NG loco, now looking more like a City & South London Railway loco (as preserved in the museum), and an ongoing project.
It might seem a bit early to go into detail about our plans for Ealing End station, but we do need to finalise the proposed arrangements here so that the signal-cabin track diagram can be drawn. Having studied our operational criteria in great detail, some of the levers will have their functions changed, and there will be a controlled point at Ealing End! Both of the levers previously destined to be spare will now be allocated a duty. Hopefully, we'll have a sketch drawn for this website soon.

 
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Left - Jonathan Riddell on his loco with a train of (boxed) sleepers.
Right - Wrapped in Duct tape, a terminal block was used to repair eight of the eleven wires.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

23rd November 2009
On Thursday November 19th, the General Manager took a day off work to meet the "York Road Team" at the Museum Depot. Differences between the AMR's 'N' style lever frame and the York Road 'B' style were discussed, but the absence of one of their team precluded a discussion about lever locks and a study of the AMR's track circuits!
With some free time on site, quite a bit of signalling work took place! First, all of the sliding bars on the 'table' were removed and replaced the right way up, the right way round, and in the right place. (There is a different type of bar for signals and points, and a different type again depending on whether the lever has an odd number or even!) When this work was completed, some lever locks were located and found to be the right ones, and one was fitted up, but the 12v DC isn't quite enough to work them (this one was put on lever 10 which is spare until we extend to Ealing End, so it's not stopping us from using the frame)! Shewing the 'position 12' blank plate that had been donated from the Malden & District Society of Model Engineers, the original one from our frame was found! We have fitted the original (as it looks as old and worn as the rest of the frame).
Next, the attention was turned to the mechanical locking frame. As many of the horizontal sliding bars as could be found were fitted into place, but the vertical sliding bars were not located until the end of the day. These have not been fitted as the locking logic is not compatible with the AMR's use of the frame. Making the necessary adjustments here is a longer term project. The covers for the vertical bars were found and six of them fitted up, the rest will have to wait until we have found some more catches to hold them up.
Finally, the coil on the train describer was tested, and although OK with 12v DC, it is not quite enough to release the mechanism for operating.
November's official work party has been cancelled due to an 'event' with the LRT which will demand the attention of many of the AMR's volunteers, and December's work party, due for the 26th (as the last Saturday in the month) has been brought forward to the 19th!

 
 

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Top Left - Here is the new look to the front of the frame - locking bars and covers, but still much more to do.
Top Right - In this view, one of the catches has been raised; we need another 5 or 6 of these if anyone can donate some, please?
Middle Left - The blanking plate seen adjacent to lever 11; note the white tape on lever 10's quadrant as it is not yet in use!
Middle Right - A lever lock (back-lock) fitted under lever 10's sliding bar.
Bottom - And here is lever 1's sliding bar - a small 'lever' under the plate drops into the slot when the lever is pulled, stopping the lever from being put back to 'normal' unless the coil has been energised. Notice how the mechanism for lever 2 (and all even-numbered levers) is not in line with 1 and 3; this is why there are different types of bars for odd and even!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

31st October 2009
Three volunteers worked upon the railway on October 31st. The first job was to replace the temporary wooden leg under the signalcabin's lever frame with the correct metal one. Taking - as all jobs do - a lot longer than planned, we were successful, and were even able to get the gears to line up, so that the bars for the mechanical locking rotate with the movement of the levers. (We will take care of jobs already in hand before we look at the actual fitting of the components for the mechanical locking!) Also in the signalcabin, the temporary power supplies for the track circuits were removed and replaced with the correct ones, and all circuits were tested and found to be OK. Outside, the signal cabling needed tidying up, and buried in many areas; and this has certainly improved the appearance of the site.

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The new leg is in place, and the gears under the levers now mesh beautifully with the locking below. [Photo: D. Hill.]

13th October 2009
On October 10th & 11th, the Acton Miniature Railway was operational alongside the Museum Depot's "Family Weekend." We carried just over 1450 passengers over the weekend, with just two trains, the 1938 tube stock (the LRT) and the A-class steam loco and train. Visibly new for the event was our ticket office (which had arrived at 7am on the preceding Friday) and concrete platform. This made the selling of tickets and handling of money much easier, and the flow of passengers easier to manage. Also new for the event were four track circuits, allowing signals to be locked at danger if the circumstances are such that they should not be cleared; for example, when a train is on the long section between Depot Approach and Wesley's Halt, then it is not possible to clear the 'departure' signals at either end. After extensive testing, use of the single-line-token was withdrawn. Saturday's operations were slightly hampered by a failing power supply (and we resorted to borrowing Sarah Siddons' batteries for the signals), but on the Sunday a different power supply unit was provided, and although the already dim signal lamps were not as bright, the supply was at least reliable!
Before the next event, new signals will be provided. A suitable design has been hard to find, but now we have found a contractor who will provide bespoke LED units that do not deploy LED-clusters (as the general opinion is that clusters look terrible)! We also hope to extend the track beyond Wesley's Halt to a new temporary halt (to be named later). It is quite likely that we will put the fare up to £1 in 2010, as 50p is very low given the length of the ride, and that most other railways charge even more than £1 for a shorter ride. We believe in VFM (value for money) and that £1 is still good value.

 

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Top Left - The new ticket office as seen upon approach from the entrance.
Top Right - A special 'ticket window with arch' had to be ordered especially, and it adds to the character of the building
Bottom - Both trains under the canopy at Depot Approach.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

5th September 2009
The AMR was open for Friends of the London Transport Museum on September 5th - and for our volunteers to just enjoy themselves operating the railway without the constant rush that is associated with the public events! We had two trains, the (LRT) 1938 tube stock train (as a 2-car set) and the class 73 Electro-diesel (which worked with our riding truck and two passenger coaches). The volunteers got a chance to drive both trains and to operate the signal controls, and it was indeed a relaxed atmosphere. The Friends' were attending a function at the Museum Depot, so we offered free rides; but with no children present, only six adults took up our offer!

 
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Left - The LRT's only trainload of passengers, seen departing Depot Approach. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - The LRT and 73 side by side at Depot Approach. [Photo: D. Bullions.]

31st August 2009
The Acton Miniature Railway took part in the Upminster Depot Open Weekend This was one fantastic event, with as much laid on as possible, including guided tours under a D-stock train, all sorts of visiting rolling stock, including R-stock, Q-stock, the former L.99 steam loco (rumoured to soon be painted back into LT livery), Sarah Siddons, the 38 Tube Stock, a depot's length of trade stands, free vintage bus rides to and from the station, and of course, a miniature railway with track and train provided by the Little Red Train. We were told that within the first two hours, more people had arrived than had been expected over the whole weekend, which is a clue to the success of the event; but unfortunately, very few of them were children (in person or at heart) and we were not kept all that busy. The LRT brought the new centre car, but it was not needed and only used in the last hour on the Sunday for the sake of having it there! Nevertheless, a good sum of money was raised for the AMR (via the Friends' of course) and the LRT's expenses were covered. And it was a fun event.

 
 
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Top Left - Adrian driving, with Demetri, the event organiser seated behind. [Photo: D. Hill.]
Top Right - This gazebo is the LRT's station, and the AMR made good use of it. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - The line went between the sidings and one of the buildings. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Right - L.99 in disguise! There is a rumour about this loco returning to LT livery...! [Photo: D. Bullions.]

25th July 2009
A work party was arranged for the AMR on July 25th and five volunteers turned up. As before, there was quite an assortment of small jobs to be done, including painting the signal cabin, fitting track bonds (until we ran out), moving one IRJ, packing ballast and testing the chassis for a new wagon being built by one of the team (but not specifically for the AMR). We also had a discussion about the two new buildings, the ticket office and the mess room. The latter should be a 6' x 6' structure with two windows, one of them opening; the ticket office will ideally be a 5' x 6' structure with one fixed window, one opening window and one open space where we will fit a 'ticket window.' However, we're not sure if the 5' will be an issue (6' would not leave enough room for people to get by), and we might have to go down to 4', but hopefully that will not be necessary. Earlier in the day, two of the team visited the supplier of the signal cabin to discuss our new requirements, and we're reasonably confident of a delivery before the October event. Unfortunately, nobody thought to take a camera along, so we have no pictures, this time!

31st May 2009
On Saturday May 30th, a team of four volunteers set to work upon the railway with an assortment of smaller jobs. The main job was to have been the fitting of bonding wires, but that required buying some suitable nuts and bolts on the way in, and the one very large DIY-chain store that we stopped at does not sell nuts and bolts! With a small handful purchased from a local ironmonger, we were able to get a few done. The intense heat had buckled the track near Wesley's Halt, so that was corrected and will hopefully not distort when it contracts again; one of the carriages was used to test it. With the new concrete platform now set, we took a few photos and measured up for the ticket office and mess room so that an order can be placed.
Note that there will not be a maintenance session in June due to other commitments.

 
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Left - The new platform seats being put to good use! [Photo: D. Bullions.]
Right - The two carriages alongside our new platform. [Photo: A. Allum.]

25th April 2009
On April 25th, two volunteers worked on a number of small jobs at the railway, including ballasting (and earthworks to stop the ballast slipping away,) and testing the carriage that was causing problems during the open weekend. All appears to be well, now; and we got the other carriage out also to give them both a good wash! Also, a large number of loose short cables were crimped at each end, and these will be used as track bonds for the new track circuits. The only non-sprung point wasn't setting correctly, so we have made up a temporary lever for it, and will look into something more serious later, but not too costly! Contractors have also made a start on the work for the new platform, and quotes will soon be obtained for two station buildings, a ticket office and a mess room c/w relay room.

 
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Left - The dug out platform area; but it still needs to be deeper!
Right - The temporary 'L' shaped lever, held in place by a screw - presently.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

28th March 2009
On March 28th, only two volunteers worked upon the railway; the main task being to bury the signal cables leading from the signal cabin. The 12-core to Wesley's Halt needed some in-line crimps, having used all the cable that was available, but the job has been completed and the cables are no longer a trip hazard or in the way for the lawn mower! An attempt was made to take some voltage readings (to get an idea of how much we lose over the distance) but one of the transformers blew a capacitor (with quite an impressive bang) and we decided to stop that work (even though we are confident of having found and removed the cause - a metal foreign object had slipped in through the vents). We pegged out the station area for the platform again, and we are hopeful of a concrete platform being provided by a contractor soon, complete with base for ticket office and mess room.

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Volunteer, Daniel Hill burying the cable between the signal cabin and Wesley's Halt. [Photo: A. Allum.]

9th March 2009
Part 1 - preparing the railway.
Following the maintenance session on February 28th, Adrian Allum took the week off work (assisted on three days by Daniel Hill) to get the railway ready for the Museum Depot's Modelling Weekend. During the week, we took delivery of one of the locos that would provide services on the Saturday, and Alick's assistance with the FLT was much appreciated.
The first important job was to fit more IRJs to the track, including three sets of points (which also needed insulated tie bars), but we couldn't do much else whilst we waited for the deliveries of components; one consignment arriving without issue, the other from a new supplier via a 'different' courier; this latter package did not arrive at the railway until the Friday morning!
Nevertheless, the relay rack arrived back from the subcontractor, wired up and ready to connect to the cabling looms that will lead to the signalled areas. Six of the relays are for the signals, and as such, there is an amount of electrical interlocking between them. The other six are for the track circuits. A smaller relay was fitted to the board later, to be used with an indicator, but it has not been connected up.

 
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Top - Loco 11 (Paul Finn) arriving at the AMR / Museum Depot.
Bottom Left - IRJs fitted to one of the points (the black rubber insulation is very visible).
Bottom Right - The relay rack inside the signal cabin, ready for cabling looms to be connected.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

Part 2 - the Open Weekend.
For the Open Weekend, we had all of the signals connected up and working (though the automatic one was discarded on the Saturday and operated manually on the Sunday). Due to the late arrival of components, we were unable to connect the track circuits, so the track relays were by-passed to allow the signals to operate, and in order to ensure safety, single-line-token working was retained. The signals are a bit dim, due of course to voltage drop, but we are hopeful of having the new LED signals installed before the next event (on October 10th & 11th). Nevertheless, we were able to operate the lever frame, and a video of it is on YouTube (and linked below).
Aside from the signals, we had the 1938 tube stock train complete with the inaugural operation of the centre car, as the only regular guest (our "Sarah Siddons" loco is still under overhaul). This was joined by a Met-Vick from Mike Dickinson (whilst his A-class steam loco is undergoing modifications), and on the Saturday, two locos from the Ascot Locomotive Society, another Met-Vick (to be named Michael Faraday) and a model of the electric loco that the Met-Vicks replaced! For the Sunday (and a little testing on the Saturday), we had a new class 73 electro-diesel loco, built by one of the younger members. Although far from finished, it looked good and gave very good performance.
The weather was much kinder to us than usual, with a sunny day on Saturday and for most of Sunday. We had about 30 minutes of heavy rain on the Sunday afternoon and then it got quite cold. However, grumbles aside, we managed to carry almost 1500 passengers over the two days; not quite the record, but a close second.

 
 

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Top Left - Mike Dickinson's Met-Vick number 8 "Sherlock Holmes" alongside one of the locos from Ascot. [Photo: Daniel Hill.]
Top Right - Token exchange at Depot Approach ... yes, we're still using that spinner! [Photo: Daniel Hill.]
Middle Left - Stephen Trower, a very proud owner/builder with his new class 73 loco. [Photo: Matt Scrutton.]
Middle Right - The now THREE CAR 38 tube stock train passing the signal cabin.
Bottom - The four-aspect signal is now number WN2, and is the first signal that a passenger train passes. Since this photo was taken (on the Saturday), hoods have been fitted, but a full set of replacements will be ordered soon!
[Photos by Adrian Allum unless stated otherwise.]

4th March 2009
On February 28th, a team of volunteers set to work on the track, mainly to fit the insulating rail joiners in readiness for the signalling. Progress was slow, but thorough. It was also a chance to test a new loco, but its full identity is under wraps until its official public debut ... see it next Sunday at the AMR!
We attempted to fit the newly supplied leg to the lever frame, but although it is what we were expecting, the locating pins don't match correctly, and so we are back to the wooden leg until we can find a way of getting the locating pins back out (we had put new ones in)! Some members from the society that donated the leg visited also, as we had offered them our now defunct 'L' frame parts in exchange, and this band-frame was duly collected.
The General Manager has booked a week's Annual Leave so that he can work upon the railway to get it ready for the Open Weekend. His main tasks will be to fit the rest of the IRJs, fit up and connect the relay rack (once collected from the engineer who has wired it up), and modify the actual signals so that they can be a bit more permanent until the purpose-made signals are built. Rather than report daily, we will provide a two-part report after the Open Weekend.

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A new loco on test, seen here propelling the train from Wesley's Halt.
[Photos A. Allum]

31st January 2009
A small group of volunteers set to work upon the AMR on January 31st, completing the realignment of the track at Depot Approach (but it will need settling). The 'essential area' for the platform was also pegged out, but with only five weeks to go to the Modelling Weekend, we may have to compromise with the platform, but watch this space. After lunch, the mechanical locking frame was attached to the one leg that we do have, and a wooden leg was fitted to the other side. This leg required two long bolts and a notch for a locating pin, but it matched very well and we are pleased with the result. Then, we removed the temporary 'L' style frame and fitted the mechanical frame in place. Unfortunately, the gears do not mesh properly, so we need to investigate at a later date. We are still able to operate the contact bands at the back, so we will have operational signalling in March.

 
 
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Top Left - View of Depot Approach with the new 'throat' point in the foreground. The geometry is much better.
Top Right - The crossover proved to be a challenge due to the identical points having different angles across the cast 'V' sections, but the result speaks for itself.
Bottom Left - The correct 'N' style locking frame is now under the levers...
Bottom Right - ...but the gears don't mesh properly!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

28th December 2008
Work continued at Depot Approach on December 27th, with a few more adjustments to the alignment of the track. The work session in January should be enough to complete it. With careful and skilful use, we should just about have enough ballast to finish this job!
The relay racks were removed from the signal cabin to be taken away to be prepared off site. The work will enable us to have full electrical interlocking until we are able to get the mechanical locking frame fitted into place - and then all of the locking bars cut and fitted. We also took delivery of some lever collars and a few other useful items, including a clock!
Work also continued on Sarah Siddons (Junior); and in describing the state of the one motor that was looked at, we think the word "cooked" was overheard! Oh well, onward and upward.

 
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Left - The lever frame (looking very colourful with 'flash' photography), and a temporary track diagram propped up!
Right - One of Sarah Siddons' bogies; note the tiny motors, we need four new ones!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

30th November 2008
On Saturday 29th November, a group of volunteers set to work on the refurbishment at Depot Approach station. All of the track that needed to be lifted was indeed brought up, and there was enough time to get some of the new track down. We were hampered by a rather large tree root, but with some help from Museum staff (for which we are very grateful), we managed to clear this away completely. Because this work was in such "full swing," the signal cabin did not get its second coat of paint. Thankfully, the timber is already treated, so this is not urgent, but we would like it finished before the next Open Weekend in March.

 
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Left - The new crossover in place. Unfortunately, despite being the same radius as the matching point, the turnout angle on the new point is different, and we have needed to slightly curve the closure piece between them!
Right - This is the new large radius curve into the station, making better use of track geometry.
[Photos: A. Allum.]

16th November 2008
On November 15th, a start was made with painting the exterior of the signal cabin. It is far from finished (the blue needs to be extended to the roof trimmings at the very least, and there are bits to be picked out in white), but it was a good start (with agreeable weather). After this, the levers and quadrants inside were given a second coat of paint before some of the band contacts were transferred to enable a temporary interlocking to be installed whilst the permanent locking is under construction.
We have been undertaking a lot of research to find the frame's origin. Kings Cross is a popular theory, but the parts that we have do not support that theory at all! It appears that this frame was installed at Holborn (Pic) for just under a year whilst the original 'B' style lever frame (also at the museum awaiting restoration) was removed to make way for the installation of the IMR. But where it came from before then is still a mystery. We have reason to believe that it is in fact a hybrid frame; one of the clues being lever number 4 which was clearly number 14 at one time! (It is then possible that parts of the frame came from Kings Cross...!)

 
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Top - Blue window surrounds and corners ... we're working towards imitating the cabin at Chorleywood!
Bottom Left - Levers shewing their new colours (only a few changed).
Bottom Right - Lever number 4; clearly previously number 14!
[Photos: A. Allum.]

2nd November 2008
The AMR was Open alongside the Museum Depot's Family Weekend on November 1st & 2nd. The unfortunate timing of the event meant that many railways up and down the country were also having Open events, and we were therefore, unable to get much in the way of visiting locos, especially on the Saturday. The regular A-class steam loco and the LRT provided a regular service (though the LRT redeveloped an ongoing bearing problem), but Sarah Siddons (Junior), although back onto her bogies, had not been wired up due to lack of time!
Despite Friday (October 31st) being declared a Work Party day, we were unable to get the signals working in time, but the Northbound section signal (#3) was connected directly to the band on the lever frame; and supported with token working, all went well.
On the Sunday, we were joined by a C1 'Atlantic' 4-4-2 steam locomotive from the Great Cockcrow Railway, and a 2-axle industrial loco called, "Rusty," though the loco does not appear to live up to its name, thankfully! Also, Sarah Siddons was brought out, wired back up, but with problems still, so after a couple of test trips, we are looking into replacing her motors. Unfortunately, we had bought two new batteries for her so that with her high power consumption, we could keep her in service by just exchanging the two pairs! Nice theory; hopefully with better results in March next year.
We were too busy to be able to spend a lot of time on the signalling, but signals 1 and 7 were brought into use. By March, we should have some big changes to the layout and the signalling, so most of the work that was put into the signalling was pulled up at the end of Sunday operations!

 
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Left - "Rusty" awaiting a passing train before returning from Wesley's Halt to Depot Approach. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - The Atlantic at Wesley's Halt. [Photo: D. Hayes.]

26th October 2008
With the Museum Depot's Family Open Weekend very close, we spent the whole weekend at the end of October getting the railway ready. On the Saturday, more of the Signal Cabin lever frame was fitted up, and by the end of the day all levers were working and all bands were turning. Unfortunately, however, we have found that we are missing a front leg, so we have been unable to replace the Style 'L' band frame at the front with the correct mechanical locking frame! (Did you notice this 'wrong' item in one of the pictures from last time?) We also exchanged the train describer so that the Holborn one is with the Holborn frame parts, and we managed to free-up the hitherto seized locking bar so that the exchanged instrument can now be put to use! Track maintenance was the only other main job, and this included replacing one of the point detectors.
On Sunday, we fitted IRJs (Insulated Rail Joiners) to what will become track section 'E,' the present arrivals track. This is because of the Signal Cabin being too far away for the signaller to see if the section is clear before clearing the protecting signal, and therefore, the need for a track circuit. We also did some smaller jobs in the Signal Cabin, including some tidying up!

 
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Left - The frame progressing! Lever 1 now has the 'quadrants' for a signal, but the front of the frame is resting on a Style 'L' band frame, not the correct Style 'N' locking frame.
Right - Insulated Rail Joiners at Depot Approach. The metal joiners are insulated from the rails by the rubber sleeve, and the metal bolts are sleeved also.
[Photos: A. Allum]

12th October 2008
AMR volunteers managed to make good progress on October 12th with the lever frame. The levers and quadrants have all been fitted to the main part of the frame which is now standing freely in the cabin. There are still many parts to find (and today's progress was made possible by the third pallet of parts being found), but we will need to investigate further with the parts that we returned to the 'palletised cage,' as some of them might actually belong to this 'N' frame, not the discarded 'B.' We have discovered, since our news from last time, that the 'B' frame is the one from Holborn, but with only seven levers, it is of no use to us (not in this signal cabin, anyway)! We are still trying to find out where the 'N' frame came from; presently Kings Cross is the popular suggestion ... we are investigating!
After lunch, Sarah Siddons Junior (SSj) was taken off her bogies so that at some point during the week, an engineer can test the motors as part of the ongoing investigation into how they actually work and if they all work correctly! More news on that when we put her back together!
The final job for the day was the testing of the Little Red Train. The LRT has experienced some service-stopping problems of late, and initial repairs achieved nothing. Today, however, the train performed exceptionally well, and it is a relief to know that it will be available for our Open Weekend on November 1st & 2nd.

 
 
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Top Left - The 'N' frame, assembled inside the signal box with the levers in place. [Photo: D. Hill]
Top Right - A front-on view of the frame. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Left - The blockshelf, indicator and side panels from the Holborn 'B' frame, ready to go back into storage. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Right - The LRT on test, seen through the window of the Signal Cabin. [Photo: A. Allum]

25th September 2008
Sarah Siddons (our 7¼" gauge model) returned to the Museum Depot / AMR on Sunday 21st. As we were there, we decided to do some work, and we completed the construction of the new points. These were laid out in situ so that we could look at the work now necessary to relay the track in the station area at Depot Approach.

 
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The new points, placed roughly where they will go when the Depot Approach area is remodeled. [Photos: D. Hill]

On September 25th, the building for our Signal Cabin was delivered. (Note: LU uses the term '-cabin' whereas BR uses '-box;' we try to be authentic!) Whilst we awaited its arrival, we removed one of the bogies from Sarah Siddons (our loco now has the codename "SSj," meaning Sarah Siddons Junior,) so that we could study the wiring of the motors. By disconnecting all of the wires from the loco, the seven wires that go into each motor were bell tested, and the results are now being studied. We plan to do the same to the other bogie, later. After arrival of the cabin, we took out of the storage racks, the components that we intend to use for the lever frame. Our frame is from Holborn D, and is a Westinghouse style N with 11 levers. There are presently many parts missing, but we hope to find a third container 'within the racks' soon, which will hopefully have the missing components.

 
 

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Top Left - The Signal Cabin alongside Harrisons Crossing. We plan to paint it to make it look more authentic!
Top Right - 11 levers, complete and freely moving; ready for installation.
Middle Left - The Quadrants and other components; note the wooden casing.
Middle Right - The block shelf will need some repairs.
Bottom - Former AMR General Manager, Jonathan Riddell joined the work party.
[Photos: A. Allum]

20th September 2008
Sarah Siddons arrived at the Spinney Light Railway on Saturday 20th September. She was pushed from the unloading dock at Old Oak to Dingly because we felt that the 1:26 climb would flatten the batteries before we had even got the chance to drive her on less demanding parts of the railway. She did get a few turns around the layout (with the instruction to not go to Old Oak because she would never get back), and even pulled a carriage with passengers. However a very long continuous run around the circuit with the regulator open did take its toll on the batteries, and she was diverted to Dingly (and then to the engine shed) to have her batteries recharged. Later in the afternoon, she came out again, but not sufficiently charged, and after dropping off the carriage at Dingly, she was taken 'light loco' to Old Oak, ready to be taken away.
The AMR's former General Manager, Jonathan Riddell visited the Spinney and got a drive around the railway, as well as LRT part-owner Daniel Hill, and a friend of Adrian's whom he hadn't seen for a few years!

 
 
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Top Left - A typical train departs Old Oak. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Top Right - Sarah Siddons at Baytree at Tea-time ... all trains stop for Afternoon-Tea (well, the staff, not the trains, have the Tea, of course)!. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - Sarah Siddons emerges from the long tunnel by Spinney station. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Right - Jonathan brings Sarah Siddons into Baytree station, with Adrian supervising. [Photo: D. Hill]

14th September 2008
The Great Cockcrow Railway celebrated its 40th anniversary over the extended weekend, 12-14 September. Our model of Sarah Siddons was there for the event, and in working order. (Having found no obvious faults, we connected everything back up and she ran OK! (See previous news entry.))
We spent most of the Friday reconnecting and testing, and by mid-afternoon, we were ready to enter service. Because Adrian is also a 'non-steam driver' at the GCR, he was called to duty to pilot guest drivers, most of the time a young lad with a NG-outline 0-4-0 loco called "Limbo." But, not missing an opportunity, at least two of the journeys were with Sarah Siddons as a second loco!
Saturday was a very busy guest day, and it had been decided that Sarah Siddons would be limited to two carriages only; but preference was given to steam locos. Adrian found himself supervising (as pilot) another Met-Vick loco, and before long the two were paired up to work a couple of journeys around the layout before getting the chance to go around solo. Jonathan Riddell, the AMR's former General Manager visited on this day, and having played a vital rôle in the AMR acquiring Sarah Siddons, it was absolute that he should drive her around this impressive railway, which he did. Also attending the event on this day only was Mike Dickinson with his Metropolitan A class steam loco.

 
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Left - Mike Dickinson was at the event with his Metropolitan class A loco. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - An unidentified Met-Vick loco waits at one of the Everglades Junction home signals. [Photo: A. Allum.]

Sunday was the main celebration day, and Sarah Siddons took part in the great cavalcade that passed before the VIP tent (a gazebo provided by the LRT), observed by none less than Mr Ian Allan; well known for his transport books and also the actual owner of the GCR. For the cavalcade, Sarah was not powered and Adrian drove the class 40 locomotive; the GCR's Met-Vick number 8 "Sherlock Holmes" was also in the parade.
After the cavalcade, the railway went on to enjoy one of the busiest days of the year. It had been agreed that in a quiet moment, Sarah Siddons would be brought into traffic with a short train. But all afternoon, the railway was kept so busy, that this was not a practicable option! However, at the end of the day, the loco did a lot of shunting, putting away almost all of the carriages. During these operations, the young GCR volunteer who had assisted with all the fault-tracing during the previous Sunday was allowed to drive the loco (as a reward for his efforts and enthusiasm).
This was Sarah's last scheduled run at the GCR this year; she has one event at a private railway in Farnham before going back to the AMR next Sunday.