Latest News from the AMR
31st August 2008
The AMR's Sarah Siddons loco was taken to the Great Cockcrow Railway on Sunday August 24th, in readiness for a special event there on the Bank Holiday Monday. Unfortunately, Sarah's performance was disappointing in a number of ways. She has negligible horse-power; she failed to pull one carriage up a 1:60 gradient. At slow speed, the motors are erratic, and we wonder if they are cutting out with insufficient power. She is too light over the bogies, and several large blocks of lead were put into each cab to prevent the wheels from slipping.
The last of these problems is easily fixed by obtaining two extra batteries and sliding them in and using them in parallel with the existing two. These will not only place more weight where we need it, but provide more power. Sorting the power supply to the motors is not going to be so easy, nor the HP issue, and we will have our thinking caps on for a while! On level track, her performance was inspiring; very smooth, and a joy to drive.
As a model, she was greatly admired (and equal admiration was shewn to the Riding truck, despite being unpainted still), and photographers certainly gathered round when she was stationary. The LT theme at the GCR was extended with a resident Met-Vick loco (finished in Metropolitan Railway livery as number 8 "Sherlock Holmes"), and the LRT. Sarah did one trip round with Sherlock Holmes, but although she pulled very well on level track, she was pushed by the other loco on the up-grades.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - Ready for the off... [Photo: A. Bostock (www.PhotoEyes.biz).]
Top Right - Sarah Siddons and Sherlock Holmes depart Hardwick. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Left - Sarah Siddons and Sherlock Holmes arrive back at Hardwick. [Photo: D. Hill]
Bottom Right - The two Met-Vicks; different build styles, different liveries; but clearly the same design. [Photo: A. Bostock (www.PhotoEyes.biz).]
17th August 2008
On August 16th, a very small group of volunteers (well, two to be precise,) set to work constructing the two new sets of points for Depot Approach. We had been told that with experience one point could be built in a day ... but we don't know by how many people. The two of us completed one of them and got about half way through the other! We used the new riding truck to check that it rolls through the completed one OK, and apart from an adjustment that might be needed to one of the check rails, all is fine!
Click pictures for full size
Left - The completed point for the crossover, with the riding truck used for checking it.
Right - This is how far we got with the longer radius point.
[Photos: A. Allum]
We were delighted to see on our arrival that the concrete base for the signalbox has been put in (by a contractor), so thanks (from the GM) to everybody involved in getting that done.
As part of the Depot Approach redevelopment, we had proposed two sidings alongside the mainline out of the station, but today we decided against disturbing this nicely kept area of lawn. The two LH points that are being removed from Depot Approach will go into store, to be used at Ealing End, thus reducing the cost of that extension! We have also had a look at the possibility of a 'display siding' near the signalbox, but we'll elaborate on that later if it looks likely!
Click picture for full size
The 8' x 8' concrete base for the signalbox. The smokers' area is the other side of the hedge to the right; thankfully the signalbox does not have opening windows!
[Photos A. Allum]
12th July 2008
On 11th July, some maintenance was carried out upon the railway, including preparing the points for the fitting of detectors (so that protecting signals will not clear if the point is not set correctly). Unfortunately the actual detector switches were left at home(!), but they will only take a few minutes to fit next time.
In our report from May, we mentioned some changes at Depot Approach. The siding and passing loop are going to be realigned so that they are straight, and parallel with the two present 'platform' areas. However, the siding is to become the new departures platform and the present departures platform will become the arrivals platform (the latter as it was when the railway first opened). Incoming trains, after unloading, will shunt into the loop and then reverse into the new departures area.
Why are we doing this? For three reasons:
1. There is a very steep climb out of the station, and if a departing train can have a straight and level approach to it, then it will have a better chance of making the climb safely.
2. If an arriving train has a heavy load, it will have a greater area in which to stop (though there will still be a signal to protect the arrivals area).
3. Passengers waiting for a ride will no longer queue on the road; much of the vegetation adjacent to the siding has been cleared away so that we can provide a proper platform and queuing area, and maybe at a later date a canopy for weather protection.
It is unlikely that we will have the new arrangement in use at the November open weekend, but we haven't totally ruled it out.
Click pictures for full size
Left - With a few trees still standing, much of the vegetation adjacent to the present siding has been cut away.
Right - Passengers will queue alongside the white fence on the right (up to the tree), and a barrier will be erected on the left to separate the queuing area from the platform. There will be a staff-operated gate to let people onto the platform.
[Photos: A. Allum]
16th June 2008
On June 16th, the AMR took delivery of a riding truck to go with the "Sarah Siddons" loco. It has a fibreglass body on a steel chassis, and is fitted with a brake lever to stop a moving train, and a screw-down brake for parking. There is also the option of retrofitting vacuum brakes. It is unpainted, and we will sort out a suitable livery for it at a later date. It was built by Mike Dickinson (pictured with it), the owner/builder of the Metropolitan 'A' class steam loco that usually runs on the railway at the Open Weekends.
Click picture for full size
Mike Dickinson with the riding truck he has constructed for the AMR. [Photo: A. Allum].
25th May 2008
On May 24th, a very small group of volunteers continued with the maintenance upon the railway. The alignment between the carriage siding point and the facing point into Wesley's Halt was distorted due to the heat, so some repairs and alterations were made there; and some soil was placed alongside the track to prevent more ballast slipping away. Small dabs of yellow paint now adorn the railway, shewing where the Insulated Rail Joiners are likely to be fitted in preparation for the installation of track circuits.
However ... we also had a very detailed look at the layout at Depot Approach, and there might soon be a proposal for some alterations here to make the operation of the station area safer for all, and to make it easier for steam locomotives to depart and get up the bank with greater ease (which is also a safety issue). We will elaborate on this a little later, once we have drawn up some plans ... and discussed it with the Management!
Due to the low turnout of helpers, we were unable to do all of the intended jobs, so, departing early, we had a look at potential buildings for our signalbox; and at last, we think we have found the ideal structure. Again, watch this space for more news.
The Little Red Train visited the railway today also; having been rewired following worsening problems, and all appears to be well, now.
Click pictures for full size
Left - Daniel drives the LRT towards Wesley's Halt, using the new hand control unit. To the left of the photo is the newly deposited soil, intended to hold the ballast in place. [Photo: A. Allum]
Right - Yellow marks showing where an Insualted Rail Joiner will be fitted. The joiners are on the adjacent sleeper. [Photo: D. Hill]
18th May 2008
Two AMR staff visited the Ascot Locomotive Society's railway during May, especially to see a model of an old Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive, of the type that pre-dates the better known Met-Vick. We are hopeful that this will one day visit one of the AMR's Open Weekends.
Click picture for full size
The Metropolitan Electric loco at Ascot.
[Photo: D. Hill]
27th April 2008
The April Work Party at the AMR was not so well attended, but we were able to make some progress. The layout was measured for gradient, and the ruling gradient is as we suspected, about 1:60. (The section between Wesley's Halt and the point to the siding will be adjusted to even out the different gradients through that section.)
The Sarah Siddons loco was refitted with its floor (after some cables had to be re-routed to enable the floor to fit) and measurements were taken for getting new handrails made up. The two wide works wagons were put on the track for photographs to be taken and for evaluating the work needed to them to bring them up to useable condition. At the end of the day, the chassis to the shorter wagon was taken away for a new body to be fitted to it. We also took delivery of part of an old Westinghouse 'L' frame (not the levers, but the rack with the bands) which we intend to salvage for spare parts for our signalbox later this year.
Click pictures for full size
Left - The interior of Sarah Siddons with the floor re-fitted.
Right - The 4-wheel wagon outside for photographs and measurements. The body on this has rotted and will be replaced.
[Photos: D. Hill]
31st March 2008
Our work-party arranged for March 22nd (Easter Saturday) was cancelled at the last minute due to a transport problem! With some free time during the week, we were able to put our Sarah Siddons through some testing. There were two purposes to these tests; one to see how much power she pulls under load; two to find the best way to drive her (given the unusual nature of the controls). Without going into full details (that would bore you with many figures), we have found the difference between driving the loco properly and driving it conveniently is about 15amps on starting and 10amps (average) continuous! This makes all the difference between the batteries lasting in service during Open Weekends, or not!
Click picture for full size
Adrian at the front, Daniel at the back, and the passengers who willingly volunteered to give the train a good load. Adrian is reading the notes that have been taken during the testing, and the Clamp-Meter can just about be seen protruding from the loco where the roof panel has been removed! [Photo: J. Crowhurst.]
11th March 2008
The AMR was open for business during the Museum Depot's Modelling Weekend, March 8th & 9th. The traction line up was as follows; 27 (the Metropolitan 'A' class steam loco), 255 (a SE&CR 'C' class 0-6-0 steam loco), 1472 (a GWR 14xx tank steam loco), the 1938 Tube Stock train, our own Metro-Vick loco number 12 "Sarah Siddons," and an electric loco in the outline of a J70 steam loco, known as Livvy! We carried well over 1000 passengers over the two days.
The SE&CR loco and GWR loco (and their owners) see regular use at the Spinney Light Railway, and these operated coupled together, with their own train. The 'A' class loco started the weekend with both of our Aristocraft carriages and Sarah Siddons banking (propelling from the other end) in order to reduce wheel-slip. During the first day, one of the carriages was taken out (we need to arrange better brakes for such a long train), and later on, Sarah Siddons gave way to Livvy, but Livvy developed a mechanical fault almost immediately and was taken out of service (and taken away on Saturday evening). The 1938 Tube Stock provided the third train.
Click pictures for full size
Left - The 1938 Tube Stock train about to cross Harrisons Crossing. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Right - Plenty of atmosphere with the two Spinney locomotives. [Photo: D. Hill.]
Our signals, loaned from the Little Red Train, had been in store for over a year, and we suffered many problems with them this weekend, and during the Sunday, they were switched off completely, and Single Line Token working was introduced (using a 2BA spinner - suitably decorated - as the token)!
Click picture for full size
Token Exchange at Wesley's Halt, with the 'A' class and the 1938 Tube Stock train. [Photo: A. Allum.]
On the Sunday morning, before opening, our Sarah Siddons was taken down to the back of the Museum Depot to pose for photographs alongside the 1:1 scale Sarah Siddons. The larger model is in the original Metropolitan Railway livery, but nevertheless, it was nice to see them together.
Before our November Open Weekend (the Museum Depot's Family Weekend on 1st & 2nd), we hope to get a riding truck to go with Sarah Siddons (somewhere for the driver to sit, and to provide us with a mechanical brake and hopefully vacuum brakes), and to have the building for the signalbox in place. It is possible that Sarah Siddons will be taken out "on tour" to visit other railways before then also!
For this event, we were using a new style of ticket; an authentic Edmondson style, numbered from 6109 (we had carried 6108 passengers since the railway opened in 2005). These do not shew price ("Fare as advertised") or event, so we can use them at any event. (They are so good, that the LRT is looking into ordering a set for their own use at Portable Track Events!)
Click pictures for full size
Left - AMR's General Manager with both Sarah Siddons locos! [Photo: S. Trower.]
Right - "Livvy" propelling a train out of Depot Approach station. [Photo: M. Scrutton.]
24th February 2008
A Work Party was arranged for February 23rd, to finish off some of the earlier jobs ... and to resolve the problem with the level crossing!
Some ballast was reclaimed from areas alongside the track where it is unnecessary, and used to support the new track at the steaming bay (and the wooden ashpit was removed)! Soil was deposited where the ballast had been taken from, to ensure that none of the remaining ballast moves.
The big job for the day, though, was the replacement of the pea-shingle level crossing with a wooden one. (We have always had problems with pea-shingle getting wedged between the running rails and the check rails, so something needed to be done!) The new crossing is a great boost to our morale (a lot of effort went into it), and it is certainly a job well done!
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - The old pea-shingle crossing can be seen in this view from 2007. [Photo: D. Hill.]
Top Right - The new crossing at the end of the day's hard work! [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Left - The new length of track at the steaming bay. [Photo: A. Allum.]
Bottom Right - The discarded wooden ashpit! [Photo: A. Allum.]
31st January 2008
A group of volunteers set to work upon the railway on January 26th. A lot of soil was claimed from a skip on site (and this has been ongoing since the beginning of the year), and much of this was used to make a small embankment to stop the ballast from falling away! Some rail was replaced at Wesley's Halt, where once again, it has been driven over by a road-vehicle! Also, the arrivals track at Depot Approach was realigned so that it is in line with the kerb (making the provision of a removable platform quite easy) and the departures track straightened for exactly the same reasons. Although an electric locomotive was brought for testing purposes, we used only one of the railway's carriages to check that it rolled through the serviced sections - and didn't roll where it is not supposed to (at platform tracks, for example)!
Earlier this month, the bogies from our Sarah Siddons loco were taken away for the wheel-sets to be regauged from 7½" gauge, and we are reasonably confident of having this loco in service at the March Open Weekend.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - The realigned platform track at Depot Approach.
Top Right - Recently applied soil should prevent the ballast from falling away.
Bottom - Sarah Siddons without bogies, in the depot.
[Pictures: M. Scrutton, more can be found at http://matthew895.fotopic.net/c1448017.html]
5th January 2008
A small work-party was arranged at the beginning of January to claim some of the soil from a pile at the back of the Depot that was otherwise to be taken away. This will be used to support the track more and stop ballast just rolling away. There were many barrow-loads, and it wasn't the failing light that ended the day, just the fact that we were all worn out! We hope to claim more of it before it is too late (it's present location needs to be cleared quite urgently, apparently)!
Also, an engineer took a good look at our 7½" gauge "Sarah Siddons" loco to prepare an estimate for getting it modified to the correct 7¼" gauge, and a few other mechanical repairs.
Click pictures for full size
Adrian sweeps up at the end of the day. The black mark on the ground shows the extent of the original pile.
[Photos: D. Hill.]
4th January 2008
A team of volunteers set to work on the AMR's track at the end of December. The buffer stop at the Down end had been driven over by a lorry, and the track panel needed to be replaced. Whilst this work was done, several adjacent panels were lifted to be re-laid, and to give the track more support, earth was reclaimed from nearby! Also, during this day, the area for the signalbox was pegged out.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - The sight that greeted us when we arrived ... a badly damaged piece of track!.
Top Right - The repaired section. Note the level earth alongside the track.
Bottom Left - The pegged out area for the signalbox.
Bottom Right - The work-party at the end of the day. [Photo: Mohamoud.]
[Photos: M. Scrutton unless shewn otherwise.]
31st October 2007
Adrian Allum (co-owner of the Little Red Train) has taken over as General Manager at the Acton Miniature Railway, replacing Jonathan Riddell whom has managed the railway since its inauguration.
At Adrian's first meeting, funding was agreed for the construction of a signalbox (which will contain a restored Westinghouse lever frame), for the regauging of the 7½" gauge "Sarah Siddons" locomotive (to probably be carried out at Camberley Engineering), and for a line-side fence to be provided to protect the railway from hazardous motor-vehicle drivers! Adrian would like to see this work completed before the March Open Weekend, and then, during 2008, to look at the extension of the railway. He is also looking into getting better signage made up, to give the railway a more corporate and tidier appearance.
Adrian Allum on the LRT at the AMR.
Some people might say this is a typical management pose, laid back with feet up while everybody else does the work! [Photos: S. Trower]
28th July 2007
On July 28th, a work party (which included five 'friends' from the Little Red Train) examined the track with a view to general maintenance. However, it appears that 1:1 scale vehicles have been driven over the railway, and two areas were badly damaged. At the main station area, the track had been knocked out of alignment and lifted out of the ballast (the latter probably by someone trying in vain to repair the damage that had been done). This was fairly straight-forward to repair, taking only a couple of hours. However, near Harrison's Crossing, one of the rails was buckled beyond repair and this needed to be replaced. This job took a lot longer, and supplies of rail are running out. Nevertheless, there was time later, to build a new panel of track also. LRT friends bought along their train (the 38 stock) to test the layout, as well as the "Livvy" tram loco; this latter item hauling one of the AMR's coaches. At the end of the day, the AMR was deemed fit to use.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - The work-party near Harrison's Crossing.
Top Right - The two test trains at the main station.
Bottom - These fare-dodgers have a long wait if they intend to travel by train on the AMR!
[Photos: A. Allum]
20th May 2007
The Acton Miniature Railway owes much of its existence to Wesley Quilty. Becoming a Friend of London's Transport Museum was quite a logical step forward for Wesley. He had been a member of his local model railway club before getting involved with the Tram collection at Crich, where he had eventually become fully qualified to drive the trams; but at the time of transferring his interests from the smaller scale models, told his father that he was still modelling, but in a bigger scale!
Wesley was actively involved in preparing the many vehicles for their move to the Museum Depot, and never shied away from any job that needed doing - even vacuum cleaning the insides of the various exhibits. He took a great interest in the construction of the Museum Depot's miniature railway (the Acton Miniature Railway), and no doubt must have been pleased with the naming of Harrison's Crossing, after a close friend of his at the Museum. (It has been said that these two gentlemen would sit and discuss, with a bottle of Ginger Beer each, how the perfect museum should be arranged, and they designed it in discussion, in every detail. At the end of the day, they would feel that it had been a productive day!)
Wesley was taken from all who knew him after a brief illness, and as a fitting tribute, the passing loop at the AMR (conveniently close to Harrison's Crossing) is to be renamed, "Wesley's Halt."
5th March 2007
The AMR was in service during the Museum Depot's only Open Weekend for this year, March 3rd & 4th. Despite poor weather on the Sunday, the railway carried just under 1,500 passengers over the two days, and the queue (for rides) was continual!
Click pictures for full size
Left - The LRT arrives at the Passing Loop and the driver is seen operating the "Train Arrived" plunger with his foot! [Photo: A. Allum]
Right - Michael Faraday passes the 'A Class' at Acton Museum. [Photo: D. Hill]
A revised signalling was provided by the LRT (a new 'distant' signal for the 'home' as it is on a down gradient, and a starter signal from the Passing Loop) complete with a "Train Arrived" plunger for the Passing Loop (as that area could not be seen by the signaller) and a point detector, which in effect gave an indication that an Up train had passed the starter signal (a treadle was ruled out due to the different flange depths)! After some initial teething problems, it all settled down and worked very well. The revised signalling allowed the new passing loop to be used to good effect, with a three train service in operation.
Click pictures for full size
Above Left - Michael Faraday approaches Harrison's Crossing. The new distant signal, displaying a caution aspect, is visible to the right. The gazebo behind served as a temporary signalbox and proved very welcome during Sunday's inclement weather. [Photo: D. Hill]
Above Right - 'Livvy' banking the 'A' class ... the towel was to protect the non-lacquered roof from the elements! [Photo: A. Allum]
Below Left - The 'A' class approaches the passing loop. [Photo: D. Hill]
Below Right - Michael Faraday passes the Little Red Train in the new loop. [Photo: D. Hill]
Services were worked by the Little Red Train, the Metropolitan 'A' class (with Livvy providing banking assistance for a while on the Saturday) and Michael Faraday. The AMR's new coaches also saw their first use on public trains.
Click pictures for full size
Left - The revised signalling control panel, with the "Train Arrived" lamp illuminated (seen in this image, on the workbench under test). [Photo: A. Allum]
Right - As the train's wheels push the point blades across, the micro-switch sends an indication to the signaller that the train is on the move! [Photo: A. Allum]
24th February 2007
Three Friends of the Little Red Train came to the AMR on February 24th to iron out any problems with the track here, following the major work carried out last month. Much to their dismay, it was found that the track in the new passing loop nearer to the road has been driven over and was "listing" quite badly! So, the section was removed and re-laid. Two lengths of rail have been bent, but they are not beyond use, and when the track was tested later, the quality of the ride was very good, given the nature of the damage. There is no cause for concern.
Measurements were taken for the placement of two new signals and the relocation of another; and a point detector was fitted at the Passing Loop! Our new coaches had also arrived very recently, and they were tested and photographed. They have resin bodies, and the painted-on wood effect is superb! Matt Scrutton's "Livvy" was used for motive power, and this will be in service during the open weekend here, March 3rd & 4th.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - Nicely re-laid track (left) at the Passing Loop following motor-vehicle damage!
Top Right - Matt (with loco) testing both the track and the new coaches.
Bottom - Detail from one of the new coaches.
[Photos: A. Allum]
27 January 2007
On January 27th, some of the Friends of the Little Red Train visited the AMR to assist with track maintenance that was very much needed!
Four 'humps' in the track were lowered (by lifting out the track panels, removing the ballast, and then relaying it all), and a few areas had 'dips' brought up, especially where they were adverse cambers on the curves!
One of the Friends brought his tram along, and this was a great loco for testing it all, because it tends to bounce on poor track ... its performance by the evening was very smooth.
Click pictures for full size
Top Left - Shovelling the ballast away once the track had been lifted.
Top Right - Packing the ballast.
Bottom - Testing the track; Jonathan Riddell on "Livvy."
[Photos: A. Allum]
25 October 2006
October 21/22 saw the last open weekend of the year at the Museum Depot.
The Little Red Train was in service, along with the Metropolitan 'A' class that had visited, part-complete, in March. The Acton-en-Passant loop was also brought into service (after some minor engineering work on the Saturday morning) but was not used for passing trains. Instead, the trains passed in Acton Museum loop as usual.
Despite one torrential downpour on the Saturday and persistent heavy rain on the Sunday, there was a steady stream of passengers, enough to keep both trains constantly working. By the end of the weekend, around 900 tickets had been sold.
Click pictures for full size
Left - The 'A' class passes the Little Red Train in the Acton Museum loop.
Right - The LRT leaves the loop at Acton-en-Passant on its return journey.
The weekend also saw the introduction of token working at the AMR, covering the single line section between Acton Museum and Acton-en-Passant. Only the train with the token was allowed to enter this section.
Click picture for full size
The token exchange taking place.
24th September 2006
Welcome to the new website for the Acton Miniature Railway. This is an 'unofficial' site set up by some of the volunteers involved in the railway to promote it and to showcase the work that has gone into it.