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2nd February 2012 |
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Congratulations
to
the winners
and thank
you to
everyone for
taking part. |
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31st January 2012 |
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Following
an
assessment
visit by
the Vice
Chairman
and
Membership
Secretary
of the
Heritage
Railway
Association
during
our open
day last
October
it is
with
great
delight
that we
announce
our
attaining
full
membership
of that
body.
As we
continue
to grow
and get
ever
closer
to
becoming
a
running
railway
the
support
of the
Heritage
Railway
Association
and its
constituent
members
will
become
ever
more
important.
Indeed,
the
useful
support
we have
already
received
from
chairmen,
directors
and
volunteers
from a
plethora
of
different
heritage
railways
has been
one of
the many
positives
from
recent
times.
As we
move
forward
we look
forward
to ever
closer
working
with
others
in the
sector. |
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Onwards,
ever
onwards! |
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22nd January 2012 |
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Express
Our
Thanks |
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Following
on from
last
year's
tremendous
progress
2012 is
already
shaping
up to be
a
terrific
year
with
completed
infrastructure
and a
further
extension
to our
running
line
imminent.
However,
none of
these
achievements
would
have
been
possible
without
the
fantastic
support
from
Express
Hire
near
Poole (01202
673403).
The
ready
access
which we
have
enjoyed
to an
extensive
range of
diggers,
dumpers
and
other
specialist
plant
has
shaved
thousands
of
pounds
from our
'Magic
Mile'
track-laying
budget.
The
Trust
and its
volunteers
would
once
again
like to
extend
the most
sincere
thanks
to Judy
and Gary
at
Express
Hire. |
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15th January 2012 |
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An
excellent
turn out
of
volunteers
over the
weekend
saw a
major
breakthrough
with the
fencing,
more
progress
on the
track
and a
big
inroad
into
next
month's
major
yard
clean
up.
Phew,
where do
we
start?
Those of
you that
have
visited
the site
will
have
noticed
(you
wouldn't
have
failed
to) the
awful
imposing
industrial
style
'Harris'
fencing
that
used to
surround
it.
As you
can see
from the
photo it
has now
been
removed |
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(some
panels
are
leaning
against
the
tanker
wagon
on
the
left)
to
be
replaced
by
smart
new
wire
fencing
that
is
far
more
aesthetically
pleasing.
Yes,
we
will
put
the
'attractive'
into
visitor
attraction!
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Meanwhile more progress on the track front (no, we haven't reached Bournemouth)! No more track laid yet (that will come soon) but the guys made a good start with the tedious job of dropping infill ballast between the sleepers on the Up line. A big thank you to the team at Express Hire for making this possible.
As you can see from the photo it not only fulfils a vital operational function (of fixing the track in place) but also helps to create that real "railway" look.
Finally, February's main project will be clearing and reorganising the top (northern) end of the site and an energetic start has already been made. Whilst not as "sexy" or headline grabbing as other recent works this clearing up will be vital in securing crucial siding space as well as better restoration and volunteer facilities.
The date of the big cleanup weekend will be announced shortly and all volunteers and potential volunteers are invited.
Not only will it give us a great start to 2012 it will be a fantastic opportunity to meet and join the team. |
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If you liked
what we did
in 2011,
you'll love
what's
around the
corner in
2012! |
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8th January 2012 |
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| 1st Prize (£500) |
| J Gisborne of Birmingham |
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| 2nd Prize (£200) |
| P Ball of Wimborne |
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| 3 x 3rd Prizes (£50 each) |
| Mrs M Faulkner of Marnhull |
| Dr P Kreeger of Blandford |
| J Lewis of Child Okeford |
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Congratulations
to all of
the winners
and thank
you to
everyone for
taking part. |
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31st December 2011 |
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May we
wish all
our
members,
volunteers
and
supporters
all the
very
best for
2012!
This
last
year has
been our
best
yet,
building
on the
magnificent
efforts
of those
who
saved
the
Station
in the
first
instance,
and the
next
promises
even
more.
In the
last 12
months
our
'Magic
Mile'
appeal
has seen
us break
out of
the
Station
and the
new
track
heading
towards
our
southern
boundary,
the
signal
box has
risen
magnificently
from its
former
ruins
and our
gardens
have
looked
fantastic
throughout.
Small
wonder
that our
membership
figures
have
soared
from 300
to 400
in under
9
months!
We could
not have
achieved
all we
have
without
our
small
but
dedicated
band of
volunteers
who open
the
shop,
run the
cafe,
and lay
all that
lovely
track.
Thank
you to
you all. |
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We are also grateful to those outside of the Trust who have likewise been supported and with whom we look forward to working ever closer with: Norman Young Transport, the Trailway Rangers, the Ox Inn, Antells Haulage and the Three Okefords Preservation Society. |
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Likewise the support of other preserved railways and key individuals from the heritage railway sector has been a welcome and important factor in our development.
Next year promises more of the same: more (much more) track, the completion of the Down platform shelter (funded by the Three Okefords!), restoration of our rolling stock, and an exciting events calendar among the highlights.
Much has taken place but there is still so much more to do but your support is valued and making a difference.
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Have a super
2012 and pay
us a visit
sometime
soon! |
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18th December 2011 |
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Some of
you may
be
wondering
where
the
level
crossing
gates
are now
that the
posts
are in
place.
The
simple
answer
is that
the wood
needed
to be
thoroughly
dried
out
before
painting
could
commence.
No point
in
rushing
the job
but
expect
to see
them
early in
the New
Year. |
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With that the merry gang have instead made a start on fencing the entire site to either replace unattractive existing items or else providing anew.
Pictured here is the southern end of the site newly fenced in so that we can make that further push south early next year. |
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Yet more to
follow soon
and a Merry
Christmas to
you all! |
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7th December 2011 |
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One of
the
landmark
aims of
the
Trust
has been
for
people
to sit
on the
platform
and
watch
the
track
disappear
out of
sight in
both
directions.
Notwithstanding
the
further
push
South
planned
for the
New
Year,
this aim
will
also be
fulfilled
by a
smart
new set
of level
crossing
gates.
The
gates
have
already
been
purchased
and (all
being
well)
will be
hung
next
weekend.
Today's
task was
to
install
and
concrete
in the
substantial
pitch
pine
gateposts.
As you
can see
it's
another
case of
job done
as the
work to
smarten
up our
site to
reflect
it's
growing
status
as a
visitor
attraction
continues
apace.
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I know we
keep saying
"more to
follow
soon", but
you can bet
it's true! |
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7th December 2011 |
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You've
Really
Made
Me
Cross!
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The
weekend
track-laying
effort
concluded
with a
newly
established
level
crossing
and the
Up line
well
clear of
the
station
boundary.
There
was
never a
crossing
there in
BR days
but
we’ve
established
one to
allow
the
permissive
footpath
to link
the
village
with the
Trailway.
The
actual
crossing
is in
use but
will not
be
complete
until
the
gates
are
installed.
Work on
those
will
begin
the
weekend
of
Saturday
10th
December
along
with
fencing
off our
southern
boundary… |
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...in time
for the next
push south!
More to
follow soon. |
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