Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Ajax

Neil Rees countersinking rivet holes in 'Ajax's new footplating - 7th December 2002.

The main steam pipe elbow has been 'Sent to Coventry'! The firm, Metalock, was contacted with a view to repairing the crack in the casting, and thanks to 'Ian Smith Rapid Response Delivery Service' the offending article was taken to the Metalock welding division in Coventry. The chimney has been temporarily placed in the hole in the smokebox and holes for the main steam pipes and blast pipe are being cut. The coupling rods have been fitted and the centres have been proved satisfactory. The front buffer beam now sports the engine's Isle of Wight number, 38, thanks to Peter Blanchard.

Peter Blanchard applies the number 38 to the front buffer beam of 'Ajax' - 29th November 2002.

New Machines

Two new machines have been purchased from GKN Westlands in E Cowes, who are closing down the machine shop. A large radial arm drilling machine and a cutter grinder have been temporarily stored in the main repair shop at Havenstreet pending installation when more room is available on completion of the C&W workshop. The cutter grinder will be essential for machine tool maintenance etc., as access to such facilities on the Island becomes extinct.

C&W Notes

Early November saw an exchange of vehicles in the workshop. LSWR Goods Brake Van 56046 was repainted and lettered following remedial work, which included making the various doors fit properly; some had to have material removed, others required strips of new timber. LBSCR bogie Third 2416 has had approximately two thirds of the south side cantrail and quarterlight panels, between compartments E and J, renewed with new mouldings as necessary and the relevant quarterlight glass rebedded. Although further work will be required to the remainder of the south side, the carriage is needed for Santa Specials so work was curtailed at a point where it could be repainted and outshopped in sufficient time.

LSWR Goods Brake Van 56046 seen at Havenstreet on 29th November 2002.

Into works came LBSCR 4-wheel Third 2343 for routine maintenance, LCDR Third 2515 for completion of restoration and BR dropside High B483733 for completion of restoration. All the timberwork had been removed earlier in the year and all the steelwork scaled and repainted during the finer weather, including renewal of metal as necessary; the final coats of black to the underframe have now been applied. Pressure treated timber for resheeting and reflooring the body is nearly all on hand and has been machined as required prior to fitting. A photograph of this wagon in pre-Island days has been found and it will be repainted in this earlier style which is appropriate to its restored condition. Work on 2343 proceeded quickly so it was outshopped at the end of the month, its place being taken by LCDR push-pull composite 6369.

Work in progress on BR Dropside High B483733, 7th December 2002.

November 2002

C&W Notes

Workshop time has seen continuing work on LBSCR Third 2416 with further panels in the cantrail and between the quarterlights renewed and new mouldings fitted.

John Clark at work on LBSCR Third 2416

LSWR GBV 56046 has had all the bolts tightened, the paintwork rubbed down and loose areas scraped off prior to a full repaint and re-lettering. The real downside to all this work is that when our vehicles leave works they have to stand in all weathers, with inevitable deterioration. Whilst it is acknowledged that railway vehicles are designed to withstand the weather, the pressing need is for covered accommodation so that the hard work put in by all members of the C&W team can ensure that our priceless rolling stock has the best chance to survive for future generations.

The Road Van on 19th October.

Preparation work for the new C&W workshop has seen various members of the C&W team, ably assisted by other staff from all departments, clear the Goosefield. On 30th September all the rolling stock was shunted out and re-marshalled in Griffin's Sidings to permit the P.W. department to lift Nos.1 & 2 sidings the following weekend. Then on the 18th & 19th October a concerted effort saw all the remainder of the materials not immediately needed relocated in Griffin's field utilising a crane on hire from Island crane hire and transport generously provided by Mike Lightbown - thanks Mike.

Roger Silsbury instructs Viv Orchard and John James on correct lifting technique in the Goosefield.

The underframe of PMV S1793S, which has stood off track for several years, was placed on No.3 siding to be ready for modification for the next 4-wheeler when the HLF funded restoration programme begins next year. Highlight of the moves was the relocation of the ticket-printing hut to a corner of the car park. Despite severe doubt as to its condition to survive the lift it was safely relocated with only a few pieces falling off!

Ajax

The boiler passed its hydraulic test in Wales last month and was shipped back to the Island. It was craned into the frames following a couple of day's work to paint the areas that would be inaccessible once fitted. A number of the new rivets on the sides of the firebox had to be ground off a bit to enable fitting into the extremely tight space between the frames. The new ash pan was fitted with the boiler dangling from the crane, because it won't fit through the frames when the boiler is in place. The alignment of the new smokebox fitted by Bartletts in Wales was found to be very accurate, and it fits the smokebox saddle perfectly.

Work to bead over the tube ends in the firebox is well under way, and the hole has been cut out for the chimney. The frames were levelled in the works to ensure correct alignment of the boiler, and the smokebox was drilled and bolted onto the saddle. (These two sentences have described about three weeks work! The reality is there were ten holes to drill, each 1" in diameter, requiring drill sharpening between each hole. The hole cut for the chimney had to be exactly in line with the steam chest exhaust ports. The frame levelling took half a day and the tube beading is extremely heavy and exhausting work requiring the creation of a noise zone in accordance with the E.I.s. Two vital pneumatic tool bits required in the process were broken and several nights of bad backs incurred!)

The main steam pipe elbow that fits onto the front tube plate has been found to have a serious crack running through the flange. A repair is being considered to avoid having to renew this large and complicated iron casting.

To see a latest news item on Ajax's boiler click here.

Ajax with boiler in place on 19th October 2002.

October 2002

C&W Notes

LBSCR Third 2416 is in works and the suspected rot has proved to be not quite as extensive as feared. New panels and mouldings are being machined and fitted. It is likely that 2416 will remain in works until required for Santa specials. Also in works is LSWR 'Road' van 56046 for remedial work, including tightening up of bolts and refurbishment of paintwork. Dave Hills continues to make progress on the BR dropside High B483733 with able assistance from John Clark. Timber to sheet the body is on order.

LBSCR 2416 in the Works on 12th October 2002.

At last we have taken delivery of the LBSCR van, bought from the Tenterden Rolling Stock Group, based at the Rother Valley Railway, Robertsbridge. The delay in moving the van was caused by there being no operational locomotive on site until recently to shunt it to a suitable loading point. This van, although not of Island pedigree, is one of only two complete LBSCR vans in existence and will plug a gap in our collection of representative Island goods vehicles. To visit a Latest News item with more details click HERE

The LBSCR van seen shortly after arrival at Havenstreet.

Ajax

The Hydraulic test scheduled for the 3rd of this month has been postponed by the boiler inspector and will now take place on the 10th. The boiler has been pressurised up to working pressure already, to test for leaks, and there are no serious problems. Expect to see the boiler back this month, and watch Ajax start to take shape!

Diesel Works

Class 05 shunter, D2554, Nuclear Fred, is currently receiving attention to rust patches around the lower bodywork and radiator housing. Kees has been meticulously cleaning and painting awkward areas that haven't seen the light of day for years. He has also continued to overhaul the portable diesel compressor, which was recently donated by the Ivatt Trust. The engine now runs and it is being tuned to perfection before it will be made available for use by this department and the Civil Engineers.

D2554 alongside BR dropside High B483733 on the unloading road, the only siding remaining in the Goosefield, on 12th October 2002.

Invincible Firebars

The New Firebars for the engine have been cast and collected from the Bluebell Railway. They were produced from the pattern skilfully made by Ian Smith and have now been fitted into the boiler, replacing the old half sections of bullhead rail.

C&W Workshop Latest

The Date for the chosen contractor to start work on the site has been set at Monday 6th January 2003, or later if further delays occur. We have not yet received a signed and dated Form PM1 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this being the confirmation that they accept the contract, which we signed on 22nd September. We are not able to go out to Tender until this form is in our possession. Whilst an earlier start date was anticipated, this revision means the site will be unobstructed during Christmas operations, making life much easier for coal handling etc. On 30th September the Goosefield was cleared of rolling stock in preparation for track lifting the following weekend. Vehicles were re-marshalled and shunted into Griffin's Sidings.

The 4-wheelers were shunted into the Down Loop and "Bagged Up", to protect them from the winter weather, on 5th October 2002. Pete Jardine makes the adjustments.

September 2002

Loco Crisis

A chain of events left the department in a desperate situation with respect to engine availability at the end of August that lasted into September. Newport was standing by to run over the Steam Show, with tubes on their last legs and the rest of the engine in poor mechanical condition generally. After two days further tube leakage was spotted and the decision was taken to withdraw the engine which runs out of ticket pending a ten-year boiler overhaul in December this year

Meanwhile, Freshwater was suffering from leaks around the tube ends in the firebox. Despite several attempts to rectify the problem between steaming days, leakage became so bad on the Thursday after the Steam Show that the loco was stopped during the afternoon and replaced by D2059 which carried on to finish the day, evening trains and all.

27 August 2002 - With W11 withdrawn for overhaul and W8 awaiting attention to leaking tubes WD198 is prepared for duty.

By this time, Royal Engineer was coming up for washout and 'X' examinations so a final attempt was made to establish the cause of Freshwater's problem. One tube was removed for inspection revealing nothing wrong other than a thin bead. Some thirty-five to forty tubes were re-expanded and re-beaded and the one tube replaced with new. The brick arch was modified to prevent ash building up on the top, the blast pipe nozzle was machined to increase the size, thus reducing the draught and the amount of ash being carried over, and the boiler was washed out and water treatment abandoned until further notice. Freshwater was put back into service with Invincible standing by, in steam, for four days while Royal Engineer was cooled down, examined and washed out.

During these four days Freshwater's tubes started to leak slightly, but then dried up all together. We have drawn no definite conclusion from this saga, but the main factors contributing to these failures are believed to be:

Water condition from mains.
Water treatment discrepancies
Brick arch design.
Draughting.
Heavy working conditions.
Coal.
Thin tube beads.

Further investigations will take place before next season with a view to strengthening the tube joints by welding or fitting ferules, or even re-tubing.

W8 heads a Down train at Haventreet Station on 28th August 2002.

Ajax

Boiler work is almost complete and tubes are now being fitted, down in Wales. The hydraulic test is scheduled for 3rd October and delivery will follow soon after.

Although some good work has taken place on fabrication of the tanks and bunker, we are getting seriously behind on the project and ways of speeding up the job are being looked into to ensure completion by the mid-season next year.

Footplate Roster

The September/October footplate roster requires a large number of turns to be filled by the workshop staff this year, which has done nothing to help the Ajax project. If you are an engineman and have any unexpected days free which are currently shown on the roster as being filled by works staff, your help would be most valuable.

C&W Notes

With high season daily running the activity in the workshop has been at a reduced level, with occasional running repairs required to the service stock. The two LBSCR single bolsters, 59034 and 59050 are both all but complete and Peter Blanchard's skill at 'writing' has really set them off. The next major work involves LBSCR Third 2416 which has evidence of rot at the cantrail on the south side and this carriage will be entering works in the coming week for investigation and repair. Application for approval of coach 2515 is progressing well now, and a conclusion is expected by December this year.

The two LBSCR single bolsters, 59034 and 59050 in the Goosefield Sidings on 7th September 2002.

LCDR 2515, aslo on 7th September 2002.

Work in progress on LBSCR 2416 - 20th September 2002.

The LSWR Road Van is in the works for a general tidy up - 20th September 2002.

August 2002

Fresh-Water-Valves

Freshwater is now back in working order following the fitting of new slide valves. On the initial test steaming, there were some strange noises and blows up the chimney, which were as expected, caused by steam leaking past the valve ports. Given time and a bit of work, they will soon bed themselves in and the engine's performance will pick up.

The Gate Elliot milling machine has been put to good use machining W8's new valve castings.

Calbourne's Last Day

Friday 9th August sees our beloved 24 out for the last time before she is withdrawn from service pending a ten-year boiler overhaul. The repairs are going to be fairly extensive on the firebox in particular. A total re-stay will be required and any defects in the copper plates will be rectified at the same time. It is hoped that copper welding undertaken a few years ago has saved the plates from condemnation due to radial cracking around the stay holes. With all efforts being concentrated on the Ajax project at the moment, little will be done to the O2 boiler other than some survey work in the firebox. When the extent of the repair is more apparent from these investigations, a plan will be drawn up for the engine's repair.

Other work to return the loco to service includes a mechanical repair, a new smokebox, water tanks renewal / repair, refitting the bunker extension and a repaint in BR lined black. To see a Latest News item giving more details of 'Calbourne's last day in traffic click HERE

Driver Ken West in the cab of W24 on 9th August - 'Calbourne's last day in service before overhaul and what may prove to be Ken's last turn of duty on his Ryde Shed regular engine.

Bluebell Crewing

Drivers And Firemen from the IWSR are once again invited to crew (supervised) for the Bluebell Railway for the week commencing 2nd of September. There will be one train in operation during the week, plus the Monday shunt with the B4. The train engine is likely to be the 9F. Please contact me if you are interested. We must cover each day, so please don't let them down.

C&W Notes

The Island PLV S1046 was completed and moved out of works in early July and stored in the Goosefield. Because of siding requirements to stage the Thomas event it has subsequently been moved into Griffins Sidings where, unfortunately, it is out of public view. Into Works have come two LBSCR single bolster wagons. 59050, which was substantially restored last year, will have the bolster and associated ironwork fitted to complete its restoration.

New bolster for 59050

Also brought in was LBSCR 2887, which was one of the former Sandown adapter wagons and which we thought was 59043. However, its LBSCR number 2887 is stamped in both solebars and according to Southern Railway records this became 59034, so we have decided to follow the SR and allocate it 59034, even though BR records indicate that it had been broken up in 1960! Confused? It gets worse. In the Barn Kevin Moon has been working on a third bolster, which was painted as 59045, but from the LBSCR number stamped in the solebar is actually 59046.

LB&SCR bolster No.2887

Dave Hill is making steady progress on BR dropside high No.483733 with all ironwork scaled and given one coat of red oxide. Currently he is manufacturing new steelwork for the bottoms of the doors.

We have received the Statutory Instrument exempting LCDR Third 2515 from certain provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations and now await the approval from HMRI for new works. Many questions have been raised about the variations from coach 2343, which we have to answer to their satisfaction before approval can be given.

The next four-wheeler project will be LCDR 4 compartment composite SR No.6378 but because its restoration is part of the Heritage Lottery Award we cannot start any work until all the necessary formalities associated with the Award have been completed.

The chassis of W38 'Ajax' with new footplating being secured in position. 3rd August 2002

July 2002

C&W Jackpot

The Granting of a Heritage Lottery Fund award for a ten-year restoration programme, including a dedicated workshop in which to achieve it, has been welcomed and all the hard work in progressing our application has finally borne fruit. An outline of the vehicle restoration programme will appear in the IRN and are on this Web Site - click here to view.

The final jobs on LCDR Third 2515 are being completed although we still await the paperwork to enable it to be placed in traffic. This is planned for the high season. One item needed is a complete Stones light fitting, including globe. Although we can 'borrow' one, this does not resolve the situation, so if anyone has one, or knows of one, please contact Roger Silsbury or John James. Looking to the future we shall need additional Stone light fittings for future restorations; if we can source the genuine articles it will save having special castings made.

Pete Jardine fixes luggage rack netting in LCDR 2515.

Following completion of the routine maintenance of our running carriages, SR PMV S1046 has been brought in to works. The paintwork has been peeling badly, particularly on the south side and treatment has been applied in a bid to cure the problem for the future. Livery will remain BR crimson, which is that which the PMV's had when first transferred in October 1950.

S1046 seen in the Works on Saturday 29th June 2002.

Ajax Progress

The Boiler work being carried out in Wales is progressing very well. The outer firebox has been patched front and back and the inner box has been fitted. A new firehole ring is incorporated and the original foundation ring has been utilised. The new front tubeplate is nearly finished and is to be fabricated from two parts and welded rather than flanged. Hole drilling for side stays is well under way. The facilities at Bartlett's are impressive, to say the least, and the staff are highly competent and interested in producing a first rate job. Completion is expected early in August.

Back here at Havenstreet, the rest of the engine is taking shape too. A new ashpan has been fabricated and several large pieces of plate can be recognised as bits of bunker, tanks etc. Painting of parts of the cab, valances and the buffer beams continues.

A new Ashpan for Ajax.

Footplate Promotions

Congratulations to Bob Millard and Andrew Toplis for passing out as Driver and Fireman respectively, last week. We also wish Bob our best wishes with his new full-time job with Siemens at Northam, working with new trains at the other end of the technology scale.

Work has begun to prepare W8's new Slide Valves for fitting. One of the worn out valves is to the right.

Thomas Event

As Last Year 'Jinty', 42798, has been hired from the Llangollen Railway to do the business. There has been a change of plan regarding the other engines in use that weekend. Loco 198 will no longer take part but 37 will be helping with troublesome trucks. The footplate roster will be reissued for the event but will involve the same enginemen. 37 has recently been on loan to the Bluebell Railway where she assisted with the Troublesome Trucks at their Thomas event - click here to see photos of her in action.

June 2002

Invincible Helps Percy

The Newly Restored Invincible is to be hired to the Bluebell Railway to stand in for Percy in a Thomas event to be held during the weekends 15th-16th, and 22nd-23rd June. Percy is suffering tube problems and is unable to deal with the troublesome trucks likely to be encountered, so our beloved 37 has been called on at the last minute to substitute. Our Chairman, John Suggett, is somewhat amused by the news, having been told by me a few days ago that the engine was unlikely to be hired out to another railway an account of it being Westinghouse fitted only. Invincible sails for the mainland on 13th

Maserati Replaced

The Old Milling Machine, which was originally brought from Italy for war reparations, and has taken over a large chunk of the machine shop for many years, has at last been replaced with a far more modern and versatile Gate Elliot machine. Mr. Sparrow, who is closing down his engineering business on Ventnor Industrial Estate, (Platform 2, to be precise!), has kindly donated this turret mill, which is being installed immediately to machine new valves for Freshwater. A large radial drill, donated by the business next door, (coal yard), has been temporarily stored outside, pending more workshop space. This somewhat ancient looking thing is in fact of great potential value when repaired, and will be able to deal with all major drilling jobs in the future.

The new Milling Machine with installation underway.

The Radial Drill on arrival at Havenstreet.

C&W Notes

The annual routine body maintenance of the running stock was completed with the release of IWR, ex-NLR composite 6336 in time for the Queen's Golden Jubilee special. During work on LBSCR Third 2416 some rot was found in the cant rail panels on the south (weather) side which has been temporarily made good pending major work in the autumn. A quantity of mahogany has been ordered in readiness for work to begin as soon as the Operating Dept. can release it. LCDR Third 2515 is all but finished, but we await formal inspection by HMRI and the paperwork, including exemptions from certain provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations which would be inappropriate for a heritage carriage. 2515 is to be entered in the Heritage Railway Association 2002 Carriage Competition. Dave Hill is beavering away on the 13T dropside High, B4483733, and the majority of the underframe has now been de-scaled and painted red oxide. Dave has also overhauled the door restraints and is fabricating new bottom rails for the doors. The budget does not include provision for the necessary timber to rebuild the body so if anyone would like to contribute, or can identify a possible commercial sponsor, please contact Roger Silsbury.

PMV S1046 is now in the works for a repaint of its BR Maroon livery.

Washday Blues

The Washing Machine in the works has finally given up the ghost. Other appliances have been assessed, but have been found to be useless. We must find a replacement for this essential machine, used for washing overalls. If you can help, please give us a ring.

W11 runs around the Jubilee Special at Wootton - 4th June 2002.

May 2002

Letter From Wales

The Ajax boiler, currently under repair at the Bartlett Engineering Co.'s. works in Pembrokeshire has been receiving some serious attention. The front tube plate is being removed for renewal and work has started on the outer firebox repairs. In the process, the back plate radii were found to have excessive erosion and several stay holes are oversize. This has resulted in the decision to renew the lower half of the plate as additional work.

Peter Blanchard has been cleaning up the AJAX nameplates.

Royal Engineer

The Eccentric pulleys on the right hand side have been moving laterally on the axle, so they have been re-fitted and the straps have been adjusted to correct excessive clearance. This is expected to remove most of the clatter, which has become noticeable in recent weeks, on an otherwise sound engine.

The RHS eccentic pulleys, straps and rods await refitting to WD 198 - 27 April 2002.

News from the Ivatt Shed

Work continues on the restoration of Ivatt tank, 41298, at Quainton Road. Both pony trucks are now re-united with the frames. The damage to the trailing one was caused by sharp curves on Weymouth Quay and necessitated re-profiling the tyres and repairs to the horn blocks and bearings. All fittings have been overhauled and the steam heating equipment has been re-fitted. The side tanks have been cleaned and painted and the ash pan has been completed ready for re-fitting when the boiler can be lifted for the purpose. A new Ivatt pattern chimney has been cast in conjunction with the KWVR who needed one for Ivatt tank, 41241.

On the Fitters Bench: A slide valve and valve yoke from W8 'Freshwater'. It is planed to fit both A1x locomotives with new slide valves in the near future.

Chatham Brake Broke!

Reports of minor brake problems are nothing new to coach 4149. They usually concern dragging brakes or noisy hand brake operation etc. but our philosophy of encouraging prompt reporting of all problems encountering brake or running gear, paid off last month when it was suggested that the hand brake gears were jumping out of engagement. Investigation by fitters revealed that the hand brake screw was running close to the end of the nut, so the vehicle was withdrawn from service for further examination.

After much head scratching it came to light that an intermediate crank arrangement in the hand brake linkage was bending and twisting so much that the screw did in fact run the nut off the end! Angles and stiffeners attached to the frame are now being renewed to correct this problem and sister coach 4145, which has the same problem to a lesser extent, will be dealt with in due course.

Work continues on the exterior of LCDR 2515 - 20th April 2002.

Royal Award

The Duke Of Edinburgh's Award scheme has placed with us two lads who are participating in transport restoration as one of their skills. Luke Brannon and Ben Martill, from Ryde, will be working at least one hour per week after school in the works and will be studying the effects of age and corrosion on locomotives and coaches, and methods of restoration to overcome these effects. Both are keen on Railways so we must encourage them with their project and hope their interest develops into a longer-term involvement with the Railway.

'Invincible' in the Display Siding - 20th April 2002.

April 2002

Coach Exams

The annual mechanical examinations of all the serviceable coaches were completed in time for the operating season this year. Each vehicle was shunted into the down sidings for the maintenance work, which includes lifting off the bogies, where fitted, lubricating the bolsters, servicing axle boxes and re-blocking the brakes.

The exercise was made particularly difficult this year because of the severe congestion at Havenstreet and the work being undertaken on points and signalling systems.

The examinations also included the steam heating equipment on the four wheelers, which are now all fitted and operational, although coach 6336 remains through-piped only.

Using an adapter to supply compressed air from the works supply, Neil Rees tests the brake on SECR 4149.

New Fireman

Congratulations to Adam Howes, who has recently passed out as fireman with us. Adam has returned to the railway following a few years break since he was a dedicated cleaner, and is now a valued fitter, electrician and Land Rover mechanic! His inclusion on the footplate roster is most welcome.

Diesel Loco Logs

The old procedures for logging of diesel loco use and faults and failures have been overhauled. The new system requires all use of the equipment to be recorded, and this is done by drivers' report sheets that are in line with the steam loco system. The sheets are kept in the same desk and should be filled in by the driver for every turn of diesel duty.

With access to the Goosefield sidings restricted due to the ongoing Griffins Field Sidings Project, D235 is seen stabled in the Down Loop at Havenstreet on 16 March 2002.

Army Locos

The National Army Museum has renewed our loan agreement for the two locos, Royal Engineer and D235. The period is shorter than expected, being three years to 2005, followed by two years of extension on a six-month notice basis. Plans for a new Army museum in the north of the country include a working railway of some sort, and it is envisaged that the locos will become a part of that.

Meanwhile, Royal Engineer has been busy hauling trains for the first part of the season. The only problem encountered being a fault in the lubrication to one of the intermediate valve guides, which gave rise to concern one afternoon. The problem was soon dealt with and no services were lost. D235 has been used extensively for shunting and engineers trains recently and is performing to perfection following the engine rebuild.

Driver Tony Barry prepares to refill the Westinghouse pump steam cylinder lubricator on 'Royal Engineer' - 16th March 2002, the first day of the season.

Following A Pattern

Ian Smith has been busy in his spare time making patterns. The first is for real firebars for Invincible, which has relied on pruned bullhead rail as a grate for years.

The second project is for slide valves for A1x class, which Freshwater is waiting for. Newport will also require new valves in the near future, so two sets will be cast at the same time to reduce costs.

W24 is now in its first duty period of the season. She is seen departing Havenstreet for Wootton from the Up Loop on Saturday 6th April 2002, a procedure used by all passenger services so far this season as the Havenstreet Up Home signals are currently out of action whilst work on replacing their rotten post is completed. The West End points are clipped and plugged in the Up Loop direction.

James & Louise

Congratulations to James Watts and Louise Rider on their marriage last month. We wish them every happiness for their future together, and hope James's roster availability will not be affected too much!

James and Louise following their wedding at St Mary's Church, Carisbrooke on Saturday 23rd March 2002.

March 2002