Running 2010
First Running Day - It was really hot!
What a brilliant day! Glorious wall to wall sunshine; if anything too hot. The day ended with a barbecue, as it should on a balmy summer evening at a Gentleman's Railway.
Visits to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
David Grant & Richard Stokes both had the opportunity to spend a day on the footplate with Driver Andy Nash.
The picture shows David on Southern Maid at New Romney. Quite an experience! The top speed of 25 mph felt very fast.
The gauge of this railway is 15inch, about double that of the Spinney so everything is that much bigger.
Visitors to the Spinney in 2010
We had three 'official' visits to the Railway in 2010. The first, by the High Wycombe and District Model Railway club is illustrated on the right; the young man is having a 'Driving Experience' on King Jack whilst club members look on.
After some hair raising events in 2009, we changed our rules for allowing inexperienced visitors to drive this year. The rule is now: only one vehicle to be hauled and that vehicle to have an independent brake. The new rule seems successful with the learner hauling a light, easily stopped train but also being less troubled by low steam pressure with the featherweight load.
Another beautiful summer day when the local Brownies came to visit. All had an opportunity to drive an electric and a steam loco. As you can see, the girls could only just reach the controls of 'Royal Engineer' so we kept steam driving to the siding at Dingly and, yes, we did hit the siding buffers a bit hard on one occasion!
On the electric locos the girls were able to drive from Old Oak, through the tunnels and back to Old Oak. Thank you Mike H for bringing your electric loco.
Everyone had a chance to signal with Robin instructing - aided by Nick - back view, on the phone!
All the team were most impressed by these exceptionally well behaved girls. They were a real credit to themselves, their leaders and their families. It would be a delight to welcome them again.
On a day of sunshine and showers in August the Great Cockcrow Railway team made their usual visit. Below right is the delightful small tank loco 'Alison' driven by Stephen Trower.
The other picture is of veteran Southern engine driver Jamie Lester on Royal Engineer.
The visitors also brought an electric tram engine reminiscent of 'Toby' in the stories of Thomas the Tank Engine.
Church Day, September 18th
Every year we invite a charity to make use of the Railway and in 2010 we again welcomed the local churches for fun and fundraising at the railway.
Sadly no one took photographs once the day got going and all I have is the image on the right showing three locos coupled together to begin service at Old Oak.
Almost 200 people came to share the fun raising £1348.50 for church funds. A great day when we could put the railway to work in a good cause!
The Final Running Day of 2010
The weather was mild with no rain but the air was so damp that clouds of white steam were everywhere; very atmospheric but signal sighting was difficult.
The day was made more enjoyable by there being lots of visitors and lots of engines in steam : I counted Eileen, Karen, Kate, King Jack, the Black 5, Tim's LU tank with Adrian's Underground 'Michael Faraday' electric locomotive."
The photo shows William and Lucy after they had enjoyed a long trip hauled by Eileen. Lucy became an expert stoker of Eileen's fire.
Robin spent the day measuring up for the track re-laying at Dingly so it will shovelling ballast and not coal next time!