30th August 2025 Friends and Families
Awful weather forecast but turned out not to be as bad as expected. First train ran at 13.25 and rain stopped play at approximately 17.30. Picture shows the damp atmosphere but drizzle did not become continuous until after tea. All visitors enjoyed the day and we had visitors from the Ingfield railway. Nine friends present and were:- Alan, June, Andrew, plus Tim, Heather, Phil, Robin, Dave MB, Peter, Andy, Jamie and Henry. The Essex and Hertfordshire contingents Mick, Alan S and David G decided not to come, something to do with not wanting to get their hair wet.... Some visitors also cancelled on the grounds of the forecast. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes and to Robin, Andy and Mike for additional photographs / material which were in LANDSCAPE except one which I wanted to use as it showed delivered parcels dumped across the line at the level crossing causing an unusual obstruction of the line. I had so many of the day I have had to slim down to these. I have concentrated on pictures involving the visitors. No recorded controller today, but the railway ran smoothly and faults recorded or fixed. There was a water supply issue which was traced to the float switch in the Baytree water tower and after that all worked well.
Visitors
Five locomotives on track today and were:- L94, ScottLine, Edith No 3, 1420 and Royal Scot 6109. As can be seen, plenty of visitors enjoying the rides and driving. It was decided to steam early due to weather forecast and Edith was first in steam and trains running from 13.25 with passengers.
Towards teatime, light rain started and made the rails slippery. To apply the rail head treatment I use an old ice cream tub with a hole in it. Alan had kindly thrown it in the skip but I was able to climb in and retrieve and use. Thrown away as it had a hole in it. After tea, trains ascended the branch without issue.
S & T news
Robin made two visits since our last meet to try and solve the signalling issues. Phil in particular will be pleased to know that Baytree point 14 is now working and Robin has installed a temporary switch in Baytree box as shown. Point detection is shown by the yellow LEDs. It will still be necessary to pull lever 14 to get either signal 13 or 15 due to the mechanical locking in the frame. Alan A has found the cause of the current sink (power supply problem), two wires connected together for reasons not understood. These have been separated and all signals and points are still working correctly! Unfortunately, SY 1 signal (pictured) still has intermittent faults and Peter has taken this signal home to investigate. Controlling the signal boxes were:- Spinney - Robin, Baytree - Phil, Dingly - Jamie and Henry and Old Oak - Peter.
Home
Dave MB managed to steam his 1420 whilst Jamie and Henry had a drive of Scott Line.
9th August 2025
A glorious summers day and railway run for 15 guests to enjoy. Before the day, Robin and Phil made a visit to iron out some signalling faults which have been highlighted. Most faults were rectified and Dingly point number 23 has had a temporary / permanent switch fitted and a red collar placed over the old lever. Time ran out and point 14 at Baytree is still not working. Dave M arrived in good time to walk around the railway and continue to prune the vegetation then he moved onto helping Alan S who had made a new shaft for the scissor lift. Picture shows old worn shaft and new one. After over an hour trying to fit the refurbished ram, it still does not work, so back to the drawing board. Alan S also cleaned the new bricks below the water tank at Dingly. Phil and Robin also tested all the signal boxes using their track circuit clips. Eight friends present and were:- Alan, June, Andrew, plus Tim, Heather, Mick, Alan S, Phil, Robin, Dave M, and Peter. Mick was controller and had a busy day. Lame excuses this week from Dave MB who was with Clan Line and David G who said he had gone to Wales - Bob used to make it from Wales. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes.
Loco news
Six locomotives on track today and were: L94, Karen, Kate, Bobside, Scot 6109 and 2663.
The coupling at the back of L94 driving wagon, came adrift and the passenger coach came to a stand as the vacuum brakes worked, luckily, Mick serviced them this year. Picture shows Dave M backing Bobside onto the detached coach. Coupling has now been repaired.
Alan A has enlarged the blower holes on the Scot and this is now an effective blower and noticeable when steaming.
Unfortunately no pictures of Mick and Alan S driving but were just as busy.
S & T news
Another day with a shortage of signallers which left Dingly as TMO (Train Man Operated) as it was in BR days. When arriving at Dingly home signal, drivers check to see if it was empty and if there was a train at Dingly, the driver would speak to the other driver to make safe arrangements, occasionally the ash / service road was used. Controlling the other signal boxes were:- Spinney - Robin, Baytree - Phil and Old Oak - Peter, they seem to stick to the same box each time. Robin drew the short straw today as Spinney was plagued with power supply issues and on occasions we had to stop running whilst emergency temporary repairs were made. Robin can be seen holding the little used green flag and it looks like mice have got to it.
Visitors
Visitors were all Hugh's family and despite the signalling issues and the broken coupling, they enjoyed the railway with some having a drive of Hugh's 2663 locomotive.
After tea, the coaches were re marshalled and put behind Royal Scot 6109 with the Hugh's family on board, Alan S on the locomotive and Hugh at the rear.
Next time
More signalling faults to investigate and repair in readiness for friends and families day.
26th July 2025
A good day and turnout, twelve friends present were, Alan, June, Andrew, Hayden plus Tim, Heather, Mick, Alan S, Phil, Robin, Nick, all the D's, Dave M, Dave MB, David G, Andy and Peter, Mike and Patricia also joined us today. 18 visitors booked today so passenger trains required, but we did manage a freight train. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes.
Alan A has reclad the back of the Spinney signal box between meetings, whilst today started with the usual vegetation pruning and Nick and Dave M can be seen collecting for their bouquets. Dave MB also cleared leaves away and quite a few from between the tunnels.
Other tasks included servicing the scissor lift in the engine shed and Alan S and Dave M can be seen completing this task. End result is that the ram works correctly and it is the pump that requires new seals. Another button has appeared for SY 6 signal and is awaiting Robin to connect the wires next time and fit the fireman's call plunger identification plate as per the one fitted to Baytree signals 3 and 5. This will allow drivers to remind the signaller if detained there.
Loco news
Five locomotives on track today and were:- L94, Eileen, Karen, 1105 GWR dock tank and Number 3 Edith. Both L94 and Eileen suffered with poor steaming at the beginning but improved as the day progressed. Dave MB steamed 1420 but suffered with injector problems and spent all day at Old Oak working on the locomotive, Dave M was going to run his Bobside and wagons that he had brought along, but due to the scissor lift not working, he was unable to run. I have tried to capture all locomotives, however for some reason, trying to capture Alan S was very difficult, either blurred, missing head or too far away. However I did manage in the end to capture Alan S leaving Old Oak.
S & T news
Left hand picture shows how many people it takes to make a decision. Robin has made a cardboard backing plate as a template for Old Oak signal number 2 and then posed for the camera. Andy can be seen holding the backing plate behind the signal arm. With the exception of Dingly, it was the usual faces in the signal boxes and were:- Old Oak - Peter and Patricia, Spinney - Robin, Baytree - Phil and Dingly was covered by Mick. A few signals failed to operate and will require investigating next time.
Visitors
Pictures show double heading and busy passenger trains which was good to see the railway in good use and all visitors enjoying the railway.
Freight news
Nick and Andy were going to double head a 15 wagon freight train but Andy struggled with steam pressure so Nick went alone. Unfortunately a few wagons decided they didn't want to go over the level crossing and derailed, no pictures submitted for some reason. Right hand picture shows Nick and Dave:-
- Having a rest
- talking to the wagons after they had derailed
- trying to hide
Next time
Hopefully good weather and visitors, wire up the new button and investigate the faulty signals.
5th July 2025
A busy day, so many outstanding jobs to complete and on top of that, the hydraulic cylinder at the scissor lift at the engine shed decided to fail, causing a lot of problems. Twelve friends present were, Alan, June, Andrew plus Tim, Heather, Mick, Alan S, Phil, Robin, Dave M, Andy, Dave MB, David G, Jamie and Henry, apologies received from Peter with some sort of excuse that the A3 was shut AGAIN. We also had six visitors. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes and to Heather and Jamie for sending me material to use.
Before running, Alan continued to tweak the water system and can be seen adjusting the float switch whilst Dave M and Mike spot the camera and posed. More vegetation pruning required and some plants were tied back as they are now over the running rails. Following that, the filter at Old Oak water supply was changed as the water was green....
Loco news
Dave bought along his standard 5 number 73115 for a boiler test but had trouble steaming so did not run and will need a few repairs. L94 also had a boiler test and ran although had a late start after steaming and eventually got out at 15.30 just before tea was called. Four locomotives on track today and were:- L94, Andy, 1420 and Kate. Spinney electric had a brief run at the end of the day. Mick used his locomotive as driver experiences. Hugh attended and serviced his locomotive.
Andy has a smile on his face as all his passengers have left the train and he was wondering if he would make it up the branch gradient, had they stayed on the train. Dave MB had a good run and for the record, he was the second locomotive to be out on the track.
As mentioned above, the hydraulic cylinder at the scissor lift at the engine shed has failed and this prevented Jamie from getting his locomotives out of the shed. Other locomotives and wagons had to be manually lifted over to another road.
S & T News
Mike, Patricia and George made another visit to Spinney and comfortably controlled Dingly signal box. With a shortage of signallers, it is welcome news and look forward to more visits. Controlling the other signal boxes were:- Spinney - Robin, Baytree - Phil and Old Oak - Jamie and Henry, so we had a full compliment of signallers. Jamie had issues at Old Oak towards the end when the points and signals failed to operate. SY 6 repeater is causing a problem again as both aspects are extinguished when a yellow aspect should be displayed. No other problems reported and the S & T had a quiet relaxing day.
Birthday
Mike has been making several visits to Spinney and today he was surprised with a Birthday cake and candle during our stop for tea.
Mick's visitors
The pictures above, show Mick's visitors enjoying the railway, having a ride and a drive.
21st June 2025 VAMES visit
A lovely summers muggy day with the customary unforecast shower. Eleven friends present were, June plus Tim, Heather, Peter, Robin, Nick, Dave M, Andy, Dave MB, Alan S, Mick and David G, apologies from Jamie, who had something better to do. We had visitors from VAMES (Quainton Road) who have visited before and this time, brought along an 0-6-0 Holmside to run, all had a good day. Dave M was controller and did a great job, ensuring we got together and had the rolling stock out in time and most importantly, put away. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes.
Usual tasks completed to get the railway running, but additionally, Dave M trimmed a lot of vegetation which is growing rapidly and still requires further pruning. Robin has been working on the rewiring and that seems to be almost there and Alan S has been working at home to construct the Dingly water tank facia. Alan also purchased and fitted a new hydraulic ram (as can be seen below) for the unloading ramp as the other one, which had been put away for the winter, was mysteriously left outside and had started to leak. The pictures show the Dingly water facia being installed with helpers!!! The water supply is fed from Baytree and Alan can be seen investigating. He was not amused at the arrangement as the water level was close to some electrics, another job on its way.
Loco news
Four locomotives on track today and were:- T9, 1420, Kate and visiting Holmside. Left hand picture shows steaming up at Old Oak and I cannot remember an occasion like this before, where all running locomotives steamed up at Old Oak and no activity at the loco shed. Trains started running approximately 13.30 which was a good start time. Mick can be seen running the first passenger train.
Nick and Dave MB can be seen above and the VAMES visitors were observed driving the T9 most of the afternoon.
VAMES visitors
The Holmside looked in very good condition and ran all afternoon with various drivers. The colour shade of blue was from a traction engine that they had seen and liked and therefore applied it to the locomotive.
S & T news
Nick's Nephew Lachie can be seen delivering the token at Spinney and getting involved, whilst David G gets into the signalman's position, sunning himself - he likes the warmth.
Alan S was back to fixing things and can be seen adjusting the point motor at Dingly which then worked faultlessly all afternoon. In the signal boxes today were:- Old Oak - Peter, Spinney - Robin, Baytree - David G and Dingly was unstaffed and we ran one train from Baytree to Dingly and return before sending another.
7th June 2025
Today was cancelled due to the weather forecast predicting heavy rain.
24th May 2025 Start of running trains
Better day than was originally forecast and a good turnout to transition the railway from winter maintenance to running trains. There was a lot to do to tidy up the railway including the over grown vegetation, Old Oak signal number 2 can hardly be seen in the left hand picture. Dave M went round cutting whilst I collected the debris and Dave MB finished off with a leaf blower. In addition, signalling required finishing and this meant that the first train of the season did not run until approximately 15.00. Nine friends present were, Alan, June plus Tim, Peter, Phil, Robin, Nick, Dave M, Andy, Dave MB and David G, apologies from Jamie, Mick and Alan S. Excuses range from Broken down car to something better to do. We also had two visitors, Mike and Patricia who have been before. Thanks to June for the teas and cakes and to Dave M and Peter for sending me material to use. Peter was elected to be controller.
Peter has installed a LED into a signal lamp and has fitted this to Spinney SY 15 signal, maybe more on the way? Phil brought along two wooden decking pieces which he had cut at home to replace rotten ones at the Old Oak signal box foot crossing. On removal of a rotten board, Phil jumped as he was startled by a frog which was completely camouflaged until it moved. Also this showed how rotten the sleepers are under these boards and the other crossings need investigating. Alan A and June were busy clearing up and moving everything from Baytree platform which had become a storage area. Robin re installed the point motor for Dingly 23 point which he had working at home but failed to work when in situ. David G can be seen giving some advice?
Dave and Andy teamwork
These pictures show Andy and Dave working as a team where Andy is the supervisor and Dave does all the work. Andy guided Dave as to what and where to trim and checked it met his standard, followed by placing new wooden edging strips between the main line and the top of the branch. Dave said this job took them to about 16.30 with trains running, so I presume Andy became the important lookout!!! Dave did send me a picture of Andy lying down which I would have added had it been in landscape orientation.
Running trains
Trains finally started running approximately 15.00 and I thought I would picture an important task (not often mentioned or photographed) and that is the installation of the bridges. As can be seen, several people Are required to put it into place and secure. On track were:- Royal Engineer (Scot) and Nicks GWR tank. Dave M - Bobside and Dave MB - 1420 were present but did not steam. Visitors Mike and Patricia can be seen driving the Scot. Signalling problems occurred at Spinney where circuit breakers kept tripping and this will require investigation and fixing as soon as possible.
10th May in Glorious Warm Sunshine
A real taste of summer today, with hardly a cloud in the sky. However, having wished for the warm weather, lunch was taken at Old Oak in order to find shade. Of course it was at Old Oak where David Daines was king; this was our first meeting after David's funeral. Most of the Spinney "Friends" attended the funeral and we took time to occasionally remember David today.
Left hand picture shows our resident bricklayer was at it again. Here he is on the right laying supports for new railings for the bridge over the branch. DG provided support by doing nothing. Alan S was assisted by Dave M. The right hand picture shows DG had not finished doing nothing so he continued doing nothing whilst being photographed with dangerous Andy - the man with a saw on a pole. When not resting Andy pruned the trees near the bridgeworks.
Robin, Phil and Peter spent time rigorously testing the points and signals. All was found fit to run although some "interesting" features at Dingly will need to be managed. PS Robin gets extra points for yet another mid week attendance last Wednesday.
Andy again! - although I suspect Dave M was involved.
Photo is of new earthworks opposite Spinney box.
Other events
The Compressor Motor
We arrived expecting to replace the motor on the compressor - a major task. However, when examining the existing motor, Alan A noticed the centrifugal switch, which connects a capacitor across the motor for starting, was stuck in the running position - hence the inability for the motor to start. A judicious prod with a screwdriver returned the switch to its starting position and all was well. Congratulations and thanks to Alan.
Water
Nick and Alan S coaxed the motor of the water pump into action (another prod with a screwdriver) and made all our water outlets active. Alan A noted that the current building work means we cannot draw water from the well this summer. We must hope for rain to keep the big black tank filled.
Also present, but not photographed
Dave MB, Andrew, Jamie and Henry doing valiant work gathering remaining leaves and clearing debris from the railway. June, as ever, kept us supplied with tea and a bonus of ice cream in the afternoon.
Thanks to Dave M and Dave MB for photographs