Train Development on Track - May 18th 2011
With the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the narrow gauge railway society at Woodhorn just around the corner, the volunteers are delighted to be able to carry out work that should offer new opportunities to visitors in future. For some time, generous donations from the public and proceeds from a children’s book written by one of the volunteers have been collected towards the provision of an accessible carriage. Although the carriage isn’t yet available, the infrastructure is now being put in place not just by the volunteers, but by a very special band of engineers.
“We thought that Network Rail might be interested not just in helping us out, but in providing some of their trainee engineers with a safe training experience. Obviously working on the main railway network is a risky business, “explained volunteer Stan Lawler, “but here at Woodhorn, the trainees can work on the line safe in the knowledge that there isn’t a high-speed passenger or goods train due at any moment.”
David Painter, Route Infrastructure Maintenance Manager for Network Rail thought it was a great idea too and allocated three days for 6 graduate engineers to get practical experience on the narrow gauge project.
From Monday 16th May, the engineers will be working with the guys at Woodhorn to install the points (bought from the accessible carriage fund) which will facilitate a new siding for the special carriage when it arrives.
“Hopefully it won’t be long before the carriage base arrives,” said Stan,”and then we can get to work preparing it. We’re putting the finishing touches to a funding application at the moment which should be the last piece of the jigsaw.”
In the meantime, the train operates every Saturday and Sunday from 10am until mid afternoon. Catch the party mood on Sunday 22 May when the volunteers will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the organisation and the 18th birthday of one of the young members, Station Master Andrew Leeming.