Colne Valley Railway News

It's only Wednesday and there has already been three departures this week. Monday saw our old staff coach go off to pastures new, Tuesday Isabel went to her owners at Epping and today saw the departure of Victory to chatham Dockyard. Even this morning Dick and Tony were putting finishing touches to the paintwork and putting the nameplates on. This is the first time that this little loco has left the Railway after arriving 37 years ago. She will be returning after Easter and will be in service later in the year.

A sight not seen very often - a class31 and 2 class 03s triple heading a passenger train. This was one of the more unusual workings at the Diesel Gala which also saw the 121 Bubble car and 141 pacer run during the day. The attendance was very good, the weather sunny, and for the first time we had Florida Coaches providing a bus link with Braintree station. This bus service will next run on Sunday 22nd April for the vintage rally.

Saturday saw the first of our Steam Driver Experience Days. All who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves on Peckett 2000 and in the signal box. We have had another school group in, they also enjoyed themselves, especially as the weather was so nice. Some more work has been done on the new building, guttering and some water butts have been installed - they are already full up from the heavy rain over the weekend. We are waiting for the asphalting to be done, this should hopefully be completed by Easter. Sunday sees our Diesel Gala, so there's been a fair amount of work on vasrious locos in preparation.

1945 built Andrew, Barclay, Sons & Co.Ltd. 0-4-0ST, Works No.2199 Victory being put through her paces today. It was a lovely sight to see - and hear - this little engine going through the station area, at times it sounded like something a lot bigger. She may be a small engine compared to some, but she can certainly pull her weight. Well done to Dick and Tony Goulding.

The new shop/ticket office arrived today, 12th March. The building is basically just a shell, interior walls, fitting etc have to be installed as well as another door. It is hoped to have this is operation later in the year. The area to the front is due to be asphalted this week, ready for the start of the operating season this weekend - steam drivex Saturday and steam day on Sunday.

A sight not seen for a while - Victory in steam - at one point hidden in the steam! This was a trial steaming ready for the steam test next week. For a small loco she made a lot of noise (or was that just Tony with the whistle!)

Peckett 2000 arrived this week for a return visit. The loco will spend the next couple of months here as WD190 is not ready yet. Victory is getting very near to being in full working order and is off to Chatham Dockyard for the Steam event at Easter and will then hopefully come into service. We have had another school group in and also attended the annual Travel Fair at at RAF Lakenheath