Departments Diary

Tuesday 23rd December 08

2008-12-30T19:36:00.004Z

Volunteers Ron, Brian and Richard went to North Weald station to work on the Signal Box and the restoration of the main station building. The first job was the repostioning the sink: to disconnect the waste and lift the sink off of its cast iron supports and place it very carefully on two wooden supports on the floor - having borrowed a fairly heavy duty bosch electric chissler thinking this would be rather easy it nether the less took half the day to dig out what was a very good concrete mix funny enough the supports only went about six inches ( 150mm ) in to the wall but they were fixed in well. The supports were cleaned up and we started to measure the fixing positions based on the fixings in the old Permanent Way office. Having dug out the holes and placed a small section of tile slate under the cast iron support to ease the weight off of the very soft bricks Ron made up two sections of ply-wood to go around the two holes to stop the concrete mix from falling out of the holes. Having supported the two cast iron supports in to there correct positions we then concreted them in.
Ron Abercrombie

Saturday Hit Squad - 20th December

2008-12-30T19:36:00.002Z

The team were at North Weald, sanding, filling and painting in undercoat the soffit and facia along the front of North Weald, as well as applying gloss to finish the platform canopy restoration back to its LNER glory. The interior of the booking hall recieved some attention as well.

There is always spare space, rewarding tasks and a friendly welcome for ALL ages and abilities. The more hands helping the sooner we can re-open, and of course come re-opening, priority will be given to those people who have come down and helped with the restoration of the railway.

Weekday Report

2008-12-21T18:30:00.002Z

As the year comes to a close we can see progress that has been made. The most striking of these has been the transformation of the Signal Box into the splendid colours of the LNER years. Led by team leader Simon Hanney and his team on the weekend, the Tuesday gang have been assisting with this work like painting the interior, here we can see some of the pictures.

Here we see Aidan Kelly cleaning the window pains. He made me swap places with him as it was cold so I had the job to clean the exterior out in the cold on the scaffold, Brrrrr….

Aidan now smiling in the warm, shame on you !!

Richard Hill has just completed the corrugated iron sheets in the corner into cream, very smart.

Brian Shearmur just admiring his work - reminds me of Rolf Harris that pose.

Yes we did have a summer and every Tuesday at North Weald seem to bring out the sun, Daniel Bateman and Ron Abercrombie with the drill

The Signal Box leaver receives attention from Kevin Smith

Carl Walker digs the hole for the starter signal post

It wasn’t always sunshine but that didn’t stop the team clearing the foliage

The team take a well earned break, They are Richard Hill, John Rickard and Mike Cornish

Saturday Hit Squad 13th December 08

2008-12-15T18:24:00.002Z

The Sat Hit Squad again turned their attentions to North Weald redecoration, as we work to return the station to its authentic LNER glory. David, Stephen and Simon all worked on scraping back the loose paint layers (revealing both LT and LNER original paint, which was photographed to record this), prior to applying undercoat.

Simon also removed the broken glass from the rare GER ticket window, and carefully restored the frame and mechanism. David and Stephen worked on the ceiling, sanding and painting all of the general waiting room and making a start on cream undercoat.

The group is always keen to hear from new volunteers (young or old, new to the railway or old, local to the village or further away) who want to come down and help with the exciting and very rewarding restoration of a 143 year old station.

For more details please call Simon: 07818 436201

Sunday Signals Gang - 23rd Nov

2008-11-27T19:06:00.002Z

Given the wet and windy forecast, the signals volunteers stayed in the warm and dry of Ongar station - wire-bushing, sanding, Ferricon rust treating and undercoating these LNER / BR (E) tubular signal posts. We are indebted to Henry Edward (ORPS) for saving these and donating them to the railway for restoration and re-use. Items such as these are essential as we progress towards bringing back steam & heritage diesel.

The pictures are taken in the (drier) afternoon and show Mike & Derrick hard at work preparing the posts and painting the finished surfaces.... an impressive smooth finish lads, and should look very LNER when we have them up and signalling trains once again! If you have any signal parts (of any age or region) you would like to be preserved / restored and continuing to signal trains, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Simon (email link here pls). In the case of these posts, we even arranged collection from his garden, and can easily arrange HIAB equipped transport thanks to our kind friends in Emerson Crane Hire.

Saturday Hit Squad - 22nd Nov

2008-11-27T18:50:00.003Z

With the fine dry weather, the Saturday Hit Squad decided to use the south facing canopy to stay out of the northerly winds - and while there waggled a few paintbrushes at this 143 year old structure. We sanded and applied primer to the rest of the canopy, and then came the fun bit of applying the LNER cream! If you are sharp-eyed you might even see a rare picture of Simon (who normally is behind the camera!).

While we are up ladders / scaffold, there are jobs at all heights(!), for all ages and abilities as we restore this station to its former glory. Why not come down and lend a hand to this satisfying and historic restoration as we work towards re-opening?

Vanwide's transformation leaves mouths wide open

2008-11-21T20:36:00.002Z

We are pleased to report on the progress of the restoration of our BR Vanwide (B783563, Wolverhampton 1962, Lot 3391). This vehicle was transferred into Army hands (hence the green livery) prior to arrival at EOR. Following the work on the Shark brakevan, the team decided to take advantage of a few good days of nice weather to restore this useful vehicle (commonly used during engineering works) back to to its original BR livery.

On Friday 14th Ed & Simon both took a day off work and peeled back what was left of the roof felt and stripped back the rotten wood, removed the roof metal end caps (for restoration) and adding timber, before then putting on the new roof.

Next the badly blistered and cracked paint was sanded back and (white) wood primer applied to the bare wood.

The Saturday Hit Squad (which this week included David, Richard, Stephen and Simon while off-site Ed kindly prepared the roof metal end-caps) tackled the vehicle on the 15th, preparing the (previously yellow) corregated metal ends, sanding these back and treating the rust with some magic stuff, and priming the wood in Weathershield primer (in a tasteful pink) and the ends in Williamson's metal primer (green).

Come Sunday 16th, during the Open Day, despite the best efforts of the weather we were keenly watched by the visitors who had come to see what volunteering was all about, as David, Ed and Simon painted the vehicle in BR Bauxite (being a fitted vehicle this used to carry this livery complete with "XP" branding).

Come the end of the day (and after we had packed away the tools at dusk), we have a nearly finished BR Vanwide, with only the door runners and a few other incidentals to finish painting, before painting on the numbers and livery. During the winter this vehicle will be shunted over the covered pit for inspection, brake tests and any remedial works to the running gear, the underframe being in good condition). We hope this wagon will continue to be very useful for the railway and hope that the restoration of this vehicle back to its former glory will preserve it for many years to come and help to remind the public how freight used to be handled by BR.

"Saturday Hit Squad Hits North Weald"

2008-11-06T19:06:00.000Z

The Sat Hit Squad are an enthusiastic cross-department team that meets on Saturdays. We tackle achievable projects around the railway where we can make a positive difference, and help other departments on larger projects. The jobs we tackle are very varied, and are suggested / chosen by the team, hopefully taking best advantage of any dry weather!

This last Saturday (1st Nov), given the wet forecast we decided to look under North Weald station canopy. The team erected the scaffold, and were soon sanding and preparing the 120+ year old structure, removing the old LT paint back to a sound surface. This was then painted in wood or metal primer (pictured), ready for application of the LNER green & cream. Some interior painting of North Weald signalbox was also tackled during the heavier rain. Previous projects in the last few weeks the team have tackled has included re-roofing the Shark brakevan and also sanding / priming this vehicle.

The team is very relaxed and always has a friendly welcome and extra cuppa for new volunteers. Contact: Simon simonhanney@hotmail.com

Shark Van Refurbishment

2008-10-04T18:04:00.012+01:00

The good weather over the past couple of weekends has allowed the railway teams to work on the Shark Van restoration project. Volunteers who regularly attend the railways on weekdays as well as Saturday and Sundays were able to combine their skills to produce the following results:

The rotten/missing timbers in the roof have been replaced, the metal end heaved off and the new corner supports jointed in. The roof was then jacked up and replaced, and new felt was laid on the roof.

Two of the D shape edging strips for the sides were carefully removed and, taking advantage of the nice weather, knots were treated, new wood painted and the exposed parts of the roof underside were undercoated in primer.

As always, anyone interested is welcome to come along and get involved; the more hands - the sooner we can re-open.

New signal eqipment at North Weald

2008-09-21T17:36:00.001+01:00

A new signal post has been erected at North Weald at the end towards Blake Hall. Pictured are some of the volunteers involved with the work including Head of Signals, Simon Hanney and Acting Chairman Eddie Veckranges. Work at North Weald continues to progress with the painting of the Signal Box (interior) and complete refurbishment of the Ladies Waiting Room in the main station building. Anyone interested in helping should contact the relevant Department Head or acting Chairman Eddie Veckranges.

Shut-down Latest

2008-08-07T19:48:00.002+01:00

You may be wondering what we are hoping to achieve during this extended shut-down and the team have pleasure in listing the key tasks from Ongar to Epping:
· Clearing Finnish stock, re-gauging the run-round loop and re-modelling the Ongar approach – this is to reinstate the run-round loop, so an engine can move around its coaches. It will also mean easier access to the loco facilities and safer shunting. The remaining Finnish stock is being placed at its own platform in the former goods yard, and will become a static display, and provide accommodation for a shop and possibly refreshment facilities.
· Install signalling of Ongar approach (possibly via ground-frames) to safely control the points in the station approach to HMRI standards.
· Undertake major reinforcing works on the embankment at Blake Hall, to stabilise the track-bed and increase the axle loading capacity of the branch.
· Correct track along the line to improve the ride and remove temporary speed limits to regain punctuality and passenger comfort.
· Reinstate the passing loop at North Weald, including restoration of both GER, BR & LT railway signalling at this station. Undertaking remedial work on the surface to the Up platform.
· Re-paint and restore North Weald booking hall (including rebuilding the open fire), improve toilet provision at both stations and finish minor station works at Ongar
It appears a long list at first, but with a few extra hands, the right equipment and a little kindness from the weather, fully achievable.

For safety reasons, many of these overdue works cannot be carried out in conjunction with running passenger trains, and can be carried out quicker and more efficiently during a full line possession, as being increasingly used on the mainline. These works are all focused towards having a line which can host steam engines and result in one which we can be proud of and which offers our visitors a memorable experience.

Other tasks that could be undertaken in the near future include work on North Weald footbridge (replacing flooring to reduce the structural loadings so it can be reopened), setting up temporary covered carriage and wagon facilities in the (former Finnish) loco shed to start work on the “Shark” brake van and setting up a museum and archives for the line.

April/May Update

2008-08-06T19:48:00.008+01:00

No passengers but the railway is busier than ever! It has been an eventful Spring and we hope to keep you abreast of a few of the developments. The working volunteers have battled come rain, shine, and snow to continue the varied essential engineering works during the shut-down: As ever if you are available and ever wondered what its like at Epping Ongar Railway do come down and get involved; you will be assured of a warm welcome, plenty of cups of tea and helping to enable us with an essential piece as we work to bring steam back to the line.

Ongar

Trackwork/Clearance On 11th May some of the 5foot Finnish stock was removed. The remaining Finnish stock is being placed at its own platform in the former goods yard, and will become a static display, and provide accommodation for a shop and possibly refreshment facilities. (Photographs Michael Wall)

Station Buildings Work has been done to clean and tidy the ticket office, the old taxi office which is now used as the Station Masters Office on running days and the Booking Hall. This meant removing old and redundant electrical and telephone wiring (pictured is Mike Hardy carrying out this task Photograph:Eddie Veckranges.) The wiring has tended to build up over the years where old installations were removed and new installations put in place. This had left an unsightly mess and made painting difficult. We have also managed to uncover some old features, like a little spy hole located in the ticket office door. The eyeglass had been covered over by paint but can now be looked through since the paint has been scrapped off. Preparation has also been made to redecoration of the ladies toilet.

North Weald

Permanent Way team are continuing with major trackwork improvements at North Weald and other areas of the line.

Signalling The weekend and weekday parties have finished painting the stairs, been working on the windows (applying undercoat and glossing both inside and out), refurnishing the inside including moving the sink and putting the box back to how it was originally. Our sparkies have been putting the finishing touches to the transformers and starting a wiring audit of the signal circuits, and we have made a start on stripping the old paint and light rust off the Saxby & Farmer lever frame ready for repainting. Simon also borrowed a Minolta Colorimeter from Writtle College and measured the exposed paintwork, some dating back to 120 years ago when the box was build in GER days, to measure the exact colour of paintwork - so we can get paint mixed to those scientific colours in a few weeks time when we come to repaint the inside.

And...

Driving Courses During the shut-down, Steve Weal, our Train Crew Manager, is running mutual improvement classes to cover the theory of safe and efficient driving of vintage stock.

Still to do:

Signalling. Install signalling of Ongar approach (possibly via ground-frames) to safely control the points in the station approach to HMRI standards.

Trackwork. Re-gauging the run-round loop and re-modelling the Ongar approach – this is to reinstate the run-round loop, so an engine can move around its coaches. It will also mean easier access to the loco facilities and safer shunting.

Undertake major reinforcing works on the embankment at Blake Hall, to stabilise the track-bed and increase the axle loading capacity of the branch.

Correct track along the line to improve the ride and remove temporary speed limits to regain punctuality and passenger comfort.

March Update

2008-07-07T19:49:00.001+01:00

Much has been achieved on EOR in the last few weeks; the P-way gang have been tackling the track-work and have now reached the North Weald area (pictured), jacking and packing and greasing fish-plates. The pictures below show the working group at the Epping end of North Weald station, as they check fish-plates and align the trackwork.

The signals gang have been meeting on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays - putting the finishing touches on the window frames and exterior, the Tuesday gang have been putting the finishing touches to the new steps and the team is looking forward to commencing the next stages as we work to signal North Weald. Our sparkies have also been replacing the old china fuses with a much safer MCB fuse-board and re-commissioning the signal transformers, stripping out redundant wiring, installing bus-bars and fuse banks. We are also currently seeking sources of old signalling equipment that we can use to reopen North Weald, and if you can help in any way, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Simon.

The Thursday gang have been busy with vegetation clearance along the line, always an excellent way to keep fit, blow away the cobwebs, get to see new parts of the line and enjoy the great outdoors. They have also been working on the brightening the general station areas. As ever, if you have ever wondered what its like to work on the line, wonder no more - come on down, as there is always a friendly welcome.