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2001's Santa Trains have been a wonderful success and exceeded all
expectations! We doubled the target set and handled 40% more passengers than
last year, while avoiding overcrowding. Passenger complaints were well down -
only two minor complaints were received - the fewest ever.
Stephen Walker and the committee would like to give their heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this success, particularly the Santas, Alistair & family, Mike & Wenda, Mark, Charlotte and all the others who helped on the trains. Thanks also to the train crews, signallers and platform staff, and the Dowgill family of Crosshills, who wrapped the presents. The 2002 time tables are out now; they may be collected from Bolton Abbey station (only limited supplies are kept at Embsay).
Loco Department News
RAB Construction
Carriage & Wagon News
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Pete 'the Greek' Barry has taken over as C&W Manager, and Wendy Anderson is
Wagons Superintendent. Pete is also the railway's Fire Officer, and may be
consulted on any fire safety related issues concerning extinguishers,
workplace fire safety and regulations. He is concerned about the storage of
flammable materials and wishes to remind members that the storage of
petroleum and other inflammable materials in signal boxes is prohibited.
John Downes is to join the C&W Dept, his first task being to take on the role of Vehicle Inspector. Andrew 'Happy' Hirst has also joined the department. Pete has been busy working on the upholstery of No 9 carriage, having re- upholstered 34 seats in six weeks, managing 25 in a fortnight! His next task is to do the seat backs and sides. The C&W Dept is having a sort-out of its gear preparatory to moving into a new container which will serve as workshop and store. The Gresley coach will be free for its owners to decide its future. Tenders are being invited from local painting contractors for the painting of vandalised carriages. Two coaches are to go to the National Railway Museum on hire; these are the TSO No 11 and the brake No 3.
Bolton Abbey News
The S&T Dept are working on the signalbox, installing the power frame and fitting it out as a museum, pending its commissioning.
Embsay News
Rob is the Sleeper Co-ordinator and asks that users should help to keep it clean and tidy by keeping out greasy boots, overalls, and loco or coach parts, and not storing big piles of clothes. The old sleeper is currently marooned at the end of the headshunt; members who have left gear in it are warned that it will be taken to Priors Lane for storage until its removal at a date in the future, so make sure you retrieve your stuff! |
Talking of keeping places clean and tidy leads on to the state of the mess
hut. Several members, particularly those who stop over, want to give it a
good spring clean. Could members please remove their gear, especially mucky
clothes, tools and railway components. You are warned that anything left may
end up in the skip! Mark has provided a box for storing clean towels; dirty
towels should be put in a bag for washing - and if anyone wants to wash
towels, it will be appreciated.
People
Rob Daniels has been passed out for Embsay Signal Box, and is working in the S&T Dept. The 200 Club is still runing well after six months. Alan Turner has asked
to remind me that new members are always welcome. Numbers cost £1 per month
and you can have as many as you like; it's best to pay for six months or a
year at a time. Contact Alan on 0113 2555920 after 7pm; his address is:
Two messages from Dave Barlow: A mobile telephone is now provided for the use of Responsible Officers. This means that the RO can be contacted, particularly in the event of a problem / incident. The phone is kept on charge in the signal box. The RO books out the phone on signing on and returns it to the signal box at the end of duty. If you need to contact the RO, the number is 07764 308349. Working Member Passes are available (free of charge!) from Dave Barlow upon receipt of a passport photograph. The pass entitles the holder to reciprocal free travel on many other heritage lines and it is a requirement of working membership that every volunteer has such a pass.
Editor: Lesley J Bird
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