The
Oxfordshire
Railway Society
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Oxfordshire Railway Society Trips 2005
For forthcoming Oxfordshire Railway Society Visits, please click here.
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On
Sunday 12th June, 7 members and visitors were delighted to see George
Huxley’s garden railway in North Oxfordshire. The trains meander
through the delphiniums, cross a viaduct over the radishes and endure
the 1 in (approx) 40 gradient to the upper station tunnel, before returning
to the signal box cum workshop and storage area. George has acquired several
more items of rolling stock since our previous visit, which he proudly
showed us, explaining the detailing he had added or discussing the model
maker. After tea and homemade cakes in the garden, we were invited to
guess at the locations and significance of a number of photographs he
had laid out for our inspection. There were more models and some interesting
books and paintings, each of which had a tale to be told by George and
his devoted wife Davina. Hymeks form an important part of the running
fleet as can be seen in the accompanying photograph, note the correct
tail lamp on the brake van, which George is very particular about.
Sunday
26th June saw the society meeting at the Didcot railway centre for a guided
tour of the facilities there and a chance to see Firefly in action. Unfortunately
only 3 members enjoyed the tour, but they were amply rewarded by Didcot’s
guide, who recounted various tales and stories, both about the GWS and
the GWR. A ride behind the Cardiff dock tank to the transfer shed and
there was FIREFLY, gleaming in the sun, but unfortunately stopped, due
to a problem with the mixed gauge trackwork. However Firefly looked magnificent,
and a ride is something to be looked forward to next time, but we had
to content ourselves with the broad gauge artefacts and stories. Then
it was on to the carriage sheds, where we were let into a recently restored
clerestory coach and told about its restoration. We were then shown around
the engine restoration shed and lifting shop, seeing some areas not usually
open to the public. A few minutes on the footplate rekindled childhood
dreams, and then it was closing time. Picture is of Firefly in action
on an earlier weekend.
Sunday
10th July saw 11 members and friends at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire
Railway at Toddington, again in glorious sunshine, for a ride on their
line to Cheltenham Racecourse. The train engine was 7903 Foremarke Hall,
which looked magnificent with its paint and brasswork gleaming in the
sun. Its load of six MK 1 carriages was easily handled, and there was
little of the GWR throaty beat from the exhaust, but it was a lovely trip.