The Vendage (grape harvesting season) is nearly upon us

The grapes are colouring up nicely - the staff at CHLR ran a test run this weekend - where a bunch is taken from the vines to Junction where the man from the Winery comes and tests sugar levels.

The verdict - wait a couple of weeks

So the Vendage is coming

Birds Nest station receives a new bench

Following on from the work at BBQ End, Birds Nest has acquired a new seating facility - Sgt Goodfellow the organiser of the RSPB feeder nearby is very pleased!

No4 named Spitfire

At this weekend's Steam event, No4 was named SPITFIRE - she ran a number of passenger trains and was also utilised on some freight traffic to ensure everyone got to see our new loco work a variety of trains.

New station buildings now open on the CHLR

After a period of building work, both Junction and BBQ End have new station buildings in place.

An official opening ceremony date will be announced soon.

The Flowers are out at the CHLR

Summer has arrived - the other day the company photographer followed No3 down the line on the bi weekly coal train to see the beautiful flowers on the line - here are a couple of pics:-

A video of No.4 in action

Still to be numbered and named, here is No.4 on her first weekend of action

The arrival of steam at CHLR

Great news, the management can announce that our new steam loco motive has arrived at the line and is currently undergoing line tests to allow us and the loco to get used to each other - in time she will be introduced to weekend passenger services.

A new timetable will soon be issued to formally include the opening of BBQ End station.

No4 is pulled onto the CHLR by No.3 Kenny after delivery from Roundhouse at Doncaster

Oiling the motion is a key new job for our staff  - here Mick is busy getting the loco ready for her first run

No4 is ready to pull her first passenger carrying train - involving CHLR's new summer coach

Great news - we've reached the end of the line

After a great effort by our PW team, we have completed track laying down to the end of the line - currently called "Terminus" but we may rename this in the future.

Trains can now run into the station and use the run around loop to shunt and manoeuvre  stock ready for the return journey. As well as allowing us to now run all passenger trains loco first, it allows us to serve the whole line with freight services.

An update timetable will be issued by the board soon and work has already started on the new station for this location.

After Easter, work will begin in the depot area of the line to introduce a run around loop here to allow shunting at the top end of the line, allow a steam up area for when we eventually make the decision to get a steam loco.

The run around loop laid and ready for business

Jessie brings the first train into Terminus and takes part in the first proper shunting on the line

Later in the day Lola brings materials down to the site ready for platform building to start

Birds Nest Station - work underway

The line has now reached Birds Nest Station - see the map below for orientation (note on here it is called Bird Table Halt - on the left hand side.

Work has started on the halt with groundworks being completed this weekend - hopefully if the weather allows more work can continue this coming weekend.

No.3 Kenny brings the works train around Brewery Curve on route to the site of Birds Nest Halt

Works train arrives at the Halt - the ground works for the halt can be seen behind the loco and 1st wagon

A clearer view of the groundworks

Working under lights

Here are a few pics showing CHLR working into the early evening - a chance to test the station and carriage lighting systems

Our general manager surveys the scene at Junction before locking up for the evening

Kenny get a clear green light to move on down to Junction

No.3 - Kenny prepares for the last down train of the evening

And here he is picking up the last passenger of the day from Wood Yard down to Junction

Snow arrives

Its been a snowy week at the CHLR at the beginning of January 2017.

The signal team had to dig themselves into the main signal box at Woodyard

Depot and Woodyard stations were the worst affected:-

And as a result the motive power team were asked to clear the line - below is a short video documenting their efforts!

Santa's Special 2016

The CHLR ran its first Santa Specials on Sunday - management allowed Santa trains to run on Sat PM after the serious industrial trains had been in action in the morning supplying kinderling to the good people of Kent and bird food to the feathered visitors to the county.

Here No.3 Kenny is seen in charge of the 2pm service near the current end of the line on the outskirts of Birds Nest.

The Cornus tree makes a great contrast in the grey winter light - Santa can't be seen in this shot - he's busy unwrapping presents in the enclosed carriage with the kids! 

Work continues on the extension

Despite the fog this weekend, work continued on the extension on the CHLR - ground works have now nearly reached Birds Nest which should help the re-stocking of the bird feeders.

Track laying may well be possible over some of the Christmas holidays with the PW team receiving double time, beer tokens for the new pub that is opening next to the CHLR and limitless mince pies.

The new 'end of the groundworks' has reached Birds Nest

As well as ground works, a large amount of tree felling was required!

The road is claer for the next phase - more track on order from t'suppliers

Sunny autumn light

Before the storm, the line was bathed in great sunlight - here PhilPot our PW driver chats to Pat the Postman as they meet on their early morning duties.

and below, Number 2 Jessie brings the early morning passenger working along the line

Birds food trains continue despite bad weather

The CHLR made sure the local wildlife was fed during the recent Storm Angus by running bird seed trains to fill up the local feeder - here we see N0.3 sporting its new plates as it leads the seed train up the line.

Wood Train Highlights from 061116

Kindling Trains busy on the CHLR

Busy day on the railway today - aside from the usual Sunday passenger services, we have been running a number of wood trains to meet rising customer demand.

Right into the evening!!!!!!

The flowers are out

Its summer time on the CHLR - just look at those Roses and Clematis - rumour is that the drivers have been know to stop occasionally to take cuttings!

Junction station opens

After lots of work involving clearance and supporting groundwork, the station is now open.

A proud General Manager  surveys the new station area

The evening train is eased into the station area by Jessie

Tree clearance continues

More trees were cleared today as part of the re-alignment at Junction.

Jessie propels a long train of timber to Woodyard for processing

It will soon be possible to re-align the station area.