Welcome
to the Projects and developments page of the FSMR website
This page was last updated
The FSMR members undertake a variety of projects on
the railway.
None compare to the task in the early days
back in 1995 of rebuilding the tunnel, but all can be challenging as well as
interesting. A "project manager" usually takes charge, and members
can just turn up and help on what suits them best, be it track, electrical,
civil, or locomotive engineering. The FSMR have a selection of dumper
trucks, and access to the farm estates JCB. And with mining engineers,
architects, electrical and mechanical engineers as members, no task is too
large in the preservation world!!!!
Just
to put in perspective what massive engineering challenge we constantly face
against nature on the railway here are some
pictures taken during March 2007 of the railway under water
Below
the back straight is swamped, it is hard to believe that the river normally
flows
Over 10 feet below rail height along to the
right
Below
further along the back straight in the distance is the normally “dry” culvert
overspill bridge, the actual small stream is piped under the track bed some 6
feet below and only flows under the culvert overflow at times of heavy rain
Below
is “Coleby’s” culvert bridge, the stream runs through a 24 “ pipe under the railway to the bottom
left joining the main river Eye behind the bridge
Below
is the first river crossing, Haven bridge, which is normally the highest
crossing point above the river, the bottom of the support beam sitting over 8
feet above normal water level!!
Below
is the second crossing, Jenny’s bridge under a torrent of water, the normal
river level runs some 7 feet below the deck height!! And is normal 6 feet deep
at this point!! So the water is over 13 feet deep
Note
the large tree trunk wedged against the bridge.
A constant danger which l required the use of
the farm tractor to remove
Grass cutting
The
first seasons weed-killing
train will run in mid April as the cold weather has delayed
growth.
Civils 
During winter and spring 2006/2007, we are
also undertook a major rebuild of the lakeside outfall spillway bridge. This
had been identified as requiring major maintenance and so it has been decided
to update the design at the same time. Abutments were renewed and a complete
new wider and stronger steel superstructure was fabricated in our workshops and
assembled at the lakeside. Work was completed prior to the 2007 summer events
There is a page created showing this work
click here to view
Below
is the new lake outfall spillway bridge in place March 2008
There is also a project now under way for the
last 3 years and due to be completed through summer 2008 to re-develop the
whole terminus platform and station area to provide better catering and seating
facilities and re roof the platform canopy as the old corrugated roofing is
badly corroded at the edges. Architect plans were drawn and been passed by the
council planning , and all materials are now on site. Foundation construction
was completed in 2006 by local building contractor, and handed over to the FSMR
team (led by a
member who is a skilled builder).
Currently in May, the roof has been slated
and internal fitting commenced!
The
new station building being based on the Midland Railways, Settle station
design.
Follow
the link to the new station page
as this major project reaches its conclusion in 2008
Track 
Ongoing re-sleepering
of track continues, the original 1970's jarah sleepers
showing their age, especially on the extension. Go to the picture gallery for
pictures of the re-sleepering methods.
We have started the process of lifting
complete panels and digging out the bed with the FSMR tractor loader. The bed
then receives a geo-tex membrane before new ballast
is added and the panel is replaced on
new sleepers. The record is 3 panels
completed in one day. The oldest sections are being tackled first through
the woods. We are also took the opportunity this spring to install an access
crossing at badgers curve to allow heavy machinery access without damage to the
track e.g
tractor mower and JCB .At the same time, 9 panels of original track were
renewed through the wooded section.
Another record in autumn 2006 with 4 panels
!! replaced over the weekend of 14th
And all this with the
Follow
this link for detailed pages and pictures of the October 2006 track work
below is the work completed looking, towards
badgers bend, on bonfire weekend with the
Yet
another record in Feb 2008 with 6 panels !! being replaced over the Saturday
16th on Chestnuts curve
Follow
this link for detailed pages and pictures of the Feb and March 2008 track work
We are
also very grateful to Lafarge Aggregates at Mountsorrel,
who supplied the SMR in 2005/2006 with a large tonnage of ballast to carry out
track renewal
Check
out their website for your aggregate and building supply needs
. 
See also the picture gallery for pictures of some more track work
Locomotives 
All locos are being prepared for the
public operation weekends
"Warship" The Diesel suffered a failure of one of the bogie
bearings in 2006 and was removed from service during the Autumn and winter for
heavy overhaul. The bogies were removed and tripped down for rebuilding of the
drive train. The fluid flywheel drive was put back after overhaul allowing the
main drive to be completed. Other work was carried out at the same time, it was
back in service by mid August 2007 and is now back on works train haulage
duties.
Some FSMR members are also
constructing their own 1/5th scale 10 1/4" gauge diesel or steam locos,
these currently are:
Replica of 1899
The tender is built, and work progresses on
the rest, no arrival date at Stapleford yet!
Brush
Class 60 D/E
Fully working Diesel Electric replica
featuring latest design in traction motors driven off a diesel alternator, just
like the real thing!!
Date
for arrival and commissioning 2008
