Welcome to the Projects and developments page of the FSMR website

This page was last updated 26-12-2011

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

Take a look at this new page showing he railway under water

Follow this link for detailed pages and pictures of flooding

Grass cutting

Grass cutting is complete for this year

Civils

During winter and spring 2006/2007, we 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

Spillway

Below is the new lake outfall spillway bridge in place March 2008

There was also a project over 4 years which was officially completed and opened on 12^th October 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 passed by the council planning. 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). The building was completed prior to opening in October 2008 although there was some internal fitting out completed for June 2009 when the station saw its first public passengers, but it had already been used as a refreshment room with the log stove fire put to good use cooking jacket potatoes! For the bonfire night events and during the Easter private runnings. It has subsequently been a godsend for public running events acting as the railways refreshment and souvenir shop

The new station building being based on the Midland Railway Settle and Carlisle stations design.

Follow the link to the new station page

Some work was also completed in spring 2010 on the platforms to replace sections of frost blown concrete, in preparation for the summer openings.

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 14^th 15^th October 2006 in the same area back to badgers bend completing this area. We also added a new sleeper retaining walls to the bank to prevent soil erosion contamination of the ballast.

And all this with the Berkshire providing the exotic motive power for the day in the diesels absence

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 Berkshire providing the works train motive power in the diesels absence

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

 See also the picture gallery for pictures of some more track work 

We now have a dedicated person in charge of Pway work who co-ordinates any major renewal and ongoing sleeper replacement, with organised work parties on large jobs which is all logged on a database as per full size!!

Locomotives

-5565 LMS Jubilee

This was failed on inspection of the boiler during the June 2009 event and will require major work on the boiler and firebox and thus is out of action till 2013 at least

The boiler has been removed from the frames for detailed analysis of the options available.

In the Jubilees absence, the Curwen Atlantic and GWR Saint were paired up over the June and August BH weekends and the same thing will be done at the two events in 2012 with the new 31 class loco keeping the operational numbers at 4 the minimum needed for running the intensive service. The Curwen is quite able to handle 9 coaches on its own but the Saint could not. so this is the best way to be able to have the Saint in operation. However due to failure of the NKP Berksire, it may be that the Saint is paired with the warship diesel to release the Atlantic

751 John H Gretton was overhauled over winter and Spring 2011 and ran during the summer and will be available for New year 2012 and Easter private running

752 Berkshire was failed on the Sunday night of the BH running due to stay leak and was scheduled to be withdrawn in any case for its 10 year major boiler ticket. Boiler has been removed and it has been decided to replace the whole firebox at an external contractor. Follow here or on Twitter for updates on this work

However this means it is unlikely to feature in our 2012 public events

The private Niagara and EAR 3 both ran in 2011 and are available for 2012, both now in winter storage

Some FSMR members are also constructing their own 1/5th scale 10 1/4" gauge diesel or steam locos, these currently are:

Great Central Railway 11F Improved Director 505 'Ypres'

Work on the design started Mid 2005
Progress to date. Nov 2008-11-03

Tender completed
Frames, stretchers, footplates, splashers, valences, smokebox made. All cast parts cast. Cylinders, covers, valve chest all part machined and awaiting boring. Boiler design complete. Front bogie complete. Connecting and coupling rods part machined awaiting boring. Crank axle made awaiting assembly. Axle boxes and horns machined awaiting boring.  

Length over buffers 3600mm
Height to chimney top 835mm
Width 540mm
Boiler 160 psi (superheated)
Cyclinders (2) 89 x 140mm
Piston valve inside Stephensons
Driving wheel 420mm dia

And the loco construction progresses as shown November 2011 when the boiler shell was dropped on the frames to check the fit

Replica of 1899 Midland railway Johnson 4-2-2 "Spinner"

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 with 6 driven off a diesel alternator, just like the real thing!! Under construction since the late 90s by a partnership including our chairman who happens to be a Brush (now Wabtec) electrical engineer, and was involved with commissioning the new class 60 fleet and still is involved maintaining the survivors

Date for arrival and commissioning 2012? Who knows, by which time with the national fleet now down to a hand full, it will probably be a heritage diesel like the warship!!

Update Nov 2011 Currently on static loading tests in the owners garden shed!!

The neighbours must love him

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