Sunday 29th April

Today was a very busy day.



(JE) There was twice this amount of people

The railway held an open day with a powerpoint presentation by Mark Yonge about the Past, Present & Future of the RVR including tea, coffee and biscuits in the village hall. A number of us were ready to be tour guides to take the visitors down the trackbed showing them the progress, historic structures and explaining future plans. This event was aimed at the local community. Me and Bob were only planning to be reserve tour guides because most of us were only expecting about 50 people. But no, there were probably up to 300 people who attended. Due to this, all tour guides were used and there were two presentation sessions because, even with standing room, everybody still couldn't fit in the hall. The shop sold some stock, a lot of Phoenixes were brought and a majority of ice creams were taken as well.

On the VSOE refurbishment side, the corner cupboard was undercoated and some woodwork was rubbed down. Four completed bookcases make the shop look more presentable now.

It's going to be a busy few weeks. Next Sunday is the Vintage Bus Shuttle Service between Robertsbridge and Northiam Stations to connect with the K&ESR Gala Weekend. More info from the RVR news site and K&ESR site. Then in another two weeks time is the Annual SAMREX (Model Railway Exhibition).



(JE) Bob guides a group of local residents

Sunday 15th April - JE

We walked to Northbridge Street via the bridges today. Still some work left to do bridge 1 but it's nearly there. In the VSOE, painting has now started and another bookcase has been trial assembled. Some work has also commenced in preparation for the shop counter to be moved pretty soon.

(JE) Geoff walks over Bridge 1

(JE) Painting has started

Wednesday 11th April - JE (continued...)

The dado rail and skirting board has also been fixed in the VSOE. The partition on the shop side has been painted in dark red. The weather today was sharp showers which turned into a triple rainbow!

(JE) The current state of the info centre

(JE) Three rainbows overlook the GBLV and the RVR

Wednesday 11 April

Wednesday 11 April

By about 10 am this morning, both girders for Bridge No 1 had been put in place over the stream, and work was beginning on bolting in the cross-members and walkways. Elsewhere rails were being laid out ready for welding up. After fixing a tarpaulin which was slipping off the Maunsell coach roof in recent winds, we emptied the ancient LNER box van in preparation for its imminent departure to its new owner. Inside we found lots of stored goodies including ancient brass luggage rack brackets, and the racks themselves, plus coach window blinds, numerous 1920s/30s coach light fittings, and some spare carriage doors - all relocated. After a bit of shunting the van is now ready to be pushed to the loading pad area for collection by lorry.  We also demolished the small shed by the main gates and mended the useful four-wheel trolley.  SG

Wednesday 4th March - JE

The VSOE made reasonable progress today. Bob has almost finished the cupboard, just the doors to go. While I started fitting the raised dado rail and skirting board which was specially made by Peter French's son. Finally, Helen continued with making the bookcases with some teething problems which she persevered through. Some of the bookcases are almost ready to assemble now.

(JE) The new dado rail and skiritng board. Where's the fire exit! A second door has been put over the existing one so there can be a continuous wall of pictures and exhibits.

(JE) Bob's new corner cupboard

Otherwise, it was quiet elsewhere around the site because everyone else replaced all 300 or so track clips at Junction Road which needed replacing.