12q2 Phoenix - Dates for the Diary

East Sussex Gauge 'O' Group's
model railway exhibition, 15 &16 September, Bexleyheath (see advertisement below). model show, Sunday July 15th 10-5.00, Pett Village Hall, E.Sussex.
Details from Geoff Wyatt on 01424 813300.

K&ESR Hop-pickers weekend,
8 & 9 September 2012. Passenger train running is being extended beyond Bodiam across the RVR metals to Junction Road over the event weekend, for only the second time since the stretch of line was restored. RVR plan a stand at Bodiam.

Charity Toy and Train Fair, in aid of the Association of Bexley Charities,
Wednesday 29 August, Falconwood Community Centre, the Green, Welling, DA16 2PG. (6.30pm to 9.30pm –free parking). Erith Model Railway Society’s

12q2 Phoenix - Letters to the Editor

From Alan Bone – The 2012 Model Railway Exhibition was brilliant with nearly 400 visitors, the ACOL layout with its Col.Stephens theme, and excellent food for those attending and exhibiting. The layouts were better than last year, due to being smaller. It was ideal for everybody and credit must go to Paul Plummer of Erith Model Railway Society for his efforts to achieve lots of variety in a small space. Geoff Wyatt oversaw the whole event very well indeed. I’d like to thank all who helped, but I do need a person to help me put up road signs next year! The next event is already being planned for 18 and 19 May 2013, and I hope the editor can include lots of reminders in the Phoenix in the meantime! Alan

12q2 Phoenix - Elsewhere on the former SE division…

The last issue mentioned the remodeling of London Bridge station. What hadn’t been fully appreciated is that the scheme entails removal of the Victorian train shed. This shed is one of the dwindling number left in London, with Euston, Fenchurch Street, Blackfriars, Cannon Street, and Charing Cross having lost theirs over the years (Victoria has lost much of its main roof too). The only Victorian structure remaining at London Bridge will probably be the actual viaduct on which the station sits, though some of this will be removed to create a large concourse under all platforms.

Loss of the old train shed is sad, but it’s an inescapable consequence of adding the much needed extra through platforms at the high level. These will (in about 2018) connect to the new viaduct now sitting waiting alongside the old one right outside in Station Approach. Also going it appears will be the SER building shown below, which scrubbed up so well only quite recently.

Sunday 24th June

The work was concentrated on the VSOE today continuing on the shelves for the shop. Some units were being stained while others were being built. It won't be long before this is completed. Also, I believe the new carpet is due to be fitted very soon.

Finally, this afternoon we have received a thank you note (quite a large one) from Robertsbridge Children's Services for donating logs from lineside clearance. They've been put in good use in their garden.

Sunday 10th June

The VSOE upgrade of the museum and information centre is now nearing completion. The majority of regular volunteers helped out today. The new cream blinds are fitted which compliments the redecorated walls which has very much been finished. Since the last update, all five display units are built and painting those has begun. It won't be long before the new attraction is ready, however it is still in use for the shop refurbishment which is kept open on Sundays and the displays will need to be made.

(JE)

(JE) The display shelves at the end of the day

Sunday 27th May

Sunday has been extremely hot so we didn't get much done. Not many sun worshippers (except some of us volunteers) visited the site today. Some volunteers walked along the trackbed now the track has been laid over the previous three days. All but one side of the Robertsbridge lamphut has now been painted in gloss black, more painting has been done in the VSOE, a bookcase has been stained and the first display case for the info centre has been started.



(JE) A buffer-stop's view

(JE) The experimental display case for the info centre

Sunday 6th May

Last Sunday was a slightly vintage one.
A Vintage Bus Shuttle Service ran between Robertsbridge and Northiam Stations for the K&ESR Gala Weekend and I and Bob were marshallers at the Robertsbridge end. Mike Dawes, who organised the bus service, came down to the RVR with his Routemaster for the morning as backup. We gave him a tour of the site and met some of our volunteers. Overall, only 13 people used the service but we hope to be able to offer the service at other events in the future and promote it more in order to raise the profile for the RVR.

(JE) All change for...erm...Hereford? The iconic Routemaster. Unfortunately, this was only on standby.

(JE) Hop On!

(JE) The bus waiting to leave the station yard

Some jobs were fitted in though. Some wallpapering in the VSOE was done, some paint was sampled and some preparation works were carried out for more painting.