Opening of the Chappel Miniature Railway _ 24th October 2020

 

Chappel Miniature Railway          Public Opening 24^th October 2020

 

After much effort over three years by many, the opening of the miniature railway is imminent, pending an absence of any further government restrictions beyond the known Level 2. Built as an open-air railway with un-enclosed carriages it has some advantages in current circumstances.

From the viewpoint of our visitors it is a major advancement in the amenity of the site. While restoration of course is something as rail enthusiast we like to progress, the thrill of a journey is often the most memorable part of a visit to the museum. 

Being a miniature railway, it appeals especially to a younger visitor – it’s not too scary, is more understandable in its smaller scale. Adults get a payback too , with smiling faces children can take home a memorable experience. Another benefit to the museum is that this railway is expandable, we have the land, perhaps just one -third, or less,  of its potential has been realised.

 

Rob West reports:

On the first public running day, it is planned to ‘cut the ribbon’ to officially open the first section of the new railway. Unfortunately, there’s no planned ceremony in mind, mainly because of the Covid-19 safety measures. Ryan Gant and myself will be operating the railway that day, with Isaac as Op-Sup also present for the first run, it is intended  to use our oldest locomotive “Ricardo Lampwick”  to do the honours.

Thinking about the construction period, would just like to say how proud I am to have been a part of this fantastic project, having enjoyed working on the previous railway for some years. Both Tim and I  want to thank everybody who has contributed towards the scheme in any way, big or small, assembling track panels, laying down ballast or hardcore, painting, electrical wiring, even just lending a hand to lift heavy equipment or make the tea! The list of names is beyond counting, but to everyone concerned, a big thank you to you all. Our new railway would never have taken shape without your combined efforts.

For me, the highlights of the construction include the delivery of our first new coaches in August 2019. These are very different from the previous stock, being larger and vacuum braked,  more reliable in running with heavy loadings, it helped to give the first taste of what our new trains would be like. It is expected to have delivery of  two more coaches after the half term period.

Another milestone was the relocation of our steam loco, Frederick, from the old sheds to the new line in February 2020; loading him onto the lorry proved to be a challenge, I breathed a great sign of relief when he was safely mounted on his new rails! On that same day, we tested out our coaches for the first time with our old electric loco, Ricardo Lampwick, which was a delight to see running again after more than a year out of use.

                                                            Steaming for the first time with a new

                                                                                boiler certificate August 2020

A crowning achievement of all  - was running Frederick for the first time a few months ago. After being mothballed for 20 months, it was a long-awaited moment to see our powerful steam engine make its first moves on the new railway.

                                            Tim Rice and Rob West watering "Frederick" in the

                                                                   Minirail Motive Power Depot area

 

The latest development is  provision of a  staff access path from the staff car park to the depot container. At one end a loading bay has been built, to enable rolling stock to be easily delivered or taken away by road transport. A set of buffers prevents trains from overshooting the end of the running line in normal service and can be temporarily removed when the loading bay is required.

  

                                              A happy scene as Dan Stevens progresses towards Spring 

                                                      Gardens Lane and in future maybe extensions to consider!

 

Members are welcome to look at both the Facebook and What’s App channels to see progress picturing the works. A “Chappel Miniature Railway” group chronicles their works posted on Facebook.

Tim Rice and Isaac Ferneyhough remind all of us that it will operate with a set of rules not dis-similar to the standard gauge, so the Level Crossing is under the control of Mini Rail staff. causal walking alongside the track is prohibited, care and caution should be taken especially in the depot area. Signs for the guidance of the public will be installed to show the route of safe public access.

Reminiscences of John Crawford at Chappel during World War 2

 

Reminiscences of John Crawford at Chappel during World  War 2

This year sees the 80^th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and after the phoney war, it became a reality for the people. Few remember first hand – but  a visitor John Crawford  spoke to me after an earlier Rail Experience day. He was a youngster then, but he gives an account of life in the village at that time.

John Crawford was a boy during wartime at Chappel; he remembers the station during WW2 was born at Trinity cottage in the village.

John lived in a house rented from a Mr Bird the landlord; he was part of a growing family who eventually comprised 10 people. His family moved to Lower Green council house. Schooling was in the village at Chappel at primary level. For senior school he then used the bus, which were either owned by Shelley’s of Eight Ash Green or Blackwell's. Latterly used a Ford van purchased by the Taberner family who were the publicans of the Railway Tavern whose landlady with Noreen.

At the beginning of the war the fear of aerial bombardment was real, and a plan for a “Crash Evacuation” was prepared as Chappel was seen as a safe location to send children. John would have been seen as lucky to live in the rural area and not be subject to the distress of that process.

Here is an aerial view – showing the village in its smaller form at that time, the Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL) Depot alongside Station Approach, it removed about 1974. Wartime rail transport is a subject that will be followed in later Chappel News postings.

During the war a mosquito wooden bodied airframe crash landed just missed the viaduct and landed in the field owned by the Pilgrim family on the field on the Fordham side of the viaduct. The military kept people away. American forces staffed the POL petroleum lubricants and Oil Depot. Petrol trains run at night, and arrived early in the morning. Stationmaster was Len Blackwell.

In the good shed - areas on the floor were allocated to traders so Ashbee’s had an area. Sent by  railway,  seeds of beetroot, wallflowers, runner beans and wheat - the railway was reliable but in time became redundant with increasing and cheaper road transport.

PC Beechcroft was the village copper who stopped young John who said, “You are one of those Crawford boys” pulled up for not having a back light on his bicycle, then clipped around the ear which was something of a surprise. He said “you remember this” and John did that!

While the photo doesn’t depict PC Beechcroft, the photo below shows the last village policeman PC Rowlands in 1965 with the POL tanks visible in the background. Nurse Jackson lived next door to the village policeman. 

John left school at 14 and worked for Ted Ashbee as he had been tutored by his father and had an interest in agricultural work. John was already used to feeding the chickens ducks and animals

After he left school he looked after the seed business of Spurgeons farm. John looked after the seeds business sent from Spurgeons Farm, often to Cullens of Witham by rail. John worked crushing machines to produce cattle feed and buying wheat. He drove a Ferguson T20 tractor these are very new at the time, but the farm still had to Suffolk punch horses.

John left to join the national service for two years, he came to work back with Ashbee’s, but there was a need to earn more money, unfortunately John left  a job that he really enjoyed. He dated and married Maisie, who was initially the ice cream Saturday girl; then he started his married life together, moving to Brightlingsea.

Today John enjoys gardening, and has a lifelong interest in aviation. He has flown in Concorde over the Bay Biscay and to America.

Philip Ainsley was in conversation with John back in 2018