This is a report from the FWLR Line from Rod's partner Anne. A couple of members know why and that's also why it is a short report with the photo's.
After a very long trip from that beautiful Russia City of Moscow I finally arrived back in the UK at a line in Lancashire called Fairy Wood Light Railway. After my long trip I was not feeling too well, must have been all that Russian Vodka...
The visit was interesting when I arrived to somewhat deserted line, I found out later that the main reason is that the line is closing, but apparently it will be opened again when a lot of finance from the Directors is used to improve the running costs...So here I go with a shorted report, but you will see the line was very informative with the photos that are shown to you.
I firstly went to the small Slate Mine, that was still working, though at a vastly reduced capacity.
- DSCN4154.JPG (494.01 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
- DSCN4155.JPG (484.09 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
The local wildlife are slightly bigger here for some reason!!
The rest of my visit consisted of meeting the line workforce, but there was some slacking going on with leaves and bicycles being left cluttering the line, plus one worker who spent an awful long time in the toilet.
- DSCN4156.JPG (466.52 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
Talking to a couple of the Permeant Way Gang
- DSCN4157.JPG (474.86 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
Mr Lazy, the engine driver, keeping up with his reputation...
- DSCN4158.JPG (484.8 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
Next I paid a visit to the station and had a chat with the relief driver waiting for Mr Lazy's coal train.
- DSCN4159.JPG (489.75 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
While I was there, I saw this chap waiting for a shoe shine boy !!!!
- DSCN4160.JPG (498.38 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
I caught the Tram to Fairy Wood Hamlet..
- DSCN4161.JPG (458.34 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
Arriving at the Hamlet, I could see why it was so untidy...
- DSCN4162.JPG (452.27 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
There was some leaves on the track and also someone had left his bicycle on it. So a call to the PWG was in order..
- DSCN4163.JPG (458.11 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
- DSCN4164.JPG (470.85 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
Next I came across another PW Gang, just about to start digging a hole for some electrics to go into a shed for them along the line.
- DSCN4165.JPG (467.51 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
After talking with the Gang outside the local garage, a couple of cars did catch me eye...
- DSCN4167.JPG (464.71 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
- DSCN4168.JPG (478.18 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
I do quite like that BRG MK2 Jaguar....
Next taking a look at the PW Crane in action about to lift some points...With me in the Cab directing the Crane Driver...
- DSCN4169.JPG (482.64 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
- DSCN4172.JPG (476.13 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
After a very long and hot day, I was contemplating going for a swim in the local pond.
- DSCN4171.JPG (472.48 KiB) Viewed 12057 times
I am now on my way to the next location hoping that the line doesn't have such lazy workforce working for it. But all in all, the line has plenty of scope and will only get better with some very hard work on it.
Hope you liked my take on our line while Rod is indisposed.