Tracks to the Trenches - 13-15th May 2016 (& Driver-Ex dates)

Just a short note to let you know that the newly created “Tracks to the Trenches” Driver experience course dates for 2016 have been released.
This unique “day in the life” of a WW1 light railway operating company driver (footplate experience course) uses much of our large historic collection of (British, French and US) WW1 railway engines and rolling stock. Delivered in a special presentation gift pack, the voucher has a validity of 18 months, with the actual course date to be selected and booked directly by the recipient. With Christmas just around the corner, is this a perfect present for those difficult people who already have everything!?

Please see http://www.ww1-event.org/driver-experience-course for more details!

In other news, plans are developing well for the next "Tracks to the Trenches" WW1 Centenary Event - 13-15th May 2016. Please keep watching the main website - we are always keen to receive offers of WW1 exhibits and assistance!
Tracks to the Trenches | WW1 event 13-15th May | Narrow Gauge Railway & Horses | Family day out | Staffordshire

 

In a forgetful moment, I omitted to post the latest press release from Tracks to the Trenches 2016.....

Moseley Railway Trust announces visiting engines for Tracks to the Trenches 2016 – May 13-15 2016

The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to announce the details of the first two visiting steam locomotives for the Tracks to the Trenches 2016 military railways event.

Coming from its normal base at the West Lancashire Light Railway is Kerr, Stuart No.2405, built in 1915. This locomotive is the oldest survivor of the type known as the Joffres and the loco carries that name. The type is named after Marshal Joffre – known as Papa – one of the key leaders of the French military effort, especially in the early part of the conflict.

This visit will re-unite this locomotive with the Joffre-class locomotive resident at Apedale, No.3014. The Moseley Railway Trust is very grateful to the owners of Kerr, Stuart 2405 for their assistance and support in facilitating their locomotive’s attendance at Tracks to the Trenches.

Making a very welcome return visit to Apedale is Hudswell, Clarke no. 1643. Although built after the end of World War One – in 1930 – it is of the same design as the “G” class Hudswell steam locos which saw considerable military service. Again, there is an Apedale home-fleet loco of the same design – no.1238 of 1916 – and every opportunity will be taken to pair these twins together. We wish to express our thanks to Graham Lee, Henry Noon and the team at the Statfold Barn Railway for making this locomotive available.

Sadly, however, the War Office Locomotive Trust’s Hunslet 4-6-0 locomotive no. 1215 of 1916 will not, after all, be able to attend the event. Restoration is continuing on the locomotive, but a number of delays have been encountered – as is inevitable when restoring 100 year old machines. The owners and the Moseley Railway Trust have therefore decided that the best course of action is to ensure that the best possible restoration is carried out on the locomotive, rather than rushing to meet the May 2016 deadline.

The event organising team believe that, despite the regrettable absence of Hunslet 1215, Tracks to the Trenches 2016 is shaping up to be every bit as good as the now legendary 2014 event. It is planned that further announcements will be made in the coming months as further major visiting exhibits are confirmed.

Tracks to the Trenches 2016 will be open 12-1730 on Friday May 13 2016 and 1030-1730 on Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 May 2016. Admission prices are Adult £9, Child £4, Family (2 + 2) £20. A limited number of Access All Areas passes will be available, priced at £30. The event has a dedicated Facebook page and its own website, www.ww1-event.org. Tickets are available in advance via this website.

The Trust would be delighted to hear from potential exhibitors with suitable period vehicles or other exhibits – get in touch via the above website, or the main Trust site at www.mrt.org.uk.

 

I see TTTT2 will offer 'glamping' for visitors to stay on site:

"This year the event organisers have been able to develop a plan to allow limited numbers of people to be part of the event for the weekend. Instead of staying in a motel or Travelodge (hotel room only), why not spend a night or two in a First World War tent? This is not only an experience to be remembered, but should be cost effective too!

The “Glamping” package includes;

Option to stay both on Friday 13th AND Saturday 14th May 2016
All weekend “Access All Areas” passes (valued at £30 per day per person) for all occupants
Pre-prepared WW1 style Tents with traditional camp bed
Use of Showers/toilets onsite
Access to after hours entertainment.
What more could you want! Just bring a sleeping bag & any food (although food/drink is available on-site separately)….

The offer is currently provided on a “per tent” basis – although if there is demand, we may be able to provide a “per-bed” communal tent too. These large (approx. 14’ ridge or bell) tents can easily accommodate 4 to 5 people on the camp beds.

For the weekend (yours on the Friday & Saturday nights) inclusive of all passes for those resident in the tent, the costs are:

The cost per tent based on 2 people sharing is £200
The cost per tent based on 4 people sharing is £350"

Details here.

I have to admit, if I wasn't already sorted for accommodation, this would be a splendid was to get 'embedded' in the event and experience life as a soldier! This year's event is not to be missed, especially for those with and equestrian or vehicular bent.

Foxy

 

Are being shot at, bombed and gassed optional extras? Maybe trench foot?

Seriously though, good luck with it, who'd have thought 25 years ago that we could do this?

Mike

 

Don't think so but you will be allowed to pack up your troubles in an old kit bag.

 

It depends on who you share the tent with and their choice of refreshments.. Just as a tip avoid sharing with someone who drinks Guinness, eats pickled cabbage and misses out on soap.

 

Or snores loud enough to drown out an artillery barrage........

 

Chris, you have met my brother....... Not that I was thinking of anyone in particular...

 

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

 

I'm really sorry to bring this thread back to something approaching reality, but as you will see below, you will now have the opportunity to stand in horse poo. Applications from rose cultivators welcomed.

Press Release begins:-

The Power of the Horse:- Moseley Railway Trust celebrates £10,000 National Lottery win
The Moseley Railway Trust has received a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £10,000, it was announced today. This money will be used to develop the Trust’s interpretation of the role of the horse with both civilian industrial railways and in delivering supplies to the front lines during the First World War.


During the 1914-1918 conflict, both sides used horses not only for direct combat (cavalry regiments and the like) but also as a means of moving the huge weights of supplies which a fighting army needs to sustain itself. Light Railways were laid as a means of increasing the amount which a horse could haul, and also to spread the weight of wagons in the infamous mud of Flanders Fields and elsewhere. Frequently, supplies would be hauled by steam or petrol-powered locomotives to a point near the front lines, and then horses were often used for the last mile to the front – the so-called Trench Tramways. Using the Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the Moseley Railway Trust will replicate these operations and demonstrate them to visitors.


Thanks to National Lottery players, the Trust will now be able to fulfil two key objectives. Firstly, it will enhance the displays which will be available to the public at the forthcoming Tracks to the Trenches 2016 event at the Trust’s Apedale Valley Light Railway site. During this event, part of Staffordshire is transformed into the Western Front in 1916 – including a replica trench for visitors to experience. The event will include displays of working horses, mules and horse-drawn vehicles. This event takes place on May 13, 14 and 15 2016, and further details can be obtained from www.ww1-event.org.


Secondly, the grant will allow permanent improvements to the facilities and exhibits at Apedale. These will be constructed by volunteers at the Apedale Valley Light Railway, and will include an extension to the existing demonstration railway and an interpretative panel. These will further enhance the Industrial Railway Trail which was initially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014. A Trench Tramway wagon will also be constructed – these vehicles were hauled by horses on the very lightly-built railways which spanned the vital last yards to reach the troops fighting at the front.


Commenting on the award, Phil Robinson, Moseley Railway Trust Chairman said “We are once again delighted that the HLF have rewarded the efforts which our dedicated team of volunteers have made. Working with the HLF, this grant will not only transform the Tracks to the Trenches event in May 2016, but also allow permanent improvements to the visitor facilities at Apedale. We are very grateful to HLF for their continued support”.


Vanessa Harbar, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already invested more than £70million in projects – large and small - that are marking this Centenary. Our small grants programme is enabling even more communities like those involved in The Power of the Horse to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”


The Moseley Railway Trust is a registered charity. It exists to preserve, conserve and interpret narrow gauge railway locomotives and other artefacts. This work is carried out at the Apedale site by a team of volunteers. The volunteers are a very diverse group of all ages and backgrounds – the Trust prides itself on having an active group of younger members, who are able to learn genuine skills as they carry out work on the site. The Trust arrived on the Apedale site in 2006, and opened a passenger carrying railways, known as the Apedale Valley Light Railway, in 2010. The key current development on site is the construction of a large museum to fully display the Trust’s collections.

 

Great news. The ex-WDLR "P" class ration wagons that survive on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway after having been used on the Nocton system after their war service still have the hooks/cleats underneath that I understand were for horse haulage? (The one that visited Apedale in 2014 retained this feature).

 

Blimey, 1914... and i thought it was just a couple of years ago!

Foxy

 

Time flies when you're having fun.

 

The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to announce the details of the steam locomotives which will be visiting the Apedale Valley Light Railway for the Tracks to the Trenches 2016 event.

In addition to the previously-announced Kerr, Stuart “Joffre” from the West Lancashire Light Railway and Hudswell Clarke 1643 from Statfold, Baldwin 44656 of 1917 will make a very welcome return visit from its normal base at the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway.

Owned by the Greensand Railway Museum Trust, the Baldwin – No.778 – has just completed a major winter overhaul. These locomotives were supplied en-masse from their American builder to the British War Department from 1917 onwards, eventually totalling nearly 500 by 1918. They were the most common steam locomotive operated by the War Department Light Railways during World War One. After the War, No.778 was one of a batch of 50 locomotives identified for further service on the North West Frontier between India (now Pakistan) and Afghanistan. By the early 1970s, this war veteran had been re-discovered at an Indian sugar works by adventurous British railway enthusiasts. In March 1985, the loco returned to the UK. After a major restoration project, No. 778 was finally launched into public service in August 2007. 2014 saw No.778 star at the Tracks to the Trenches event at Apedale before withdrawal for a boiler overhaul. This has been completed in double-quick time – a testimony to the quality of the original restoration.

Phil Robinson, the Chairman of the Moseley Railway Trust, said “The Baldwin No.778 was a hit with our visitors at the 2014 Tracks to the Trenches event, and we very much look forward to a repeat performance in 2016!”

Additionally to the visiting steam locomotives, various visiting internal combustion locomotives will be at Apedale for the event, complementing the extensive collection of War Department Light Railway material which is resident on site. All of these will be operated in an authentic environment, moving supplies to a re-creation of a Western Front trench. Living History groups will be on site to add authenticity, as will the replica Tank which provided a backdrop to many memorable photographs in 2014.

Tracks to the Trenches 2016 will be open 1230-1730 on Friday May 13 2016 and 1030-1730 on Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 May 2016. Admission prices are Adult £9, Child £4, Family (2 + 2) £20. A limited number of Access All Areas passes will be available, priced at £30. The event has a dedicated Facebook page and its own website, www.ww1-event.org. Tickets are available in advance via this website.

The Trust would still be delighted to hear from potential exhibitors with suitable period vehicles or other exhibits – get in touch via the above website, or the main Trust site at www.mrt.org.uk.

By way of exchange, the Moseley Railway Trust’s Hudswell Clarke steam loco no.1238 will be visiting the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway’s event marking the War Department Light Railways Centenary. This event is on August 28, 29 & 31 and September 1st, 4th & 5th. This will be a return visit by Hudswell 1238, which previously visited Leighton Buzzard in 2008 prior to the locomotive being restored. This visit is particularly appropriate, because the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway had two steam locomotives of the same type as Hudswell Clarke 1238 when it first opened in 1919 – sadly, the two Leighton Buzzard locomotives were scrapped many years ago.

 

Ooops. Now edited to correct the date - I was ony 100 years out.............................

 

To be fair, Mike, it is a well know fact that time has no meaning. Especially lunchtime.

 

www.ww1-event.org

Hi All,
A short news update from the team.

Firstly a quick reminder that the Advance purchase deal (receive a free event guide) for Tracks to the Trenches tickets ends in about a weeks time - this also includes the ever popular "Access All Areas" passes. Please see the tickets page (linked here: http://ww1-event.org/tickets)

The all event (Friday - Sunday) hourly free courtesy bus service from Stoke on Trent railway station and Newcastle under Lyme is fully confirmed - more details in the "How to find us" section (linked here: http://ww1-event.org/findus)

There is frenetic site activity by our committed team at Apedale at the moment - hopefully you will all be able to enjoy the fruits of these labours in a few weeks time.....

Watch this space for further exciting developments!

www.ww1-event.org

 

Late exhibit entries entries are coming in now for Tracks to the Trenches. We are delighted to announce two real celebrity machines will be making a first-time visit to Apedale. They are the Ffestiniog Railway's 40HP Simplex (once known as Mary Ann) and Moelwyn - the UK's only surviving example of one of the Baldwin tractors which were very popular with American and Canadian forces during WW1. Being FR locos, their wheel standards are alsightly incompatible with the railway at Apedale - so they MAY be static display or very limited operation - testing will decide.

There's still just a few days to buy advance tickets. The deal is pretty good - you get to skip the queue, and get the guidebook thrown in. The guidebook is £4, and is really nice - so you get £13 worth of ticket and book for £9, and quick entry. A bargain if ever there was one. We've also still got a few Access All Areas passes left. Closing date for advance ticket sales is 1st May, so stop messing around on web forums and go to www.ww1-event.org/tickets with your credit card in hand.

 

Latest news....

Due to high demand, the advance purchase special offer has been extended through to and including Wednesday (4th May) this week. www.ww1-event.org/tickets

The latest wagon and display related news has also been added to the website: www.ww1-event.org

Watch this space for more news...

Cheers,

 

Another ex WW1 engine has arrived in non restored condition http://www.mrt.org.uk/ see under latest news 7 May. This will be your only chance to see it before restoration starts.