At Ropley we have created a base in the granite setts on which an interactive exhibit has now been mounted as a further informative attraction for visitors. Useful assistance was given by the loco shed staff with minor adjustment to the baseplate required before the final bolting down was achieved following delivery The exhibit takes the form of a ‘Flying Shovel’ display which is a metal replica of a fireman’s shovel loaded with coal on a pivot stand. The unit has a limited vertical swing that visitors can operate which gives some idea of the weight of coal that a fireman would have to lift into the firebox of a steam locomotive. An interpretive board will be fitted shortly to explain the exhibit and outline the amount of coal that may have to be shovelled during a trains’ journey and the scale of the fireman’s task. The exhibit is displayed near the entrance to the Education Room in a location through which visitors pass and school education visits use and will be an interesting addition to the visitor experience to the Railway.
As regards the lack of room in the workshop for larger projects relief was made by the provision of extra space in the lower yard at Medstead. This is in the form of a new- secondhand- container that has been placed in the yard to expand the Departments’ available workspace. This will greatly improve the production of materials, painting of various items and storage of larger pieces of work in progress. Full fitting out will be done in a phased process as resources permit but the unit is a great boost to the volunteers in their endeavours and use of this facility has started by the construction of the second replacement balustrade for the footbridge steps at Ropley. Whilst this continues painting of the first balustrade is taking place in the workshop itself getting ready for installation later in the year in conjunction with the second unit.
Further to the external refurbishment to the Meadstead and Four Marks signal box started a couple of years ago, work has continued onto the porch at the side of the box. The support timbers had decayed and the panelling was in need of some replacement boards. The staircase was taken down for attention in the workshop and the porch was supported by Acrow props whilst the posts were replaced. A goodly team was put on the job to move things along in order to have the box operational for train running again as soon as possible. The newly repaired staircase and balustrade was painted in the workshop and then re-erected in snowy conditions (nothing stops us) ready for the next phase. On the painting side the job has had the able assistance of the Medstead maintenance team which has helped move the job along a lot quicker. Final outside painting will take place as weather conditions permit, but should not interfere with train running operations.
Bob Brooks
