Dissolution of the Wardrobe Railway

It is with regret, and after much thought, that the board of the Wardrobe Railway announce that the Wardrobe Railway will cease to exist as of the 31st December 2016.

The members of the WR board have never been able to commit large amounts of time to the project which has resulted in slow and sporadic progress over the last few years.  It is clear that the project will never be completed by the current board.

The board very much hopes to be able to sell off the railway as a going concern.

Sale information

😢

First 2 Signals Completed

The Signal and Telegraph department have completed the first 2 signals for the Wardrobe Railway.  It is hoped that these signals will soon installed in their final positions.

Loco No. 3 Test Run

Whilst still far from complete, loco No. 3 (to be called 'Hannah') did leave the works over the last weekend for running in trials.  No major issues were observed and the locomotive has now returned to the works for completion.

Construction of Locomotive No. 3 Commenced

The Wardrobe Railway locomotive works has started construction of locomotive No. 3 which is to be called 'Hannah'.  Based on a Hudswell Clarke design the locomotive is of a similar size and power to No. 2 but under increasing pressure from the train drivers union, the Board have agreed to provide a covered cab on No. 3.  Crews have been complaining of getting 'wet and cold' when manning No. 2.

Some photographs of construction are included here.

Signal and Telegraph Department formed

The Signal and Telegraph department are responsible for the signalling and communication systems on the Wardrobe Railway.  Since their recent formation they have undertaken the following work:

1. Installation of point motors
2. Electrical wiring to tracks
3. Installation of first signal
4. Interlocking of points and signal

Various photos from this work can be found below.

Wiring in the 'Signal Box'

Point motor installed and wired

Signal control mechanism

The first signal installed

Signal box diagram

More Rolling Stock Enters Service

The Carriage and Wagon works of the Wardrobe Railway have out-shopped several new vehicles for use on the Wardrobe Railway.  They are shown on the following photographs.

Coach No 1 - 3rd class seating only

Coach No 2 - Brake Van / Luggage Van

Wagon No 3 - Guards Van

Wagon No 4 - Closed Van

Wagon No 5 - Open bogie wagon

Camera Train

The board of the Wardrobe Railway has invested in the latest technology to help with the training of the drivers.  The 'Camera Train' utilizes the latest advances in electronics to enable 'driver's eye views' to be recorded for later playback in the training room.

The 'Camera Train' ready to leave the station

The suppliers have informed the WR board that Blu-tak is not a 'bodge' but really is the best engineering solution to holding the camera lens at the correct angle.

And now you too can enjoy a journey along the Wardrobe Railway fro the driver's view.