a few historical pictures collected here.
Vision One
After many months of debate and consultation work begins. These concrete pads, shown here, were all constructed on site and actually 'poured on-site' once the location had been determined by 'our surveyor'. These were of course to support the upright piers and have continued to do so over the entire life of the track.
Vision Three
Wood work appears! Despite some fears this plan would not work, the chief designer of all things wood and or concrete was able to convince the workforce it would. Once the join had set between supports and base the wood was gently pulled to shape around the support piers and of course the plan came together and 'it worked'.
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Vision Three
Progress is taking more rapid approaches, so it may appear. This picture is at the location of the present traverser. Although the one shown was replaced fairly soon by the version now in use, constructed and donated by a member/business owner. On the top of these boards to the right hand side, there is a new track panel awaiting its fate to be fixed. NOTE also the almost empty park, tree planting and other improvements over the years has changed these views for ever.
Staines Society of Model Engineers
Vision Four
Vision Four
Vision Four
Imagine standing in the car park some 50+ years ago and looking across the park alongside Commercial Road, this was the view in those days. An almost perfectly straight line with a proposed gradient of 1/100 fell away from this point.
Vision Five
Vision Four
Vision Four
Move forward those 50+ years and the view now is of a very different nature. The trees now all seem very old and the entire park has changed in it's appearance. The proposed gradient along here has long gone due in the main to often very wet ground conditions and the tree growth.
Vision Six
Vision Four
Vision Six
Back to history. A keen gang of railway builders.
From left to right...'Concrete Roger'(Richens)..John Feeley (the chief negotiator and surveyor). Members.. John Partridge..and Jim Etheridge. Working around the section originally planned for carriage sidings but now very often unused.
Staines Society of Model Engineers
Vision Seven
Vision Seven
Vision Seven
Line up Line up, parade of locomotives forming up behind a 'Pannier Tank' locomotive owned by member John Phillips just before the grand opening parade.
Vision Eight
Vision Seven
Vision Seven
The ribbon has been cut, and we are off! Official opening run, with the 'Pannier Tank Locomotive' driven by the then Mayor of Staines a Councillor N.Galliford.
The look on his face maybe says it all....HAPPINESS.
Vision Eight
Vision Eight
Vision Eight
The ribbon has been cut, and we are off! Official opening run, with the 'Pannier Tank Locomotive' driven by the then Mayor of Staines a Councillor N.Galliford.
The look on his face maybe says it all....HAPPINESS.
Vision Nine
Vision Eight
Vision Eight
A final (at present) look at a Sunday crew supporting a member who happens to be Ron Slade one of our active members at the time, he is in the driving seat. Around him from left to right are.. Possible Ken Joslyn..Tony Williams..Bert Grennough.. John Bagg..next face name forgotten.. and Roger Richens. Just off frame John Partridge. Happy Days.
FINAL PICTURE AT PRESENT IS A COMPILATION SHOWING AN ALMOST COMPLETED TRACK. MUCH MORE WORK YET TO COME!
