I have volunteered to write the News from Creech this time in order to give Mike a break. So if the style is no longer to your liking it’s my fault!

Where do I start? Well as reported in the last Oily Rag the point to the track extension was installed and track laid to the planned level crossing. You have probably heard of the “Thursday Gang”, a few stalwart members who turn out on Thursdays to work on whatever needs doing in order to push the Creech development towards completion – there will be more mention of these later.

Thanks to the Thursday Gang, the level crossing is now complete, concrete laid and the track joined up with the running gaps cleared of debris. This looks very professional and has already had vehicular traffic pass over it without too much ill effect (two slightly cracked corners due to a rather large Dumper), but no matter. The next task was to survey the proposed track route and determine the levels (it seems railway engine drivers don’t like hills for some reason – but no further comment). Maurice Hartnell kindly turned out one Sunday morning with his building firm’s equipment and surveyed the area. The result came as a bit of a surprise as the ground was far steeper than we first thought. A discussion followed as to whether the last track laid should be removed and an embankment put in its place. This was discounted on the grounds that a level crossing would then be out of the question so the alternative was to dig a cutting through the rising ground to even out the gradient.

At the next committee meeting a case was put forward: “we want to carry on with this extension, we are going great at the moment and do not want to pause for any reason. We want a large digger and dumper on site to excavate the cutting right to the top where the ground levels out”. This was subsequently sanctioned and if anyone now visits the far side of the site they will see it resembles the “Battle of the Somme”, with a greater than two feet deep cutting for much of the way. This will make a very interesting run for both drivers and passengers, being slightly uphill on the outward run, going out of sight around the pile of earth which is to be landscaped, then returning to the existing circle with the track at a level several feet higher than the outward journey. The Thursday Gang is still at it despite the distinct chill to the weather – I believe they deserve our thanks for their efforts.

Having sung the praises of the Thursday Gang, we must not forget that Sunday working parties are ongoing, the main task seeming to be to make sufficient “half track” (as explained in the last edition of the Oily Rag) to keep the Thursday working party with sufficient materials to do the job.

When the extended track is in place drivers will be able to choose a continuous run, starting at the existing station, down to the existing loop and thence on to the new extension. On return to the existing loop they may then opt to set the points to go round again as many times as they like before returning to the station and on to the turntable.

What is now becoming apparent is the need for suitable steaming bays to be installed and to this end ideas are now being formulated. This would seem to indicate a re-design of the hoist currently with Andy Webb at Culmhead, together with extensive works in the area between the existing loading track, the Carriage Shed and the turntable. Watch this space!

Now a slight change of emphasis. As stated in the previous article, the track from the level crossing is only in 7.25 inch gauge. This makes construction much quicker and easier and incidentally installing the third rail at a later date much quicker and easier. Only one member so far has expressed the desire for a five inch gauge facility all the way round so I would say “come on you 5 inch gauge enthusiasts think seriously about ground level running, the track will be a good challenge”. Make your thoughts known to any committee member. To reinforce this, at September’s annual Pontin’s visit three visiting five-inch gauge engines attended at Creech instead of Vivary. All three drivers said what a great day that had enjoyed and could they and perhaps some others do it again next year?

Andy

If any member with a 7 1/4” or 5” Gauge Loco would like to run his Loco at Creech when there is no public running, then he may do so on the second Tuesday evening of the month during the summer or alternatively, 'Rambo' has kindly agreed to open the track at any other time, provided that he is not otherwise committed. He can be contacted by Email through our Webmaster, or at Club Meetings or by telephone though any Committee members - telephone numbers on the inside cover of this magazine - to make arrangements.