Update : Waldersea's On Fire

Towards the end of May, the track gang moved on to Waldersea to do a spot of Maintainence. With weed season in full flow, the track at Waldersea, and its surroundings where starting to look a bit on the bushy side.

As can be seen above, the weeds are now itching over the track once again, and it was time for action. The team got to work and within a short while the track was looking clear again.

Work then moved on to look at Waldersea sidings which was being overun by weeds. Only a couple of weeks before hand, the same shot below would have been almost clear of weeds.

So the gang got to work....

They say there is no smoke without fire....

and you can see the group is starting to make good progress with the clearing of weeds here.

If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. Working on the track is always a  good laugh and an excellent way to meet new people with similar interests. The team meet most Wednesdays and Sundays on the track, so if you are interested, please get in touch. E-mail bramley_line@yahoo.com

Coldham Track Clearing

Over the last few weeks, much work has been going on to clear some of the new weeds coming through next to Coldham Level Crossing. This is the track which has been cleared. While it is not a lot, some work has gone into doing this without using chemicals.

To allow us to clear properly, the gates where opened, and closed where road traffic came along.

A fair bit of grass had also built up infront of the Level Crossing.

So, Brian set about giving Blood Sweat and tears to work on the grass...

Then decided that the gates post needed holding up...

and then, the job was done...

After a bit of reflection, the team headed to Waldersea and noticed the road painters have been out...

If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. We need help with all sorts of things, not just trackwork. We need people to help with Fundraising and are looking to set up and Ebay Team. If your interested, please get in touch. E-mail us at bramley_line@yahoo.com

More Sunday work at Waldersea

On Sunday, April 11th, the team where back at Waldersea working on fencing again. The day started by finishing off the bits where we started last Sunday. Brian, still enjoying his retirement, is digging for treasure...

Treating us all to a view of his rear end, no doubt a gesture to his co workers who doubted his ability to find some treasure, Brian comes up with the goods....

Well, it wasn't a treasure box full of money for the Bramley Line!. But he did find two big posts to go in the holes to attach the new fencing too!

With the help of two new volunteers, new fencing was put built up and put in place.

Another photo of the fencing being put in place...

At the end of the day, looking at Waldersea from a distance, all the new fencing and repainted gates really make it look like a looked after railway again. Now all thats missing is the Signal Box and a BR Green Heritage DMU instead of an Astra car......

All this work goes on with the help of volunteers. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch. The more volunteers we have, the more we can do. E-mail us at bramley_line@yahoo.com

More Fencing at Waldersea

Over the last few weeks, as you may be aware, there have been a number of changes within the group. The group continue to meet most Sundays and some mid week days. With the summer months approaching, we are hoping to get a lot of work done in the near future.

Work recently has concentrated at Waldersea, where we have continued to clean up the fencing in the area. Another extention was being build last Sunday and the photos are shown below.

This photo shows the poor wire fencing which is currently provided. First of all, the first hole was dug for the post and then the post was put in before the fencing panels nailed on. As you can see, our old chairman is enjoying an easy life in his retirement, holding the fence up.

By the end of the day, the fencing is taking shape and making its way towards Friday Bridge.

Our aims with the fencing is to make the railway two things. 1) More Presentable to the Public using the Level Crossings and 2) More Secure from Tresspassers. If you would like to get involved in helping improve the railway, and doing work towards getting the line up and running, please get in touch at bramley_line@yahoo.com. The team are out most Sundays and some Mid Week days.

Coldham Level Crossing gates

On Wednesday, March 10th the group where back out to carry on with the works to improve the look of the crossing at Coldham. In the weeks leading up to the Sponsored Walk, the group cleared a lot of vegetation around the crossing.

The day started by Sanding down the crossing gates. During this time we spoke to a number of local people. This is how the gate looked before the work started.

After the work today, which was only to the gate, March side, the gate now looks like this

The view looking from the other side

This gate will probably need another coat before it is finished. It will then be given a Red Target again. Similar work will be carried out on the Wisbech side gate on Sunday, March 14th.

The Bramley Line is always looking for new members and volunteers to help us improve the railway line and work towards obtaining the lease of the line and returning Heritage Rail services to the Branch. There is much work needs to be done to do this, and the more volunteers we get, the quicker and better we can get the work done. If you wish to get involved, please get in touch. bramley_line@yahoo.com

Currently, Volunteers undertake work most Sundays and Wednesdays on the line, but also attend many fundraising events, such as Model Railway Exhibitions, Car boots and other local events.

Sponsored Walk a huge success

On Sunday, March 7th, it was our first ever group organised event, a Sponsored Walk of the line by members. Weather wise, it was a lovely day, with the sun shining all day and fairly warm too.
The assembled crowd gathered at Wisbech, Weasenham Lane at 10am ready for the 10.30am departure to March. At 10.30am, our chairman gave the whistle and waved the green flag and the team departed.

The group departed at 10.30am On Time and started to make the way to March. It was interesting watching the look of the people at the Wisbech Sunday Market, as a crowd of men and women in Orange Coats walked past the market, a sight I am sure they have not seen for many years, let alone seeing a train depart.

The group then headed out of Wisbech, over the main A47 Wisbech Bypass Level Crossing and on to Redmoor Lane Level crossing and headed on to Waldersea.

With only a police helicopter to keep up company, we made a nice walk along the route to Waldersea.

Upon arrival at Waldersea, the group had a break, but we were all suprised to find a Crossing Keeper, who closed both gates to road traffic to allow us to cross. Some of use doubted if the unrefurbished gate would even open without falling apart, but it did as the two photos below show.

After some tea and a well earned rest, it was onward to Coldham. The photo below shows the group approaching Coldham, the site of the only, slight, curve on the line!

The group get to Coldham, and again the level crossing keepers do a excellent job, and close the gates to road users to allow us to cross.

No rest for the wicked, we move onwards towards Chain Bridge. The photo below shows us departing Coldham from the roadside. Would look nice with a loco and some coaches wouldn't it...

and nearly half way to chain bridge below

and making excellent time, the group approach Chain Bridge Level Crossing.

As we approached, a tresspasser was coming the other way, asked to leave the railway, when he saw the group of orange vests coming, he did so, but wasn't very happy about it. Over the bridge and far away, we continued on our way to the finish line.

and as they say, thats a wrap. The group arrived complete safe and well back at March Elm Road Level Crossing at 13.50 hours.

The organisers, the management team and everyone at the Bramley Line would like to thank those who took part and sponsored someone in the walk. Please get your sponsorship money to your sponsor as soon as possible. Everyone who attended the walk had a good enjoyable day, and it was an excellent chance for the group to do something different, and raise money and awareness of our cause.

You can still sponsor those who participated in the walk , by sending Cheques/ Postal Orders made payable to "Bramley Line Appeal Fund" to:

Bramley Line Sponsored Walk
Bramley Line,
Room 9, Old Bank Chambers,
Dartford Road,

March, PE15 8AQ

The group are also organising other fundraising events this year, details can be found here

The team will be back working this Wednesday, March 10th at Coldham. If you would like to join or get involved, please get in touch. E-mail us bramley_line@yahoo.com

Elm Road Revisited

On Wednesday, March 3rd, in preperation for this Sunday's Sponsored Walk, the mid week group visited March Elm Road, and tasked themselves with giving the fencing a coat of Gloss paint.

Above: Painting the fencing

Above: Fencing from other side of road

Now, on the right hand side you can see a shed. Someone was very curious as to what might be in that shed, so, as the Ivy was blocking the door, they decided to kick a hole in the wall!

All that to find an old chair, obviously, nothing of interest. So managed to locate 2 of the 3 panels, and fill the hole in. It would have been far eaiser just to move the Ivy, but nevermind.

Now, one of the team decided to paint the gradient marker white, and will paint in the letters in black later. The only photo I can find of it before, was back in July 2009 as shown below on the very left of the picture:

Now today, it is shown below after being painted.

It certainly makes it stand out a bit better.

This Sunday is the Sponsored Walk, so there will be no major work going on. We are hoping to raise as much money as possible, and if you have not already, please get in touch to sponsor us. We will be meeting at Weasenham Lane Level Crossing at 10am, aiming to set off at 10.30am.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE MEMBERS DOING THE WALK

Please note the railway is a dangerous place. To take part in the walk, you must be a paid member of the Bramley Line. Everyone doing the walk must wear Orange Hi-Vis Vests, in most cases, we can supply these. Please bring with you Bottled Water as you may need it.

Anyone who the organiser believes to be under the infulence of Alcohol or Drugs will be turned away and will not be able to do the walk.

It is very easy to trip up and there are many hazards. Please wear appropriate footwear.  When walking, please do not walk on the sleepers as these are very slippery. Try to walk on the stone ballast. The line has been cleared of the majority of brambles, however, some do still remain.

Everyone doing the walk must stick together. There will be a break at Waldersea.

Weather Permitting, a Members BBQ will take place at Elm Road at the end of the walk. 

Carry on Coldham

Sunday, Feb 21st brought the team back to Coldham in the snow, to finish where the mid week team had got to. The team cleared the track north of Coldham. Having finished that they set off up road towards March, and got lots clear. Again on Sunday Feb 28th, the team where working at Coldham to finish off where the left off.

From Coldham, you can now see Waldersea gates in the distance and make out the railway each side. A Warning - Do not Tresspass sign was also put up, after the gate was nailed shut at the side.

Above, Coldham Looking North 14/2/10, Below, Looking North 03/03/10

Below, Coldham Looking South

No Tresspassing sign below

Next work will be at Coldham starting in March to sand down and repaint all the fencing and gates at Coldham Level Crossing. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch at bramley_line@yahoo.com

Our new Mid Week Team start at Coldham

Our new mid week group started today, meeting initially every 2nd Wednesday, plus maybe a few more in between. We started where our Sunday Team left off at Coldham. First up was to clear the level crossing gate the March side of brambles and grass and the fencing to the sides.

This is how the fence looked back in the Summer of 2009, the brambles a very unwelcome sight coming over the fencing, and through the gates. Very unkept and shows the railway up in a particuarly bad way.

As you can see it is very wet at Coldham, but the Brambles and trees have been delt with. Over the next few months, we will be looking to Refurbish this area, sanding down and repainting the fencing and gates, replacing the Red Targets on the gate and making it look like a Railway again. Much work is needed to be done here, but we hope to get it looking as good as Waldersea this year and smarten it up.

Having finished with the gate area for now, we moved onto the slog that was clearing a walkway through the Brambles north of the Level Crossing. This is how it looked when we started on Sunday

and after much cutting and hacking back the brambles between our team, it finished looking like this

Ok, so the grass in the four foot makes it look bad, but there has been a huge amount of Brambles cleared. We have only concentrated on the track area for the time being because we are clearing a path for the Sponsored Walk on Sunday, March 7th. We started at the crossing itself and where soon making good headway through the Brambles. Below our Chairman rakes some of the cut brambles away.

Not long after this, we needed a break. We got discussing the old gents toilet block which is still there, burried among trees and brambles south of Coldham station. So, we decided to pay a visit to it. Inside we found a cut down tree and some brambles which were dumped in there sometime ago. Nothing else.

Now, we found on the office computer this photo, taken back in 2005/6.

and also this photo of Coldham before Closure. The gents toilet block can clearly be seen on the left hand side of the photo.

Anyway, enough of this larking about in the gents toilets! People will talk. Onward and northward, we got back to work and as we got near the end the progress looked good. Shame about the orangemen.

The group is again working this Sunday at Coldham from 9.30am onwards. Work continues to complete the vegetation clearence work at Coldham. If you want to get involved, please get in touch. The more people we have volunteering, the quicker a lot of work can get done. Details of membership can be found here, and you can E-mail us at bramley_line@yahoo.com to get involved.

One last note of the day, Our chairman tries to recruit a young horse to the track clearing team, in the hope she will eat all the grass on the line.