BLS to return with a second tour

One week before the start of the 2007 operating season, the Branch Line Society are running a railtour which will call in again at RSR.  On 24th March, their "Ribble Restitutor" tour will visit Preston after leaving Ealing Broadway early in the morning. 

It's a welcome return of the BLS, who's last visit was only in June 2005, and we're very happy to be hosting them once more.

Please don't try to gain access to our site on that day, as we're closed to the public, but we will be re-opening one week later, when our weekend services commence, and run through until the end of September.

During the winter break, a number of key activities have been progressing at the railway, including :

• Trackwork maintenance
  • A number of switches have been replaced throughout the main line
• Carriage maintenance
  • All of the vehicles in our fleet have now had full bogie overhauls
  • RMB1839's buffet counter has now been completed in readiness for service throughout 2007
• Locomotive Restoration
  • HE3155 is taking large strides towards completion, with much of the boilerwork now being completed, whilst the chassis is now simply awaiting the boiler fitting.  It's hoped that the loco will re-enter traffic during the summer months
  • L&Y 1300 is currently in our workshop whilst overhaul work continues - the locomotive itself is due to be re-wheeled in mid-April
  • D9539's engine re-build is also progressing well
  • D2189 is also progressing, and may be on course for an engine start later in the year
  • Improvements are also being made throughout our workshop facility, with more small lifting beams being installed, together with some new large machinery to enable us to carry out most tasks "in-house"
• Museum Development
  • The buffet area is in the process of being re-developed, and this will allow us to expand the range of catering available to our visitors in 2007.  New windows have also been fitted to give a view out into the main museum hall.
  • Small displays throughout the museum are being improved
  • The final concrete walkway between two roads in the museum is being laid in advance of the season, which will complement the viewing opportunities around the museum.