Jump to content

defiant1uk

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    37

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by defiant1uk

  1. defiant1uk
    ....things are continually developing! We are very pleased to confirm the active attendance of the London Transport museum's "Battle Bus" (complete with mobile exhibition) over the Tracks to the Trenches weekend! The B-type, developed by the London General Omnibus Company (LGOC), was the first successful mass-produced motor bus. Introduced in 1910, it was designed and built in London. LGOC’s horse-drawn bus fleet was replaced by motor buses in a relatively short time. By 1913 there were 2,500 B-type buses in service, each carrying 340,000 passengers per year along 600 miles of busy roads in and around London. Soon into the FWW, many were requisitioned to assist with troop transport to the frontline areas.
  2. defiant1uk
    until
    www.ww1-event.org It's been a while since we posted anything about the Finale' of the "Tracks to the Trenches" First World War Centenary Events in Staffordshire! 13-15th July 2018. The event is coming together well & we have an array of WW1 vehicles attending over the weekend - as with 2016 we should have the RLC GS wagon and the privately preserved 18lb Field gun & limber. Both these will be on active displays during the event. The gun should be firing (blanks) at times during the weekend. In addition, on the Light Railway, we will be debuting the British WD Light Railway Hunslet 4-6-0T - an original 1916 War Office steam loco which (as I write this) is undergoing its first steaming trials. This loco saw post-war use in Australia hauling sugarcane in Queensland & is now the only one of its type in Europe. This will be in action alongside the famous Baldwin 4-6-0T (also operated by the British Army in vast quantities), WD Hudswell 0-6-0WT and a wide variety of original WW1 rollingstock - a sight unlikely to be repeated for a very long time. If anyone is interested in attending with vehicles please contact me via the forum or the event website: www.ww1-event.org Many thanks,
  3. defiant1uk
    Hi all, www.ww1-event.org It's been a while since we posted anything about the Finale' of the "Tracks to the Trenches" First World War Centenary Events in Staffordshire - 2 weekends to go! 13-15th July 2018. The event is coming together well & we have an array of WW1 vehicles attending over the weekend - as with 2016 we should have the RLC GS wagon and the privately preserved 18lb Field gun & limber. Both these will be on active displays during the event. The gun should be firing (blanks) at times during the weekend. In addition, on the Light Railway, we will be debuting the British WD Light Railway Hunslet 4-6-0T - an original 1916 War Office steam loco which (as I write this) is undergoing its first steaming trials. This loco saw post-war use in Australia hauling sugarcane in Queensland & is now the only one of its type in Europe. This will be in action alongside the famous Baldwin 4-6-0T (also operated by the British Army in vast quantities), WD Hudswell 0-6-0WT and a wide variety of original WW1 rollingstock - a sight unlikely to be repeated for a very long time. If anyone is interested in attending with vehicles please contact me via the forum or the event website: www.ww1-event.org Many thanks,
  4. defiant1uk
    Dear All, This is just a little advance notice & hopefully to put the date in your diaries for Tracks to the Trenches #3 at Apedale, Staffordshire, UK. 13-15th July 2018 At the moment we are still shaping the event format - but we hope to build on our successful 2014 and 2016 events & deliver our fitting end to the First World War Centenary. This may be the last "Tracks to the Trenches" event in this format. Please see www.ww1-event.org - this should be updated as we start to progress the event further. At this very early stage we would be keen to establish further contact with interested vehicle owners and exhibitors of other related items/equipment. Best regards, Gareth
  5. defiant1uk
    Hi Bob - yes, there is disable parking right near the heritage Centre. The problem is that this car park is shared with the country park. We can't stop locals who are not visiting the event parking there. I suspect when your friends visited these car parks were full. Our marshals are briefed to prioritise disable vehicles when they see them/are told - although we appreciate that it may not seem like it when we have to invoke contingency plans though. cheers
  6. defiant1uk
    Many thanks for the positive comments. Regarding the car parking: this is always a headache for any event organiser. Unfortunately we had to invoke Plan B when the access to the main field carpark became dangerous. Parking along the access road is a last resort. Sorry for any inconvenience to anyone, but our carpark marshals have a very challenging and thankless task to do in stressful circumstances. Cheers,
  7. defiant1uk
    Dear All, The Tracks to the Trenches event is shaping up well and we have recently been able to add the WD Foden Steam lorry (kindly provided by Mike Wilkinson, Edward Atkinson and Graham Townsend), the GS Wagon and horses from Deepcut Barracks and a fully restored WW1 Field gun on its first outing - plus much more! Unfortunately, both Steve Gosling's Dennis lorry and the Lest we Forget replica tank have had to withdraw for different technical reasons. With many and various new/visiting WW1 locomotives and pieces of rolling stock, it promises to be another memorable weekend! Did we mention? - it is this coming weekend!! Please keep watching www.ww1-event.org for more details.
  8. defiant1uk
    Latest news We are pleased to confirm that the Tracks to the Trenches event (& the site) has received a great boost thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This money will be used to develop the Trust’s interpretation of the role of the horse with both civilian industrial railways and in delivering supplies to the front lines during the First World War - from cavalry through to GS wagons. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Trust will now be able to fulfil two key objectives. Firstly, it will enhance the displays which will be available to the public at the forthcoming Tracks to the Trenches 2016 event at the Trust’s Apedale Valley Light Railway site. During this event, a small part of Staffordshire is transformed into the Western Front in 1916 – including a replica trench for visitors to experience. The event will include displays of working horses, pack animals and horse-drawn vehicles. This event takes place on May 13, 14 and 15 2016, and further details can be obtained from this website. Further info on www.ww1-event.org
  9. defiant1uk
    Hi All, Just a brief note to keep you up to date on the developments around our 2nd First World War centenary event. 13-15th May 2016 in North Staffordshire. As we are counting down the days (worryingly less than 70 now!), the event website (www.ww1-event.org) is being updated regularly with news about the event. The event team will be pleased to make contact with anyone else who is interested to participate in the event with other vehicles and exhibits. Many thanks!
  10. defiant1uk
    Not quite sure where to post this - hopefully here is acceptable as it is WW1 military railway equipment and not-for-profit organisation? Just a short note to let you know that the newly created “Tracks to the Trenches” Driver experience course dates for 2016 have been released. This unique “day in the life” of a WW1 light railway operating company driver (footplate experience course) uses much of our large historic collection of (British, French and US) WW1 railway engines and rolling stock. Delivered in a special presentation gift pack, the voucher has a validity of 18 months, with the actual course date to be selected and booked directly by the recipient. With Christmas just around the corner, is this a perfect present for those difficult people who already have everything!? Please see http://www.ww1-event.org/driver-experience-course for more details! In other news, plans are developing well for the next "Tracks to the Trenches" WW1 Centenary Event - 13-15th May 2016. Please keep watching the main website - we are always keen to receive offers of WW1 exhibits and assistance! Tracks to the Trenches | WW1 event 13-15th May | Narrow Gauge Railway & Horses | Family day out | Staffordshire
  11. defiant1uk
    Just a quick reminder that this weekend (7/8th November) is the end-of-season Military Memories event at Apedale. This presents a rare chance to see the WW1 Joffre loco (KS3014) in steam at its home railway this year, the Hudswell 0-6-0WT loco will be in steam too, shed visits, the trench tramway operating, Gordon Highlanders Living history group manning the trench and various diesels in use on military trains (representing all periods from WW1 through to the present day). The Heritage centre café will no doubt be doing a roaring trade in delicious hot savoury Oatcakes (a local speciality) too! Let’s face it, there’s not much else to do at this time of year. More details at http://www.avlr.org.uk
  12. defiant1uk
    Hi Chevpol, its ok to turn up on the day - but if you can present the form on arrival (or fill one out at the time) it would be appreciated please. Many thanks,
  13. defiant1uk
    Sorry should have added: Event poster attached. AVLR_military_memories2015.pdf The site (Loomer Road - ST5 7LB) is 12mins in a car from Jct 16, M6 or 20mins from Stoke on Trent city centre. Cheers
  14. defiant1uk
    Hi All, Just to let you know that the last event of the season (with the exception of Santa trains!) at the Apedale Valley Light Railway (www.avlr.org.uk) is the "Military Memories" weekend - 7/8th November from 11:30 to 4pm each day. It is planned to operate demonstration First World War, Second World War and Cold War era trains during the weekend over the whole site. In addition the ever popular Trench will be open, staffed by members from the Gordon Highlanders living History group - who will enact various scenarios dueing the weekend. Passenger trains will be running and the adjacent heritage centre will be open - with the all important cafe serving up the local Staffordshire delicasy of Oatcakes. Vintage and Classic military vehicles are welcome to attend - attached is the entry form for anyone interested. Please feel free to roll up on the day! [ATTACH]109065[/ATTACH] Many thanks,
  15. defiant1uk
    www.ww1-event.org Following on from the great success of the "Tracks to the Trenches" event at the Apedale Valley Light Railway in 2014, it gives us great pleasure to announce that the event is to be repeated and developed in 2016 and 2018. Attracting over 3000 visitors from across the UK and Europe, the 2014 event also received much praise and acclaim. In a departure to previous large events, the main galas at Apedale have now moved to the 2nd weekend in May each year. 2016 (TTTT 2) – a 3 day event from 13-15th May 2016. A very similar format to the 2014 event (TTTT 1); with photo-charters being arranged in advance of the event weekend, evening photo-shoots during the event, access all areas passes, an emphasis on Schools/Group visit packages, plus much more! 2018 (TTTT 3) – a 4 day World War 1 centenary event from 10th – 13th May 2018. Currently anticipated as really special year. Further details to be confirmed shortly, but hopefully developing on from TTTT1 and 2. Please keep the dates in your diaries & watch the event website for exciting developments! The organisers would like to invite any interested exhibitors or traders to contact us through this forum or through the event website – we would be pleased to hear from you! www.ww1-event.org
  16. defiant1uk
    Dear All, Just a quick note to let you all know about a new venture unveiled last weekend – Tracks to the Trenches - the driver experience course. More details are currently available on the Tracks to the Trenches website – www.ww1-event.org This is a premium course (priced at similar level to others on the market) which is hoped to help us raise much needed funds towards our events and continued site developments. Tracks to the Trenches #2 (2016) is well into the planning phase - entry forms will shortly be uploaded to the event website. I have also attached the form here too. It would be great to see some of your historic vehicles alongside our own first world war equipment and the living history camp! Best wishes, TTTT2 vehicle entry form 2016.pdf
  17. defiant1uk
    It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the highly acclaimed “Tracks to the Trenches” (TTTT) is set to be developed and repeated in 2016 (TTTT 2) and 2018* (TTTT 3). In line with recently announced schedules, these events are now being planned for May in their respective years. 2016 (TTTT 2) – a 3 day event from 13-15th May 2016. A very similar format to the 2014 event (TTTT 1); with photo-charters being arranged in advance of the event weekend, evening photo-shoots during the event, access all areas passes, an emphasis on Schools/Group visit packages, plus much more! The 2017 event (13-14th May) is again planned to be a smaller event, specifically looking at Kerr Stuart locomotives and celebrating the Centenary of our flagship engine “Stanhope” – but it is still hoped to maintain a WW1 presence in the Trench area. 2018* (TTTT 3) – a 4 day World War 1 centenary event from 10th – 13th May 2018. Currently anticipated as really special year. Further details to be confirmed shortly, but hopefully developing on from TTTT1 and 2. Please keep the dates in your diaries! The organisers would like to invite any interested exhibitors or traders to contact us through the www.ww1-event.org website – we would be pleased to hear from you! Entry forms etc will start to be released shortly. * Subject to final confirmation
  18. defiant1uk
    Thanks for your comments about"Tracks to the Trenches". Now that we have been able to recover from the 2014 event, thoughts have indeed turned to the next few years. The Western Front Association assisted trench system is remaining in place throughout the centenary period - to be open on the main steam weekends through 2015. Remembrance weekend will also be marked - with military rail equipment from all periods being demonstrated. "Tracks to the Trenches" will be repeated in a couple of variants: 2016 - Date is likely to be 3rd Weekend in May (20th-22nd) including the Friday. Generally similar to 2014, it will be marking the centary of several of the resident 1916 built steam locos - hopefully it will benefit from further permanent site developments. 2018 - Date TBC. This will be a BIG one to mark the end of the Centenary period in a fitting manner. Any feedback about dates, event content, contacts, interesting stuff, etc, etc are always welcomed!
  19. defiant1uk
    www.ww1-event.org Yet more arrivals from all corners of the UK (& France indirectly) - Vale of Rheidol, Deepest Derbyshire, Statfold and Leighton Buzzard. The booked RAILWAY line-up is nearly complete for Tracks to the Trenches. But will there be any last-minute surprise extras? There's only one way for you to find out!! ROAD VEHICLES, TANK and LIVING HISTORY displays start arriving today!! www.ww1-event.org
  20. defiant1uk
    www.ww1-event.org Yet more arrivals from all corners of the UK (& France indirectly) - Vale of Rheidol, Deepest Derbyshire, Statfold and Leighton Buzzard. The booked RAILWAY line-up is nearly complete for Tracks to the Trenches. But will there be any last-minute surprise extras? There's only one way for you to find out!! ROAD VEHICLES, TANK and LIVING HISTORY displays start arriving today!! www.ww1-event.org
  21. defiant1uk
    As we are getting closer to the Centenary event, developments are really starting to speed up! In the last couple of weeks, BBC has screened a 5 part series called "Railways of the Great War" - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04dbrkp/railways-of-the-great-war-with-michael-portillo-1-a-railway-war-begins Some of our collection features in the 3rd episode, giving you a flavour of what is to come next month.... The advance ticket purchase facility is remaining live until 1st September - advance purchases benefit from a free copy of the event guide. Everything is coming together very well - with much new railway constructed and a replica section of trench network. A download-able FREE "Educational Pack" is also available for download directly from the event website. The event website (www.ww1-event.org) is being regularly updated - under the "Event Attractions" tab, we are showing the current status of visiting locos, equipment, groups etc. This is looking set to be the biggest gathering of WW1 railway equipment for a very long time. In addition to the locomotives, there are many WW1 railway wagons that will be in attendance. See you there? Only ~1 month to go! Cheers,
  22. defiant1uk
    I could be wrong, but my understanding is that this is an original armoured car chassis - the vehicle having been used on the Duke's estate, but gradually loosing its armour over the years. The car was restored relatively recently by a specialist company in the Cheshire area. cheers,
  23. defiant1uk
    Following hot on the heels of the latest special railway vehicle, we are please to announce a rather special Rolls Royce attending the event too! More details at: http://www.ww1-event.org Cheers
  24. defiant1uk
    Hi All, It may be of interest that we have just welcomed the arrival of a rather large "Pechot" French railway wagon, intended as a companion for our resident French Artillery railways 60cm gauge WW1 “Joffre” steam loco. This type of equipment was already approximately 25years old by the start of the Great War, but it was used to great effect by the French, British and even the Germans (captured material) throughout the conflict. Some French forts were still using original Pechot vehicles until relatively recently. This wagon is now, by some margin, the oldest railway vehicle in the collection – dating from 1888 or 1889, depending on where you look. More details on the event website: www.ww1-event.org
  25. defiant1uk
    Sorry guys - we found out our webhost "upgraded" their software last week, which then caused a total collapse of our site. Very helpful!! The site is live again & it will be updated properly shortly. Cheers,
×
×
  • Create New...