As no doubt you all know, 'Gazelle' and the K&ESR pump trolley are goung to York to take part in the NRM's Railfest bonanza from 2-10 June this year. There will be a stand there to represent the Colonel Stephens Museum, the KESR and the Colonel Stephens Society. This will be a first-rate publicity opportunity for all three organisations.
Free entry to Railfest (the Museum itself is free to all visitors, but eEntry to Railfest will cost up to £15), and luncheon vouchers for use in the refreshment room are promised for volunteers.
At least two volunteer attendants are needed each day. Brian Janes is coordinating the 'Gazelle' display. He reports that response to his call for volunteers has been good so far, but the roster is a little thin on Wednesday 6th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June.
If you can help, please contact Brian at: bjanes@btinternet.com
If you want to know more about Railfest, visit www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012
or see @steam Railway' 400, March 2012, p.12.
Ross Shimmon
Editor, 'The Colonel'
Colonel Stephens Society
This is just a reminder that those planning to join us for the Colonel Stephens
Society's Members' Weekend on 18-20 May, need to return their booking form and
money to Nigel Bird by Monday 2nd April. The form was enclosed with the latest
issue of 'The Colonel' (106).
Apart from the Society's AGM, the following events are planned:
** An open-top bus return trip to Caernarfon, timed so that we can some of the
WHR trains
** A visit to the Festiniog Railway Company archives at Caernarfon
** Return trips on both the FR and WHR, with a special, exclusive, chartered
train on the FR - a first for the CSS
** Guided tour of Boston Lodge Works - a real privilege
** Railale festival at Dinas
** Social evenings in Spooner's Bar
This promises to be our best-ever Members' Weekend - not to be missed!
Ross Shimmon
Editor
'The Colonel'
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Fancy travelling on our own CHARTER TRAIN on The Ffestiniog Railway on May 19th ?
Through the kind offices of The Ffestiniog Railway, we have the chance to hire OUR OWN TRAIN on May 19th 2012 (after the AGM).
They have offered to provide Colonel Stephens Era stock, hopefully including a bug box or two and a period locomotive (Probably Palmeston) for a full trip Porthmadog Harbour Station to Blaenau Ffestiniog and return.
This is a real chance for members to enjoy a special one off event, with other CSS members and may never be repeated.
Upon our return to Porthmadog a visit around Boston Lodge works has been arranged, in itself quite a rare opportunity in this day and age.
The cost of hiring this train is something like £2000, and whilst your society is prepared to contribute some funds, we would like to cover the total cost if possible from members etc. by way of fares and donations.
The MINIMUM fare per passenger for CSS MEMBERS is £25 (no reduction for FR or WHR members as this is a charter train) OR £30 for non CSS members this will include the full round trip and visit to Boston Lodge Works.
HOWEVER we will need additional donations above the £25. Even an extra fiver will help cover the costs. To that end we are offering:-
Donate £100 and get a FREE seat in whatever vehicle you wish to travel in, plus an unframed print of our 2011 Christmas Card (two England engines at Beddgelert).
Donate £200 and get TWO FREE seats in whatever vehicle you wish to travel in. Plus a framed print of our 2011 Christmas Card (two England engines at Beddgelert).
Donate £500 or more and get TWO FREE seats on BOTH the FR charter train and the WHR service train the following day, a framed print of our 2011 Christmas Card (two England engines at Beddgelert), and also dinner for two paid for (upto £20 per person) on the Saturday Night at Spooners Bar.
Now I know you are all rushing for your cheque books, well the other good news is that NO CHEQUES WILL BE BANKED UNTIL AFTER 1st MARCH 2012, just to ease your cash flow over Christmas.
In the event of the train not running through lack of support all cheques will be returned shortly after 1st March 2012 and I will reserve a carriage on a service train for members. The journey will be the same but not half as special!
ALL CHEQUES MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO
THE COLONEL STEPHENS SOCIETY
and must reach me
NO LATER THAN 15th JANUARY 2012 SO I CAN GET THE TRAIN BOOKED.
(A booking form for the open top bus trip (Friday) and the Welsh Highland Round trip on the Sunday, will be included in the March issue of The Colonel.)
I look forward to your support and meeting you in May.
Please complete and return the following with your cheque MINIMUM £25 PER PERSON IF CSS MEMBER OR £30 PER NON CSS MEMBER (Payable to the Colonel Stephens Society) to:-
Nigel Bird (CSS)
Bryn Hir
Llwynygroes
TREGARON
Ceredigion
SY25 6PY
Tel 01974 821281
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