HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT THE WRjc!
Over the last couple of months the WRjc have continued to play a very active role in the promotion and operation of the Weardale Railway.

Many of you may have seen the articles that have been produced in the Northern Echo and the Wear Valley Mercury. We feel that articles such as this can only continue to show the railway in a positive light.

We attended the Remembrance Service at Stanhope Church and also laid a wreath from the Junior Club in memory of those who have given their lives in various wars. Not all of the juniors attended with the WRjc but some did attend on behalf of such organisations as St John Ambulance, the Scout Association and St Thomas Church Sunday School. This was actually arranged by the junior members themselves with very little assistance from the WRjc Officers.

In order to prepare Stanhope Station for the Christmas Santa Specials the WRjc emptied two of the rooms in the main building, one room was for use as a preparation area for sorting of the gifts. The room that was the old shop was cleared out, repainted and replacement carpet tiles laid ready for use as an additional waiting room and also so that we could run a tombola stall to raise funds for the both junior club and the railway. We managed to raise £440.00

Also in November, following a bag pack at the Morrison’s store in Bishop Auckland, the WRjc was given a donation of 5 large framed prints showing Bishop Auckland Station during its operational life, two cast iron directional signs and also two locomotive head boards by the generous people of Morrisons. These were donated on the understanding that the collection will never be resold or separated. We have managed to hang two of the large prints and the head boards to date in Stanhope Station building.

We have assisted in the clearing of the track in the preparations to get the line reopened to Bishop Auckland, an event we are really looking forward to. This has involved cutting back of young trees and shrubs and also clearing weeds from the ballast between the tracks. The reason for this work is to provide clear lines of sight for the vehicles using the lines and also for such equipment as the motorised flail and our ballast regulator “Basil”.
At Christmas we have helped in the Griddle Car, cafe, shop, as Santa’s Elves and Snowmen (or persons), on board cleaning of the coaches between trains, helping to man the check in point at Wolsingham station and also as car parking attendants. As previously mentioned we also ran a tombola.

We have also been selling ex GNER glassware, a collector’s item now that the company has now been taken over. This is still available if anyone would like to buy any for yourself or as an unusual gift for that special someone in your life. If you are interested please contact Dave Million on david.million@wrjc.org.uk