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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 20:56 #1519 | |
welshdragon
315 posts |
So, I've been given free reign to plan a visit somewhere railway - related. and wondered how many of you would be interested in coming for a jolly around the Crewe Heritage Centre (http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/) especially to have a look at their signal boxes! (http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/signal-boxes/). I'll contact the centre and see if a few of us can be 'let loose' on one of the boxes. but it's a possibility they may decline. As the Centre closes early I'll look at a few pubs, however, as this is an unofficial meet it won't be as planned, so pleas don't expect the visit to revolve around Simsig, it's mainly so we can get to see inside the 'box'. Date Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 20:56 #10307 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
So, I've been given free reign to plan a visit somewhere railway - related. and wondered how many of you would be interested in coming for a jolly around the Crewe Heritage Centre (http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/) especially to have a look at their signal boxes! (http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/signal-boxes/). I'll contact the centre and see if a few of us can be 'let loose' on one of the boxes. but it's a possibility they may decline. As the Centre closes early I'll look at a few pubs, however, as this is an unofficial meet it won't be as planned, so pleas don't expect the visit to revolve around Simsig, it's mainly so we can get to see inside the 'box'. Date Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 21:19 #10309 | |
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ipswich
247 posts |
im not sure but good idea
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 21:28 #10310 | |
Meld
1098 posts |
welshdragon said:Hmmm could prove to be a popular day out http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/special-events/rail-ale-festival-weekend/  
Passed the age to be doing 'Spoon Feeding' !!! Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 21:33 #10311 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
Hehe, I hadn't realised i'd timed that for when there'd be Real Ale! :P We'll have to hold back Chris!!! Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 21:42 #10312 | |
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Adrian the Rock
111 posts |
If we're planning a group visit, it might well be worth contacting the Exeter West Group first and giving them some advanced warning (email address on their website). I expect they'll welcome our interest. The latest EWG newsletter includes an interesting article about their computer simulator, which has some obvious parallels with SimSig as well as some obvious differences. Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 21:48 #10315 | |
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UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Sounds like a great idea but it is definitely not a good idea to want to do this on 28th August, especially with that Rail Ale Festival Weekend going on too. Also may want to watch out arranging this over the weekend as it's likely to be busy then with families and others visiting. I note from the bottom of their website's homepage it says; Quote: The Centre is open at Weekends and Bank Holidaysso I would wonder why a weekday visit couldn't be arranged - although it'd possibly require a minimum amount of people to attend so that 'The Manager' can have a justified reason for allowing us to visit on a weekday. Anyway, I'd be up for this and hopefully there would be enough warning of the date for this so that I could book advance tickets at a reasonable price. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 22:05 #10316 | |
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deanbean10
36 posts |
I would defo go!
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 28/07/2010 at 22:08 #10317 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
Hmm, I'd picked a weekend as usually people work during the week (and official meets are usually at weekends). Does anybody have any preferences for a weekday/weekend meet? Thanks for the tips guys, I'll get emailing soon, Is everybody ok if i look at the week commencing August 22nd for the unofficial meet? Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 02:43 #10318 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
For being let loose in a box, Exeter West is your best bet. I don't believe the other boxes on site have a simulator (Crewe North Jn may do, but when I visited it, it was unstaffed), plus a mechanical box is a bit more interactive! Note that the Exeter West Group is technically separate from the Crewe Heritage Centre, and therefore the weekday visit note doesn't necessarily cover the Exeter West Box as well (I get the impression staffing it might be quite hard during a weekday, as many volunteers work or travel a long way). I'm sure a moderately sized group of signalling enthusiasts would be very welcome to the Exeter West Box on a weekend - a lot of the visitors don't quite have the knowledge or interest to stay longer than 5/10 minutes (EW isn't quite "Railway Signalling 101"!), so there's plenty of time where you'd have the full attention of those on duty. I'd say an email about it wouldn't go amiss, however, as I'm not sure if they do have any special arrangements for groups - in addition, there's the odd day where the box doesn't open until 11, due to travel arrangements being an issue - usually those who catch trains on Sundays. Sunday 22nd looks to be a good date, having glanced at the Roster, as I believe both people rostered then are experienced - meaning I can probably sneak in a request for a training turn as well! Also, the box should be open bang on 10am on that day. I'm sure you'd be allowed to have some time to have a go at the box, especially if you're all interested in the actual working of the box! Maybe we'll have a few new bobbies signing up by the end of the day? As a couple of notes for the visit, the station is about 15 minutes walk from the centre - it's a long way due to having to walk most of the way round the centre itself to find the entrance, because someone decided to put a railway between us and the station (fancy that...). Food facilities on site are fairly basic (there's a hotdog stand and I think that's about it), although there is a Tesco literally next door (which is a good landmark to look for if its your first visit). Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 09:30 #10321 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
The date is now the week commencing 29th August. Again, any preferences for a mid-week/weekend visit? p.s. sign up here Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 16:02 #10326 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
My note above about weekdays possibly not being an option to see the box working still holds - hopefully you've noticed that the centre and box are open on the bank holiday Monday (30th August) as well as the normal Saturday/Sunday.
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 16:46 #10327 | |
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afro09
167 posts |
This sounds like an excellent idea Mark, but unfortuneately it not worth the long distance travel and high expense for a day trip to me mate, that said if I can get cheap flights to manchester then I could possibly make an appearance. But will need a set date to look for flight bookings. Alan Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 20:38 #10333 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
I've had a reply from Exeter West Box, if we choose the weekend then they are happy to show us around for free (albeit paying for entry at the Heritage Centre). If we choose a weekday then a small donation from all attendees will be taken upon arrival at the venue. So, it's over to you! Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 29/07/2010 at 21:02 #10334 | |
MrSuttonmann
265 posts |
I would love to go, having been there before and had a look around their 'box. Trouble is with the date yu are currently proposing: August the 29th is the day I come back from Switzerland (after playing with their wonderful trains  ).Also I am saving up and have to cut down on what I spend, and unfortunately this is probably going to be one of those times. (Formerly known as manadude2) Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 30/07/2010 at 06:31 #10337 | |
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Lordmwa
148 posts |
Im up for a weekday but there are some days around then that i cannot do - choose the date and then i can confirm
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 01/08/2010 at 13:52 #10399 | |
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deanbean10
36 posts |
I will see if some on from nearby will come too ;p also will it be a weekend? Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 05/08/2010 at 21:07 #10492 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
Bump. Anything happening on this? Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 05/08/2010 at 23:40 #10495 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
I'd say yes, but nobody's decided on a weekday or weekend visit. If you have already signed up here please can you choose the dates which you are available here. If you haven't put your name down then do so quick! The poll will close in 7 days, sign up form in 10 - I need to guarantee numbers to Exeter West Signalbox Comittee Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 05/08/2010 at 23:46 #10496 | |
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AndyG
1834 posts |
Is BH Monday a non-runner?
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 06/08/2010 at 07:46 #10504 | |
Chrisrail
384 posts |
This looks good http://www.creweheritagecentre.co.uk/special-events/rail-ale-festival-weekend/ Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 06/08/2010 at 09:50 #10511 | |
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kbarber
1712 posts |
I'd love to get my paws on Exeter West (better still on both EW and Crewe North Jc) but I'll be on a slow boat to Reading for a week either side of the BH weekend.
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 06/08/2010 at 10:52 #10514 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
@Chrisrail: Damn! Knew you couldn't resist a bit of Ale! The original plan was to go for that Bank Holiday weekend, but it was decided that the Centre would be busy, However I have added those dates to the Doodle thingamyjob, Log in to reply |
| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 06/08/2010 at 14:53 #10520 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
I've managed to grab myself a turn on Sunday 29th August, so I'm not too eager to drive up again that weekend - there's a chance I might make the next Saturday though (though I can't find an edit button now I thought that weekend, ha)
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| Crewe (unofficial) Meet-up 09/08/2010 at 19:44 #10604 | |
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welshdragon
315 posts |
29th August is the chosen date. as there are at least 4 people free on that date. Log in to reply |