Page 30 - link magazine

30 The Link Maaazine • March 2002
New refreshment room at Blunsdon Station
Things are looking good for the volunteers involved with the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Society
rain
who, many years ago, set their hearts on making their steam railway one of the most popular tourist
BLOCKED DRAINS attractions in the area.
CLEARED FAST The Easter Bunny specials will
be running again at the Swindon
• CCTV surveys
and Cricklade Railway Society on
• High pressure jetting Sunday 31 March and on Monday
• Pipe relining 1 April over the mile of track that
has been reinstated over the last
• Locally based
ten years. But plans are now well
- competitive rates
in hand to extend the line right
• 24 hour call out into the Swindon urban area.
• No call out charge For Easter, volunteers are
putting the finishing touches to
Tel: 01793 828882 two converted carriages from Nor-
way which will become new re-
freshment rooms for visitors and
workers at the society's Blunsdon
station base. Although donated by
the Boness Railway in Scotland,
the cost of transporting them to
I 1 1
Swindon was £3,500. JeffAustin, r ht, with volunteer patio layers, from le
"
"The donation of the carriages ' Michael Agtin, Dave Peacey, Dave Pinch
came just at the right time; it's a
very exciting venture," said Jeff functions, such as wedding recep- way society is to have steam pow-
ALL BUILDING WORK Austin, chairman of the society and tions or by businesses. Combined ered trains running from the Cots-
its chief engineer. "The Norwe- with trips up the railway line, break wold Water Park in the north past
UNDERTAKEN
gian carriages are too wide for use out sessions will take on a whole Cricklade, to Sparcells in West
Extensions, garages, on the railway but are excellent as new meaning. Swindon.
patios, fencing a refreshment room. We've laid a Surpluses from the restaurant Jeff said the railway society is
large patio outside next to the rail- will provide a useful contribution very appreciative of the consider-
20 years experience
way line which will be a great place to the funds required to extend the able assistance given by the North
Free estimates
to view the trains." operational track into north and Swindon Development Company.
Tel: 01793 330679 He added that the carriages west Swindon. The society hopes They have laid track bed at
Mob: 0797 945 0326 which will accommodate up to 40 to start laying track towards Mouldon Hill and are in the proc-
diners can also be hired for private Mouldon Hill, across Thames- ess of constructing a cattle under-
down Drive from Taw Hill, later in pass just to the north, providing a
the year, after environmental and new railway bridge in the process.
wildlife protection planning issues They have also made cash dona-
Where are you if you are not on have been sorted out. tions.
"We would welcome enquires
A further planning application
will be required to take track from any company wishing to help
the new north Swindon map? around into the Mouldon Hill sponsor one of North Wiltshire's
country park close to the old Wilts major tourist attractions," said Jeff.
To be published in April and Berks canal. "Similarly, we always welcome
The original line carried the Mid- new members willing to help with
land and South Western Junction a wide variety of projects on the
Railway from Southampton to the railway. All our work is done by
Midlands, calling at Swindon Old volunteers."
Town station from about 1880 to Anyone interested can call Jeff
1964. The ultimate aim of the rail- on 726807.

How to get to Blunsdon steam railway station
The newly erected sign close to Thamesdown Drive pictured below
is totally misleading as there are no follow-on signs directing you to
the railway from West Swindon, whilst Mouldon Hill is not officially
open and there is nowhere to park.
The railway society is desperate for donations to pay Swindon
Council for signage on approach roads. Call Jeff if you can help.

TADPOLE LANE
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PuRTON
PURTON
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New for this edition: an outline map showing PUB MESDOWN DRIVE
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