April 2026 Newsletter

A Volunteer’s Perspective - Daniel

Daniel looking out at Elouise coming into the platform at Mills Wood station

I've been at the railway for almost a year now and during that time I have very much enjoyed the experiences I've had volunteering. I was never able to volunteer at any railways when I was younger because of my age but luckily when I was 16 I stumbled across this railway. I visited the railway once and asked for an application form to volunteer and in an instant I found myself learning how the railway works and all the roles you can engage with as a volunteer. The good thing about volunteering is there is always something to do: I am currently a trainee guard but, when I qualify, I would then have a variety of pathways available. I am very much looking forward to having the opportunity of learning to drive the wide variety of locomotives in the OKLR fleet.
I have already met a lot of different volunteers who are very knowledgeable on railways and whom I may not otherwise have met. In the future I'm hoping to use the knowledge I’m gaining to expand my involvement within the railway community.
I am not afraid to get my hands dirty with machinery which has driven my education towards mechanical engineering: volunteering is a welcome opportunity to do this while escaping my desk and essay writing! When I do become a fully qualified mechanical engineer, I will be able to apply my new skills on the railway as well as in other important aspects of life. Volunteering at the railway has definitely made me more confident when it comes to interactions with members of the public. It has also taught me to ask more questions about the railway to learn things that I may not know or have experienced before.
Another part of the railway I recommend working with is the permanent way. If you can’t afford the gym membership, shovelling ballast off of a wagon and moving 60 pound rail will turn you into a bodybuilder in no time.
There is certainly something for everyone, so I would highly recommend getting involved!

Steam Department Update - Alex F.

Following our steam locos' last running days of 2025 for the Santa’s Specials, the Steam Department had the opportunity to address some outstanding maintenance issues and begin preparing for the next season’s steam days.

9998 Elouise

Elouise was withdrawn from Santa duties with air pump issues, which were at least in part caused by excessive vibration. We reinforced the mounting bracket underneath the running board to stiffen things. There had been reports of the manifold shutoff valve failing to close, so this was stripped and the valve was packed to reduce slop and allow it to seat cleanly. We also examined the left-hand injector steam valve and lapped it in to address a report of it not shutting off cleanly.

20 Emmet

After coming off the bench to sub for Elouise in the Santas, Emmet gave our new apprentice her first taste of firing under the experienced eye of driver Andy Hawkins. A less glamorous but important job in the new year was her boiler washout in preparation for the annual boiler inspection which is due to be completed before the first steam running day in April.
Finally, we also have the FTR inspections to complete, as well as some cleaning and painting to have our locos looking their best for their admiring public.

Emmet having her boiler washed out in preparation for her annual boiler inspection.

Diesel Department Update - Ian

Hunslet 7011 “Champion”

Work has been progressing with overhauling the brake gear, during the last season it had been noted that the handbrake adjustments were more frequent, while in service they tended to rattle and cause lurching, which made easing up to stock difficult.
Last winter the locomotive was pulled from service and the brake system dismantled to ascertain why.
A lot of wear was discovered in the brake cross-shafts, where the blocks sit and the hangers support it, as well as some play in the hangers themselves and by extension, the mount holes in the frames.
It was decided the best course was to build up the shafts with weld, and machine them back to original size, while bushing out the wear in other areas.
The rear cross-shaft has a long pivot arm which connects to the handbrake lever in the cab, this meant it was unable to fit in our machines, as our lathes do not have a removable bed to take the swing of the arm. Cutting and re-welding the arm was considered, but a local firm with a suitable lathe was sourced after some enquiries.
Work on bushing the hangers was started while the cross shafts were away, this proved to be more difficult than expected as the hangers were made from flame cut steel.
Some careful setting of the speeds, and a trial of softening the steel with heat was required to successfully drill and then ream in order to press the Oilite bushes into place.
The cross shafts were returned after having been welded and machined, thanks to Fairfield Engineering for their work, which also involved centering the shafts as there were no center points from the factory to go by.
The remainder of the overhaul will likely involve enlarging the worn holes in the frame to accept larger pins, before final reassembly and adjustments.

Simplex 5713 “Eagle” - James

Since the last update progress on 5713 has progressed very quickly with most of the components being stripped down; inspected; repaired and cleaned back to bare metal as required; and repainted.
When initially stripping 5713, some of the original paintwork was found. It was decided to paint the locomotive, more or less, back into this original colour scheme. This led to the decision to paint it back into “mid Brunswick green” a typical colour of this time period.
On the 16th November the chassis had been completely re-painted, most of the brake rigging put back on leading to it being put back onto the wheels and weights. These components have already been overhauled with new brasses and felt oiler pads in the axle boxes, and a new spring leaf fitted.
With a few new bolts being fitted it was brought back into the workshops for the overhaul to continue, 6 months and 1 day since it got lifted off the wheels for the overhaul to begin.

5713 on her way back into the sheds having been re-wheeled.

Since then the gear box has been stripped down, checked, rebuilt and repainted.

5713s gear box after disassembly.

Having assessed the internal condition to be very good, the gear box was put back together and back into the frames.
This then allowed the axle sprocket to be fitted, aligned to the gear box output sprocket and, subsequently, the new drive chains to be fitted and tensioned.

5713 with its new chains fitted.

After the chains were fitted, attention turned to the radiator paint and the flywheel brake.
The radiator fan got repainted; the bearings were inspected and repainted; while the flywheel brake was cleaned, painted, and received new liners on the brake surfaces.

5713’s radiator and flywheel brake re-attached.

Once these components were re-installed onto the chassis in mid-February, attention moved to the clutch pedal which was severely worn. This involved a new cross shaft and cam to be made up as well as reaming the casting.
After this, work continued on the sand boxes and engine bonnets. These components take a while to clean up and eventually paint up due to the large surface area.

5713 being re-assembled with most components back on the chassis.

At the time of writing, the only remaining parts to clean, overhaul and repaint are the buffer spring bars, gear selector linkages, fuel tank and support brackets, exhaust, and cab. The aim is to address these remaining components before the first anniversary of the main overhaul works in May. There will still be more parts to make for the locomotive including fitting of air brake equipment and fitting an audible warning device. I can’t provide a timeline for the engine overhaul due to the age, complexity and unpredictability of the overhaul process.

Simplex 9655 “Bluey” - Alex H.

Since the last update work has slowly progressed on reassembly of 9655.
The bonnets have now been repaired and repainted, although are wearing very thin so full replacements may be needed in the future. Cosmetically the locomotive is now complete and the main focus continues to be the engine. Assembly of the top end has slowly progressed over the last few months. An attempt to start 9655 was made in early March. Unfortunately the head gasket blew and after further investigation it was discovered that the head was warped between the two cylinders. The head has now been removed from the engine again for skimming to take place. It is now hoped to get the locomotive in service for its 75th birthday later in the year.

9655 reassembled before testing identified an issue with the head gasket.

OKLR NGRS visit 22nd March - Tim

The 2026 season is up and running at the Old Kiln Light Railway already with a busy weekend of running for the Tractor Weekend in mid-March.
On 22nd March the railway played host to a group from of the Narrow Gauge Railway Society (NGRS) for an organised visit. The NGRS is well established, being founded in 1951, as the premier organisation for enthusiasts of smaller railways in the UK and overseas and offers its members exclusive visits to railways alongside other benefits. More information can be found on their website - https://www.ngrs.org/.
Surprisingly for the UK, the weather was lovely on the day, and a lot of the OKLR’s “toys” came out to play as a result.
A train service was run throughout the day with several loco changes to give variety, in fact a grand total of 5 were used which represents the entirety of the currently operational fleet. This consisted of Simplex MR 8981; Hunslets AD37 Wey Valley and AD38 Weyfarer; Ruston Hornsby 181820 Red Dwarf; and Planet 2528 after some efforts on the day by oaur volunteers – this marked the first time that 2528 had run for some time.
Non-operational locos were also brought out into the daylight, some for the first time in years, for our visitors to inspect as part of escorted shed and yard tours. Many of them received a good clean in preparation for the visit which also included a cavalcade of Simplex locomotives – well why not!
Later in the day a demonstration freight train was run, hauled by Simplex MR 8981 and also featuring Simplex MR 5713 looking very smart in its new paint although not yet serviceable. This is not something that can be done on normal public running days, so it was a special occasion for our volunteers as well as our visitors.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and lots of fun was had just “playing trains”!

Reflections of the Gardening Dept. - Adrian & Helen

I cannot believe a whole year has passed since Helen and I first started volunteering at the OKLR back in March 2025. Previously working backstage on the Village Green stage at the Weyfest music festival, we had already met many of the volunteers and enjoyed the OKLR’s hospitality in the evenings, which led us to want to volunteer. It has been a pleasure to work with and learn from the railway community all as we progressed to be fully qualified guards throughout 2025.
From the initial induction and Personal Track Safety training, it was great being trained by so many different guards and drivers. We learned so much and now hope to carry on using that knowledge and those helpful reminders and to pass on to new trainee guards.
As many will know, we have an interest in gardening and initially wanted to bring that knowledge to the railway, especially if that in turn could help to draw more passengers through the museum to Mills Wood station.
Over the last year we have been working a lot on rewilding the sandy bank above the ground frame at Mills Wood, much to the delight of the local wildlife who have enjoyed sampling a lot of what we planted.

We are hoping that 2026 will not be quite as hot and dry as last year and the plants that have survived will start to thrive this year. Our thanks to everyone who helped with watering during the prolonged dry spell last summer.
Over the year we have also been regularly cutting back brambles, nettles and bracken, especially near the track side to assist the permanent way team and to expose areas that have previously been planted, such as the garden at Oatlands station.
Buckets of flowers and daffodils now brighten up the four stations, which we are hoping to change throughout the year.

Most recently, working in conjunction with Bernie and Andy, you may notice a newly maintained flower bed just before the level crossing at Mills Wood station.

We have also scattered thousands of poppy and wildflower seeds which we are really hoping will grow and blossom to be a mass of colour by the summer.
As we continue to try and enhance the planting, if anyone has any plants going spare at home that they wish to donate, we would be happy to review these and plant if suitable (mindful of the surrounding nature reserve). We are trying to keep to the theme of cottage garden native species, but nothing too large or invasive (so no Japanese Knotweed and certainly no Buddleia or Rhododendrons!)