Stuart Currie's Silkstone Tramway
I have just completed some changes to the scene at Pothouse Halt on my Silkstone Tramway. Some of this happened last year and the rest last week. The cottage at the top of the hill has been refurbished (restoring the guttering and new curtains) but remains on it original site. It is being pushed forward by the 'miniature' conifer behind it; I think this tree will have to be removed soon. The old Post Office building by the level crossing has been replaced by a fractionally larger version, which now has some goods in the window - dolls house gear from the Wakefield model shop. The original Post office has been tidied up - more new curtains, well it is spring - and painted white with a 'matchpot' of masonry paint. It is now halfway up the hill on the left. This side of the road is now bounded by a drystone wall. Previously there was; first a hedge - I'd been struggling to get this right for years but have now given up on it, and then a fence - a similar longterm disaster. The wall tidies things up a lot.
The Silkstone Civic Society are pleased with these changes which will help them with their entry in the tidiest village contest.
Photos © Stuart Currie
Silkstone Tramway Open day 14 June 2009
Photos © Andy Cooper
Photo © Stuart Currie
This shows the newly laid track around the end of the railway. The old wood-sleepered track was supported on 1" by 1" battens, plugged and screwed to a curved brick wall. When I took the track up the battens were still very sound, so I used them again after some shimming and levelling. It also involves rebuilding the level crossing, which is half completed. When that's done I will have replaced all the old track except the stretch along the edge of the lawn and round the pond - this latter will be hard to get at!
2010 Open Day Photos: Dave Webb
