Spring 2020 Price £2.50 Issue 62 EMR Half Cab Returns to Project Update pages 13-14 Barrow Hill pages 10-12 Birthday Greetings page 35 A Lockdown Tribute to Rail Ale page 40 Class 40 40145 and class 45s 45118 and 45060, shown stabled at the bottom of the new sidings, recreate a “BR Blue” scene reminiscent of the 1980s. Photo: Mervyn Allcock New Technology on Test Opening On 31st March, shortly after the Roundhouse - like the rest of the Shot... country - had gone into lockdown, Railview (a railway research company which uses Barrow Hill for testing) undertook filming of its latest prototype technology, mounted on a Mercedes Unimog road rail vehicle. This filming was obviously subject to social distancing requirements and risk assessments were undertaken prior to it taking place. The video that was created from this activity then formed the basis of an online webinar and Q&A session on 23rd April with representatives of the railway industry including Network Rail, a potential user of this technology. This shot was captured just before the class 08 was loaded for onward transit to a HNRC contract; it is pictured here with class 45 45060 and class 47 47769. Photo: Mervyn Allcock Above: The infrastructure monitoring INFRAMONIT TEST VEHICLE with 360 degree ground penetrating radar able to present data in 3D. Left: The second part of the INFRAMONIT TEST VEHICLE infrastructure monitoring device with radar antennae, which collects data at a different frequency to the device on the front. Photos: Mervyn Allcock Welcome I have been in regular communication with So what of the remainder of 2020 and From the the volunteers at the Roundhouse to ensure beyond, in particular the events that we I sincerely hope that you are all keeping they are all well and I am pleased to report had planned? As I write this, we should safe and well in these strange and very Manager everyone is staying safe although they, like have been making our final preparations difficult times. many of us, are eager to get back to their for Rail Ale 20 in 2020. That has now been Myself, the management and the projects at the Roundhouse! postponed until August although that is Trustees here at Barrow Hill were clearly subject to the rules the Government With the assistance of my management unanimous in our desire to produce a puts in place as we come out of lockdown. team, I have always been very clear Contents Roundhouse magazine to keep you Even more importantly, as I am sure that we must grow and develop the all informed even though that task you are by now all aware it is also the commercial side of the business to protect 4 Chairman’s Notes has been somewhat challenging as 150th anniversary of the opening of the the future of the Roundhouse. I am very we all continue to follow Government Roundhouse. We still hope to be able to 6 Roundhouse News pleased to say that the varied business guidelines to stay at home. put on a celebration to mark this landmark portfolio at the Roundhouse has, thankfully, 10 EMR returns to later in the year. No one could have predicted the been our saviour in these extremely difficult Barrow Hill arrival of Covid-19 and the very sad times. Thank you for those of you out there who consequences it has inflicted on a large have always supported me and the 13 Half Cab Restoration Because these are exceptional times, I number of people. One thing that has Roundhouse, and please rest assured that want to put on record my sincere thanks 15 Learning Team Update become clear is that it is people and I will continue to put my all into getting us to my fellow Director, Bob Burgess, who their families that really matter, all other through this very difficult time and taking us 17 Events has played a major part in the increase things are secondary. Just two very into successful times again. in commercial income, and Simon successful weekends into the new 23 Dave Darwin Remembers Hartshorne, our Safety & Standards Please stay safe and here’s to getting on season, we took the very difficult Manager, for his support with the growth with moving the Roundhouse forward and 25 Historical Corner decision to close the Roundhouse of the business and his technical expertise. celebrating its first 150 years and an equally and with it all its activities, leaving 30 Volunteers’ Report Lastly, but definitely by no means least, successful future! only a skeleton commercial I want to acknowledge the invaluable 32 Collections Team staff to look after the vitally Mervyn Allcock contribution of our Chairman and Trustees important commercial side of May 2020 35 Butler Henderson Reaches and thank them for their encouragement the business – more of that a Milestone and support. FRONT COVER: in a moment. 35 Looking Back Main line registered HNRC class 20s 20311 and 20314 38 Finance Update erupt into life prior to leaving 39 And Finally... Barrow Hill depot on 4th March 2020. Photo: Mervyn Allcock HAVE YOU GOT A MEMORY OF BARROW HILL IN STEAM OR DIESEL DAYS? Do you have photographs of the depot which we could use in future issues of the Newsletter? Please get in touch with Alexa Stott During a recent shunt, a by post: Barrow Hill Roundhouse, fortuitous opportunity arose Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, BURGESS to capture the yard with just Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 2PR. DESIGN PRINT DIGITAL SIGNS class 20s in view. Or email: [email protected] Photo: Mervyn Allcock 2 3 A few weeks account. I am sure that you will join as much as possible is still being done ago I was involved with me in thanking Mervyn MBE MSc to progress the restoration of 41708; Chairman’s in a very successful research for his hard work in picking up the the lockdown has inevitably slowed and technology demonstration at pieces and finalising this project in such progress but it will not stop the project. Notes the Roundhouse. This added to the coffers, a professional manner. This funding As you are aware Rail Ale has been has come at exactly the right time to presented the Roundhouse in a wonderful light and postponed and the 150th birthday secure the financial sustainability of the showcased the turntable. celebrations of the Roundhouse may Roundhouse. Even more importantly, this also be affected but we are still keen to reaction from the NLHF is reassuring to us Sadly, now we wake up each day to celebrate if at all possible. We will keep Costs all as Trustees and should reassure you as the stark reality that another several everyone posted as the Government’s We have cancelled, suspended or Members that we are held in high regard hundred unfortunate people have position on coming out of lockdown re-negotiated as many of our regularly by a very important funding partner. become victim to this virus, thousands becomes clearer. occurring costs as we can. The majority more are infected and the world Strategy of our suppliers have been unbelievably Apologies for such a full and complete seems more and more surreal every understanding and I would like to thank As a Charity, each year we earmark update but extraordinary times call for day. My thoughts go out to all of those them for their support; we will repay their projects to invest in. Currently, the extraordinary measures! We will not affected by this virus and my unending loyalty in the future. Of course, there two most important are the restoration only survive this but as always we will gratitude go to all of those on the front are also the costs of keeping Barrow and re-steaming of the Half Cab 41708 become stronger. line ensuring that people are cared for, Hill and the rail operation ticking over; and the rebuilding of the Coal Stage. Stay home, stay fit and above all stay safe. protected, fed and kept safe. these cannot just be turned off like a I would like to reassure Members that Mark Robinson, Chairman I have had several messages asking tap. Our goal is to ensure we can meet about our Charity, its current situation these costs whilst not jeopardising the and its future. Many of you will have Charity. One of our biggest overheads is been Editor up until that point. They were seen or read in the press that several of course wages and I can confirm that From the Editor pretty big boots to fill as well! Meryvn’s charities, clubs and societies are we are paying all of our staff and have You may have noticed a change or knowledge of the site and its activities is looking for immediate fundraising taken advantage of the Government’s two to Edition 62. The biggest change encyclopaedic - as you would expect and investment and support from the furlough support scheme. is that this is no longer the Barrow Hill from someone who has pretty much lived Government to keep them afloat. Engine Shed Society Newsletter but, in and breathed it for 30 plus years. As Editor for nearly 10 years now, by my calculation As a Board of Trustees, we have always acknowledgement of the quality of its I am therefore a third of the way through worked within our means and have content, “The Roundhouse Magazine”. my apprenticeship! maintained a substantial reserve - This new name has been authorised by “rainy day money” as my mum would the Trustees. There may be a change of style and Income say - in order to ensure that we remain Increasingly over the past few years name but there is no change in the sustainable.