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Thursday, July 24, 2025

And in this photo I was 90!

You don't hear the phrase 'And in this photo I was 90.' very often. In fact I don't think I have ever heard it before. However, at the Rocks By Rail Museum we are lucky enough to have Ray as a volunteer. I have posted about him before - see that by clicking here -  and Ray is now 94 but still acts as though he is just 60! I walked in to the cafe at the Museum today to find Ray going through a photo album of his with some of the other volunteers. 

Rocks by Rail Museum

Some of the photos in there were over 100 years old but Ray could recall all the names and the detail behind them including this one of the pub that his family ran and in the 1950s they collected pennies to stick on the pub mirror before donating them to the local children.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Then there were photos of some of the ironstone quarry plant that he operated.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Then he turned a page and said 'And in this photo I was 90' in a very blasé manner as though there was nothing to it. I said, 'Ray I just hope I live long enough to be able to utter the words ' And in this photo I was 90!' and I do! And with that I went off to do battle with the grass!

Rocks by Rail Museum

And it was a bit of a battle given the rain over the last week!

Rocks by Rail Museum

AS I seem to be the expert on vegetational butchery we need a n expert on actually nuturing vegetation which is where Geoff comes in with his planting skills seeing some delightful colour along the platform area.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Meanwhile, in the Restoration shed, things are moving on with the re-tubing of loco 1931 but just not in ways that are visable as the work is de-rusting the lower part of the boiler. I had a long chat with John who has worked with steam locomotives and traction engines for much of his life and learnt a great deal about the stresses and strains a boiler goes throuh as it is heated to create steam. I can certainly understand why the steel plate is so thick and why inspections are important.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Over the over side of the tracks work was going on with the brakes for Graham the Sentinel. It seems like thick steel is required for that as well as John and Hazel struggle carrying this brake linkage part.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Having done whatever it was to it, John is now building himself up to refitting the part!

Rocks by Rail Museum

With all these locos out of the Exhibition Centre to allow Graham to come out...

Rocks by Rail Museum

...the middle road of the building was empty...

Rocks by Rail Museum

...there was suddenly the opportunity to admire some of the locos full side on which gives a different view.

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Rocks by Rail Museum

Finally we should hopefully be ready for Sunday's running day with The Rutlander train taking guests on brake van rides along the line.

Rocks by Rail Museum

It would be nice to take this photo at the age of 90 but will Mrs. Woody and her list of chores for me thwart that ambition!

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