Abbeyline photos http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 150th Anniversary Celebrations http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1523858.html 150th Anniversary Celebrations Monday 5 May 2008: 150th Anniversary Celebrations

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]]> Mon May 5 2008 Abbey Station enhancements http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1498776.html Abbey Station enhancements Thursday 24 April 2008: Abbey Station enhancements

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]]> Thu Apr 24 2008 Santa Specials 2007 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1438176.html Santa Specials 2007 Saturday 22 December 2007: Santa Specials 2007

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]]> Sat Dec 22 2007 Halloween Specials 2007 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1398967.html Halloween Specials 2007 Saturday 27 October 2007: Halloween Specials 2007

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]]> Sat Oct 27 2007 St Peters School trip to Bricket Wood http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1354109.html St Peters School trip to Bricket Wood Monday 16 July 2007: St Peters School trip to Bricket Wood

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]]> Mon Jul 16 2007 Station improvements Spring 2007 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1288912.html Station improvements Spring 2007 Monday 28 May 2007: Station improvements Spring 2007

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]]> Mon May 28 2007 Easter Specials 2007 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1253383.html After the success of last year, the Abbey Flyer was once again transformed into the "Easter Eggspress" on Saturday 7th April, courtesy of Silverlink and the Community Rail Partnership. The Easter Bunny was on board to give out goody bags full of Easter surprises for children. There was also a face painter and balloon modeller to add to the festivities. At St Albans, a special vintage 'Bunny Bus' was on hand to take people into the town. It is estimated that around 500 extra people used the train on the day - some of whom will have never used it before and may well now choose to use it again. The Easter Eggspress, along with similar special trains at Halloween and Christmas, are an important part of the CRP's strategy for increasing awareness of the train service. Over the first year of the CRP, ridership increased by approx. 15%. Saturday 7 April 2007: After the success of last year, the Abbey Flyer was once again transformed into the "Easter Eggspress" on Saturday 7th April, courtesy of Silverlink and the Community Rail Partnership. The Easter Bunny was on board to give out goody bags full of Easter surprises for children. There was also a face painter and balloon modeller to add to the festivities. At St Albans, a special vintage 'Bunny Bus' was on hand to take people into the town. It is estimated that around 500 extra people used the train on the day - some of whom will have never used it before and may well now choose to use it again. The Easter Eggspress, along with similar special trains at Halloween and Christmas, are an important part of the CRP's strategy for increasing awareness of the train service. Over the first year of the CRP, ridership increased by approx. 15%.

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]]> Sat Apr 7 2007 Santa Specials 2006 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1163602.html Santa Specials 2006 Saturday 16 December 2006: Santa Specials 2006

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]]> Sat Dec 16 2006 Halloween Specials 2006 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c1123882.html Halloween Specials 2006 Saturday 28 October 2006: Halloween Specials 2006

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]]> Sat Oct 28 2006 Community Rail Day 2006 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c966753.html Saturday 20th May saw a host of events up and down the UK to celebrate what has now become an annual Community Rail Day. This year the Abbeyline was buzzing with activity. On the train to entertain passengers was a jazz band from Verulam school. At St Albans Abbey station, a miniature steam railway gave rides whilst another jazz band played to greet passengers off the train. The Community Rail Partnership and local heritage group the St Albans Signalbox Trust had stalls in the car park, whilst the Hertfordshire Police were in attendance with a patrol car for people to inspect. To top it all off, there was a small collection of vintage motorcycles and during the afternoon rides were available in 'Clem' - a 1926 Morris pickup truck provided by the students of Imperial College in London. Quite an ecletic mix of events, but for those who braved the wind and rain it was an interesting way to spend a few hours! The day was also an opportunity for the CRP to launch a poster campaign called 'A summer of fun on the Abbeyline' - aimed at promoting various events taking place along the length of the line, and inspiring people to reach them by train. Saturday 20 May 2006: Saturday 20th May saw a host of events up and down the UK to celebrate what has now become an annual Community Rail Day. This year the Abbeyline was buzzing with activity. On the train to entertain passengers was a jazz band from Verulam school. At St Albans Abbey station, a miniature steam railway gave rides whilst another jazz band played to greet passengers off the train. The Community Rail Partnership and local heritage group the St Albans Signalbox Trust had stalls in the car park, whilst the Hertfordshire Police were in attendance with a patrol car for people to inspect. To top it all off, there was a small collection of vintage motorcycles and during the afternoon rides were available in 'Clem' - a 1926 Morris pickup truck provided by the students of Imperial College in London. Quite an ecletic mix of events, but for those who braved the wind and rain it was an interesting way to spend a few hours! The day was also an opportunity for the CRP to launch a poster campaign called 'A summer of fun on the Abbeyline' - aimed at promoting various events taking place along the length of the line, and inspiring people to reach them by train.

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]]> Sat May 20 2006 Easter Specials 2006 http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c953798.html Easter Saturday (15th April) saw the running of the inaugural Easter Eggpress on the St Albans Abbey line. Silverlink was joined by the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and the Watford Town Centre partnership to create an atmosphere few will forget. Five Silverlink County trains in each direction were decorated with streamers and balloons and on board children encountered the famous Easter bunny. More surprises awaited the young passengers as Silverlink staff distributed goody bags containing a toy and an Easter treat. Face painters and a balloon artist added to the children’s delight. At either end of the line special arrangements had been made to carry people to Watford or St Albans Town Centres: a “bunny” bus conveyed passengers from Watford Junction while a 1950s vintage bus was well-used between St Albans Abbey station and the town centre. Hugh Jennings, Retail Manager for Silverlink County, was delighted with the way things had turned out. “Over two hundred parents and children joined the special trains during the day, and there was a real community spirit. A number of families just made the round trip, while for some it was their very first journey on the line” said Hugh. “The event was a great success and was the result of the significant involvement of the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and Watford Town Centre Partnership. I am very grateful for their involvement and support, and we are all now looking forward to arranging other themed trains later in the year.” Saturday 15 April 2006: Easter Saturday (15th April) saw the running of the inaugural Easter Eggpress on the St Albans Abbey line. Silverlink was joined by the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and the Watford Town Centre partnership to create an atmosphere few will forget. Five Silverlink County trains in each direction were decorated with streamers and balloons and on board children encountered the famous Easter bunny. More surprises awaited the young passengers as Silverlink staff distributed goody bags containing a toy and an Easter treat. Face painters and a balloon artist added to the children_s delight. At either end of the line special arrangements had been made to carry people to Watford or St Albans Town Centres: a _bunny_ bus conveyed passengers from Watford Junction while a 1950s vintage bus was well-used between St Albans Abbey station and the town centre. Hugh Jennings, Retail Manager for Silverlink County, was delighted with the way things had turned out. _Over two hundred parents and children joined the special trains during the day, and there was a real community spirit. A number of families just made the round trip, while for some it was their very first journey on the line_ said Hugh. _The event was a great success and was the result of the significant involvement of the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership and Watford Town Centre Partnership. I am very grateful for their involvement and support, and we are all now looking forward to arranging other themed trains later in the year._

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]]> Sat Apr 15 2006 Watford North level crossing replacement http://abbeyline.fotopic.net/c898285.html On Sunday 26th March 2006, Network Rail finally finished their replacement of the Watford North level crossing, work on which was started over a year beforehand! The old crossing had barriers and signalling dating from the mid-1960s, rumoured to have been one of the first ‘half-barriers’ to be installed in the UK. The final installation work saw closure of Bushey Mill Lane for three weeks. Whilst the overhead power supply was turned off, rail services during the week were operated by a diesel unit, with yet more ‘total shutdown’ of the branch at weekends. The work not only involved replacement of the old half barriers, but a complete overhaul of the life-expired signalling which has been protecting it (albeit increasingly temperamentally!) over the last 40-odd years. The visual environment of the station has also been improved by installation of attractive wooden picket fencing and cattle creeps, along with a resurfaced path and dropped kerb on the approaches to the platform. Saturday 11 March 2006: On Sunday 26th March 2006, Network Rail finally finished their replacement of the Watford North level crossing, work on which was started over a year beforehand! The old crossing had barriers and signalling dating from the mid-1960s, rumoured to have been one of the first _half-barriers_ to be installed in the UK. The final installation work saw closure of Bushey Mill Lane for three weeks. Whilst the overhead power supply was turned off, rail services during the week were operated by a diesel unit, with yet more _total shutdown_ of the branch at weekends. The work not only involved replacement of the old half barriers, but a complete overhaul of the life-expired signalling which has been protecting it (albeit increasingly temperamentally!) over the last 40-odd years. The visual environment of the station has also been improved by installation of attractive wooden picket fencing and cattle creeps, along with a resurfaced path and dropped kerb on the approaches to the platform.

Work taking place during the 3-week diesel replacement period The new signal protecting the crossing. Class 150 diesel train being 'flagged' across the level crossing New barriers and lights The lights are now higher than previously - improving visibility for drivers The new 'up' signal - on site of former ground frame Attractive new picket fencing ..and cattle creeps abound Old crossing keepers house (now much extended) in background The pavement outside the station has been resurfaced, and the kerb dropped A large equipment room has been built behind the crossing, on the site of the old headshunt and buffer stops. Milepost '1' can just be glimpsed through the steel palisade fencing on the right

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]]> Sat Mar 11 2006