The Arun Valley Line Group held its Annual Meeting in October, hosted by one of the newest station partners, the Bognor Regis Model Railway Club. The venue was the relocated and renovated Barnham Signal Box, which now serves as the clubhouse for the modellers.
As the Barnham Signal Box is now located in Westergate, which is not easily accessible by public transport, attendees for the meeting were invited to travel to Arundel Railway Station, where they could board a 1965 Routemaster Bus, kindly provided by Brighton and Hove Buses, and driven by Lewis Jackson.
The journey from Arundel to Westergate was most enjoyable, with people at the roadside waving and taking photographs.
On arrival at the signal box, Bognor Regis Model Railway Club member John McPeake welcomed everyone, and two groups were formed. Each group took turns to have a tour of the workrooms and look at layouts in progress.
Members were also given a review of Community Rail work and projects on the Arun Valley Line, presented by Rowena Tyler, an update on the 9 day Barnham to Havant closure, scheduled to begin on 26th October, presented by Orlash Ennis from Network Rail, and an overview of GTR’s working with Customers and Communities programme, presented by David Coates from GTR (Govia Thames Railway).
At the end of the meeting, members once again boarded the bus, to be taken back to Arundel station in time for their trains home.
Everyone enjoyed the day, and members of the Arun Valley Line Group asked for thanks to be sent to Brighton and Hove buses and to the Bognor Regis Model Railway Club.
For more information on the relocation of the Barnham Signal Box, which happened in December 2009, please visit
http://www.brmrc.co.uk/barnham_signal_box.php
