New Cross Wagon Works

26/07/2026

24/07/2026

Not just donuts. These are Marks and Spencer seriously dangerously addictive donuts!! Essential for a little tea and cake break, although one tiny issue is that the sugar tends to get everywhere including in the paint pot!! 😂😂 lesson learnt, take a break….what’s your favourite indulgence when working?

24/07/2026

Rather fond of ‘Crabtree’ as used to see it whenever we went of to see granny, which was usually once a week! By that time most rail traffic had finished at Crabtree Trust sidings and it was stabled up in the open with another similar loco.

24/07/2026

OFFICIAL NOTICE: VISITORS ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO SIT ON THE TRAIN WITHOUT COMMENTATING ON THE SCENERY

The committee at Bramblewick Vale Heritage Railway has issued fresh guidance following reports that many passengers feel obliged to provide a continuous spoken assessment of the landscape throughout their journey.

The clarification follows several observations of visitors pointing confidently through carriage windows while announcing:

“That’s a nice field.”

“Lovely view.”

“There’s some sheep.”

The committee wishes to confirm that the countryside is under no obligation to be narrated.

Station Manager Trevor Hainsworth, 51, described the behaviour as “well intentioned but remarkably consistent.”

“It appears many of us become unpaid nature documentary presenters the moment the train starts moving,” Trevor said.

Ticket Clerk Brian Ellis, 67, believes the commentary is rarely for the benefit of others.

“I think people are reassuring themselves they’ve noticed the countryside,” Brian explained. “The field wasn’t in danger of being overlooked.”

Guard Harold Finch, 69, confirmed that many conversations follow an established pattern.

“‘Look at that.’

‘What?’

‘We’ve gone past it now.’

“It happens on nearly every service.”

Platform Supervisor Sheila Cole, 66, admitted she has occasionally boarded a carriage only to hear someone announce the presence of cows with the urgency normally reserved for emergencies.

“They’ve always been there,” Sheila said. “The cows are very settled.”

Regular Visitor Gerald Pook, 79, accepted that he sometimes joins in.

“I pointed out a particularly impressive hedge last Thursday,” Gerald admitted. “In fairness, it was an exceptionally committed hedge.”

Buffet Manager Brenda Hawkins, 68, remained unconvinced.

“I’ve never once interrupted a cup of tea to report a tree,” Brenda said. “The tree knows what it’s doing.”

Station dog Alfie, 5, has shown no interest whatsoever in fields, sheep or hedges unless one of them contains food.

His report is understood to be considerably shorter.

The railway wishes to reassure passengers that they are welcome to admire the scenery in complete silence.

The fields will continue.

The sheep are unlikely to leave.

And if everyone misses a particularly attractive tree…

…there will almost certainly be another one shortly afterwards.

24/07/2026

Authentic or not level of weathering? Definitely not my period of modelling but it came in a job lot so eventually it got the New Cross Wagon Works heavy treatment and somebody apparently liked it so much they actually purchased it 🤓

23/07/2026

What have I been up to 🤔 well not engaging much on social media obviously; just don’t ask, sometimes you need to take yourself away right Loading Gauge Lucy But more positively I picked up a couple of private commissions via eBay sales, this was one of them, weathering a few Graham Farish Iron Ore tippers, very enjoyable when you get the remit of “full on heavy weathering please” and so it was to be! The ‘before and after’ photos are self explanatory. Enjoy 🤓

22/07/2026

We finally have plastic traffic barriers in stock!

Our barriers are just 0.7mm thick to keep it correctly scaled and includes a printed warning stripe on both sides.
The feet are printed separately and easily push into place

Available for OO gauge in red, orange, yellow or grey.

22/07/2026

K

I don’t share too much of my personal life on here, but unsurprising to some, at the grand age of 30 I’ve finally got my official diagnosis for Autism… having always struggled in social situations and with my communication skills, it’s nice to have a bit of clarity as to why my brain is wired the way it is but still hurts I received no help for anything throughout secondary school, in fact the only thing I was told was ‘to try be more cool’ 🤣 I’m very lucky to have such a supportive wife & family 💚

22/07/2026

This is pretty awesome! Dave from Bunters Yard made us this recently as he was creating some proper Sir Nigel Gresley laser cut nameplates and we collected it at Chatham 😁

So our Bunters Yard bear, Sir Nigel Grizzly, named by you our fantastic followers, now has his name proudly up in the shop for all of our visitors to see 😊

If you want something custom or a nameplate made do get in contact with the wonderful guys at Bunters Yard 👌

Thanks again Dave! We love it!

We of course are starting to stock a decent range of their super 3D printed & laser cut accessories, which we’re expanding gradually. So if you’re curious come in and have a browse 👍