1299

ABOVE: Looking towards the rear of the train after reversal at Greenford West Jn, the tour heads
towards Greenford South Jn at Greenford (LUL) Bay Jn under the LUL Central Line bridges. The line
trailing in from the left is indeed from Greenford bay P2.

The next item of interest was the relatively short Langley Up Loop (15m 61ch - 16m 01ch). No mention
of this was in the initial publicity or the timings sheet, so a big 'thank you' to the Didcot signallers for
including this. The loop was reached at Langley East Jn facing crossover (15m 48ch) returning to the
Down Relief (16m 08ch) before Langley station. Just to make sure everyone was still concentrating!
Then it was back to the script with the use of Slough P5 (the Up relief in the Down direction).

Maidenhead Up Relief (P4) and Twyford (P4 also) with attendant crossovers were covered in the
Down direction before we entered Kennet Passenger Loop, distinguished by its 25mph restriction and
jointed track. Kennet Bridge Jn was used to move from the Down Relief to Down Main and into
Reading P8 (Down Main Loop). From here we traversed the bidirectional Down Reading Festival Line
(named after the Reading Music Festival held in the fields on the Up side each August Bank Holiday -
yes really!) to go beneath the Up and Down Main which pass overhead on the flyover (constructed as
part of the £800M rebuild of Reading station and its environs). Before we could continue on to the
Down Relief, the 10.00 intermodal working from Southampton Maritime Container Terminal to
Daventry (six minutes late) was given priority on to the Down Relief off Reading West curve, but our
delay was only two minutes. Once on the move it was yet more crossovers (hope you are keeping a
tally - there will be a test later) switching from Down Relief to Down Main at Tilehurst East Jn and back
to the Down Relief at Didcot East Jn then via Didcot Parkway P3 to reverse in Milton Siding (MP 54½).
Interestingly there was a possession on the main lines from here to Swindon so we were the only train.

ABOVE: Reversal in Milton Siding (MP 54½ visible right), Chris Wall from WCR in front of 47245.
Looking east towards Didcot, the main lines to/from Swindon (right) were under a possession.

On returning from Milton with the out of use (but connected) former Didcot Power Station tracks to
the left, it was via Didcot Goods Loop (formerly used by loaded coal trains from Avonmouth to reverse
in to/out of Didcot PS) and into Didcot P4. Serious consideration had once been given to building a
direct curve into the power station for these trains. Yet more crossovers followed with a switch to the
Up Main at Didcot East Jn to promptly return to the Up Relief at Moreton Cutting and an opportunity
for 47760 to get a move on but not for long. At Scours Lane Jn, the Up Reading Passenger Loop was
taken (a routing in common usage during the rebuilding of Reading in 2014/15 when the Up Relief was
severed here). We only used the aforementioned loop from 37m 60ch to 37m 40ch where crossovers
took us to the Up Reading West Curve and the Berks & Hants (B&H) to Westbury for more new track.

FROM (Miles thanks to Jim Sellens) TO LEAD MILES The first objective on the

Reading P12 London Paddington P11 47245 ..38m 07ch B&H was the 762m Towney

London Paddington P11 Greenford West Jn 47760 …. 7m 53ch Down Loop followed by a

Greenford West Jn Didcot Milton Siding 47245 ..49m 61ch run through the Down
Didcot Milton Siding Westbury P1 47760 ..79m 62ch Newbury Loop (Newbury
Westbury P1 Bradford Jn, Melksham line 47245 …. 5m 42ch Racecourse P3, of course)
Bradford Jn, Melksham line South Ruislip P3 47760 100m 64ch before a very welcome leg
South Ruislip P3 London Paddington P11 47245 …11m 41ch stretch at Newbury itself.

The only rare track between here and Westbury was Woodborough Down Goods Loop (78m 73ch)

before the intended break at Westbury P1. In the event the doors were not released and, after a

35 minute wait (with plenty of interest to see as usual here), we were off towards Melksham. Once

behind the branch signal at Bradford Jn the Christmas Brush reversed again and at Hawkeridge Jn took

Hawkeridge Curve to Westbury East Loop Jn, then the West of England line proper (Heywood Road

Jn), now 50 minutes late.

ABOVE: The 'BLS Christmas Brush' passing Newbury Racecourse P3 (on the Down Newbury Loop),
the racecourse is behind the train. BELOW: Now looking west to Newbury station; the Pullman Car
Topaz was in the train (noted for its inward opening external and internal doors). (Both Tony Bartlett.)

ABOVE: The tour during the stop at Newbury P1. (Jenny Williamson)
BELOW: 'Off piste' (yet again!) at Westbury East Loop Jn. (Geoff Plumb)

Hawkeridge Curve round to the Melksham line had originally been requested but was not in the final

[BLN 1299]
PREVIOUS PAGE: Not often seen is a 'Position 6' route indicator ('feather') which could easily be
mistaken for a 'Position 1'. This interesting picture shows how access to the Reading Feeder Relief
from Reading West is via the Down Reading West Curve. The loco is just about to take the points right
onto the bidirectional Up Reading West Curve then cross right on to the Reading Feeder Relief
beneath Reading Viaduct (which carries the Reading Festival Line, Down Main and Up Main over it).
The curve continues round to the high numbered Reading platforms. (Simon Mortimer)

ABOVE: Resistance is futile; he is the arch-apprentice at the Kev Adlam School of selling ice to the Eskimos.
Hawkeridge Curve round to the Melksham line had originally been requested but was not in the final
timings as the single track line was being used for diversions. However, the reason the tour did end up
doing it on the day was to turn the train for the healthier loco to lead.
Woodborough Up Goods Loop and Hungerford Up Passenger Loop followed but the Newbury and
Newbury Racecourse P1 moves with the attendant crossovers and Theale Goods Loop (bidirectional)
were omitted to make up time. The reason behind this decision became clearer later on and was quite
important as the crew also risked going over their permitted hours. Entry into Reading P14 was via the
Reading Feeder Relief, a great relief and one of the many newer alignments created during the
rebuild. P13, 14 or 15 is needed to access the single track bidirectional Reading Low Level Line. This
unelectrified spur passes beneath the Paddington lines (recently electrified at 25kV overhead, but not
in passenger use at the time of the tour) to join the third rail 750 volts DC electrified lines to Reading
P4-6. We fortunately left at 17.05 just 12 minutes late, ahead of the 17.09 to Waterloo, but were not
early at Earley. A fast run enabled passage through Ascot (Down) P2 with two more crossovers done.

At Feltham Jn the tour took the Hounslow Loop with yet more non passenger track in sight. The curves
from Kew East Jn to South Acton Jn and from Acton Wells Jn to Neasden Jn then Neasden South Jn
were traversed en route to South Ruislip. {This latter spur, the 'Neasden Curve' was regularly declined
for tours in the 1980s but was covered by default on 12 Mar 1983 by the 'Class 127 Farewell' as the
driver did not know the booked route avoiding it! I offer my apologies for this nostalgic interlude.}

After reversal at South Ruislip (an optional set down) we headed towards Paddington, ostensibly via
the 'Down/Up Wycombe' again. The train was barely on the move before it was 'diverted' on to the
route from Greenford to Drayton Green Jn and West Ealing via what has become the lesser used and
remodelled (single lead) connection onto the relief lines with the opening of the 'Greenford' bay (P5)
at that station. There was more to come, with the use of the new, Acton Dive-Under (on a loco-hauled
train as well) (5m 20ch - 4m 40ch) off the Up Relief between Ealing Broadway and Acton Mainline.
So no need to check the signals to see if your train is going that way now! (It has since TCA anyway.)

There was still a flurry of activity to follow. After leaving the Up Relief at Friars Jn (3m 53ch) to cover
Reception Line No1, it was via the Engine & Carriage Line onto Crossrail Depot Line 1 then Line 4 at
Ladbroke Grove (1m 68ch) to terminate at Paddington P11. So ended surely one of the best railtours
mystery trips ('off route' five times) for unusual track (even by modern BLS standards) in 2017. (RJD)

The 312 participants are very grateful to West Coast Railways, NR and particularly the Didcot Thames
Valley signallers both at that Signalling Centre and the posse on the train. It is pleasing to report that
£4,400 was split between The Brush Type 4 Fund and Railway Children as a result of the tour raffle etc.

Details must be checked 1299 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
415] Armathwaite Signal Box: https://goo.gl/yh1Nf1 Commissioned 16 Jul 1899; closed 15 Jan 1983,
the box is on the northern section of the lovely Settle & Carlisle line near the station. It is timber built
(16' 6" x 11' 6"), with a 16 lever tumbler frame and was restored in original Midland livery by the
Friends of the Settle - Carlisle Line during 1992. It is open (free) most Sundays with documents and
artefacts to see. For dates/times details: [email protected] 01228 593 943 or
0775 959 3224. Four seven-mile conducted circular walks are arranged each year including a box visit.

416] Situation Vacant, Bluebell Railway General Manager: Responsible to the Board for the overall day-to-
day management of the business and reporting to the Bluebell Railway PLC Chairman. The successful
candidate is likely to have experience in the management of a small/medium sized business and a proven
track record in people management. Applications by 9 March with CV to [email protected]
or Lisa Boyle, Personnel & Administration Manager, Bluebell Railway PLC, Sheffield Park Station, TN22 3QL.

417] Glasgow Central Tours: These popular, interesting and highly recommended (No1 on TripAdvisor)
NR conducted tours to non-public areas continue regularly with new dates added. £13 per head which
finances the tours. See https://goo.gl/A7sFg2 for details, dates, many pictures and to book.

X.26] The Trent Ouse Docker, Sat 3 Mar UPDATE: https://goo.gl/eXgaef Westbury (06.10/23.55),
stations via Cheltenham (07.50/22.20) and New St (09.05/21.10) to Burton-on-Trent (09.45/20.30)
with extra set downs at Doncaster (19.15) & Derby (20.15). Castle Donington - Toton - Up & Down
Erewash Slow (Down direction) - Mansfield - Maltby - Low Ellers Curve (BLN 1298.278) - Potteric Carr
Jn - Doncaster Up Decoy Yard - Up Reception Siding No2 or No3 (past the new IEP Depot side of the
bank/trees which hides it from the main lines) - Transfer Line - Sand Bank Jn - Doncaster Up Slow - Up
Platform Loop (P1 in the Down direction) - Thorne Slow to 2479 points (0m 23ch) - Kirk Sandall Jn - Up
Slow Thorne Jn - Goole Docks (also Goole Up & Down Goods Loop) - Hull King George Dock Pathfinder
Tours from £99. These timings are still provisional and agreed route depends on timekeeping and that
of other trains. At Goole Docks the same routing is booked as as UK Railtour's 14 Nov 2015 'Galloping
Goolie' https://goo.gl/DwHeQa no other track is available for a passenger train. At Hull Docks
strenuous efforts are being made to come up with something a bit different! A few seats remain.

X.27] Southfield House Light Railway (7¼" gauge): Thought to be the largest garden railway in the UK.
https://goo.gl/9SMLBB is a 9½ minute video which starts with a plan of this amazing PRIVATE railway
over a mile long, the basic run takes half an hour and includes a significant viaduct! Southfield House,
Kenwick Rd, Louth, LN11 8NL, (TF 337 859). Steaming days 2018: Suns 11 Mar, 8 Apr, 6 May, 10 Jun,
1 Jul, 16 Sep, 7 Oct & 4 Nov; 11.00 to 15.30. The Station Buffet will be available. To assist with planning
please contact Bridget at [email protected] or text/phone 07906 166858 to
confirm attendance and the number in your party. Children must supervised by an adult at all times

X.28] Colne Valley Railway, Diesel Gala, Sat 24 Mar 10.30 - 17.00: Yeldham Rd, Castle Hedingham,
CO9 3DZ, (TL 773 362) (MR p8) D2041, D2184, 14901 and DMU W55033. Adults £8, Seniors £6, Child
£4 or Family £22 (2 Adults & 2 Children), Dogs £2. Peak service six trains per hour; double headed Class
03s as a finale and morning rare track tour: 10.45 - about 11.10: Hedingham P2 - Nunnery Jn Loop -
Nunnery Jn Headshunt - Nunnery Jn Main line - Hedingham P2 - Drawell Loop - Riverside Sidings or
Diesel Sidings (according to space) - Drawell Loop - Hedingham P2. This will be the only gala train to
Nunnery Headshunt and Drawell Loop. The miniature railway is currently closed for rebuilding.

418] Mountsorrel Branch, 24 & 25 Mar: Steam trains are expected to run on the branch. Swithland
signalling upgrade is proceeding for completion (allowing easier through running) by the end of 2018.

419] IOM, Rush Hour on the Railways, 30 Mar-2 Apr: Enhanced service/special events, nine trams out
on Easter Sunday, parallel running, workshop tours, drive a tram, photography events, postal train etc.

420] Acton Depot, 21/22 Apr, 7/8 Jul & 22/23 Sep; 11.00-17.00: (MR p17) Open days at the Museum
Depot with 320,000 artefacts. Rare road and rail vehicles dating back 100 years, bus and railway sheds,
signs, ceramic tiles, original posters, ephemera and ticket machines etc. Each weekend has a different
theme. Adult £12, Concessions £10, TfL staff and Under 18s free (Under 16s with an adult only),
LT Museum Friends £6 (and free on 22/23 Sep). Book at https://goo.gl/8KXzxn tickets are valid either
day. Your only chances to ride the 7¼" gauge Acton Miniature Railway (extended 20 Apr 2017).

421] Winchester Chesil station & Tunnel Tours: Sats 12 May, 24 Jun & 11 Aug at 11.15 & 14.15, Tue 17
Jul 18.30. Meet at Tourist Information Centre, The Broadway, Winchester, SO23 9GH, (1,150yd walk
from the station). A guided 90 min walk exploring the route of Winchester's other railway, the Didcot,
Newbury & Southampton line and inside the disused Chesil railway tunnel. £7.50 adult; £3 child. Book
in person (on the day if tickets left) by post (above) or [email protected] or 01962 840500.

422] Scottish Railway Preservation Society PROVISIONAL: Sat 21 Apr: Steam hauled 'Forth Circle'
trips from Linlithgow (am) and Inverkeithing (pm). Forth Bridge, Fife Coast, Charlestown Jn,
Longannet, Stirling and Linlithgow. Sat 9 Jun: Diesel haulage, Paisley Gilmour Street to Kyle of
Lochalsh, calls at Maxwell Park, so via Shields Junction, Terminus Junction, Muirhouse Central Jn &
Inverness avoiding line in both directions (a long day from Paisley!). Watch https://goo.gl/xpLafA
write with SAE to SRPS Railtours, 82 Busby Road, Carmunnock, GLASGOW, G76 9BJ 0131 2021033.

423] North Norfolk Railway NR connection; 16/23 May, 27 Jun, 25 Jul, 8/22 Aug & 26 Sep: 'Mainline
Dining Excursions'. Sheringham NNR (11.50) - Cromer - Holt - Sheringham (by about 15.00); a drink on
arrival and a three course lunch. £56.50 per head; book at https://goo.gl/XLywFZ or 01263 820800.

424] Lea Bailey (Gold Mine) Light Railway, 19/20 May & 22/23 Sep: HR9 5TR, (SO 6445 1957), hidden
in the lovely Forest of Dean. Open weekends (e-BLN 1267.X163 & photos) previously with 'Driver for a
Fiver' (but check) with membership. The only way to do the 2ft gauge track partly on The Mitcheldean
Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway, (later GWR) from Whimsey (Cinderford) - Mitcheldean Road
on the Hereford, Ross & Gloucester Railway. It was built but never used north of Drybrook Quarry.

425] Alan Keef Ltd 'Steam-Up & Open Day', 22 Sep (PROVISIONAL): A40, (SO 665 214), Ross-on-Wye,
HR9 7LQ, Light railway engineers and locomotive builders; 2ft gauge railway rides. (MR p18) Two miles
by road from the Lea Bailey Light Railway (open the same day); other events are expected in the area.

426] 34% Railcard Discount: At stations, on online, some ticket machines† and train
conductors, normal PLUSBUS and railcard conditions apply but no minimum fare. Available with 16-25,
Disabled, Family & Friends, HM Forces, Network, Senior, Two Together & Annual Gold Card Railcards.
Remember PLUSBUS is available for one or both ends of a journey (but not in the same PLUSBUS
zone). One day, 7-day & 1-month tickets are available. Examples (one day): ●Sheffield: (£4/£2.65
railcard) - with all Supertram network. ●Blackpool: (£3.60/£2.40) Starr Gate - Cleveleys Thornton Park
trams. ●Edinburgh: (£3.80/£2.50) trams York Place - Ingliston Park & Ride. ●Birmingham, or Sandwell
& Dudley or Wolverhampton zones: (each £3.40/£2.25), each one includes the whole Midland Metro.
●Nottingham: (£4.50/£2.95) NET Nottingham Station - Phoenix Park/Moor Bridge. †All machines:
Greater Anglia, GWR, EMT, SWR, Southern, SE & Virgin Trains; (main station machines VTEC & TPE).

427] Cambridge Carriages: https://goo.gl/9Zx9YB Capability Barns, Huntingdon Road (A14), Fen
Drayton, CB24 4S. (TL 327678) 01954 233 279; Tue-Sat 12.30-17.30/available for private hire - note
for next BLS Committee meeting. Afternoon teas/high teas; a recently opened railway themed venue.
It is not on a former railway but has an authentic smart appearance; the platform came from Oakham,
there is standard gauge track, a signal box with a lever frame and block instruments, signals, three
coaches (open table or private compartments) and a station style building all done to a high standard.

428] T&W Metro, Sunderland Park Lane stop Facing Crossover (0m 17ch): As far as this crossover and
P2 of Park Lane on the South Hylton branch is part of the bidirectional working from Sunderland
North End Jn (on Down line) and Monkwearmouth Jn (on Up line) through Sunderland station. This
crossover is used by 05.05 & 05.58 SSuX; 05.06 SO South Gosforth to Park Lane (05.48/06.41; 05.45
SO), passenger services turning back in P2 returning to Newcastle Airport 05.52/06.45 SSuX; 06.46 SO.

●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]
●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-947.

X.29] E-BLN 1299 Caption Competition: BELOW: We are expecting some really good ones ….. all
suggestions to the Editor please, the best (and printable) ones will be in e-BLN 1300. (Ian Hughes)