1296

06.00 on Sun 17 Dec saw the arrival of assorted GC volunteers at Heaton, greeted by the gleaming
silver buffers on 43423 as cars were parked and supplies loaded while we awaited our Driver. A quick
call to Tyneside IECC saw a slightly early departure for 5Z41 at 07.34. Despite a few signal checks on
the way, the train arrived at Newcastle P4 spot on time, with the remaining GC and BLS volunteers
eagerly standing by, along with a remarkably good number of passengers and photographers.

With photos taken and more supplies loaded 1Z41 departed via the King Edward Bridge on time. After
a trundle through the urban surrounds of Tyneside there was little time to pick up speed before we
were slowing for the 'feather' to run via the Up Pelaw Goods Loop then proceeding towards Boldon,
where further stately progress was made through the Up Loop (as at Pelaw given away by its jointed
track). The onboard volunteers were busily preparing sales stands and the buffet in Coach 'E' while
starting to serve breakfast to the First Class passengers, the majority of whom boarded at Newcastle.
From start to finish one thing that stood out was the wonderful friendly atmosphere on the train.

Newcastle P4 Ryhope Grange No1 Siding 14m 58ch
Sunderland P3 & 4 2m 16ch
Ryhope Grange No1 Siding Ryhope Grange Jn, Down Main 0m 27ch
Ryhope Grange Jn, Down Main 111m 34ch.
Hartlepool P2 Sand Bank Jn, Up & Down West Slow 1 95m 19ch
York P3 36m 11ch
Doncaster P4 Hexthorpe Sidings Jn, Dn Sheffield Gds 0m 68ch
Sand Bank Jn, Up & Down West Slow 1 EMD Roberts Road, Road 7 EOL 1m 21ch
Hexthorpe Sidings Jn, Dn Sheffield Gds Sheffield P1b 0m 45ch
EMD Roberts Road, Road 7 EOL Barrow Hill South Jn, Down Barrow Hill . 17m 74ch
Sheffield P1b Bradford Interchange P2 14m 07ch
Barrow Hill South Jn, Down Barrow Hill . Gascoigne Wood Down Goods Loop 100m 58ch
Bradford Interchange P2 York P5 26m 76ch
Hartlepool P2 14m 59ch
Gascoigne Wood Down Goods Loop Sunderland P3 & 4 74m 01ch
Newcastle P4 92m 06ch
103m 72ch

[BLN 1296]
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: On an overcast morning, reversing in Ryhope Grange Siding No1 with its run-

round loop to the right, left was latterly the former Murton/Hawthorn branch. (Jonathan Kirby)

ABOVE: The HST is at Ryhope Grange (no 'Junction' name here!) on the Down Main looking south
about to make the second reversal. The position light has 'U' (not visible) in the tiny theatre indicator
ready to run to the Up Main line via the crossover past the bridge. The line off to the right is to Ryhope
Grange Sidings, the line coming in bottom left corner if from Sunderland Docks. (Jonathon Kirby)

Before we knew it the River Wear was crossed and we ran in to the bidirectional Sunderland Down
P3/4 for our second pick-up. At Ryhope Grange Jn the train came to an ominous stand at RG33 Signal.
Thankfully, a GSM-R call to the Signaller confirmed that the only issue was an incorrectly signed speed
restriction at the entrance to the sidings and, with our Driver aware, the road was cleared to allow
progress into Ryhope Grange No1 Siding, to the normal point of HST operations. After a brief (staff)
photo stop, we reversed (aided by a Driver at both ends of the train) and proceeded back but onto the
Down Sunderland, to reverse again behind RG10 Position Light Signal thus covering the facing then
trailing crossovers. We were well ahead of schedule as the first Northern service passed on the 'Up'.

A steady run along the nowadays attractive Durham Coast line, the sea very calm, followed with a pick-
up at Hartlepool P2 and a non-stop run was on the cards to York. With none of the usual GC passenger
calling points, and routed via the Up Fast at Northallerton, the HST set was soon up to 125mph on the
ECML, covering the 30 miles from Northallerton to York in 18mins, prior to our next pick-up there in
P3. (Here Stewards had to work hard to convince 'normal' passengers that we were not the train a few
minutes later to King's Cross! One asked where we were going - a good question.) We also collected
our DRS Route Conductors for some of the unusual moves, turning left towards Selby at Hambleton
North Jn and then traversing the now single track Selby Canal Curve in the direction that conveniently
covered the facing then trailing crossover before/afterwards to rejoin the ECML at Temple Hirst Jn.

A quick sprint down the ECML and it was time for the next passenger call at Doncaster P4, before
proceeding on the 'Down Side' towards Sand Bank Jn to reverse. Drivers and Route Conductors at both
ends led to a seamless reversal, traversing the south side of the triangle. Then a glimpse, left, of our
next destination and we were reversing again to proceed into Roberts Road Depot from the west.

A pause at the first set of handpoints saw radios exchanged,
and a depot staff member join the Guard as Route
Conductor, as well as a NR Mobile Operations Manager who
accompanied the train for most of the journey. With points
secured in advance, the train soon reached the buffer stops
in No7 Road (furthest from the main lines), affording
passengers a good view of various GBRf locos on the depot,
positioned specially for best visibility. Unfortunately, the
elusive Niteq battery shunter wasn't visible, due to working on the wheel lathe with a Mobile
Maintenance Train that was undergoing tyre turning.

The HST returned to the departure signal, to run to Sheffield as 1Z42. Having deposited the member of
Electro-Motive Diesel's staff, we were away on the Down Hexthorpe Goods line a few minutes early.
A clear run was achieved to Nunnery Main Line Jn, then, after a few minutes, in to P1 spot on time.

With just shy of half an hour here, many participants (and staff!) took the opportunity to capture the
unusual sight of a GC HST in the station, as well as enjoying the fine surroundings of the Sheffield Tap
(sadly not tour staff!). Staff photos complete, all the volunteers worked rapidly to clean the train and
top up supplies, for a prompt departure at 12.55 onto the steeply graded 'Old Road' towards Barrow
Hill as First Class lunch service progressed. Slightly slippery rails made for a challenging climb, but both
power cars performed well and we took the bidirectional Staveley Goods line in the Up direction,
stopping at a red signal at the south end of the loop. After a brief conversation between Driver and
Route Conductor, a GSM-R call was made to York ROC, Rotherham Workstation, to ask the reason for
the delay. It was confirmed that the schedule wasn't entirely clear as to the reversal point, but with
the assistance of the Signaller the position light soon cleared and with an 'X' in the route indicator the
train proceeded through Barrow Hill South Jn facing crossover to reverse on the Down Barrow Hill.

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: 'Spotter Spotting' (and not just the spots of rain); from the cab at the
north end of Sheffield station waiting to depart for Barrow Hill South Jn. (Jonathon Kirby)

ABOVE: On the (bidirectional) Staveley Goods Line at Barrow Hill; the Route Conductor speaks to the
Signaller to confirm the routing from S238 towards Barrow Hill South Jn. (Jonathon Kirby)

NEXT PAGE UPPER: Barrow Hill South Jn, the route is set for the Barrow Hill Goods. (Jonathon Kirby)

NEXT PAGE LOWER: With headboard and silver buffers, 43423 leads the Grand Farewell
railtour from Barrow Hill South Jn to Bradford Interchange. (Jonathon Kirby).

Route listing is adapted from work by, and thanks to, Martyn Brailsford (and checked by others).
All souvenir tickets are produced, as usual, by Jim Sellens with grateful thanks.



(Normal passenger route taken unless shown.) Newcastle P4 - King Edward Bridge North Jn - Greensfield
Jn - Up Sunderland - Up Pelaw Goods Loop - Up Sunderland - Boldon Up Loop - Sunderland North End Jn -
Sunderland P3/4 - Up Main - Ryhope Grange No1 Siding (rev) - Ryhope Grange Jn Down Main (rev) -
Hartlepool P2 - Northallerton High Jn - Up Fast - York (P3) - Up Main - Hambleton North Jn - Selby West
Jn - Selby Canal Jn - Temple Hirst Jn - Up Main - Doncaster North Jn - Down Fast - 2nd X/O to Doncaster P4
- Down/Up West Slow No1 past Sand Bank Jn (rev) - St James Jn (Gds) - Down Hexthorpe Goods (rev) -
Roberts Road No7 Road (rev) - Swinton Jn South - Wincobank Jn - Nunnery Main Line Jn - Down Main -
Sheffield P1b (rev) - Down Main - Woodhouse Jn - Staveley Goods Line - Barrow Hill South Jn X/O to
Down Barrow Hill (rev) - Barrow Hill Goods - Barrow Hill North Jn - Woodhouse Jn - Nunnery Main Line Jn
- Down Main - Sheffield Down Station Siding - New Mills South Jn - Hazel Grove P2 - Edgeley Jn No1 -
Down Slow - Edgeley Jn No2 - Down Main - 1st X/O - Down Fast - Heaton Norris Jn - Ashton Moss North Jn
- Philips Park West Jn - Brewery Jn - Milner Royd Jn - Halifax P1 - Bradford Interchange P2 (rev) - Holbeck
Jn - Line 'C' - Whitehall Southeast Jn - Up West Curve - Engine Shed Jn - Castleford - Milford Jn -
Gascoigne Wood Jn - Dn Goods Loop (rev) - Down Hull - Gascoigne Wood Jn - Church Fenton - Down
Normanton - Colton Jn - Down Main - York P5 - Down Fast - Longlands Jn - Down Longlands Loop -
Eaglescliffe P2 - Hartlepool P2 - Sunderland P3/4 - Up Pelaw Goods Loop - Down Sunderland - High Level
Bridge Central Jn - Up Sunderland - Newcastle East Jn - Left at first Double Slip - Newcastle P4.

Now running under the rather appropriate headcode of 1Z43, a trip through the Barrow Hill Goods
line (on the Down side) was completed, before retracing our tracks to Nunnery Main Line Jn. After a
brief signal check the route was pleasingly set to run though the very rare Sheffield Down Station
Siding where we paused again to swap Route Conductors. The DRS lads were able to take a breather,
and were relieved by a pair of fine West Coast Railway Company gentlemen who had joined the train
during our earlier layover in the 'Steel City'. Soon on the move again, a steady run was undertaken
over a rather soggy Hope Valley, with a covering of snow noted as we climbed further into the hills.

Before we knew it the train was through Hazel Grove and crossing the ladder on the approach to
Stockport, before rolling to a halt in the Down Main (which one participant had wanted to do for
20 years) - much to the surprise of the Northern Shunters who were enjoying a quiet afternoon in the
Mess Room attached to the adjacent carriage sidings! To the surprise of all the train crew, we were
soon on the move 21 minutes ahead of schedule, and took the junction at Heaton Norris Jn towards
Denton. After a brief conversation between train crew and Signaller it was decided to make the most
of the early run and pause at Reddish South for a staff photo and have a chat with the Friends of
Reddish South Station - who had been eagerly awaiting our passing. With time still in hand, it seemed
only right to also pause at Denton, both stations currently only being served by one passenger train
per week (FO). With the Signaller's permission the stop was completed and more photos captured.

From this point it was onward round the outskirts of Manchester, including Brewery Curve before
proceeding onto the Calder Valley as darkness proper began to set in - with First Class passengers
enjoying their afternoon cream tea and (except for the Stewards) a couple of glasses of Prosecco!
Before we knew it we were passing Dryclough Jn and on a portion of railway more used to black and
orange trains - although not normally the buffered variety! Having paused briefly outside Halifax for
an Up GC train, earlier work by the organisers paid off and we completed the rare bidirectional move
through Up P1, then ran into Bradford Interchange - only the fourth visit of a Grand Central HST here!

After bidding farewell to the WCRC Route Conductors and reversing, the train proceeded as 1Z44 via
New Pudsey and the Whitehall Curve before passing Stourton and branching left towards Castleford.
The excellent results of both raffle (an incredible £1,365.80 for 125 Group who were really delighted)
and the silent auction (over £7k achieved!) become apparent. The raffle is a new BLS tour record - one
person even bought £120 worth of tickets! A clear run through Milford Jn saw us traverse the curve to
Gascoigne Wood Jn, cross into the Down Loop and reverse for the final time in service. The tour took
Sherburn Curve to set down (and also pick up a few) in York P5 with a final staff photo before our DRS
Route Conductors went off duty to enjoy a well earned pint while we enjoyed more 125mph running.

ABOVE: A Grand Central HST approaches Jigg's Lane foot-crossing at Langford on the ECML with the
06.45 Sunderland to London King's Cross on 4 Apr 2012. After 10 years work the HST sets have now
gone off-lease, the final run north was on the evening of Sun 31 Dec 2017. (Geoff Plumb)

Approaching Longlands Jn we were on flashing yellow aspects and took the crossover from the Down
Fast to the Down Longlands Loop before emerging back onto GC core route at Northallerton East Jn.
News reached the traincrew that Eaglescliffe Down Loop could not be traversed due to a points defect,
the first 'loss' from the complex itinerary. As we headed for Hartlepool, the BLS team worked tirelessly
collecting litter, with the catering crew setting up First Class and arranging stock ready for the next
day's service train and various sales stands were dismantled. At Sunderland it was unfortunately not
possible to traverse the Up Platform in the Down Direction as planned due to an ongoing sewage leak.

With a few hardy souls left on board, the final 'move' of the day saw the train traverse the Up Pelaw
Goods Loop again, but this time in the Down Direction - a signalled move and achieved non-stop!
In no time at all before the train was crossing the High Level Bridge back to Newcastle P4, affording
the classic view of the River Tyne by night, almost exactly 12 hours after leaving P4. Equipment was
rapidly offloaded and the train locked up, with 5Z44 then departing promptly to Heaton, silver buffers
once more glinting in the station lights as we bid our train for the day a fond goodbye.

Among the GC and BLS volunteers there was a collective sigh of relief and an awful lot of smiles that
the event had gone off seamlessly in support of some excellent causes - at the final count of all funds a
wonderful £21,000 was raised for the Railway Benefit Fund and Railway Children (half going to each).

On a personal level, the four months leading up to the event had seen an incredible amount of hard
work by many to make the day possible - and at some points we were somewhat concerned that
various stumbling blocks might upset the plan entirely! While acting at Project Manager, it would not
have been possible to deliver such a fantastic day without all those assisting. People often comment
on how fragmented the rail industry has become since privatisation, but this event showed the
'railway family' at its best, coming together successfully to support worthy charities.

ABOVE: No HST tour would be complete without it … the all important GSM-R headcode. (Jonathon Kirby)

The list of people to thank is extremely long, but it is only right to mention David Craigie and James
Trebinski at GC, who were instrumental in coming up with a plan and assisting execution, Kev and the
BLS team who were outstanding both in the build-up and on the day. Alex Jackson and the rest of the
team in NR LNE Operations offered invaluable support and insight in terms of planning and operations.

Also thanks to the rest of the GC team involved in timing and bidding for the service and, importantly,
the volunteer train crew who gave up their time on the Sunday before Christmas to operate the train
and provide outstanding service to those onboard. We also owe a massive thank you to DRS and WCRC
for the provision of Route Conductors for much of the day; EMD/Progress Rail for allowing us to take
the first ever passenger train onto Roberts Road. In addition Rail Gourmet, Virgin Trains East Coast,
EMT, Northern, GBRf and Harsco gave their support and contributed to the fantastic raffle and auction
lots that were on offer during the day. All in all a fantastic experience, and we very much look forward
to meeting up with the excellent guys from all the causes supported, to present some sizeable cheques
in early 2018! (Adapted from a report by Jonathon Kirby, Performance Manager, Grand Central Rail.)

91] £220K in 2017: Our 2017 charity activities raised £220,688.68p (£170 per member!)

Details must be checked 1296 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
92] Property Section: 4 Crowhurst Lane, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks, 4-Bed detached home in 2.39
acres with numerous outbuildings, workshops etc and a 7¼ " miniature railway that is in need of TLC -
any details of it anyone? https://goo.gl/SUiF5k offers over £1.4M. Ward & Partners 01474 631061.

93] The Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society: This society https://goo.gl/vJ3Sfb was formed in 1971 to
enable South Wales and Bristol/Avonside enthusiasts to visit places of railway interest; membership is
not limited to those areas. Normally 11 trips take place a year with over 530 successfully run all over
the UK and recently to Ireland. Most are one day although the Easter trip is usually three or four days.
Where possible they provide a balanced but intensive visit by road to the selected area. Visits include
industrial, museum, preservation, plant and miniature locations with mainline depots and works
especially where new stock is being delivered. Non-members welcome, a monthly magazine is issued.
E-membership is £9 per year (two years with paper £30). Membership: Mr S Chainey, 6 Usk Way, Cwm
Talwg, Barry, CF62 7XL, [email protected] or 01446 720750.

94] Arriving later in January; TRACKmaps, Vol 1 Scotland: Edited by Martyn Brailsford, 6th Edition (first
was 1988), 26 pages, includes the IOM, various Heritage lines and the Glasgow Subway, RRP £12.95.

95] National Railway Museum, 'Go Behind the Scenes': Mons 30 Apr, 21 May & 18 Jun 09.00-11.00:
Workshops to see restoration work, loco preparation bay, Art Store and Archive (may be further dates
later - they book quickly) before public opening with a curator, over 18s only, no wheelchairs; includes
hot drinks and pastries at 10.30, details/to book (£40): https://goo.gl/5DA6Ru or 0844 815 3139.

96] Dartmoor Railway 20 & 21 Jan: (BLN 1295.2566) https://goo.gl/pVVAD1 0183752762, 15.00
from Okehampton (EX20 1RJ) P3 with Class 08 D4167 (back at 15.35) via the East end entrance then
to Meldon Quarry Road 12 (15.15/15.20), a good distance from the normal running line. This is as
used by the recent 'Trains to Christmas Town' (which incidentally worked to the Quarry first then
MP 196 after) and not a Santa in sight! Also Okehampton P3 to the site of Coleford Jn with 31452 at
10.30, 12.30 & 16.00 taking 90 minutes return. Regarding the BLN 1295 Meldon Quarry track plan:
the dead end siding at the bottom is actually a very short stub (similar to that on the left.) The
passenger running line at the top is Road 2 (presumably Road 1 was the former Up line in double
track days). Road 12 is the middle of the bottom group of three through lines and not an original rail
ballast screens/loading line. They were lower down and are lifted or buried with the screens now
demolished. Their east end stop block (TRACKmaps Vol 3 p10C Aug 2010) can be seen in situ.

97] Okehampton - Lydford Railway Walk: A perfect accompaniment to the previous item; the superb
10 mile 'Granite Path' (and cycleway) runs from the restored Okehampton station. It follows the
Dartmoor Railway to Meldon Quarry, over the amazing tall Meldon Viaduct, along the interesting and
attractive, heavily engineered former double track Southern Railway main line (CP 6 May 1968) skirting
Dartmoor to Plymouth as far as the outskirts of Lydford (SX 517 853). There are far reaching scenic
views including 'tors'. A deviation is made round the intact Bridestowe station, 1,000ft above sea level
(it can be viewed from the overbridge) where the standard gauge horse-drawn Rattlebrook Tramway
or Bridestowe Peat Railway (CA 1930s) route that climbed to 1,800ft can be seen (BLN 1158.1104).
Rather than do an 8 mile walk, there is free parking and level access just off the A386 at Prewley Moor,
EX20 4HP, (SX 5426 9112). From here it is 1.8 miles to the Okehampton side of Meldon Viaduct and 4.2
miles south to Lydford (saving two miles between Okehampton and the viaduct in each direction).

98] Mayfield Station Tours: 13 & 14 Jan 13.00, 20 Jan 15.00, 21 Jan 13.00, 27 Jan 15.00 also 10, 17, 24
Feb, 1 Mar & 17 Mar 10.30 (other dates fully booked). Manchester's most spectacular abandoned
building (OP Aug 1910 LNWR, CP Aug 1960; RO for parcels Jul 1970; CA Apr 1987?). The 24 acre site is
to be redeveloped over the next 10 years with 1,300 homes, 75,000m2 of office space, a 350-bedoom
hotel, retail, leisure facilities and a new city park. The tours, guided by Jonathan Schofield, include the
basement with its many iron columns, the brick causeway and on to the platforms. Must be booked,
£10 https://goo.gl/22A5gQ no pay on the day. Reports and high definition pictures welcome for BLN.

X.4] Dunston Staiths: BELOW: On the River Tyne and the largest timber structure in Europe, it is a
Scheduled Monument; Grade II listed and open to the public at times. It CG 25 Apr 1980 and is now
owned by the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust. (Ian Mortimer Apr 1980 and just in time!)

99] London Railway Memorials No3, Sat 3 Feb: A private event, the last in the series, led by former
Society Chairman, and local railway historian of repute, Don Kennedy. Travel is on foot and by public
transport and finishes at the repositioned South Eastern Railway war memorial at London Bridge
formerly in their Tooley St offices. Previous visits to it there (BLN 1295.2506) on 11 Nov 2014 & 28 Feb
2015 were Don's private visits rather than Society events. However, BLS members interested in the
third event are welcome to apply to Don for details at [email protected] or 020 8567 4397.

100] The Trent Ouse Docker, Sat 3 Mar: Westbury (06.10/23.55), stations via Cheltenham and New St to
Burton (09.45/20.30) and Doncaster (19.15) & Derby (20.15) set downs. Castle Donington, Toton, Up &
Down Erewash Slow (Down direction), Mansfield, Maltby, Doncaster: Low Ellers Curve - Potteric Carr Jn
- Up Reception - Up Goods (IEP Depot side of the bank/trees!) - Doncaster Up side in Down direction -
Goole Docks (also Goole Up & Down Goods Loop) - Hull King George Dock. Pathfinder Tours from £99.

101] Great railway Journeys (UK): Series 9 with Michael Portillo started Mon 1 Jan, BBC 2 18.30-19.00
SSuX and BBC iPlayer, 10 episodes. The highlight is undoubtedly Letchworth Garden City - Herne Hill.
There is a very generous budget; Hartlebury to Malvern was 4-tracked especially just for one episode.

102] Ebbw Vale Cableway: (BLN 1295.2461) NP23 8UW, from SO 1697 0945 about 210yd northwest of
Town station to SO 1691 0943, SSuBHX: 07.00-19.00, free; to check if it is running: 01495 355837.

X.5] STOP PRESS: (BLN 1395.2571) With thanks to our member who just phoned the Editor. The
'Dunelm' C1900 London Railway map is now reduced by 20% in their sale from £16.99 to £13.59.

●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Iain Scotchman (Finland railtour) 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD, CM15 9AJ. [email protected]
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime). [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] or text/ring the Editor
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]
●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html

Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.