1305

ABOVE: Our railtour at Laajakangas test track in the sun, the snow is long 'standing'. (Iain Scotchman)
BELOW: With The mini-headboard again. (Paul Griffin)

1118] BLS Central/Northern Finland freight line railtour - summary: (BLN 1290.2000 with map) There
is a more detailed report with pictures with e-BLNI 1305 and on our website document archive.
Merkitty kartta on Martyn Brailsfordin ansiosta (for the very few of you who do not know this means:
The marked up map is thanks to Martyn Brailsford).This tour from 20-24 April 2018 was arranged by
our member Iain Scotchman after learning during the PTG 2017 Finland tour that three lengthy freight
lines were seriously threatened with closure. PTG had mainly used the preserved locomotives and
coaches of the Haapamäen Museoveturiyhdistys ry (HMVY); that is The Haapamäki Museum

Association who specialise in
maintaining Finnish railway culture.
They are based at Haapamäki just
78km away from our suggested railtour
starting point of Jyväskylä.
Negotiations led to the Society hiring
half of the train while HMVY marketed
the rest for their 25th Anniversary tour.

This arrangement was necessary to
ensure the use of a loco-hauled train,
with the welcome benefits of more
space and a restaurant car, with a
reasonable price for the tour based on
the number of bookings expected, a
number that was comfortably
exceeded. LEFT: Another really cool
production by ticket expert Jim Sellens.

After much hard work from all parties, around 60 Brits (mostly our Society members), also with some
enthusiasts from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands, successfully
visited all three endangered lines. Additionally many more freight only lines, curves and rare track
were included on a 4½ day railtour covering just less than 2,000km! The threatened sections were 92,
112 and 164km long, and with the total population of Finland being less than that of Greater London,
careful planning was needed to include these and other freight only lines while ending each day in
towns with sufficient overnight accommodation! Being so far north daylight hours were already longer
than in the UK, but everyone booking was nevertheless warned to expect cool weather, possibly even
snow. Spring was late arriving in Finland this year so while the UK was experiencing a short heat wave,
the tour group were walking and falling around in deep (although not fresh) snow and most lakes (of
which there are thousands in Finland) were still frozen. Even so, when the sun shone and there was no
wind, although the temperature was just above freezing it did not feel cold.

HMVY have approval for all lines in Finland, subject to obtaining any necessary local permissions, and it
no doubt helped in their efforts to obtain these that some HMVY staff are also line collectors, one
admitting that the tour would add three sections of track to his list! 'Highlights' Included: ●Our loco
disappearing to assist a stalled freight train 50km away. ●Only the second passenger train on a line
since it opened in 2009 (but also probably its last as an imminent change to workplace Health & Safety
regulations mean all future requests to travel to a site with hazardous chemicals can be instantly
refused). ●A Mayor's wife wanting to travel on our train from one branch end. ●A short ride on
someone else's railtour. ●Discovering a new curve under construction off a freight branch that itself
was included (annoying for some!). ●Not forgetting a narrow gauge heritage branch in the snow where
the diesel failed and had to be rescued by a steam engine. ●A miniature railway where unbelievably….
(see BLNI)! Only one branch was declined due to the condition of the track after the annual snow melt,
even then its triangular junction was still covered and the loss was made up by many other gains.

[BLN 1305]
Perhaps those who are not into European rail travel might be at least slightly curious to read the full
illustrated report with e-BLNI, if only to trigger memories of past UK tours when you could jump on
and off the train for photo stops and walk around at the end of freight branches. You never know,
perhaps you may become interested in future overseas tours our Society or others arrange. After all,
what's not to like and you all know deep down you would enjoy it….… Many thanks to Iain Scotchman
for all his time and effort which paid off and to our Committee for their faith in the tour's success.
The tour was so successful that a £25 rebate per day was made (so cost only £65 per day). (Ian Hutton)

1119] Calder Valley Signal Box Visits Thur 3 May: Seven Society signalling specialists assembled at
Britannia St Car Park, Bradford at 10.00. Local Operations Manager Derek King took us to Mill Lane
Junction Signal Box, originally opened Fri 7 Nov 1884. It is a Railway Signal Company (RSCo) build for
the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) and originally had a 56-lever RSCo frame. This was removed
and replaced with a BR NER (British Railways North Eastern Region) Individual Function Switch (IFS)
panel to control the area on Sun 30 Mar 1969. There was a temporary line closure from Sat 25 Oct to
Sun 2 Nov 2008 for resignalling and track remodelling. The box has a wooden top on a brick base.
Derek and the duty signaller provided much interesting information about the signalling.

ABOVE: Bradford Mill Lane Jn (near Bradford Exchange showing the rather complex station
pointwork) with a keen signal box fan bottom left. (All pictures by Nick Jones on 3 May 2018.)



PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: Halifax (was Halifax east) box looking north towards Bradford with some of the
replacement new signalling in place. The remaining island platform is right. ABOVE: Interior.

Leaving 11.00 the former Halifax East box was reached at 11.30. Opened in 1884 it was renamed just
'Halifax' on Sun 10 Mar 1969. This was also a RSCo build for the L&YR, again a wooden top on a brick
base on the Down side. The original 54-lever RSCo frame was extended to 56 levers in 1888 and then
replaced by a new L&YR 70-lever frame in 1892. This in turn was superseded by a BR ER (Eastern
Region) IFS panel commissioned Sun 30 Mar 1969. After another good visit the party left at midday.

Next at 12.30 was Milner Royd Junction; one of the earliest built (1874) surviving operational boxes on
NR. It is a Yardley & Smith Type 2 brick built box, on the Down side, originally with a 20-lever Yardley &
Smith frame. In 1903 this was replaced by a second hand RSCo Liverpool built, 20-lever tappet frame
with 18 RSCo and two L&YR levers. All were replaced, at an unknown date, during the late LMS or early
BR days, with L&Y RSCo pattern levers. There are nine working levers, seven spare and four spaces.



[BLN 1305]
ABOVE LOWER: More signal box fans. What can we say? Well it's certainly a nice picture of the signal box!

The fourth box, the Grade 2 listed Hebden Bridge (originally 'East') with a wooden top on a brick base
on the Up side was reached at 13.00. Opened in 1891 it was built by the L&YR as was its original
36-lever frame (later extended to 38). When visited there were 13 working levers, 15 spare with 10
spaces. Thanks to LOM Derek King, Bethanie Hayton, Chris Gee for the arrangements, our member
Barney Clark and to all the signallers. A £150 donation was made to Barnardo's as a 'thank you'. All
four boxes are scheduled to close in Oct 2018 as part of the Calder Valley resignalling. (Ken Lowe)

BELOW: Hebden Bridge.

1120] Island of Ireland III Day 1, Thur 3 May: Our
four day 'long weekend' opened with some 33
members on a coach heading out of a very wet
Belfast to Peatlands Park (MR p26) which has had 3ft
gauge railways since 1901, originally to transport cut
turf from the bog. The current two mile long line was
opened in 1989 as a visitor attraction in a new
Country Park established at the worked-out bog.
Members enjoyed two circuits of the track (laid on
part of the original track bed) in open passenger
vehicles drawn by an AK40 diesel engine built in
Herefordshire. Thanks to the driver, who established a safe method of working and access, the party
also managed to see inside the depot building. This was at the end of an exceptionally lengthy shed
branch (longer than many railways!) off a headshunt (for ECS to reverse in) near the passenger station.

From here it was back to a rather drier Belfast Central (where its future new name 'Lanyon Place' was
noted to be prominent in the area) to join the 12.35 loco powered Enterprise service from P2 towards
Dublin. It is the intention to ultimately divert these services to the rebuilt and extended Great Victoria
Street (GVS) station when City Jn to Central Jn (avoiding GVS station) will become 'rare'. The party
alighted at Drogheda to take a stopping DMU to Dublin from bay P3 which is much sought after track.
Unfortunately (particularly so as the train was at the stop blocks), the lifts to this island platform were
out of use and so the train was ECS shunted to P1 to allow a passenger who could not use the stairs to
join. So P3 will have to await another visit. The Up line was regained via the south trailing crossover.

After a short break at Dublin Connolly the party 'Darted' off via Pearse Down Loop before stepping
back at Salthill & Monkstown to reach the end of Dun Laoghaire bay P3. Then it was off via Connolly
and a DMU terminating at Balbriggan P2. This gave Balbriggan trailing crossover on the return which

[BLN 1305]
was followed by a sequence of moves involving Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse for extra crossovers
and track between the three stations. Leaving Pearse station, a diminishing group of members made
its way on foot to St Stephens Green stop for the new Luas Green Line extension (under construction
during our 2017 visit). First the unidirectional curve from O'Connell Upper to Parnell was scored and
then the extension to Broombridge and back. There was evidence in the form of old bridges that part
of the extension runs on the former line to Broadstone station (itself an impressive building). An island
platform and a water tower survive at the former Liffey Junction station. It was quite easy to do both
Broombridge Luas new platforms. The call of sustenance (of both kinds) and hotels was strong as was
the need to be back at Connolly by 07.45 for Day 2. An excellent start to the four days. (Will Davies)

Details must be checked 1305 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
1121] Bere Ferrers Station, Sun 3 Jun 11.30-17.00: The Tamar Belle Branch Line Holidays and Visitors
Centre, Yelverton, PL20 7LT, (SX 4525 6350). Open day for the 50th anniversary of the Tamar Valley
Line (6 return services summer Sundays Plymouth - Gunnislake from 09.10 to 20.01 come by train!).
Passenger rides available on the internal standard gauge lines adjacent to the station. There are more
Tamar Valley Line events over the weekend https://goo.gl/CX7d8R and information about the line.

X.73] Great Rail Restorations: Channel 4 Wed 6 Jun 20.00-21.00 a series by Peter Snow about heritage
railway coach restoration. Episode 1: A 1912 brake composite is restored at Llangollen, a large first-
class saloon, three immaculate third-class compartments, two loos, and a guard's brake compartment .

1122] Being Brunel, Bristol: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol, BS1 6TY. A new museum about
the great man, opened with a £7.2M grant, near the SS Great Britain. It is linked to the historic dock and
Brunel drawing offices by walkways, has 150 previously unseen artifacts on show including the engineer's
1821 school report and a cigar case dating from 1836. Larger items include the funnel from the SS Great
Eastern with several interactive displays including a mock 1830s railway carriage simulator. Open daily
except 24 & 25 Dec and second Mon in Jan. Until Oct: 10.00-18.00; Nov-Mar: 10.00-16.30; last admission
one hour before closing. Ticket includes the Museum and SS Great Britain for 12 months (for original ticket
holder) from date of purchase. £16.50 Adult; £14.50 Over 65/Student with ID; £9.50 Child 5-16; £45 Family
2A & 3C; 5% online discount. Admission FREE for those named Isambard! (proof needed). Harbourside
Kitchen, Brunel Institute* and 'Go Aloft' climb available. [*Free admission, a large collection of maritime
books, Lloyd's Register back to the 1700s, plans of ships, the national Brunel collection, 100 ship models,
35,000 maritime postcards, hundreds of works of art, 50+ historic maritime craft films, diaries and letters.]

1123] Malvern Link, Station House Platform 3: Actually on P1! https://goo.gl/eZhGE9 (see gallery)
5 star new railway themed, self-catering, part of the original 1859 stationmaster's house. Two double
en-suite bedrooms, all modern facilities with a train viewing mezzanine. When the middle and right
hand ground floor sections (Platforms 4 & 5) are developed, the property will sleep 12 or three groups
of four. An area of outstanding natural beauty with plenty of trains! See website or 0345 268 0785.

1124] Southfield House Light Railway (7¼" gauge): Southfield House, Kenwick Rd, Louth, LN11 8NL,
(TF 337 859). Even if miniature railways are not your thing this one, thought to be the UK's largest, is
very impressive and intricate - over a mile long, (if you only ever do one). https://goo.gl/9SMLBB is
a 9½ min video with a plan at the start; the basic run (with a significant viaduct) takes half an hour!
The remaining steaming days in 2018 are: Suns 10 Jun, 1 Jul, 16 Sep, 7 Oct & 4 Nov; 11.00 to 15.30.
The Station Buffet will be open. To assist with planning (and to be notified of last minute changes)
please email [email protected] or text/phone 07906 166858 to confirm
attendance and the number in your party. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

1125] Downs Light Railway, Colwall, Sat 23 Jun: Reminder public rides 11.00-17.00 (see BLN 1302.811).

1126] Rothesay Gala, Isle of Bute, Sat 30 Jun & Sun 1 Jul: Admission £5, with 'iconic steam train rides',
presumed to be a repeat of last year when a peripatetic miniature railway operated on the promenade.

1127] Heart of/Central Wales Line, Many Sesquicentennial Returns, Sat 7 Jul: BLN 1400.516 advised:
In July there may be something a bit special coming down the line … Arriva Trains Wales is sponsoring a
steam special of 8 Mk1 coaches, 'The Sugar Loaf Mountaineer'; diesel from Birmingham (08.30/22.55),
and intermediately to Shrewsbury (10.10/21.15). Then Black 5 No 45231 'The Sherwood Forester' to
Carmarthen and back with steam for 220 miles, both directions over Cynghordy Viaduct. Pathfinder
Tours is the booking agent. Book online at https://goo.gl/D9XQes or ring (01453) 835414/834477.

1128] Swanage Railway, South Western Railway summer Saturday service until 8 Sep (incl): Class
159 DMU. Basingstoke 07.22; Yeovil Junction 09.23/09.40; Yeovil Pen Mill 09.45/09.50; Weymouth
10.31/10.38, Wareham 11.09/11.17 & intermediate stations (except Thornford, Yetminster and
Chetnole) with Upwey on the first pass. Then Corfe Castle 11.38, of note there are four reversals on
the journey and it is a most unusual 'through' service between Dorchester West and South stations!

The unit then makes two return trips from Corfe Castle at 12.10 & 14.10 to Wareham returning
from there at 12.40 & 14.40. Final Corfe Castle departure is 15.45 to Wareham (16.06/16.10) then
Weymouth (16.42/16.54), Yeovil Pen Mill (17.34/17.38), Yeovil Junction (17.44/17.48) and to
Waterloo (20.19). This includes intermediate stations (with Upwey on the second pass) as outward.

ONLY £5 day return to Corfe Castle from Weymouth, Dorchester, Moreton, Wool, Wareham,
Hamworthy, Poole*, Parkstone, Branksome & Bournemouth*. £10 day return: Salisbury, Tisbury,
Gillingham, Templecombe, Sherborne, Yeovil, Maiden Newton, Brockenhurst, Southampton &
Winchester. *Shown as £10 day return elsewhere. Children half fare, First class upgrade £10. Tickets
from staffed stations or South Western Railway website only (destination is Corfe Castle). Holders of
these tickets can buy a Corfe Castle - Swanage steam train day return ticket for £10 Adult, Child £5.

The train is the Weymouth summer SO service via Yeovil which shuttles to Yeovil during the day. In
2018 it splits at Weymouth with a Corfe Castle portion; the rest does the 'Yeovil shuttle' (dance?).

1129] Wirral Transport Museum: Taylor St, Birkenhead, the intended reopening of the museum after
its refurbishment has been delayed from 26 May until Sat 21 July. Tram operation is unaffected by this.

1130] Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum: (MR p14) Threlkeld, (nr Keswick), CA12 4TT, (NY 328 244)
open 10.00-17.00 until the end of Oct. Includes a 700yd long 2ft gauge railway enabling safe public
access to the inner quarry faces, mine tours (except during special events), cave exploration, mining
museum with refreshments available. Steam operation: 21 Jul-2 Sep; 28-29 Jul (Annual Steam Gala
with visiting locos), 15-16 Sep (Vintage Excavator Trust working weekend). A comprehensive
geological and mining museum, quarry site with a unique equipment collection, mineral panning.

1131] RPSI, 13 Oct: (BLN 1298.266) This tour is now doing the Western Corridor rather than Ballina.

1132] Freedom of Severn & Solent Rover (FOSS): Unlimited rail travel after 09.00 SSuX, (with various
easements when the off peak tickets become valid such as the 08.50 from Great Malvern), all day
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Valid on Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, Great Western
Railway, West Midlands Railway and South Western Railway services between: Great Malvern and
Gloucester (not Hereford) and then an extensive area defined by: Stroud, Swindon, Melksham,
Westbury, Salisbury, Eastleigh, Botley, Portsmouth Harbour, Lymington Pier, Poole, Weymouth,
Castle Cary, Tiverton Parkway, Bristol, Severn Beach, Cardiff Central, all lines in between and
Salisbury to Axminster. Excellent value at £59 (£38.95 railcard) adult for 3 days in 7 or £79 (£52.15) for
8 days in 15 (which is less than £10 a day adult or £6.52 with railcard!). Child non-railcard fares 50%.

At Tiverton Parkway/Axminster FOSS links with the Devon Day/Evening Ranger, this in turn links with
the Ride Cornwall Day Ranger (no evening version) at Plymouth. The three tickets can be combined as
the Freedom of South West ranger - as above paragraph plus all the lines and branches to Penzance.
£102.60 for 3 days in 7 (£67.70 railcard) or £144.00 8 days in 15 (£95.10) perfect for Malvern residents.

X.74] ABOVE: E-BLN 1305 Guess the Location: Mainland Great Britain. (Craig Kinsey 29 May 2018)

●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●General Secretary: Tim Wallis, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. [email protected]
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●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] text/ring Editor
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

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01925222449 https://goo.gl/X6aQBA Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.