1285

ABOVE: The specially converted vehicle used for our party to cover the start of the Leek extension.
BELOW: By way of contrast, a previous incarnation of the 10¼" gauge railway in May 1990 when it ran
push-pull for ¾ mile between Rudyard and Lakeside. The present line is over 1¼ miles. (Ian Mortimer)

Then there was an intermission while every
item of rolling stock was hand-shunted out of
the extensive new well equipped shed
(erected over the winter with a new layout
partly ready for the extension) and pushed up
the line, apart from No5 'Rudyard Lady'. We
methodically did all six roads apart from the
end of the one line that runs through the far
door (blocked and the track beyond not yet
connected anyway). The rest of the Rudyard
station track was also traversed until everyone
had done everything they wanted. After the
stock had been returned to the shed there
was a final steam trip to Hunthouse Wood
with the usual run-round and propelling move
and through the loop for the third time!
This gave steam haulage to the end of line for
those who had missed it earlier and had asked
our organiser if it might be possible. The
Rudyard Lake Railway staff were thanked for
their considerable efforts that made our visit
so enjoyable. Our visit to this very friendly
railway with great prospects ended at 16.10
but there was a walk to do…. (Souvenir ticket
above by the one and only Jim Sellens.)

1565] Leek - Rushton walk, Wed 14 Jun:
Having sorted out the car-positioning, ten of
us met in Oakwood Rd, Leek at the start of the
trackbed path (SJ 971568). First we went further south in to the town through a cutting leading up to
the overgrown and infilled Leek tunnel portal. (Bottom right cross by Leek on the map above.) Then we
returned along the delightful route enjoying the lovely summer evening. There is plenty of room by the
path on this once double track route (North Staffordshire Railway (NSR) Uttoxeter to North Rode line)
to take a 10¼" gauge railway as well! Talking of which, at Rudyard station we followed the Light Railway
visited earlier. At Hunthouse Wood No5 'Rudyard Lady ' was working an evening weed spraying train.
Traces of the former Rudyard Lake Halt (a request stop) were found. Then it was the fine Grade II listed
station: Rushton, undergoing renovation, which survives in good condition along with parts of the
platforms and a semaphore signal that once protected the level crossing. It is adjacent to the 'Knot Inn'
- once 'The Railway Inn' - with a Stafford (not 'Staffordshire) knot in the brickwork (the NSR was 'The
Knotty'). 'Rushton Spencer' is the name of the parish; the village and its station wee 'Rushton'.
The trackbed path continues to the Staffordshire way crossing (SJ 930633) but being BLS Members the
group naturally went further to the River Dane where the impassable railway bridge is securely fenced
and overgrown. (Top left cross on the 7th Series 1959 1" map above.) We eagerly returned to Rushton
for a detailed exploration of the 'Knot Inn' (the landlady was in fortunately!); well earned refreshment
after walking nearly 10 miles. Many thanks to John Cameron and the supporting BLS team for yet
another excellent and enjoyable day. (Tom Gilby)

BELOW TOP: A substantial overbridge by, and once accessing, the former Rudyard Lake Halt.

BELOW LOWER: The end of the walk, the sign says 'No public access beyond River Dane bridge' which
itself was intact but inaccessible, blocked by this fence and vegetation. Contrary to appearances our
member Tom Gilby is merely admiring the view! (All walk pictures by John Cameron 14 Jun 2017.)



[BLN 1285]
LEFT: Ruston station building, the local village
which is within the parish of Rushton Spencer.

BELOW: There was considerable variation in
the signs of the various East Anglia stations
visited during our 7 Jun event. The asymmetry
on some is due to removal of the short-lived
'One' logo. There is a special map with e-BLN
1285 email for this item (Ian Delgado)

LEFT: "I see no trains!" - A rare lesser spotted BLS Committee
member (an endangered species) spotted at Lakenheath
reserve. Mr Unusual Track himself, Ian Delgado, who is local,
the chauffeur for the day and a keen ornithologist in a former
life, as described in BLN 1277.601. (Pictures by John Cameron
17 Jun 2017 unless otherwise specified.)
1566] The Anglian Chauffeured Shacker Tracker, Sat 17 Jun,
Part 2: (BLN 1284.1436) From Spooner Row it was by
chauffeured car to Lakenheath. As the latter is served by only
one train in each direction on Saturdays there was plenty of
time to enjoy some refreshments in the peaceful surroundings
of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Weeting Heath reserve (and a few
rare birds spotted as well!) before continuing to the station. No
trains call in the week but there are 3 to Cambridge and 4 to
Norwich on Sundays for visitors to the nature reserve and the
RSPB (their logo appears on station signs) Lakenheath Fen bird
reserve by the station. RAF Lakenheath personnel use Brandon
station with its now very good service.
Lakenheath originally appeared in timetables as 'The Hiss'
named after a local farm. There is a bus stop style shelter on
Up P2 (to Ely). A couple of OOU station buildings survive on the
Down side, (it was de-staffed in 1967) as does the obligatory

signal box - which was so tiny that when the signaller pulled the levers they would reach the sink on
the back wall - and now automatic crossing barriers at the country end. There were 414 journeys in
2015/16 (mostly return so just over 200 passengers).

ABOVE: The diminutive Lakenheath box took a bit of a battering to accommodate the 'Tic Tac', the
unofficial name for the level crossing obstacle detector due to its resemblance to that mint. Between
the tracks either side of the crossing are the ground level obstacle detectors; when installed in 2012
they were so sensitive that a paper bag on the track or mud on the detectors would stop the trains.

The 09.38 Norwich to Cambridge (10.24 from Lakenheath) formed of DMU 170202 (above) was taken
to the new station of Cambridge North (OP 21 May 2017). It provided a dramatic contrast to the
others in the itinerary, being of the most modern design and with regular services (that are due to
increase) at least each hour to Ely, Cambridge, King's Cross and Liverpool Street and expecting a
million passengers in its first year! The conductor said that in its first month the station was already
being used by over 3,000 passengers per day. The 11.15 from bay P3 was taken to Cambridge,
pleasingly starting from the furthest extent of the bay near the buffer stops [Reportedly they all do
this]. It also gave the crossover south of the station once used by trains from St Ives (CP 5 Oct 1970).

Refreshment was taken at Cambridge (which, by contrast had 10,954,212 passengers in 2015/16, up
by 500,000 in 12 months!). The 11.44 to Ipswich, another Class 170, was taken from P6 to Dullingham,
OP 1848 by the Newmarket & Chesterford Railway (N&CR); CP Jul 1850 and ROP Sep 1850. It has a
handsome 1883 built signal box (still operational with a 1978 Individual Function Switch panel) on P2
and manually operated wooden crossing gates. Bidirectional P2 is used by most trains, (and is closer to
the village). P1 and the loop are only used (SSuX) by the 07.44 Cambridge to Ipswich when it
crossesthe 06.54 (SSuX) in the other direction. About half of the now hourly Cambridge - Ipswich
trains call.

ABOVE: A train approaching Dullingham manually operated level crossing gates from Newmarket.
BELOW: Dullingham from that level crossing looking towards Cambridge.

ABOVE: Newmarket looking towards Cambridge; beyond (right) is the building of the second station
BELOW: The other side of second Newmarket station with its brightly coloured brick. (Ian Delgado)

The chauffeur was again on hand to whisk the party on to Newmarket. The first station OP 1848 as the
terminus of the N&CR was slightly further east. The large and very handsome 1902 (second, relocated
west) station building is in good condition. However, it now houses a range of horse related businesses
and an art gallery, having been sold by NR in 2011. The present Newmarket station, arguably the third,
is between the two with somewhat obscure access and is a minimal affair by comparison. It was
improved in 2016 after complaints from local rail users and now has two shelters and several wooden
benches on the single platform (formerly the location of the passing loop). The 12.44 Cambridge to
Ipswich (13.04 from Newmarket), another Class 170 DMU, was taken to Kennett - an 8 minute journey.

[BLN 1285]
ABOVE: Kennett OP in 1854, when the N&CR extended to Bury St Edmunds. Like Dullingham, it is
served by a train every two hours each way. Yes, you've guessed it….travelling between the two
usually requires a change of train at Newmarket station adding an hour to the 12 minute journey.
It is unprepossessing; the two bare platforms are linked by a monstrosity of a modern metal bridge
that replaced the barrow crossing in 2014. The signal box closed in 2011 and has been moved to the
Colne Valley Railway. The station is overshadowed by the formerly rail connected granary that was
served by 'Speedlink' freight trains until the 1980s.

Reunited with the chauffeur again, a brief break was taken at Bury St Edmunds before the next station
on the itinerary, Thurston. The magnificent station building, designed by Frederick Barnes in the
Jacobean style, seems to be OOU. It was OP 1846 by the Ipswich & Bury Railway (I&BR). The entrance
to the original building is at a much lower level than the platforms. Station access is now via a road on
a higher level at the top of a steep hill. Passengers cross between platforms via a barrow crossing with
remotely controlled warning sirens and red/green lights indicating when it is safe to do so. There were
signalling problems and the 14.30 to Ipswich which was boarded, formed of 170204 (recently repaired
after accident damage), was talked past the signal at red by the signaller on departure.

BELOW TOP: The remarkable Grade II listed Thurston station, sadly partly boarded up - if only it had
been in Scotland (see earlier) showing the height difference; the platforms are at the top floor level.
(Ian Delgado 17 Jun 2017)

BELOW LOWER: Platform level, freight now runs seven days a week on the Mid-Suffolk line (20 trains
on Sat 20 Jul for example), the 08.30 ex-Birch Coppice GBRf intermodal working heads for Felixstowe.



The slightly late arrival at Elmswell (OP 1846 by the I&BR, the Frederick Barnes designed building
surviving on Up P2), was not a problem. Our chauffeur and organiser had allowed plenty of time for
the drive back up to the Ely to Norwich line at Eccles Road [A piece of cake - Ed?]. OP by the Norwich
and Brandon Railway in 1845, the signal box (closed 1 Dec 2012 and due to be demolished later this
year) is next to the level crossing which now has automatic barriers. Eccles St Mary village was about a
mile away (hence the 'Road' suffix), but was later abandoned; now only the church, with an unusual
round tower, remains. A new village, named simply 'Eccles', has since grown up around the station, but
the suffix remains. Eccles Road has two services in each direction Mondays to Saturdays but none on
Sundays. 824 passengers were recorded for 2015/16. The junction and exchange sidings of the Eccles
Road Johnstons Logistics branch, traversed by the 'Four Triangles' tour of 9 May 2015 (when 32 BLS
members were enjoying the Channel Islands - hint), were observed. ABOVE: On the west (Ely) side of
Eccles Road station. There is occasional inward stone traffic by rail.

The 15.59 to Cambridge (old friend 170202 ABOVE) was taken for the 3 mile journey to Harling Road.
Harling Road was also OP in 1845 by the N&BR. Again, the signal box (closed 2012) is next to the level
crossing, with automatic barriers. There is a basic shelter on Down P2 and a disused station building on
Up P1, with a 'To Let' sign on it. Thus the rare station usage concluded. However, the day was not quite
over, as some of the remains of the Cambridge to Mildenhall branch (CP 18 Jun 1962; CG 13 Jul 1964
beyond Fordham) were observed on the (somewhat circuitous) chauffeured route back to Ely station.
Here, Ian was thanked for arranging a highly imaginative and clever day out that was most interesting
and enjoyable. His selfless driving allowed a good number of 'rare' stations to be covered in one day.
A donation was made to 'Railway Children' (nominated by Ian) in recognition of this. (John Cameron)
Please mention the BLS when booking or enquiring….1285 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart)....All details must be checked.
1567] Helston Railway: Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick, Helston, TR13 0RY (SW 6452 3091) - sign by the
road. Extended to one mile of standard gauge 16 Mar, boarding/alighting now possible at Truthall Halt
(SW 6536 2971). Trains ThSuO to Oct, also 26 Jul, 2,9,16, 23 & 28 Aug. Prospidnick: 10.30 half-hourly to
15.30; return from Truthall 10.43 half-hourly to 15.43 (Trevarno is a request stop). Shop, café (cooked
food) & exhibition. Free parking/entry; rides: Adult £7, Child £4, Family (2A & 3c £15) 07901 977 597.
1568] Great Central Railway Mountsorrel Branch through trains, 22 & 23 Jul: Our 18.00 Sat GCR
special with PLEG, (BLN 1283.1235) from Loughborough (back 20.30) with three Class 08s for haulage
and extra track is open for bookings. It allows a visit to Carlisle Kingmoor open day (10.00-16.00) or
other railways before. There is special dispensation this weekend (pending signalling alterations) to
run through trains. DMUs at 09.43, 11.14, 13.00 and 15.15 from Quorn & Woodhouse through to
Mountsorrel Halt, returning at 10.20, 12.00, 14.20 & 16.10. The Travelling Post Office is running with
mail drop/pick up demonstrations. GCR day rover plus one Mountsorrel Trip £22. Extra Mountsorrel
trips £6 (GCR day rover is required) on sale only on the day from Quorn waiting room (may be limited).

X.113] Mystery Object: ABOVE LEFT: Our member Nick Jones photographed this behind the buffers at
at Hexham Up Engineer's Sidings on 26 Jun with the station in the background. ABOVE RIGHT: A close
up. Does anyone have any idea what it is used for please? For winding/unwinding a cable drum??
1569] Gwili Railway: Abergwili Junction extension open. Bronwydd Arms, SA33 6HT, (SN418240) an 8
mile round trip. 22 Jul-30 Aug: 10.30, 12.05, 13.55 & 15.30 then daily until 7 Sep: 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00 &
selected days to 12 Nov. Adult day rover £11, Senior £10; Dining, Welsh Elevenses & Strawberry Cream
Teas available. 'Fish & Ale' trains SO 18.00 & 19.30 to 26 Aug. 7 Oct Gala/Beer Festival.01267 238213
1570] The Ashover Light Railway 1925-1950, An Illustrated Presentation: (BLN 1284.1439) To buy this
excellent book: https://goo.gl/y1wGLC put 'Ashover' in the top left corner or 01629 580797.

1571] Coventry Electric Railway Museum FINAL open days, 13 Aug, 9/10 Sep & 8 Oct; 10.30 to 16.30:
(BLN 1238.1313 - report on our 27 Jun 2015 visit) Roxhill is then developing the site for commercial
use. The 7¼" gauge Miniature Railway (MR p25) will also close (rides available but not on the standard
gauge). Rowley Road, Baginton, Coventry, CV3 4FR (SP 354 752) by the Midland Air Museum/Coventry
Airport. Free Parking and admission. This is the largest private collection of electric traction in the UK.

1572] Tanat Valley Light Railway, Fri 25 Aug; 12.00 - 16.00: (BLN 1278. MR60) (MR p7) Nantmawr,
SY10 9HW, (SJ 254 242). With thanks to our member Steve Liversey, an Industrial Railway Society visit
to see the full Rich Morris Monorail collection. Rides on the 200ft monorail demonstration line are not
expected but it is intended to have rare riding on the standard gauge line, part of the former
Nantmawr branch from Blodwell Jn with a DMU or diesel loco and brakevan. Book in advance, £7 pay
on the day (cash) including train ride; light refreshments available. 12.00 prompt concludes by 16.00;
free parking for 60+ cars. BLS members notify Steve at [email protected] or post with two
SAEs to: 35 Queens Road, Burnley, BB10 1XX. All bookings will be acknowledged and a reminder sent.

1573] GWR Old Oak Common '111' FINAL Open Day, Sat 2 Sep 10.00-16.00: (BLN 1278.806) UPDATE:
It is hoped to bring Steam Rail Motor coach 93 in by road and (coupled to coach 92) give rides (£1 with
token) from the carriage shed through the yard. Admission tickets https://goo.gl/xbz6W9 Adult £20,
Child £10, Group (2A & 2C or 1A & 3C) £45. NO PAY ON THE DAY; https://goo.gl/LBmVJn has more.

1574] SVR Autumn Steam Gala, 21-24 Sep: Https://goo.gl/TYNXCW Loco 'Prince' is visiting from the
Ffestiniog Railway; rides are expected on temporary 1' 11½" gauge track at The Engine House, Highley.

1575] SVR, 2007 Storm Damage - 10 Years on: At 20.00 on 19 Jun 2007 a thunderstorm lasting half an
hour deposited a month's worth of rain on the Severn Valley; there was a second similar one on 20 Jul.
The line was breached in 45 places, Bewdley to Bridgnorth temporarily closed and repairs cost £3.8M.
An exhibition at Highley Engine House (free admission with all line tickets) marks the 10thanniversary.

1576] Explore Cardiff & Valleys: (Formerly 'Valleys Lines Day Explorer') Unlimited travel after 09.15/
all day weekends/Bank Hols. £12 Adult - no railcard reductions; £6 Child. Maesteg, Aberdare, Merthyr
Tydfil, Treherbert, Coryton, Rhymney, Ebbw Vale Town, Cardiff Bay, Penarth, Barry Island & Rhoose.

X.114] Chiltern £25 School Holiday Family Travelcard Offer: Until 3 Sep 2017, off peak day return to
London Marylebone (any time weekends or arriving London after 10.00 in the week) by Chiltern Trains
only with unlimited travel on London Underground and buses Zones 1-6 included. The longest journey
would be from Kidderminster (SSuX as no service Saturday evenings or on Sundays). Minimum party
one adult & one child (£25); two adults & 1 child is £49 with each additional child (max 4 per party) £1.
No further discounts. Available from https://goo.gl/X9ghHH or at staffed stations on the day.

Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] Twitter: @BLSGeneralSec
SALES: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. [email protected] 01782 769960 (daytime).
Fixture Bookings Assistant: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] or text/ring Editor.
E-BLN problems: [email protected]

NEWS TEAM: East Midlands: John Cameron, 10 Friar Gate Court, Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1HE. [email protected]
London: Geoff Brockett, 155 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, LONDON, E18 1NA. [email protected]
North East England/NER Area: Geoff Blyth, 26 Trafalgar Way, Queens Park, BILLERICAY, CM12 0UT. [email protected]
North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, & IOM: Graeme Jolley, 3 Laurel Cottages, Rencell Hill, LAXEY, IOM, IM4 7BJ. [email protected]
South East England, East Anglia: Julian James, 58 Nelson Road, WORTHING, BN12 6EN. [email protected]
South West: Darren Garnon, 3 Reader Drive, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9FD [email protected]
West Midlands: Brian Schindler, 15 Sudeley, Dosthill, TAMWORTH, B77 1JR. [email protected]
Ireland: Martin Baumann, 42 Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7ND. [email protected]
Scotland: Mike McCabe, Lawrenceholme Barn, Oulton, WIGTON, CA7 0PH. [email protected]
Wales: Paul Jeffries, 54 Heol Erwin, CARDIFF, CF14 6QR. [email protected]
Minor Railways (British Isles): Peter Scott, 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Rd, READING, RG30 2DQ. [email protected]
Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX [email protected] 01684562862 07790652351.

MAPS: Reproduced with the 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.

X.115] Southport: BELOW: With thanks to the top team at Merseyrail including Sandhills control
centre, Dave Stamper and Pete Glass, various BLS members (bottom left) were delighted to arrive in
third-rail electrified Southport P3 on the 13.47 DMU from Manchester Victoria on Fri 21 Jul 2017.
This unusual opportunity was due to P6 being occupied by a charter bringing guests to 'The Open'.
Many thanks to our member Stephen Ebbs for identifying and sharing the information. (Malda Vek)