1294

[BLN 1294]
2447] PROPERTY SECTION (3), Petworth: (BLN 1267.2067) https://goo.gl/YcDmDu (ABOVE: Angus
McDougall, 31 Aug 2013) Back on the market with a £100k price reduction! Southdown Property
Solutions is selling this Grade II listed station building for £1.4M. It has 10 bedrooms of which 8 are
in two adjacent Pullman carriages. All are bed & breakfast units.

2448] Network Railcard: £30 per year available to anyone with up to 34% off most adult standard

fares, London Zones 1-6 Off-Peak one day Travelcards and Anytime Day Travelcards if bought as part

of a ticket to London from outside Zones 1-9, also day tickets and discounts to the IOW

with 'Wightlink' or 'Red Funnel' (ferries or 'Red Jet') at National Rail stations. No discount on

Advance fares, First Class, Eurostar, some TOC offers, season tickets, Travelcards over one day,

journeys just on LUL, DLR or using Oyster Cards. All days weekends/Public Holidays, otherwise after

10.00 (with many easements such as 08.26 Worcester Foregate Street-Paddington or 08.23 Exeter

St Davids-Waterloo). Minimum fare £13 adult, except weekends and public holidays. Child 60% off

(min £1 all times). Each card holder can take 3 adults plus 4 children travelling together at the

discounted rates. Area: London to: Harwich, King's Lynn, Huntingdon, Bedford, Long Buckby,

Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Banbury, Worcester,

Bedwyn, Exeter (via Salisbury), Weymouth (via the

line through Bournemouth), and all round the coast

from Harwich Town to Weymouth. Also: Bedford to

Bletchley, Salisbury to Southampton (both routes),

Yeovil to Weymouth & IOW. Buy at stations, or online

at https://goo.gl/aVNGQc a photo is not required.

Travel is allowed past the boundary station provided a

supplementary ticket from the boundary station is

purchased in advance and the train/s stop there.





[BLN 1294]
2449] Dartmoor Railway, Train to Christmas Town: This year's alternative to the 'Polar Express' as the
railway has lost that franchise. 1-3, 7-10, 12-33, 27 & 28 Dec and 1 Jan at various times from Okehampton.
From £25 adult, £19 Child (2-12); group discount 25+. Book at https://goo.gl/Cq97GA or 08000 232383
(lines open for booking 13.00-01.00!). The interesting bit: Firstly, the layout has changed significantly since
Aug 2010 TRACKmaps Vol 3 p10c and we hope to have a plan of the new layout, as confirmed by the
Dartmoor Railway, in BLN 1295. At Meldon East Ground Frame these trains will be routed left off of the
normal passenger line, then left again at the next points which is where the right hand turnout forms a run
round loop towards Meldon (Viaduct) station. At the next points they go left again (where the right hand
turnout leads to a road through the loco/carriage and wagon shed and on to the quarry side of the
administration buildings) to where the single line splits into two. These two lines each split into two more
lines giving four parallel running lines - they all eventually converge into one line before Meldon Station
Ground Frame (at the west end). Christmas Town will be built in the vicinity for the four parallel lines;
trains will run in, and then reverse back out of, Line 12 that has been repaired especially and was the
middle line under the former overhead discharge screens (now demolished) for loading ballast into rail
wagons. Daylight trips at 12.00 & 14.30. Advance booking only (now available) and expected to fill quickly.

2450] Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, Sun 10 Dec 11.00-16.00: (BLN 1289.MR184/5) At the former
Cynheidre Colliery site SA15 5YF (SN 493 072). Christmas open day: Brakevan rides (extended since
Sep), refreshments & snacks (with mulled wine and mince pies) in the buffet car, seasonal undercover
craft stalls and Santa's Grotto (limited pay on the day). Free site entry and parking. 01554 759255.

2451] Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society (AFRPS) 2018 Saturday Tours: Winter
brakevan trips, about 25 miles of the internal Scunthorpe steelworks railway (minimum age 10) at
11.00 until about 16.00 (with a refreshment, comfort and loco viewing break about 13.00 at the
AFRPS shed), on: 13 Jan, 24 Feb, 24 Mar & 29 Apr. Standard 15 mile circular tours take place 13.30
to about 16.00 with a break on 2, 9*, 16 & 30 Jun, 7*, 14 & 28 Jul, 4*, 11 & 25 Aug, 1*, 8, 22 & 29*
Sep. These are booked for steam haulage of DMU coaches (with toilets). A commentary explains
steelmaking. There are also 1½ hour summer brakevan trips at 16.30 (both types of trip can be done
some days marked *). The brakevan trips visit areas that cannot be reached by the coaches.
No charge but donations are welcomed towards the upkeep of the AFRPS locos and stock. NOTE:
Our local member and expert on the railway, from Hull, Alan Sheppard (an AFRPS member) will be
present on the brakevan trips as 'Route Director' except when they clash with a BLS event or
mainline track railtour. Then they will be more like 'our' Scunthorpe tours; please do support them.
Email [email protected] 01652 657053 or  Brigg Tourist Information Centre,
The Buttercross, Market Place, Brigg, DN20 8ER. All trains depart from 'Frodingham' platform by
'Gate E', Brigg Rd, Scunthorpe, DN16 1XA, with free parking and a short walk from the NR station.

2452] AFRPS Industrial Loco Driving Experiences: A full day (08.00-16.30) as a steelworks steam loco
driver, shed & driver inductions, tea with the loco crew, guided shed tour, loco checks, 'shed driving
crash course', driving experience, hauling a steelworks internal freight train and putting the loco to
bed. £400 (£700 for two). A 2½ hour diesel loco course with a 10.00 or 16.30 start is also available for
£175; £400 for two (sic): a cab ride from Frodingham platform to the loco shed, driver inductions, tea
with the loco crew, a guided shed tour and a 2½ mile driving experience. Email [email protected]

2453] Your Chairman's Recommendation: The Railway Steamer, Sat 14 Jul: A 4½ hour cruise on the
'Daniel Adamson' preserved steam boat from Ellesmere Port (free parking at The Boat Museum - also
worth a visit) on the Manchester Ship Canal to Eastham Locks and River Mersey in to Garston Docks
for a 30 minute tour. £50 adult https://goo.gl/P4RvSz 07949442066 limited numbers. Of interest to
members, sailing into Garston Docks gives an excellent (rare) opportunity to see the infrastructure of
the LNWR built rail/sea dock facility; special arrangements are required with Associated British Ports.

2454] Christmas Brush Quiz: From our 2 Dec railtour itinerary (RN = renamed): Harlesden for West
Willesden & Sonebridge Park station OP 3/8/1875 as Harrow Road for Stonebridge Park & West
Willesden; RN Harrow Road for Stonebridge Park & Harlesden 1/2/1876; RN Harrow Road 1/5/1878;
RN Harrow Road for Stonebridge & Harlesden 1/10/1879; RN Harrow Road for Stonebridge Park &
Harlesden 1/11/1880; RN Stonebridge Park for West Willesden & Harlesden 1/7/1884; CP 2/7/1888;
ROP 1/3/1893; RN Harlesden for West Willesden & Stonebridge Park 1/2/1901; CP 1/10/1902.
Question: Is this the record holder for the most complicated renaming sequence for a railway station?

X.183] Island of Ireland Part 3: Expressions of interest are now invited for our May 2018 adventure!
The now customary long(er) weekend includes, once again, both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
There is a mix of national network exploration and heritage railways of various gauges, with a rather
splendid twist this time. Coach travel will be included with the arrangements where required but all
participants will, as usual, be responsible for all their own flights and accommodation. The itinerary
spans Thur 3 to Sun 6 May (inclusive) with the ability to arrive on early flights Thursday and return by
late flights on the Sunday evening. The programme is still being finalised but is currently expected to
include Peatlands Park, service tram rides on the new LUAS extension to Broombridge, service train
coverage of the Sligo branch out via Newcomen curve, inspection of the Ballymote miniature railway
site a Cavan & Letrim Railway visit, Lullymore Heritage Park, Lough Boora Park, a visit to Dunsandle
station, the Galway Leisureland Express, dinner in the Pullman Coach at Glenlo Abbey Hotel and an
exploration of lesser used parts of Irish Rail infrastructure in the wider Dublin area by way of a full day
Irish Rail private charter railtour!! To express your interest, please email or write with an SAE to
Kev Adlam (per back page) to be kept informed directly of the more detailed plans as they emerge.

(BLN 1294)
X.184] Bimode Anyone? Trains through Crewe were subject to delay on the evening of 29 Nov due to
OHL problems. http://youtu.be/r6YSbQQHa10 is a short video of the train pulling the wires down.

2455] Contact Details: Please use the new 'branchline' email addresses to allow automatic forwarding
if someone is not available for any reason. Please type/copy them carefully rather than make one up!!

Position Correspondent New BLS email address

Membership Alan Welsh [email protected] .

Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam [email protected]

Bookings Officer Jill Everitt [email protected]

Sales Officer Mark Gomm [email protected]

General Secretary Tim Wallis [email protected]

Chairman John Williamson [email protected]

Treasurer Ian Mortimer [email protected]

Paper BLN problems Dave Monger *NEW* [email protected]

Committee member John Cameron [email protected]

Committee member Helen Cromarty [email protected]

Committee member William Graveson . [email protected]

Committee member Graeme Jolley [email protected]

Publications Officer. Martyn Brailsford [email protected]

Publicity Officer David Clark [email protected]

Website Officer Ian Delgado [email protected]

E-BLN problems Andrew Taylor [email protected]

BLN International Paul Griffin [email protected]

Branch Line Message. Nick Garnham [email protected]

BLN Diary Lee Nash [email protected]

Railway Rights of Way . Dave Cromarty [email protected]

NEWS TEAM: (email addresses with sections)
●East Midlands: John Cameron, All postal submissions to the Editor please (who will scan and forward).07581178759
●London: Geoff Brockett, 155 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, LONDON, E18 1NA.
●North East/ex-NER: Geoff Blyth, 26 Trafalgar Way, Queens Park, BILLERICAY, CM12 0UT.
●North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, & IOM: Graeme Jolley, 3 Laurel Cottages, Rencell Hill, LAXEY, IOM, IM4 7BJ.
●South East England, East Anglia: Julian James, 58 Nelson Road, WORTHING, BN12 6EN.
●South West: Darren Garnon, 3 Reader Drive, Marden, TONBRIDGE, Kent, TN12 9FD
●West Midlands: Brian Schindler,15 Sudeley, Dosthill, TAMWORTH, B77 1JR.
●Ireland: Martin Baumann, 42 Northland Road, LONDONDERRY, BT48 7ND.
●Scotland: Mike McCabe, Lawrenceholme Barn, Oulton, WIGTON, CA7 0PH.
●Wales: Paul Jeffries, 54 Heol Erwin, CARDIFF, CF14 6QR.
●Minor Railways: Peter Scott, 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Rd, READING, RG30 2DQ.
●Branch Line Emails: Nick Garnham, [email protected] Subscribe: [email protected]

●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. @BLSGeneralSec
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT.
●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).
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor
●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

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