The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.

20th January 2018

Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
Published by membersonly, 2018-03-16 04:45:38

1297

20th January 2018

[BLN 1297]
The line is fully signalled with boxes at Pitsford & Brampton (4m 70ch), Pitsford Sidings (4m 41ch) and
Boughton (4m 11ch). These are all of LNWR design. The railway was running 'Mince Pie' specials on
Sunday 31 December and New Years Day. A visit was made on the Sunday, with arrival in plenty of
time for the first train of the day at 11.00 (trains were to run hourly until 15.00). From the north end,
the train was formed of Class 47 diesel 47205 (in BR two-tone grey Railfreight livery), a small van
containing a generator for train heating, BR Mk2s 5174 & 5132 and BR 20 ton brake van B951805.

After departing at 11.05 (or 11.00 as the station clock had it!) the train ran north to Bridge 14 and back
through the station non-stop to Bridge 11. After another reversal it returned non-stop to Bridge 14.
A final reversal brought it back to Pitsford & Brampton station. During the journey sherry (dry/sweet)
or orange juice and a mince pie was served to the passengers. Children received a bottled soft drink
and a small bag of sweets. The 11.00 was well filled, but later departures appeared much quieter on
this dry, but cool and mostly cloudy day. The adult fare for these specials was £7. The Class 47 appears
to be the only motive power able to work a passenger train, although there are a couple of small diesel
shunters present. The railway hopes to able to have a steam locomotive (presumably hired in) for later
in the 2018 season and are actively building a small locomotive shed to allow that to happen. Most of
the former trackbed between Northampton and Market Harborough (18 miles) is now a footpath/
cycleway, (walked by 17 of our members on 2 September 2012) so all the railway can easily be viewed.

MR14] Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, Devon (MR p15) (BLN 1287.MR155): Mid December saw some
track alterations at Killington Lane. A new siding was built and preparations made to relay the loop
points at the end of the line with gentler radius turnouts for new-build 2-4-2T 'Lyn' to run-round.

BELOW: Hayling Seaside Railway - outside the new shed at Eastoke, 'Wendy' prepares to
haul Santa Trains. To the right is steam outline 'Jack'. (Peter Scott 23 December 2017)

MR15] Hayling Seaside Railway, Hampshire (MR p18) (BLN 1294.MR230): This 2ft gauge railway was
noted to be operating Santa Trains on Saturday 23 December. Motive power was 0-4-0ST 'Wendy'
(WB2091/1919), which ran-round at each end. However, the consist also included 4wDM No1 'Alan B'
at the Eastoke end, possibly for braking purposes. No trace of the shed or buildings remain at
Beachlands, although two short spurs, which led to the shed roads do remain, connected off the run-
round loop. So far, however, the Fun Fair has not utilised this ground. The distance markers (in yards)
that were once painted on the sleepers have all but faded away.

MR16] Gwili Miniature Railway, Carmarthenshire (MR p29) (BLN 1289.MR175): The 7¼" gauge
miniature railway, at Llwyfan Cerrig station is now unfortunately out of use - as from November 2017.
A recent Gwili Railway newsletter reports that it would regrettably 'remain closed until further notice'.

MR17] Bala Lake Railway, Gwynedd (MR p29) (BLN 1280.MR80): In mid December the Bala Lake
Railway Trust announced the launch of the 'Red Dragon Appeal', a subscription based incentive
scheme to help raise money for the Red Dragon Project, to extend the Railway into the heart of Bala
town. The Trust's chairman, Julian Birley, said: 'The extension of the Bala Lake Railway into the town is
going to be a huge step change to the railway's future success and sustainability. Never have I come
across such local and political support for a railway project. It is ambitious and exciting, and I hope as
many people as possible will take part in the incentive scheme and become part of our success'.

Following discussions with the Bala Rugby Club and a local farmer, an agreement in principle has been
reached to purchase a strip of land along the edge of the rugby field and a small piece of the adjacent
field. With slight realignment of the intended route, this will put the extension a very short distance off
the proposed new Bala town station. Only 80 yards remains to be purchased of the required trackbed.

MR18] East Anglia Transport Museum, Suffolk (MR p24 & p32) (BLN 1257.MR92): This Museum is at
Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, just south west of Lowestoft. It was founded on the current site in 1965
and opened to the public on 24 May 1972. It contains an operating standard gauge tramway, 2ft gauge
railway (the East Suffolk Light Railway) along with a trolley bus system and a collection of commercial
vehicles. The railway opened to the public on 27 May 1973 and runs for 200 yards through the site
with two stations. Proposals for expansion of the Museum have moved a step closer with submission
of a planning application to the local Council. Initial discussions have already been held with the
Council ahead of the submission of plans and the recommendation is that the proposals are approved
as it is thought to be an asset. The Museum recently purchased 5.1 acres of former agricultural land
from the adjacent Eades Farm and it is on this land the new development will be centred.

It is proposed that the new lines for the tramway and railway and extension of trolleybus route would
be progressed first followed by new bus, trolleybus and tram depots/exhibition spaces. The centre of
the new site would be three new buildings the largest of these to be the bus depot. This would be
devoted to the legacy of Lowestoft's former Eastern Coachworks, providing valuable local interest.

There would also be a smaller tram depot and a trolleybus depot - in addition to those buildings
already on the current museum site. As for the extensions, the tramway would see a new route
constructed, which would have two forks. Splitting from the current route just before the woods this
would initially run along the side of the new tram depot before another junction, which will enable it
to run to either new terminus. These two new termini will also be connected by a direct route along
the boundary of the new site. The current trolleybus route will also be extended to traverse the new
site, also providing a second trolleybus terminus, but allowing for trolleybuses to continue working in a
circuit. The 2ft gauge railway will continue from its current terminus onto the new site with a new
platform constructed along with a carriage shed. The redevelopment will also see an empty space
provided for various rallies so that the vehicles can be better displayed to the public.

NEXT PAGE TOP: East Anglia Transport Museum, London 1858, Blackpool 159 and
Maidstone trolley bus 52 line up on a beautiful sunny day. (Peter Scott 25 May 2014)

MR19] Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Gloucestershire (MR p7) (BLN 1296.16):
Following completion of track laying into the station, Saturday 23 December saw the first train arrive
at Broadway. The photograph on the BBC web site depicted a Class 73 electro diesel hauled engineers
train in the station. A spokesman for the Railway said connecting Broadway station with Cheltenham
Racecourse, 15 miles away, had put 'Broadway back on the railway map. When the last steel rails were
laid, volunteers celebrated with a cup of tea. Shortly afterwards the first train was carefully propelled
into the platforms, alongside the brand new station building'. When the extension opens, the run-
round loop will be initially ground frame operated pending commissioning of the signalling.

MR20] Nene Valley Railway, Cambridgeshire (MR p8): The railway has acquired another Swedish
railcar to accompany 'Y7 1212' their existing vehicle. 'UBFo6y' arrived in autumn 2017 from Sweden.
It entered service with SJ on 23 March 1956 around Linköping and Norrköping, working with SJ until
withdrawal (1,493,000km later) in March 1997. On 27 January 1988 when sold to Arvidsjaurs
Järnvägsförening it went to TGOJ in Eskilstuna, Södermanland. Pictures in the 2017 Q4 SMoK magazine
'Motorvagnen' suggest that a coat of paint and work on the windows at least will be required.

MR21] Saltburn Cliff Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p34) (BLN 1241.MR159): The December edition of
'The Railway Magazine' reports that the 4' 2½" gauge cliff railway is undergoing a £400,000 renovation
programme over the winter months, following the final running day of 2017 on 5 October. The work
will involve significant mechanical overhaul and renewal, as well as improvement work to lighting and
fences. It is expected to reopen at Easter 2018.

NEXT PAGE TOP: Our 6 Jan Cold Steel Tracker, unusually complete with headboard, at the AFRPS shed.
(Kev Adlam). No members were hospitalised with hypothermia as a result of this railtour.

187] Cold Steel Tracker, The view from up front, Scunthorpe style, Sat 6 Jan: By Martyn Brailsford.
January has come around again; it must be time for another trip to British Steel, Scunthorpe - formerly
Tata Steel, in the cold… [They were warned…Ed!]. https://goo.gl/hSgrgS (with thanks to our member
Donald Stirling) is 170 pictures of what happened and what can be seen on one of our legendary tours.
There are updated marked-up and unmarked maps on our website with the point numbers shown.

On arrival at Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society's (AFRPS) Frodingham platform, it was
apparent we had a good mix of the regular attendees and Scunthorpe 'virgins'! Therefore our local
member Alan Sheppard, 'BLS Route Director' and a working AFRPS volunteer, had two groups to
satisfy. Thankfully, and as requested, some regulars had emailed their 'wants' in advance and Alan had
produced the all important colour coded map (lines split into requested/did last year/not available) so
knew what to go for and what could in theory be ignored. The idea is to cover as many areas as
possible for the new people (who did a total of one new piece of track all day - but it was very complex
and lengthy!). Those of you who go to Scunthorpe will know that you cannot visit every area in one
day to cover the 100 miles or so of track at the site, so we have a careful balance to maintain.

At the appointed hour, well 09.30, Hunslet 0-6-0 No58 could be seen in the distance hauling the
obligatory three brake vans, for our 15th railtour here since Nov 2010. This time a way had been found
of affixing a full sized BLS headboard to the loco which was carried all day. We had a warning that the
two rear vans on arrival had fires lit in the stoves, but what became the 'Desperados' [Connoisseurs -
Ed] van had no stove in it - who would be desperate enough to inhabit it on a very cold January day…?

[Pictures, except where noted, are all thanks to our Scunthorpe tour photographer, member Chris
Ziemer, and generally taken from the rear brakevan of the railtour. Souvenir ticket is by Jim Sellens.]

As the cartographer of the now definitive Scunthorpe
Steelwork rail map, I took up my usual position up front on
the loco, to note any alteration to the layout, the route we
took, and to be an extra pair of hands and eyes, if needed. I
also occasionally assist in route planning as quite often Alan
is at the other end of the train. I boarded the loco to be
greeted by Colin - our now regular driver, Glenn - (Mr AFRPS
himself and Works Railway Manager for his day job), and
Alan. Now those of you who were there and thought I would be nice and warm in the loco will be
pleased to hear that the heating on the loco was not working particularly well and with all the
reversals the doors and windows were regularly open…

The loco ran round the three brake vans in the platform and set off with the 62 participants, the first
port of call it was decided would be AFRPS' other Appleby platform at their shed, to use their facilities
as someone had requested them… We duly arrived and no one got off (too embarrassed‽).
The train quickly left and ran to Scunthorpe Plate Mill Road 23, which once continued to the
Old Stripper Shed, the only road of the mothballed Plate Mill that isn't clipped OOU. The loco was not
in good health as it kept disengaging forward gear but we persevered and headed off to see what was
available that had been requested on the wagon side of the Heavy Repair Bay - nothing unfortunately.

It was noted that across the way the much requested siding on the north side of the Plate Mill at
Points 548 (called 'Pig Caster Stay Road' we learnt!) was not as full as usual, so it was suggested that
we did it. Glenn decided to make it better by shunting the three offending bogies wagons out to the
Heavy Repair Bay and we then completed this previously difficult to get siding to teat its buffer stop.

Winn's Sidings were investigated where the two Iron Roads were empty; although not requested, we
decided to traverse them anyway, as they are not always clear. The plan Alan and I suggested was then
to run up to the Rail Service Centre, but Glenn advised that as it was rather full we wouldn't gain
much. Therefore we took the bridge over the Basic Slag Road (of the tarmacadamed variety) that runs
through the steel works and looked over to the fairly empty Redbourne Sidings. Two roads had been
requested, B1 (empty) which was duly traversed, and D1 with a short rake of internal bogie wagons.
This was dealt with by coupling up, propelling them out of the way and returning them after!

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Winn's Sidings, the two (empty) Iron Roads are left. In the sky is a once
common industrial sight, as a load of heated coal is 'quenched' with water creating a vast plume of
steam at the Appleby Coke Ovens. At some locations this was so regular you could set you watch by it!

The next objective was the DBC controlled Trent Yard, Glenn phoned: Roads 9 & 5 were available, so it
was out on 9 returning via 5 and then we went 'round the bend' or at least 'The Angle' to Anchor Yard
(also DBC controlled). Unusually it was fairly empty, so we did four different lines (11, 13, 15 & 16)
completely, three had been requested. We nearly gained a fourth requested road, but it was occupied
by just two wagons, which we didn't have authority to move. Very rusty Road 12 was full of cripples.

PREVIOUS PAGE UPPER: Trent Sidings Line 9. PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Trent Sidings Line 5, (Line 1 is
to the left) the blue wagons, stabled for the weekend, to the right are new ones used for the recently
commenced flow of inert waste from Manchester Collyhurst Street (Miles Platting) to Roxby.

The perimeter running line was taken to Mills Exchange Sidings, at this point another irritating loco
fault manifested itself, the Torque Converter was overheating, so we had to take it easy every time the
big red warning light came on and therefore take a few minutes more between locations. At Mills,
three roads were available (all requested!), one was dead end - No5, which we did immediately plus
two through roads (10 & 11). Now at this point we thought wouldn't it be nice if there were three
through roads available so we would end up at the other end of the sidings to continue the journey.

Glenn had a cunning plan, No12 was only occupied by Di-8 8720 (carries No820), so he sent our train off
down No10, and told us to come back to just where No11 & No12 split. Arriving at this arranged 'point',
the Di-8 was heading towards us; it coupled up and hauled us back along No12 road! This 'Norwegian'
haulage for the first time on a BLS tour caused considerable excitement amongst participants. It was
uncoupled at the far end and then we traversed No11 road under our own power before heading off
further round the perimeter line towards the Welfare Loop, bagging another piece of required track.

BELOW: Mills Exchange Sidings with Points 482 middle right, a highlight for many as Loco 820 is about
to couple up to our tour train. There is no one in the cab; the driver/shunter is on the front lower step
driving by radio control from his portable consul. The Foreign Ore Branch was operating and runs left
to right on the embankment behind. The line off middle left is a short siding that used be a through
run past the closed Bloom & Billet Mill and Soakers joining the Permanent Way Depot headshunt.

ABOVE: Our BLS Scunthorpe route director, member Alan Sheppard, directs the train to test the buffer
stops of the Dead End Road at the Scrap Bay (which is the semi-open building on the left). The next
line across to the left is 'East Bank' that was covered to the stabled wagons in the background

Continuing round the perimeter with further slow running due to the overheating Torque Converter,
we arrived at the Scrap Bay, hoping to do most of this as it had not been visited in 2017. However,
badly parked wagons potentially blocked a set of points, and much mud blocked flangeways so only
two lines were used, but the requested Dead End Road was unusually empty and taken to ….. the dead
end. We left the area, traversed the recently re-laid crossover between the two perimeter lines and
headed on the main towards the Rod Mill. We double checked for requests there, but there were
none, so the tour returned via the recently much extended 15 loop for the first time on a Society tour

Lunchtime was approaching, so the plan was to head back to the AFRPS shed, however Glenn decided,
at the last minute, that we would pop into the Torpedo Repair Bay to see what was available. Not a lot
on first viewing; a badly parked Torpedo blocked Roads 2-5, and other stock blocked the rest of the
roads except unrequested No1 Road. As we were there we decided to head along there and stopped
by the shed entrance. Glenn disappeared, a minute later he instructed Colin to continue into the
Repair Bay, which we did to the end of line! The return took an alternate route via the loop and, after a
reversal; Queen Anne (one of the four blast furnaces) was visited covering both lines there then the
dead end siding (Points 114) just by the entrance to this area. Then it was back to the AFRPS Depot for
a much wanted hot drink and food (included in the cost), with an optional quick depot spotting tour.

NEXT PAGE: Our Scunthorpe Cold Steel Tracker at the end of Torpedo Repair Bay Road 1. (Kev Adlam)

SEOND PAGE TOP: Participants went 'round the bend' on Queen's Approach beyond Points 115, it
ends beneath Queen Victoria (a blast furnace). To reach the very end would require a hot metal suit
and other protective gear. Queen Anne blast furnace is to the left (Bess and Mary are the other two).





PREVIOUS PAGE: A great picture of 'Arnold Machin' at the AFRPS Depot on 27 Nov 2011. (Jim Sellens)

After a 45-minute break the afternoon session began with the AFRPS depot headshunt before heading
past 227 loop and Winn's sidings, reversing by the entrance to Redbourne. At Appleby Coke Ovens,
the stub siding was full but the never traversed (well Alan needed it!) line to the Coke Ovens gate was
empty, so we helped ourselves… Returning back to the running line, we continued toward BOS (Basic
Oxygen Steelmaking) Gantry, while Glenn made one of his numerous phone and radio calls to obtain
permission to visit the next location. His plan had been the much requested (and at times recently
unobtainable) High Level line. Unfortunately there was a minor obnoxious gas leak so we were unable
to go up there. The normally full dead end siding (much requested) off Points 527, parallel to the High
Level line, was almost empty - just two locos (61 & 63) on the buffer stops - so it was put in the book.

We finally reached the BOS Gantry via the right hand road, after more Torque Converter overheating
and traversed the empty Lime Road. Glenn wanted to go further along the BOS Gantry, but a recent
decree has put the lines past the torpedo unloading point out of the reach of brake van rides again.
So we reversed in the middle road to stop short of the unloading point, however it was a bit busy up
there (but warm!) and another hot torpedo train was on the way. Our most expedient route out was
past the unloading point, over a much required crossover (Points 160) and back via the outer road and
crossovers to reach the left hand road down the hill. After three reversals by Bridge 44 the inner
perimeter line was reached and used to head via the Slab Yard to the (lower) BOS Yard… that was the
plan, however the Torque Converter decided to overheat again and this time the protection also
kicked in and cut the engine. Thankfully it restarted and we were off again, only after a slight delay.

Reversing just past the Slab Yard to run towards the Concast building the tour passed a parked, but
running loco, beyond its empty flats. We reversed in the right hand dead end siding here, and back
passing the parked loco, I thought this was strange at the time; normally works traffic has priority over
our tours… BELOW: The Concast building is the open one (ahead left); the BOS plant is to the right.

[BLN 1297]
Anyhow, our trip continued further and stopped at the entrance to the BOS Yard; over the radio we
ascertained that the loaded wagons in the much sought after No4 Siding were about to be moved!!
(In all the years I have been going to Scunthorpe it has always been occupied and Alan has only seen it
empty once.) So we waited until they cleared it and nipped in sharpish… traversing all but the last
6ft due to the condition of track (spoil a foot deep over the rails). Reversing out, at Points 363 both
lines to the Concast building were covered. Meanwhile, the previously parked loco and flats went past
and reversed into … siding No4 - luck was with us; we had been in the right place at the right time!

Nothing more was available here so it was off to Northants Bridge, reversing toward Bridge 44, and
again into the (other) Blast Furnace area (Queen Victoria end) via the requested Bottom Loop towards
the 'rear' end of the trip. As darkness fell, thoughts turned to returning to Frodingham platform, via
Stores Road, but a diversion was made via the CEW Dock Bay access line ('Basic Hill') and headshunt
that overlooked the loco end of the well floodlit Heavy Repair Bay. Reversing, the CEW Dock line was
taken and was emptier than usual. The tour passed the AFRPS platform on its loop to the headshunt
(just too short for the train) and back, then did the platform line to the headshunt and back to finish.

Now for some statistics, our 'Reversalmeister', Colin Ward, confirmed 79 reversals, as on our Jan 2017
tour, a remarkable coincidence. The trip delivered 28 pieces of rare specialised required track from the
75 requested by various participants. It has to be mentioned that 27 of the 75 were from Alan, who on
'Mastermind' would make the railway his specialist subject. These include an assortment of the last
30ft or so of lines into buildings that are possible, but unlikely. Alan actually scored four pieces, which
is pretty good considering he hasn't picked up any new track up on his previous four Scunthorpe AFRPS
visits, and normally only does one new section on each of our tours here. We covered all the main
running routes except between the Medium Section Mill and the former Bloom & Billet Mill and visited
the vast majority of the various areas of the plant - the one exception was the Rail Service Centre.

BELOW: The Heavy Repair Bay area seen from the higher level CEW Dock Bay access line (Basic Hill).

As can be seen, tours of this nature cannot be totally planned in advance, we know the areas we
would like to visit and the priority of them (based on requests and previous coverage) but until the
day, finding out what is clear, nothing can be planned really. An email I recently received from Glenn
points out: ''Anyone who thinks anything was actually managed or planned, well, we planned to use
Loco 58 & three brake vans, and managed to get them all together on the day for the right time, but
other than that, it was made up as we went along. With a lot of lucky coincidences on the day the right
bits of track were clear at the right time". What that doesn't say is Glenn's knowledge of the site,
people and how it all works, is vital. Alan and Glenn do really have to think on their feet based on the
evidence (sidings available & requested, who is on duty where, what works trains are where and what
are they doing) and they manage to produce an excellent tour each and every time. (Next one 27 Aug.)

I would like thank Paul Stewart, for coordinating, Jill Everitt for taking the bookings, Alan our shunter
and importantly Route Director for the day, Gary Lonsdale for the stock lists, Jim Sellens for the
souvenir ticket, Colin our driver and Glenn Britcliffe 'Mr AFRPS'. Pleasingly, £2,500 was donated to
support the good work of the AFRPS as a result of the day. [Thanks to Martyn for his contribution too.]

BELOW: Very welcome portable heating is about to pass the tour - two 'torpedoes' carrying hot metal
from the blast furnaces approaching on the BOS Plant approach roads (very appropriately).

Details must be checked 1297 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
188] Arriva Trains Wales Club 55: Over 55s, proof of age required, travel out until 3 Mar 2018 return
within 8 days, £27 off-peak return, Senior/Disabled Railcards £1 off. The ATW network includes to
Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham International and Cheltenham Spa with the usual add-ons as
previously. Book online https://goo.gl/iiEEYH or from ticket offices (or guard if no ticket facilities).
Not via Cardiff on 3 Feb. Breaks of journey allowed; see website or leaflet for details and restrictions.

189] Saphos Trains: Jeremy Hosking's new Crewe based Locomotive Services Group train operating
company. https://goo.gl/gPDJhq has the 2018 programme of steam/diesel-hauled tours at bargain
introductory prices. Sun 29 Apr, 'The Welsh Borders Explorer' does Wolverhampton Oxley Chord.

190] 'Dunelm' London Railway Map: (BLN 1295.2571) Now reduced (20% Sale) from £16.99 to £13.59.

191] Rail Value: Is this the best value season ticket available? Weymouth - Ramsgate (or vice versa):
Seven days: £89.50; one month; £343.70; three months: £1,031.10; six months £2,062.10 and twelve
months: £3,580.00 (valid only via Barnham), hours of entertainment. Unlimited travel with multiple
route options, the weekly season is £12.80 per day and the annual ticket £9.80. For those who are not
aware, an annual season ticket is 40 times the price of a seven day ticket, so effectively gives over 12
weeks of 'free' travel. They can be surrendered for a partial refund (until 40 weeks). The annual season
also qualifies for a free Annual Gold Card. Since breaks of journey are allowed the Ramsgate ticket is
far cheaper than Weymouth - Southampton Central season tickets for example: Seven days: £134.70;
one month: £517.30; three months: £1,551.80; six months: £3,103.50 and twelve months: £5,388.50!!

192] Cheap Northern Day/Weekend Rovers: Until Sun 25 Mar, after 08.45 SSuX, all day weekends and
Bank Holidays. Three tokens from Johnston Press (local newspapers) allows the purchase of up to four
day or four weekend rovers (which must be used the same day/weekend as each other, but the people
don't have to travel together). Day: Adult £10, Child £5, Weekend: Adult £17.50, Child £8.75. Northern
trains only, an extensive https://goo.gl/FtyXsV (not spam!) network. Download and print application
form, affix three tokens from a participating local newspaper then take it to a staffed Northern station,
on the day or up to three days before. If no staffed station nearby 0800 200 6060. Not available
from guards. 0844 292 0216 to order the three necessary papers (particularly if outside the area) or
for any missing tokens. https://goo.gl/mG975L has full details, application form to download and
print (libraries may do this for those without printers), dates tokens are available and in which papers.

193] Bedford - Bletchley Rail Users' Association: https://goo.gl/ncDyhP a voluntary group of 400
formed in 1980 to promote and secure a future for the line which came so close to closure in the
1970s. Membership £3 (Adults, Corporate & Clubs), Junior/Senior £2 per annum includes regular
newsletters. A range of events are organised. Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre - tea room 09.00-
16.00 (last orders 15.30) not Mondays/Bank Holidays. 01525 287120 to book (advised), eg
afternoon tea in the original Ladies Waiting Room. Explore the Victoria Booking office (Heritage
Centre - check opening 01234 832645) & gift shop. https://goo.gl/ADH1xz is a membership form
or send an SAE to the Membership Secretary, Bow Cottage, 3 Sandhurst Place, Bedford, MK42 9HT.

194] Weeting Steam Engine Rally & Country Show, 20-22 Jul, 10.00-17.00: Fengate Farm, Weeting,
IP27 0QF, (TL 770 886) 1,500yds walk from Brandon station (hourly service). 50th anniversary year,
with very many steam traction engines, steam lorries, steam-powered farmyard machines, sawmill,
stone crushers, a full sized steam tram etc and many family attractions. Demonstration standard gauge
steam engine (no rides). Adults £10 (Fri £8), Senior/disabled £8/£6, Children under 16 Free. Free car
park. Annual (and only) public running of the Brandon Model Engineers 400yd 3½/5/7¼" gauge line.

●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
●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
●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html01925222449 https://goo.gl/X6aQBA
●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 1354-0947.


Click to View FlipBook Version