1317

BELOW: Welcome to Hanson Ribblesdale Cement! - a converted Wickham trolley at the works
entrance; perhaps it once ran on 'flower power'? (Andrew Murray, 30 Sep 2018.)

2543] 'Ribblesdale Rider' Clitheroe Cement Works
Railtours, Sun 30 Sep 2018: By Mark Sutton. After
two very successful ventures with Hanson Cement at
Ketton, the Society collaborated with the company
again over the weekend of 29 and 30 September, at
its Ribblesdale (Clitheroe) site. Once again, a well
attended public open day was held on the Saturday,
with various attractions including green liveried GBRf
66779 'Evening Star' which our stewards took a keen
interest in. On Sunday there were a series of four, all-
line, Society 'enthusiasts' tours; both days stewarded
by our members. On the Saturday there were about 1,300 visitors - a big success - over half made a
train trip in our riding vehicle 'Molly' then most had a conducted quarry and works minibus tour. Molly
looked very smart after her repaint at Barrow Hill for the occasion in Hanson Blue (remarkably similar
to British Rail Blue!). Hanson kindly facilitated Molly's repaint and her transport costs in accordance
with the commercial arrangement reached with the Society and we were able to donate surplus funds
to several Hanson nominated charities. Of note the Saturday was one of three events mounted by the
Society that day; the others were at the Llangollen Railway and Coate Water Miniature Railway.
In today's climate of declining industry and Health & Safety concerns, the once-common industrial tour
is a dying breed - and thus from a personal point of view always high on my list of priorities to book.

Loco From To miles† Arriving in good time for the first trip
09 Temporary platform¶ West Bradford Road LC 0.06 on Sunday, having followed the
10 West Bradford Road LC End of line (long siding) 0.35 comprehensive parking and meeting
09 End of line (long siding) Loco shed line (buffers) 0.31 instructions issued in advance, there

10 Loco shed line (buffers) End of line (short siding) 0.28 was time for an unexpected 'bonus'

09 End of line (short siding) Temporary platform 0.26 ride on a peripatetic miniature railway

10 Temporary platform End of line (short siding) 0.26 which had been set up to give public

09 End of line (short siding) Temporary platform 0.26 rides the previous day. This comprised

†GPS decimal mileages by Mark Sutton. ¶ By internal loco shed. a 100ft length of raised track with

sit-astride coaches, powered by an excellent scratch built battery-operated replica EM1/Class 76 loco

26054. Needless to say, while the locomotive's pantograph was faithfully recreated, the 1500V

overhead wires were not! A good speed was safely achieved as is often the case on raised track.

The main standard gauge tour train was formed of GECT 0-6-0 DH site shunters 09, 'Chug Chug' (Works
number 5401, 1975) and 10, 'Winston' (5396, 1975), either end of our Society asset and former Ferry
Van 'Molly'. The first destination was the Network Rail boundary, now positioned 1 chain south west of
West Bradford Road level crossing, having been moved from its original position by Horrocksford Jn to
allow freight trains off the national network to recess on the branch loop without requiring Hanson
authority. Motorists were clearly bemused on a Sunday morning to see trains full of passengers roll
onto the crossing and stop, before returning back in the direction from which they had come!

The next leg took the tour the full length of the large site, passing beneath the cement silo for loading
rail wagons and over the weighbridge; here the sudden jolt and bang surprised some unsuspecting
passengers! Reaching the buffers on the longer of the two sidings at the end of the line represented
penetration significantly further than Pathfinder's 'Lancs & Yorks Builder' railtour of 10 June 2017,
which accessed the works from the main line but only traversed the shorter of the two sidings and
didn't actually reach the stops due to long term parked wagons (removed especially for us).
An excellent view of the extensive quarry workings was available. 100M tonnes have been extracted
creating a massive hole which is well hidden and there are another 40 years of reserves. A second
reversal took the train back through the works and to the loco shed. The shed itself was passed right
through and, in time-honoured BLS style, the stop block beyond the doors at the far end was reached.

[BLN 1317]
ABOVE: The temporary passenger platform looking towards the works and the end of the branch.

To the right is the line through the loco shed with its buffer stop. (All Chris Ziemer 30 Sep 2018)

The last remaining piece of track to 'do' was the shorter end of line siding, which Hanson had kindly
made sure was clear of wagons (like all the lines) to allow complete coverage. In fact, this siding was
traversed twice for a longer run, with an extra return trip to the temporary platform in between.

All in all, this was a highly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning, despite the slightly damp
weather. Tours like this provide an opportunity not only to ride exceedingly rare track, but also to
study industrial equipment and architecture at close quarters and, on this occasion, quarry excavation
on a huge scale. Thanks are due to all involved, particularly Kev Adlam who made multiple site visits.

After our four tours had run at 10.00, 11.00, 12.00 & 13.00 some members visited the nearby Ribble
Valley Live Steamers Model Engineering Society the other side of Clitheroe near Roefield Leisure
Centre, Edisford Road, BB7 3LA. This Society provided the peripatetic miniature at Ribblesdale Cement
and made us most welcome. Multiple rides were enjoyed on the interesting and lengthy mixed gauge
elevated railway circuit - including between the 'arrivals' and 'departures' platforms - in park woodland
by the River Ribble. Public running is Sunday afternoons Easter to the end of Sep, weather permitting.

NEXT PAGE TOP: The other end of the train (a 'Molly' sandwich) looking towards the branch junction;
the works entrance is middle background right. Left is the buffer stop for the line through the shed.

NEXT PAGE LOWER: On the shed branch.



ABOVE: Running through the loco shed.

2544] The Ruby Shoesday Railtour, Sun 28 Oct 2018: By Ruby Lewis (age 13; Member 9030). "She
would never tell people where she was from" Well, I am from Chesterfield and coincidently I was born
on a Tuesday! By the way I had to Google the lyrics.

I have been on BLS trips since I was around four years
old, this was mostly sitting on my seat playing games,
sometimes watching Fireman Sam and Thumbelina
while my dad would be up and about checking what
line we were on. I would occasionally pick out the
winning tickets in the raffle with Paul and Tim. I'm
now the BLS's chief money extractor. I have now
been on many tours and other fixtures; my dad keeps
a record of where I've been. I also help my dad and
brother Archie in organising the BLS walks, they have
just done a Chesterfield walk; unfortunately I was poorly on the day, and had to ring in sick - boo. 
We've also organised walks in Ashover and Clay Cross. These always go down very well with the
members; we look at the old railways and stations, enjoying the exercise and the company.

On Sunday 28th October we set off from Chesterfield at around 07.30 with our neighbour, Keith, (also
a BLS member - word spreads!), then followed a long two hour journey to Hooton half listening to my
dad and Keith going on about this and that. As you may know we had the AGM the day before which
Archie and I both attended all day (including the Middleton Railway trip, the AGM and evening film
show with fish and chips) so I was very tired that night. On the way there, I was playing on my phone
for a bit, although I cannot recall what I was playing - that's two hours of my life I'm not getting back.

ABOVE: The ECS arrives into Hooton for the tour. (All pictures by Society Photographer, Geoff Plumb.)

When we arrived at Hooton station it was absolutely freezing, I went for a little jog around the car
park to warm up and then did some star jumps. We walked in to the station and aimed for P2. When
we got there I did some chair dips to keep warm again and jogged around a sign a few times and did
some more star jumps. After this a member of the public also known as a 'normal' came up to us and
asked "What were all of the cameras for?", so with a smile I proudly said "We are all members of a
railway society - we travel on special trains and help to raise money for different causes such as this
one we are doing for Blood Bikes". [Ruby, we will give you some membership application forms - Ed.]

At our AGM the day before, Darren Garnon (the tour manager on the day), had told me that I would be
doing the morning announcement. So as some of you will know I did the speech and personally I think
I did it pretty well!! We picked up more passengers at Liverpool Lime Street; however, a 'normal'
sneaked on to our train and managed to leave his wife at the station (he even got one of Jim's souvenir
tickets as a reward). By the way, my mum considers herself a 'normal' even though she and my
grandma were seen noting train numbers for my brother Archie at York station on a previous BLS trip!

We then headed west to West Kirby into a siding and reversed back into the station. Then we had a
toilet dilemma at West Kirby station when my dad and I (and other members) rushed to the toilets just
outside the station. I was feeling very smug because as one of three women on the train I could easily
get to the toilets very quickly - which makes a change. However, they were closed. Off to New
Brighton and we had five minutes there to finally go to the toilet. After that I saw a very colourful
mermaid, I'm not sure what that's about. [New Brighton's Mermaid Trail has six identical mermaid
statues sculpted by a local artist each decorated differently by local school groups - PAS.] We rushed
back on to the train and I informed some people that this was not a 'normal' train service many times.

During the morning we started selling the raffle tickets and as I am the chief money extractor on BLS
tours you have to say "How many tickets would you like?" instead of "Would you like any raffle
tickets?" Using this method, we sold tickets to almost everybody.

[BLN 1317]
When we stopped at a station we moved to the other unit of the train to sell more tickets which
thankfully almost everybody bought again! Later in to the tour I then had to read out the winners on
the tannoy - all 40 tickets for 40 prizes - there's a theme here! If you didn't already know 2018 is the
40th (Ruby) anniversary of Merseyrail.

Just to let you know, reading out raffle ticket numbers is extremely painful, firstly, holding down the
red button on the intercom gives you a very sore index finger. Secondly, you get very out of breath
when reading all of them out! After this we go and give out the prizes and passengers can check their
raffle tickets if they missed my announcement. [All were given out with £780 raised from 120 people.]

We proceeded to Southport via the depot at Kirkdale and I had my only second cup of tea of the day
courtesy of Merseyrail. The Blood Bikes Team all had a photo with a presentation cheque for a
fantastic £7,500. Travelling on BLS trips over the years has made me appreciate the amount of work
everyone puts in to raise money for different causes, it has encouraged me to do the same such as
taking part in sponsored walks, selling cakes and more recently donating our winnings from a local
agriculture show to the local hospice.

After some more sidings at Southport, don't ask me which ones though, we returned to Southport
station. We then looked for hot food but only found a Subway in the short time we had and I sprinted
back to station with my dad following a good distance behind. Feeling better after the food I told some
more people that this was a train for special ticket holders only - there were some disappointed faces.
Back at James Street we had a photo on the rarely used P2 with the changing lights; this was quite
spectacular. The photo is on the BLS Facebook page.

Just before dropping off more passengers I did the afternoon announcement. That was to thank
everybody for the day and to inform passengers how much we had raised. I helped cover the doors,
once again to stop 'normal' passengers boarding our charter. Now back in the dark we returned to
Hooton P3 via Rock Ferry bay P3. I thanked all the team and we made our way back to the car park.

I spent the journey back relaxing and checking my phone. Dad and Keith were quieter on the way back;
I think they were a bit tired! They did start talking though when a car decided to come straight out of a
slip road without the 'driver' looking! Its Archie's turn next on the Ruby Vampire and then my little
sister Etty on the 17th November but I've got a party and Laser Quest to enjoy!!!! See you soon .

UNUSUAL TRACK: ●Hooton P2 - facing X/O - Up Chester. ●West Kirby Siding No2. ●Hoylake trailing
X/O both directions. ●Bidston East Jn - Up & Down Through Sdg - Birkenhead North Depot Road 4
(into the shed). ●Trailing X/O at Bidston East Jn. ●New Brighton Wall Siding; facing & trailing X/O.
●Up West Kirby - Mann Island Jn - Derby Square Jn - Paradise Jn (Stock Interchange/Holding line).
●Hunts Cross Up & Down Electric - Hunts Cross P2. ●Kirkdale South Jn - Kirkdale Depot South
Runround Line and Headshunt to end P2 (rev); leaving depot at Kirkdale North Jn. ●Walton Jn
trailing X/O. ●Up Southport - Sandhills Reversing Siding - Down Southport. ●Southport South Jn -
Birkdale Sdg No3. ●Southport Carriage Siding No9. ●Leeds Street Jn Up Southport X/O right. ●Down
Southport, Liverpool Central North Jn, X/O left - Liverpool Central P1. ●Up Southport - Liverpool
Central Reversing Siding - Down Southport. ●Paradise Jn - Derby Square Jn - James Street P2 - Down
West Kirby. ●James Street Stabling Siding. ●Down Chester (3m 27ch) Rock Ferry North Jn facing X/O
- Rock Ferry bay P2. ●Up Chester (3m 46ch), trailing X/O - Down Chester. ●Hooton P2 - Hooton Sth
Jn - Down Helsby (reverse) - Hooton South Jn - Down Chester trailing X/O - Up Chester Hooton P3.

NEXT PAGE TOP: Birkenhead Central heading for Liverpool with the disused carriage shed
on the far right and (still live and in use) Siding No1 between it and the platform (right).

BELOW: A very suspicious looking group of people was encountered at Liverpool Lime Street
(deep level). Note that the train is shown as for Hooton via Hunts Cross, Rice Lane etc....

ABOVE: West Kirby siding No2.
ABOVE: A 'close up' of West Kirby siding No2 - the window was remarkably clean.

ABOVE: Birkenhead North EMU Depot, Road 4 the 'non-keen' end of the train, (taken by Merseyrail
staff). BELOW: On the way to New Brighton. NEXT PAGE TOP: New Brighton with the route set
deliberately to drive passengers up the Wall... (Siding), far right. NEXT PAGE LOWER: Hunts Cross, P2
which is rarely used by an EMU, they normally terminate in bay P3 (off picture left).





ABOVE: A future BBC News reader in the making, Ruby reads out the 40 winning raffle numbers.

ABOVE: An interesting light effect betwwen two of the St James Tunnels (there are four); of note the
other track is at a significantly lower level. BELOW: Going through Kirkdale Depot Washer.

ABOVE: Merseyrail staff with Merseyside & Cheshire Bloodbikes volunteers; even Mr Brawn is smiling.
BELOW: Southport, Birkdale Carriage Siding No4 is left, the tour is on a very rusty section of Siding No3
with ECS (right) on Stabling Siding No10 (the point joining the two is OOU). Taken by Meresyrail staff.

ABOVE: Merseyrail staff with Merseyside & Cheshire Bloodbikes volunteers at Southport station again.
BELOW: James Street P2 with the star of the day - Ruby; the lights rotate between various colours.

ABOVE: Held on the Holding Siding/Stock Interchange line with the terminal 'Stabling Siding' right
(done earlier in the tour). After the two join they lead in to James Street P2 (on the right round the
corner). Both were original passenger lines for the Mersey Electrics from/to Liverpool Central Low
Level and this is original tunnel. Ahead the end of the unidirectional Liverpool Loop comes alongside
through James Street P3 becoming the Down West Kirby line. (Paul Steane)

Details must be checked 1317 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.
2545] Newcomen Midlands Public Lecture, Wed 5 Dec 19.00: Doors open 18.30, free admission, all
welcome. From Cold War to Coal Trains: TOPS-British Rail's first Computerised Train Operating System by
Jonathan Aylen. Lecture Theatre, Level Two, Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point,
Birmingham B4 7XG; station walking distances: ¾ mile New Street, ½ mile Moor Street, ⅞ mile Duddeston.

2546] Cumbrian Railways Association: This educational charity, with 500 members, was founded in
1976 to promote interest in, and knowledge of, the very varied Cumbrian railway history. Join for £20
per year (£10 students U21); includes a quarterly Journal, quarterly Newsletter, spring & autumn
conferences, access to collections, archives, newsletter back issues, online chat group, Facebook
group, help with 180+ years of Cumbrian railway history and discounts on CRA products. An ideal gift -
if only to yourself! https://goo.gl/y2PeUC or  95 Harrington Rd, Workington, CA14 2UE with SAE.

2547] London Transport Museum, Hidden London: Extra tours on sale via the website, to Newsletter
subscribers at 10.00 Thur 29 Nov and the general public 10.00 Fri 30 Nov. Euston: The Lost Tunnels &
The Photography Tour (these won't be possible with HS2 construction); 55 Broadway: London's First
Skyscraper (with light refreshments and rooftop visit); Aldwych (CP 1994); Charing Cross (CP 1999) and
Clapham South. See https://goo.gl/Be7vVX or 020 7565 7298; other tours available to book soon.

2548] Signalling Record Society (SRS): https://goo.gl/9Z1jQi Essential for all signalling aficionados!
Founded in 1969 when the subject was much neglected, the SRS has a massive historical document
and photographic archive and a most interesting website. It promotes the study and preservation of
railway signalling information, including many signalling diagrams and documents. The SRS publishes
and disseminates results of research, people's knowledge and experiences though a journal, books,
articles and the website. Meetings, visits and exhibitions are arranged. Membership includes four
journals per year by post. There are also discounts on SRS publications, signal boxes etc visits, access to
the extensive archive and study centre in Kenilworth, the Members' section of the website, meetings
and talks. £25 per year (UK) via the website or print an application off and send a cheque.

2549] 2019 Tickets at 2018 Prices: If you are planning any rail journeys, the new fares (after 2 Jan with
an average 3.2% rise) are loaded into the system on 30th Nov; you can book before then for up to 12
weeks ahead at the old fares - online or at stations. This includes our 5 Jan Society Scunthorpe trip.
Somw TOCs (eg SWR and LNER) also have big savings on advance tickets around 'Black Friday' 23 Nov.

2550] Corris Railway South Extension: Tickets are now available for the first passenger train (expected to
run after 2020), first come first served. Edmondson card ticket, certificate of authenticity and a celebration
buffet in Corris Carriage Shed. Limited to 76 (four bogie carriages). Cheques for £500 - which helps to fund
the extension, payee 'Corris Railway' to David Coleman, Brynderw, Aberllefenni, Machynlleth, SY20 9RR.

X.166] The Railway Ball: An annual event raising funds for Railway Children https://goo.gl/ooXhVz
has details including of unusual and interesting auction items that can be bid for online (by 30 Nov).

2551] ;STOP PRESS:: Our member Joe Brown has a new 5th Edition of his superb London Railway Atlas
(fully revised and enlarged) out on Fri 23 Nov cover price £20 (Amazon £15.99) - reviewed in BLN 1318.

●Bookings Officer: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL. Messages (Voice/Text)
07983 541887 [email protected] please don't use Mark's landline to book or enquire.

●Fixtures Sec: Kev Adlam 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE, CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. [email protected] phone...
07484 646542. ●Website Officer: Phil Wieland [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor.
●Electronic Messages (to sign up) BLS members: https://goo.gl/JqT61k Non-BLS members: https://goo.gl/uCErpL
●E-Messages (submit short notice items/data)/E-BLN or BLN problems: Nick Garnham [email protected]
●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]
●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947

X.167] LEFT: Who
left that lorry there?
Guess the location
on this Society
railtour from the
last century; two
members who are
well known are
prominent - answer
in BLN 1318.

(By Tony Jervis; date
anonymous.)