1412

opened Poole Park Railway ran a 'skeleton' service with 'Howard' (Peter Scott.)

BELOW: (Item MR219) The recently relaid and realigned Brickworks Miniature

e Railway, an 'R-Engine' passes the station area. (All Peter Scott, 23 Oct 2022.)

BELOW: Brickworks Miniature Railway 'Dougal' passing the main works buildi

ing. The previous line ran at a lower level beneath the green fencing (left).

BELOW: 'R-Engine' on the return loop. The disused 2ft gauge line is in foregro
X.220] NEXT TWO: Not an MR; the original East Kent Railway (unfortunately - se

ound (and see previous), this is at Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum.
econd one - they gave 'further Notice') Stuart Hicks at Tolworth Model Railway.







MR217] Audley End Miniature Railway, Essex (MR p16) (BLN 1172.MR207): A visit was made to this
10¼" gauge railway on 30 September. There have been considerable alterations here with a change of
emphasis from a railway to more of an experience for children. The whole site has been revamped
with it now being marketed as an Enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk with many static sheds done out in
fairy style garb. Also included on the ride is a tent, which has dragon figures and Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs' music playing. The train ride starts from the original station but finishes at Woodland
station where the train terminates and runs empty back to the starting station so effectively making
the layout now a half dumbbell. Woodland station is near the shed. The track has been revamped with
a slight easing of curves and gradients. The Model Engineering Society track (closed 14 September
2019) has been removed and a Children's Playground now occupies the site. The cost is now £10 per
trip, bookable in advance only - but, on quiet days, pay on the day is allowed. Check in advance.

MR218] Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Lincolnshire (MR p20) (BLN 1406.MR155): Restoration of a
near century old railway coach has been boosted by the generosity of a firm of window manufacturers
in Skegness who have donated the safety glass necessary to reglaze the windows. After 37 years out of
use, the coach is being restored. Thanks to the generosity of Piper Windows, the work will be speeded
up, enabling the original drop lights to be reinstated, saving a substantial sum. The company is based
nearby, in Church Lane, Winthorpe, Skegness. The coach is one of four built in 1925 for the 2ft gauge
Ashover Light Railway, by the Gloucester Railway, Carriage & Wagon Co. Within ten years, regular
passenger trains had ceased. In WWII, the vehicles were used as tea room and changing facilities for
female workers, recruited by the Clay Cross Company's factory to help with wartime production.

Afterwards they became cricket pavilions at the company's sports ground in Clay Cross. Two were sold
to the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway in 1961 where they were repaired, placed on bogies with
strengthened underframes and used to carry holidaymakers from the line's original terminus, at
Cleethorpes, near Humberston bus terminus, to the beach and Fitties Holiday Camp. When the site
closed in 1985, the two coaches, and all the other rolling stock, went into storage at Burgh-le-Marsh,
before moving to the developing Skegness Water Leisure park in 1992, where the railway is now.

One of the pair was restored nearly 20 years ago in readiness for reopening in 2009 and in 2017,
formed a Royal Train for HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) when she visited the railway.
However, the coach now to be restored (the railway's No1) was a more daunting prospect. Work
began pre-Covid with seats to be fitted from former Leeds (Glasgow?) tramcars, reupholstered with
genuine woven moquette and new drop light frames made by one of the volunteers as a 'home
project' during the lockdown. Railway spokesman John Chappell, said: Piper Windows generosity will
help our volunteers significantly to complete the restoration and save the railway money, which can
now be used to enable rotted timbers to be repaired, the roof to be sealed, the seating to be installed
and the bogies and air brake systems to be renovated ready for repainting and a return to service.

MR219] Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, Hampshire (MR p18) (BLN 1343.MR9): There has
been a 7¼" gauge railway here for some time. This year the existing line (comprehensively visited by
the Society on 21 Sep 2019) has been closed and a brand new line constructed adjacent. This new line
is a 'D' layout of 280yd with one station and runs alongside some of the now disused 2ft gauge railway
(last ran 27 October 2019 and included in our visit the month before). The new railway opened on
Sunday 14 August 2022, with an official opening on Sunday 25 September. A visit on the last normal
open day of the season on Sunday 23 October found the railway running with two trains. These were
hauled by 6wPH No1 'Dougal' and 4wPH 'R-Engine'. The fare for adults was £1, for which a titled paper
ticket was issued. The museum admission charge has to be paid to gain access to the railway.

1412 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
2698] The Suffolk Punch, Sat 1 Oct 2022: By Duncan Finch. On a lovely sunny morning our merry band
of 30 members converged at Brockford station on the Mid Suffolk Light Railway (MSLR), 'The Middy'.
It is located in deep rural Suffolk about 8 miles from Stowmarket. Most were there around 09.30 or
earlier for the 10.00 start. Most welcome complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits were available from
the canteen. After a brief safety briefing (!), when the plan of action was confirmed, we made our way

to the platform, where the train was waiting, Ruston Hornsby No5 'Alston' along with two brakevans.
Sadly departure was delayed by a medical emergency involving one of our participants (luckily two
other participants were medically qualified). Two stayed behind to assist our stricken member and his
wife. Fortunately, an emergency ambulance arrived promptly and the two were only delayed by about
an hour - the driver knew exactly where to go as he had recently visited the railway with his children.

First was the 21ch passenger run to Dovebrook station where everyone decamped. Several of the Mid
Suffolk Light Railway team then led us on a walk past the end of the platform along the new extension
past a rake of stored stock, including their 'baby' Ruston 48DS, of the same type as the only diesel loco
ever to traverse the 'Middy'. This branch, from Haughley Jn - Laxfield, CP/CG 28 Jul 1952 and the track
was lifted between Sep 1953 and Apr 1954. The diesel, ironically, was a contractor's engine for this!

We walked along the ballasted trackbed to a stop block at Aspall, 45ch from Brockford, more than
doubling the passenger ride (TRACKmaps 2 p12E 2020). The plan is to lay track by Feb 2023 and build a
small halt at this end based on Wilby, which was the last station before Laxfield. (After Brockford the
next station eastward on the 19 mile standard gauge branch was actually Aspall & Thorndon).

Re-boarding the brakevans, a shunt was then made to cover the siding behind Dovebrook platform.
Returning to Brockford we were routed right into the 'Loop Line'. Then our tour took the specially
cleared 'Back Road' (far right), past the Wickham shed road (at right angles to our line, the Wickham is
man handled between the two) - up to a stabled coach. We were told it was the first passenger train
ever to do this line, also a first for some of the MSLR staff on our train. (That's what we like to hear.)

We returned to Brockford platform via the loop, running to the buffer stops (not possible on public
running as the loco is always this end). The final move was the Loading Line towards the gate (far left
facing the end of line). The plan to go through the gate to the end was scuppered by several one tonne
bags of ballast dumped on the line! It was of special significance being on the original running line.

Returning to the platform we were given an interesting conducted tour of the locos and various stock
in the single road well equipped shed. They have a loco that can be steamed from stone cold to run in
40 minutes. Thanks to the Middy Volunteers for accommodating us on such a comprehensive visit and
being so receptive to our requests! They also dealt with the earlier medical emergency very well.

In convoy we then made the 37 mile road journey by car to the East Anglia Transport Museum,
Carlton Colville, on the southwest outskirts of Lowestoft. It is near Oulton Broad North and South
stations but there were no trains due to a strike. There are standard gauge tram and trolleybus
networks with the recently extended 2ft gauge East Suffolk Light Railway. Excellent refreshments
were on sale at the café before we joined double Deck Tram Blackpool 159 at Chapel Road terminus.

A normal run to Hedley Grove was first; what wasn't normal was doing the complete loop and end of
line. The public alights on the right and joins on the left side; the run to the end of line to change sides
in the loop is ECS. The headshunt was realigned in 2009, the old route (off sharp left) could be seen.

After a reversal at Woodside came the track highlight, the presently unwired stub which crosses the
2ft gauge line on the level; colour light signals to control it were being commissioned actually while we
were there. The tram extension will eventually lead down to a new tram depot under construction as
part of a significant expansion of the site and facilities. TRACKmaps 2 p7 Sep 2020 has the new layout
with a large triangle which will be done in service for turning. The only thing holding it up is money!
Our tram's collector pole was stretched to its limit to go as far as possible while still 'on the juice'!
However, our enthusiastic crew went a bit too far and we were stranded without power. The site's
tractor unit, (registration '795 FLK') was called into action to drag us back under the wires, so counted
for motive power. Suitably reenergised we then covered all three roads of the present tram depot fan,
including most of the way inside on middle Road 2 with coverage of the other lines to the doors.

The 2ft gauge Railway had prepared Simplex No6 'Thorpness' for our train at Chapel Road terminus.
Rare track included the run round loop and both ends of line here before proceeding through the
previous Woodside terminus onto the extension (dashed on TRACKmaps, there is no-pre-station loop
or shed road yet) opened in 2021 to Mutford Thorpe. This station is not yet open to the public; rides

are non-alighting. More red pen moments followed: the run round loop and headshunt end of line.
The original Woodside station loop (the outer one is still a dead end siding) was then covered as well
as the shed headshunt there before motive power was changed to RH No4 'Leiston' (by request) for
the return. Approaching Chapel Road, there is nothing to see of the pre-2005 alignment (to the right).

A final tram run was made with the very plush Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 'Sun Saloons' (Variable
Automatic Multinotch Braking and Acceleration Control - see item 2623), No11 to do the other Chapel
Road end of line. Then it was the turn of the trolleybuses to take centre stage! Ironically the Society's
last Trolleybus fixture at Sandtoft (the world's largest trolleybus museum near Scunthorpe) had only
been three months earlier. Star Billing was Derby 237 (SCH 237) and the crew (after prompting) had a
plan to cover every inch of trolleybus wire that was possible! As well as the normal run (around the
perimeter of the tram and trolleybus sheds) we made various reversals, three point turns etc, to
achieve this. We finally alighted inside the trolleybus shed (with its separate independent wire, the
pole has to be lifted across). Also separate was a short trolley bus stabling wire which we did and our
route included the start of the extension to the new tram shed, again crossing the 2ft gauge railway.
This was a fantastic visit and we thanked the staff for going the extra mile everywhere (actually inch).

Most participants stayed in nearby Lowestoft that evening, two explored parts of the former line to
Yarmouth South Town (ex-Norfolk & Suffolk Joint Railway), which was surprisingly heavily engineered.
One of them had first visited Yarmouth only 3 months after it CP/CA 5 May 1970 - one that got away.

After a pleasant night in Lowestoft, on an equally sunny Sunday 2 Oct a select gathering met up in
Southwold, a delightful Suffolk town and, for most their first visit to it. The target was 'Steamworks'
for the Blyth Valley Light Railway Trust. To reach it you pass the site of the 3ft gauge, 8m 63½ch long,
Southwold Railway (1879-1929 RIP) station. Its site now has a different type of station on it - a Police
Station! Access is then along Blyth Road a decent length of the former railway trackbed which then
becomes a trackbed walk. The volunteers were preparing the 7¼" gauge railway. Hot drinks and
refreshments, including tasty early mince pies, were on sale at the very pleasant small Café/shop.

Rides are not yet available on the 3ft gauge line, actually just north of the original railway, so
participants had to be content with viewing the replica 2-4-0 steam loco 'Blyth' as well as one of the
Former Charleroi Tramcars, previously based at the erstwhile Shane's Castle Railway and then at
Fintown, County Donegal. This is currently stored in the open on one side of the main workshop. After
some modifications it will be used as the main passenger carrier when (not if!) public services start.

Presently 0-4-2 steam loco 'Opal' and 2 x 3 seat sit astride coaches were ready and began running
round the 165yd simple circuit around a large pond/small lake. Everyone was pleased to see that each
run was routed via the station loop line avoiding the platform, not done in public service! Progress was
a little slow as the loco was perhaps underpowered for the load and low on steam; it struggled on the
slight uphill sections, needing human intervention. Once everyone had ridden, a coach was detached
and 'people power' swung into action to do as much of the shed branch as possible. We also saw the
only surviving original Southwold Railway Vehicle but actually the afternoon before at Carlton Colville,
where 4-wheel van No14 was on display adjacent to Chapel Road station on the 2ft gauge there!

Discussion then turned to the rest of the day. With time in hand before the second visit to Norwich
MES, people headed off in different directions. Locations visited included the Whitwell & Reepham
Railway (we know, Norfolk, not Suffolk) for their monthly steam running day with extra track on the
'driver for a tenner' diesel loco (for a driver and a passenger) - quite a few did it. The nearby 'elevated'
7¼'' Top Field Light Railway was also running, actually at ground level but a much higher ground level.

Your reporter, along with the BLN Editor and General Secretary, went to Lowestoft, discussing options
en route. A plan to 'scratch' the Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park minor railways was scratched as the
park was shut! A shame as the 2ft and 7¼'' lines are both 1,100 yd long. Instead, we explored more of
the Lowestoft - Great Yarmouth trackbed where the Park cuts across a former high embankment.

Approaching Brundall, your reporter had an inspired idea if I may say so myself… [You may, Duncan.]
The 1' 11½" gauge (as it apparently is) Strumpshaw Steam Museum Railway.

BELOW: (Item 2698) Mid Suffolk Railway, looking west towards the buffers

stops at Brockford, the train awaits our party. (All Photos by Duncan Finch.)

BELOW: After walking from Dovebrook station along the ballasted trackbed o

of the extension; these stop blocks at Aspall mark the future new end of line.

BELOW: East Anglia Transport Museum, our train gauge tests Chapel Road ru

un round loop headshunt on the 2ft line as participants wait on the platform.

BELOW: Blyth Valley Light Railway Trust, taking the rare station loop, the 3f

ft gauge is upper right with the Southwold Railway Trackbed hidden behind.

BELOW: Martyn 'Mapman' Brailsford (nearest camera) assists with 'peop

ple power' for the shed branch (off bottom left) - but did he ride himself?

BELOW: The almost, but not quite, 2ft gauge non-steam powered Strumps

shaw Steam Museum Railway, our GS chats to the drivers granddaughter

BELOW: On the East Anglia Transport Museum tramway extension, looking towards Chapel Road terminus.
The skew diamond flat crossing with the 2ft gauage line is ahead with its controlling signal (green apect).
Next the passenger tramway from Hedley Grove trails in, right. Our rescue vehicle pulls our tram back to
the live OHLE again, this one ceratinly reached parts others don't reach. (Taken through curved glass.)

Google found Strumpshaw was open for the final time in 2022. The next turn off the A47 and 10 mins
later we were in the car park - the site was very quiet. Normal entrance fee is £6 including a train ride
but when our esteemed Editor mentioned that we only wanted a ride on the Railway, we were
charged £1 each (BLN in 2005 reports that a member was charged the same!). Taking a seat on the
train, soon a driver, accompanied by his granddaughter, arrived and started up resident locomotive
No5 'Jimmy', a 4wDM (despite the Museum name) but it was a steam outline, Motorail 7192 of 1937.
Trains run on demand (we actually politely requested) and at 13.00 it was the first trip that day. The
Museum is only open one Sunday a month and Bank Holidays. In the 1990s/early 2000s the Railway
wasn't in favour. It only ran once or twice a year for the really big events and even had a fence erected
across for a while. Sometimes there is no one who can drive (our driver appeared to be in his 80s).

No problems today though, as our three members enjoyed a personal ride on the 680yd circuit around
Strumpshaw Hall. Rolling stock is a rake of enclosed coaches. The shed/tunnel shown on Peter Scott's
track plan was removed in 2021 after becoming unsafe. The driver (and young co-driver) were happy
to give us a second run for overlap! Reading old BLNs, some have had several unsuccessful visits here.

After this we headed for Eaton Park, Norwich where Norwich Model Engineers had generously
agreed to give our participants unlimited free rides here during their normal Sunday Public Running.
It is a 900yd complex 7¼" gauge circuit around the picturesque park. Train crews were receptive to our
requests to remain on the trains as they proceeded between the Arrival and Departure Platforms.

The dedicated wheelchair coach was in use, so the rarer P2 was as well! Your reporter bagged haulage
with Lister 2010 and 0-4-0 Steam 'Iceni'. Business was very brisk with fair queues most of the time.
Tickets are issued from Bus Style Setright Machines. Infrastructure alterations since Peter Scott's last
visit in Jul 2013 include the station 'throat' remodelled with new connections and crossovers. Two
members stayed until the end and were able to do the two rare connections on the 'country' section
away from the station. Clearly a Society visit will be needed on a non-public day with all the interesting
track to do. We were told that the non-public 3½/5'' elevated line requires some work, it cannot run at
the same time as the ground level as the latter is blocked by two moveable elevated sections over it.

This concluded a great weekend. From my point of view far better than I could have hoped for. Thanks
to Bill Davis for most of the legwork and organisation (even though sadly and frustratingly, he was
unable to enjoy the fruits of his labours). My personal thanks to Paul Stewart and Tim Wallis for their
great company (and to Paul for chauffeuring me all weekend including from/to home after rail strikes
struck out my original plan). [As travel between the sites was impossible in the available time by public
transport, lifts were coordinated, resulting in extra bookings which maximised donations to our hosts.]

:Details must be checked ..1412 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

2699] Location, Location, Location? PREVIOUS PAGE: From The Angus McDougall Photo Collection.
Class 28, D5702, on a turntable but where? It was the first Class 28 to go to Dukinfield from Derby for
refurbishment on 18 Oct 1961. The undated photo must have been taken before then as the wrap
around windscreens were replaced. The entire class was transferred to Barrow-in-Furness in 1962, so
this is probably further south. From the signals, middle far left in the distance (behind the water crane)
is a four track line. The locos had 6-wheel bogies one end but 4-wheel bogies the other (Co-Bo wheel
arrangement), unique in British Railways' practice and uncommon in other countries, it did greatly
reduced the wheelslip risk. They normally ran on the London Midland Region of British Railways and
worked overnight in pairs on Hendon (London) - Gushetfaulds (Glasgow) 'Condor' express freight
trains. Angus was based in Nottingham at the time - does anyone recognise the location, please?

2700] British Multiple Units: Andy Thomas, published: Modern
Railways Magazine; £15.99 (Amazon £10.65; Kindle £7.99). This
series of 16 books packs a lot into the content with many photos
all in colour (180 in this 96 page book). EMUs and DMUs have
separate chapters for first, second and third generation units.
The book starts with Diesel and Petrol Railcar prototypes then
moves on to first generation units. EMUs, overhead and third
rail, (first generation) are covered in separate chapters with a
full model list for each unit type/builder/code/number etc. The
photos of EMUs have detailed information and, in many cases,
confirm if the unit is preserved and where. However, 4EPB units
are listed and detailed but there is no mention of preservation
with the EPB Preservation Group. Photographed are 5001 at
Guildford and 5458 at London Bridge. DMUs similarly have
separate chapters for first to third generation units and carry a
list of each type within that group; there is some mention of
'Bubble Cars' now seen on various heritage lines.

DEMUs have one chapter; the preserved and still operational Hastings Unit 1001 has good coverage.
'Thumpers' also are covered here, now popular with heritage lines. Third Generation EMUs includes
the ex-District Line D78 stock now converted to 750V DC Class 484s for the IOW, finally running
after numerous teething problems. High speed DMUs, high speed EMUs and Departmental Stock
are covered in the last three chapters. This book has many photos of each type within each of their
generation groupings and will interest the growing number of enthusiasts who are at last treasuring
electric and diesel units, especially with many now being saved by heritage railways. (Dana Wiffen)

CONTACT DETAILS:
●Editor: Paul Stewart
[email protected]
4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX
01684 562862 07790 652351.

●Bookings: Mark Gomm
[email protected]
84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL

07983 541887.

●Printed by Willow Printing & Design Ltd
[email protected]

75/79 Back Cross Lane, NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS,
WA12 9YE 01925 222449.

●Published by the Branch Line Society,
10 Sandringham Rd, STOKE GIFFORD, BS34 8NP.

2701] ABOVE: (Item 2646) The scene at London Paddington station during the General Strike with
volunteers handling milk churns, looks like some pesky passengers are getting in the way of it all.

(From the Great Western Railway Magazine with thanks to Mike Roach.)