1328

By 14.00 the queues had formed all the way back to the entrance desk and the elevated line was
swamped with about 50 people waiting for a ride. The café in the clubhouse was doing a roaring trade.
The site is well worth a visit for anyone interested in model engineering. Normal public running is on
the second Sunday of the month April to October. ABOVE: Brighouse & Halifax Model Engineers; a
train leaves the station over the remodelled track layout. (Rod Bryant, 14 Apr 2019.)

MR71] Rother Valley Railway, East Sussex: Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has made the decision
to delay the public inquiry into reinstating the 2 mile section of line that would join the Kent & East
Sussex Railway to the Rother Valley Railway at Robertsbridge. The decision follows requests from
Highways England and the Office of Road and Rail for additional traffic impact studies to be carried
out into the effects of installing a level crossing on the A21 at Northbridge Street. Rother Valley
Railway chairman Gardner Crawley said the railway had requested that the hearing be delayed so it
could gather more information on its impact on traffic. He said: Although we have managed to
satisfy many of the statutory consultees with regards any concerns they may have had about our
proposals, Highways England and the Office of Rail and Road have requested additional studies be
carried out. These are to better understand what effect a level crossing, which would only operate
during off-peak hours, would have on the A21. The public inquiry due to take place in June will now
be scheduled for early 2020. Mr Crawley added: We are happy to carry out these additional studies
and look forward to reassuring these consultees that it will be possible to reinstate the full length of
the railway between Tenterden and Robertsbridge, with all the benefits that would bring, without
any unduly adverse effects. Controversially, the extension requires the compulsory purchase of land
at two East Sussex farms - Parsonage Farm at Robertsbridge, owned by the Hoads, and Moat Farm
near Salehurst, owned by the Ainslies, who have set up a Facebook page 'The Great Robertsbridge
Train Robbery' to oppose the plans. But the project has found support among Tenterden residents
because of its potential to bring in visitors from London and boost tourism. Supporters include
Tom Lewis, the owner of Morghew Park Estate in Smallhythe Road, who described the K&ESR that
already crosses his land as a responsible and co-operative neighbour.

MR72] East Kent Railway, Kent (MR p6): The railway was open From Good Friday to Easter Monday,
with train fare only £2. Brake van rides were also being offered at Shepherdswell. On Saturday 20 April
these were being operated by 0-6-0DH 'Army 427' (RH466616/1961) and brake van 55126. The trips
loaded on the spur to the Network Rail connection and ran through the yard on the line adjacent to
the running line as far as the throat at the north end. Two runs were given for £1 (no tickets issued).

ABOVE: East Kent Railway; brake van rides in the yard. (Peter Scott 20 Apr 2019.)

MR73] Telford Steam Railway, Shropshire (MR p7): The railway has recently completed the lifting of
all the track on the line from Horsehay & Dawley lower station platform to Doseley. This is part of a
three phase plan to extend the railway to connect with the Ironbridge branch at the former Lightmoor
Junction. The trackbed to Doseley is currently being levelled and new drainage installed, following
which the track will be relaid. Phase two will be to extend the branch from Doseley towards Lightmoor
(just short of where a bridge over the A4169 has been removed). The embankment still exists up to the
site of the bridge. Phase three will be to replace the bridge and then extend the track along the
trackbed to Lightmoor Junction where a connection with the Ironbridge NR branch will be re-instated.

MR74] Mountsorrel Railway, Leicestershire (MR p7) (BLN 1325.766): Sunday 31 March saw the Great
Central Railway run the first trains of 2019 on the one mile branch with LMSR 3F 0-6-0 47406 'top &
tail' on two coaches with 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST 68067 (HC1752/1943). Three through trains from/to
Loughborough and one to/from Quorn & Woodhouse were run, reversing in Swithland Sidings Up
Loop and calling at Nunckley Hill in both directions to Mountsorrel. Return was via a reversal at
Rothley Brook before the Rothley stop. Our reporter was on the first train at 09.55 - this was held in
Swithland Down Loop returning to Quorn where it then set back over the long trailing crossover to
Platform 1. The 12.45 Leicester to Loughborough with D123 also ran via Swithland Down Loop.

MR75] Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9): A member travelled on the
Railway on Tuesday 9 April. It was only operating between Bolton Abbey and Embsay, with the
locomotive run-round being undertaken in the station. He enquired after the use of the further west
Bow Bridge loop and was told that it is only now used occasionally (when stock is stabled in Embsay
station). The PSUL entry has been amended to the 'occasional use' section, as Bow Bridge loop is
obviously no longer reliably available when the one-train timetable is in use. The railway confirm this
and also less use of the loop, advising that it depends on how the signal box is staffed on the day.

MR76] Mid Norfolk Railway, Norfolk (MR p8) (BLN 136.924): A member visited on Sunday 7 April - day
three of their Spring Diesel Gala - arriving in time to see 47596 replaced by 50008 for a late 09.00
departure south from Dereham. This was the second departure of the day; earlier 03197 had left
hauling a 2-car DMU as far as Kimberley Park and onto literally new track in the sidings recently laid
north of the station to store main line rolling stock. Alighting at Kimberley Park some happy gricers
from the first shuttle boarded, leaving just four hardy souls on the meagre platform in increasingly
cold and wet weather. The Class 03 could just be seen through the fog and even though the crossing
keeper was not hopeful that the second shuttle would run with the late running. It did, with four
happy gricers. Also, the first two northbound trains continued north from Dereham to Worthing (Hoe
Road) crossing (15m 16ch) - the first public runs north of Hoe (Hall Road) crossing (13m 61ch) since
20 May 2018. Wymondham Junction (Network Rail boundary, 0m 08ch) was visited on the prototype
HST 41001 with Mk 3 stock, luckily with a superb buffet as the train was an hour late back at Dereham!

MR77] Epping Ongar Railway, Essex (MR p8): A bright sunny Sunday 24 February saw our Roving
Reporter on bus route 339 from Epping to North Weald. This day was also a Bus Rally of ex-Greenline
vehicles. Class 20 D8001 plus five ex-BR coaches formed the train. Eventually, 0-4-4T Met No1 came on
the other end and the whole formation did several round trips to Ongar, then also to Epping Forest
and return. At North Weald, all trains used platform 1 - ensuring that all passengers had to use the
footbridge! The railway is holding an extensive programme of special events through the 2019 season.

BELOW: Clayton L16 on the Steeplehouse branch of the Steeple Grange Light Railway. (Tom Gilby.)

ABOVE: Steeple Grange Light Railway; the new station at Middleton, at the far end of the new
extension, ZM32 'Horwich' (Peter Scott 21 Apr 2019.) BELOW: On 22 Apr (Tom Gilby).

ABOVE: Middleton looking back over the new extension towards Steeple Grange. (Tom Gilby 22 Apr.)

MR78] Steeple Grange Light Railway, Derbyshire (MR p14) (BLN 1324.MR39): A party of like-minded
enthusiasts made a specially organised visit to this 18" gauge railway during the late afternoon of
Easter Sunday, 21 April. They were made very welcome by the volunteers on site, who were pleased to
show them around, including the workshop, and to explain some of the history of the area and
railway. Participants made good use of the railway's small café. The party were first treated to a trip on
the Steeplehouse Quarry branch, where the geology of the quarry was highlighted - this train was
formed of 4wBE 'Peter' (CE B0922B/1975) with two man-rider coaches and a guards van. Following
this, a ride was taken on the Killer's branch and over the recently opened extension to Middleton.
At the latter, the organiser explained and showed the party the alignment of the former standard
gauge branch and where it entered the quarry over a level crossing. This train was formed of 4wDM
ZM32 'Horwich'(RH416214/1957) with one man-rider coach. The visit made a very pleasant afternoon
- on a gloriously sunny day with not a cloud in the sky! A visit to the railway is fully recommended.

MR79] Lodge Farm Park Railway, Greater London (MR p17) (BLN 1280.MR72): This 7¼" gauge railway
is owned and operated by the Havering Miniature Railway Club and runs in Lodge Farm Park, between
Romford and Gidea Park. Walking distance is slightly less from Romford station. It opened as a balloon
loop on Easter Monday, 17 April 2017. The club completed the line in 2018, with a second return loop
around a former bowling green, forming a dumb-bell of 600 yards - this opened to public passenger
trains on 12 August 2018. On Easter Monday, 22 April, trains started to run a little after 11.00. There
were four trains operating as pairs over the line - all departing and terminating at Black's Brook
station. In use were: 0-6-0ST 'Gwendoline', Met BE Bo-Bo No21 'Marie Dadswell', Bo-Bo BE 'Goliath'
and a BE bogie tram.

Fares for all are £2, for which a nice APTIS size card ticket is issued (our reporter's was No0000226).
Running days are: Monday 6 May, Sundays 2 June, 7 July, 11 August, 8 September & 6 October 11.00-
16.00. Unfortunately, around 50 minutes after our reporter left, the railway suffered a derailment,
requiring the ambulance service to be called. A London Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed
paramedics were called to Lodge Farm Park at 12.58 to reports of an incident. He said: We sent two
ambulance crews to the scene. We treated several people with minor injuries and took them to
hospital. At 17.47 on the same day the Havering Miniature Railway Club released a statement on
Facebook. There was an incident today on the railway which resulted in suspension of services. We
apologise to those who we have disappointed and ask that you bear with us. Trains will be running next
on 6 May. Club secretary Paul Middleton confirmed that a single tram car came off the track, and a 10-
month old baby was taken to hospital for a check-up but was discharged the same night.

MR80] Knees Woodland Miniature Railway, Kent (MR p19) (BLN 1306.MR108): This 7¼" gauge railway
runs in woodland adjacent to Shepherdswell station on the East Kent Railway. The railway opened a
new extension on Saturday 6 April 2019. The new section turns the basic layout into a circuit, by taking
a new line through a cutting around and down a steep gradient into what was the terminal end of the
station. On Easter Eve Saturday, 20 April, at about 10.45 the train and volunteers were awaiting
passengers - so two visiting BLS members provided a suitable load. Their train ran from the station,
over the pond on the bridge, around the original balloon loop, then over the cut-off curve behind the
shed, around the balloon loop again, before returning to the station via the new extension. However,
trains observed a while later all merely ran around the basic circuit. The reason for the different
routing was not apparent. The train was formed of a red 'Planet' locomotive and two sit-astride
coaches. The fare was £1 for all, for which an 'Admit One' roll ticket was issued and clipped before
departure. The East Kent Railway's web site states the miniature railway runs during special events.

BELOW: Knees Woodland Miniature Railway; a view of the station. The new extension can be seen
curving in from the right into the platform line behind the coach. (Peter Scott 20 Apr 2019.)

[BLN 1328]
MR81] Littlehampton Miniature Railway, West Sussex (MR p25) (BLN 1305.MR102): A visit was made
to this 12¼" gauge railway on a glorious sunny Good Friday, 19 April. The line runs by the seafront
between Norfolk Gardens station to the west and Mewsbrook Park station to the east. Trains were
running half-hourly at xx.00 & xx.30 from Norfolk Gardens and at xx.15 & xx.45 from Mewsbrook Park.
All those observed in the early afternoon were virtually full; the 14.00 ex Norfolk Gardens was sampled
for a single trip. Operating was 4wDE 'Albert' (D Madden & A Moss/2016) with three ex-West Midland
Safari Park coaches. Two (101 & 102) have been rebuilt by the railway and now have higher roofs. The
third was in original condition with its 'luggage' still on the roof. The loco ran round and was turned at
each end. Stabled outside the three road shed at Mewsbrook Park were spare locos: 4wDH 'Philippa'
(T Sanders/2017) and 4wPH 'Daisy' (RVM Engineering/2013) - the latter having a 'Toby the Tram' body.
Adult return fare was £3; single £2 (Children £2/£1.50 respectively). A titled thick paper ticket was
issued by the guard. The railway first opened in May 1948 and is now owned by the Littlehampton
Heritage Railway Association. A visit is recommended. There are cafés close to both stations.

MR82] High Legh Miniature Railway, Cheshire (BLN 1327.MR61): A visit was made to this 7¼" gauge
railway on Easter Monday, 22 April located at High Legh Garden Centre. The operators confirmed that
Saturday 13 April was the date of reopening, as hoped, with steam running on the Sunday (14 April).
Two-train operation was in operation on 22 April, both internal combustion, with one train set
(sit-astride) staying on the 'outer' loops and the other (sit-in seats) on the 'inner' loops. Much work has
been required by the new owners to allow safe operation and there is still significant non-essential
work required. It appears that the previous track layout is unaltered with a track plan shown at the
station alongside the car park (photo e-BLN 1327.MR61). Trains still serve the Play & Picnic Area.
The fare is £2 per journey with a 'three trips for £4'. Running was shown from 10.30 to 16.30
weekends mid February to mid December, all Bank Holidays and Tue/Wed/Thur in school holidays.
The operators gave a friendly reception but could not explain why one loco (Bo-Bo, no name/number)
had a starter key on a 'Ness Islands Railway' key ring as the owner had brought it from Leeds!

MR83] Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, Carmarthenshire (MR p9) (BLN 1307.117): A visit was made
to this railway on Saturday 27 April - their second open day of the year. Brake van rides were running,
virtually continuously, with 4wDH 10222 'Peter J Griffiths' (RH10222/1965) and brake van B951287.

These ran from Cynheidre platform (6m 12ch), over the footpath level crossing at 6m 19ch
(the previous passenger limit prior to 2019) and over the section of track that had remained since the
colliery closed. This track reached to around 6m 29ch and the ride then ran onto newly laid track to
the current limit of track at 6m 33ch. Fresh levelled ballast has been laid out beyond there for about
another 100 yards. Some sleepers and rail have been put out alongside ready for laying, so by the
summer the ride may well be longer. Tickets were £5, which allowed unlimited riding. There is a small
heritage display on site, plus a Mk2 coach (3319) with a small buffet serving tea, coffee, biscuits and
cakes. During the time our reporter was there, two other eminent BLS members were spotted! Further
open days in 2019 are: 25 May, 29 June, 31 August, 26 October and 7 & 8 December.

MR84] Orchard Farm Lakeside Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p22) (BLN 1313.MR181): A visit to this
10¼" gauge railway, located at a small Holiday Village in Hunmanby, on 21 April found it to be out of
use with very rusty rails. A passer-by said that the railway had not run for some time and he believed
that the loco is broken. Further information or reports would be very welcome.

MR85] Watford Miniature Railway, Hertfordshire (MR p19) (BLN 1323.MR32): Our Roving Reporter
made a visit to this 10¼" gauge railway on Saturday 30 March and found it in operation with No7
'Marri' 2-6-0 (Wallis Light Engineering 46199/1993) hauling the quin-art blue and red sets of coaches.
On standby in the station area was 'Conway Castle' 4w-4wDH (Fenlow/1972) and, on the shed
approaches, 'Nikki Louise' 0-6-0DH (R Prime/1988) with the quin-art green set and the quad-art red set
of coaches. The warning whistles are audible from our reporter's residence.

1328 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
1230] The Weymouth Walkabout, Sat 23 Mar 2019: By Neil Greenwood. During the 1½ hour break on
our 'Marching Crompton II' railtour in Weymouth, before the return to Crewe, Tom Gilby kindly led a
conducted walk for 17 tour participants along the route of the Weymouth Tramway from Weymouth
Jn, close to the existing station down to the former Weymouth Quay station, about a mile in distance.

PICTURES: By Neil Greenwood, roughly in sequence along the branch from the junction to Quay.

The only inaccessible part of the whole route is the first few hundred yards (ABOVE) from Weymouth
Jn to the B3155 level crossing, still available as an Engineer's Sidings and occasionally used. Then the
whole route is easily walkable. As if to reaffirm that this line is not passable, the colour light signal at
the far end shows a definitive red aspect. Looking the other way in the direction of the Quay the track
can clearly be seen embedded in the tarmac. Not an easy job to lift it should that ever be deemed
necessary. Indeed an article in the 'Dorset Echo' of 11 Feb, 2019 cited lifting it would cost many
millions as the sleepers are buried under the road surface. Removing the track would have to be
subject to further consultation and negotiation with the highways authority and the government
would have to agree to close the line. [Its current status is out of use permanently, but not 'closed'.]

The Weymouth Quay branch OG 16 Oct 1865 and 24 years later OP 4 Aug 1889. As freight traffic grew,
several sidings and loops were added to the main line to serve harbour side businesses. Town Bridge
was rebuilt in 1930 and the tramway initially routed through the northern arch. Between 1938/1939
the tight curve between the Backwater and harbour was replaced by a new curve on a recently filled in
section of the quayside and the line was moved to the outer arch of the bridge, where it remains now.

The track layout at the Quay station was gradually increased from a single track, to a double-track
layout up to 1961, and finally a three-track arrangement until the end of regular traffic, but from 1973
in a truncated layout. Regular goods traffic ceased in 1972, but fuel oil was transported to a facility at
the pier until 1983. Our Society took 33108 down the branch on 29 Nov 1986 with 'The Intrinsic
Treacle Eater' tour. Regular passenger services ceased in 1987 when the South Western main line to
Weymouth was electrified with third rail. There were some experiments in 1997 with a flywheel
vehicle but this did not result in permanent traffic on the line. Notable tours towards the end include
four Hertfordshire Railtours shuttles from Weymouth Town to Quay on 3 Apr 1993 using 33109.

On Wednesdays from 14 Jul until 25 Aug 1993 a regular Class 37 hauled 12.45 Weymouth Quay to
Yeovil Pen Mill train, marketed as 'The Paradise Flyer' [don't ask!], used the loco and stock off the
09.00 Bristol to Weymouth. This returned to Weymouth Town for its booked 16.30 working to Bristol.

A 6 Nov 1993 Pathfinder tour from Manchester to Weymouth Quay, the 'Itchen Piddle' took 37405
down the branch. There can't have been many occasions a Class 37 ran on the Quay line, which in the
diesel era saw a limited diet of, initially, Class 03 shunters and latterly Class 33s. Perhaps the most
interesting run occurred on a glorious 5 Jun 1994; 33116 took a special from Waterloo to Weymouth
Quay and during the run down the branch a British Airways Concorde performed a low level fly by [did
it have a pilot engine?]. Now that's something you don't see every day! The curtain fell on the branch
on 2 May 1999 when Pathfinder ran a morning and afternoon train from Yeovil to Weymouth Quay
'the Wey-Fare'. The honour of hauling the last train down the branch fell to 73138 and 73106.

BELOW: A reminder of just how big and daunting a train is at ground level. (Ian Mortimer, Aug 1977.)

Approaching Quay station, looking back towards the town (ABOVE), the remains of the cargo stage at
Custom House Quay can be seen. A loop, where the cars are parked, once enabled the transfer of
goods between rail and ship. (BELOW: The same location with that loop, disused but in situ, Aug 1977
and The Channel Island Boat train passing. Note the complex pointwork bottom left - Ian Mortimer.)

ABOVE: The tramway formerly split into three tracks at the station, looking back towards the junction.
BELOW: Looking in the other direction, the remaining platform; ferries used to load on the right.

Weymouth Quay station is now very run down. So what of the future for this unique line? The
Campaign for Better Transport has listed the line as a 'Priority 2' project which identifies its
reinstatement as feasible but requires further development or changed circumstances to enable this
to progress. There is no mention of how such a scheme for Weymouth could be revived or funded or
whether it would involve a regular service linking with the main line or, as previously explored, a
railcar ferrying passengers along the harbour line as a tourist attraction. The line has been at the
centre of controversy over the years and has been blamed for causing multiple accidents. The reality is
that reviving a train service along the branch looks unlikely any time soon. Many thanks to Tom Gilby
for arranging and leading this most interesting and opportune fixture while the Society was in town.

PREVIOUS PAGE: Aug 1977 again, the Channel Island Boat train was an impressive length; 10-12
coaches. Four years earlier on a 2-week All Line Rover (£32) your BLN Editor realised, for the first time,
at Weymouth Quay that it was important to be at the 'right' end of such a long train. (Ian Mortimer).

1231] St Michael(')s Meander; Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, Sat 30 Mar 2019: By Simon Mortimer.
So which is it? To cut to the chase and to try and lance the boil, is it supposed to have an apostrophe
or not‽ While (the Archangel) St Michael specialises in protecting the pious in battle and from the
ensnarements of the Devil, this is not necessarily sufficient to withstand the onslaught of moral and
pedantic opprobrium from the host that is the BLS, founders of the Comma and Apostrophe Police!

To lay out a balanced defence, to permit the reader to adjudicate fairly (if so disposed) firstly consider:
The possessive form (of apostrophes) is used with nouns referring to people, groups of people,
countries, and animals. It shows a relationship of belonging between one thing and another.

It is contended that St Michaels Railway does by its very name belongs in or to St Michaels and so,
prior to the visit, an apostrophe was deployed (without demur!) ... only to see almost immediately on
arrival the railway's logo was devoid of an apostrophe! The local St Michael's College, St Michael's
Church and St Michael's Village Hall all deploy the apostrophe and so your reporter throws himself on
the grammatical mercy of the Society, from now on adopts the railways form and suggests all
observations and associated commentary will no doubt be accepted by, collated and disseminated for
further observation by our inestimably capable BLN editor. [LOL as the young people say - BLN Ed.]

St Michaels private Railway is a 7¼" gauge line, a half dumbbell with complications at the station end
at the top of the site. From the station the regular run is about 350yd of track but the whole layout is
about 500yd. It is the creation of Brett Rogers who runs his TMA Engineering firm which built, among
other items, the RH&DR's two diesel locos JB Snell and Captain Howey. His railway was constructed in
about 18 months and has been fully extant in all but some small details for about four years.

The speed of construction considering the earthworks and a (low) 100yd long viaduct with shed roads,
stations and turntables was remarked on. Brett's response was that he sought advice widely, read the
tomes relating to miniature railway construction deeply and ignored them! The result is certainly not
one suggesting ignorance of the subject or a hasty approach, the long low viaduct is an interesting
'feature of necessity' where, once the cutting was dug on a steady falling grade the point where it gave
way to an open field resembled a ski jump. To continue the steady grade the line was supported on
over 70 piles to bring it into land at the bottom of the field. Brett commented that it will have to be
replaced by an embankment as over time the piles will rot, but he needs to find a builder who wants to
dispose of many tons of rubble first before beginning the construction of the new landscape!

Trains were already operating on our arrival and the array and size of the motive power fleet came as
something of a surprise for a line of this scale. All operating locos were steam, and drew two trains of
sit in stock (some from Beale Bird Park) alternating between the two platform faces at Oldwood Road
station. The initial sortie was behind No18, a replica of a 2-6-0 2ft gauge loco originally built by Baldwin
Philadelphia USA in 1893 for the Sandy River Railroad. It later transferred to the Sandy River &
Rangeley Lakes Railway (Maine) whose livery and decals it has, where it became a 2-6-2 in 1916 and
ran until the end of the system in 1935, when it was scrapped. It is a very large loco but has never left
this line; the driver said that they once coupled it to everything that rolls on the line and it came up the
bank without stretching its capabilities. They aspire to take it to Eastleigh to really open the loco up on
a loooong train! Having swept us around the loop back to Oldwood Road next was '343' a replica
Denver & Rio Grande Western loco Baldwin built in 1888; a 4-6-0 C19 class which succumbed to the
cutters' torch in 1941. This is also a large, capable engine which made a good assault of the bank and a
fine array of cinders gently showered down on the passengers such was the draw through the firebox!

Our group then sampled their third steam loco, a very different beast from the previous two; 'Gillian'
(Brett's wife!) from Exmoor Steam Railway works. No304 built 4/99 an 0-4-2 tank loco driven by Brett's

son that despite its less agile lines than the first two still very ably whisked us around a third standard
circuit. Still the motive power kept changing! Our fourth trip punctuated with much tea, coffee and a
copious array of biscuits from the station kitchen (such was the pace of activity during the afternoon
your reporter failed to finish/abandoned TWO cups of tea!) was headed by 'Blanche', a 2-4-0 saddle
tank, a Penrhyn Railway loco replica with a scale bucket hanging from the smoke box door handle!
There were additional trips as not every train could carry the whole party but 'Blanche' mirrored its
stable mates in comfortably carrying its full load around the 'standard' circuit and brought us to the
point in the afternoon where consideration of the rails less travelled on come into sharper focus.

6

Jill Everitt had already 'orientated' Brett as to the broad outline of our hopes so when your reporter
made an enquiry as to both the line beyond Oldwood Road towards the turntable end and that
traversing this might be easier on a single coach with one of the 'other' locos discussed earlier, the
idea was easily assimilated. With great efficiency a BR Class 02 battery electric whirred into view and
coupled up! The first group filled the coach and ran to the very end of the line on the recently installed
turntable to access a new 3-road shed, it was speculated that as this could accommodate the whole
train we could spin and win the shed road... however the loading on the turntable easily exceeded its
design limits and it wouldn't budge even with three adults pushing...so discretion won over rotation!

This exercise was repeated twice, but so diminutive was the loco, the driver feared he would never be
able to stand up again if he continued to pilot the machine. He therefore delegated the driving to a
scale driver... his 9 year old son... who took to his new and unfamiliar task of shunting a train load of
adults around the station area with alacrity! Having all covered the turntable extremity we turned our
attention to the other shed built into the main house and accessed over another turntable. The last
trip to the far turntable had the honour of a through run of the outer platform and carried on right
across the turntable coming to rest just outside the shed door where various fixed items stopped it.

This trip was repeated twice for everyone which left the other platform loop, station shed road and
alternative upper shed access line. The initial issue here was that TWO whole trains blocked these
traversals so it was suggested to move them the simplest arrangement was to operate both trains in
close (prudent) company returning to the outer station loop clearing all inner lines for Tom and his
Class 02 to weave their magic. All aboard! And our party filled the trains, the leading headed by '343'
followed by 'Gillian'. We decided this novel arrangement deserved a photo so with a favourable aspect
for the sun and the trains arranged we duly snapped them in the lower loop for posterity. Then a
standing start from the foot of the grade made '343' bark and spray more cinders splendidly. We all
arrived back in to the outer road and there on the inner sat our battery electric awaiting new metal.

The first train set off down the shed branch... by now we were changing points and clearing any
obstacle impeding complete traversal... but as the shed approached the far end was so gloomy an
amorphous blob that could not be made out remained undefined until we had pottered inside when
we saw to our surprise an inflatable boat moored halfway up the back wall but clearly arranged to
allow stock underneath! Never can your reporter remember the instruction for a train to 'proceed
under the boat' being issued, but this was, as well as warnings to passengers to 'mind the boat' [just so
long as no one keeled over] which agreeably bounced and bobbed off hands and heads until Tom
brought us to a firm indication we had reached the back wall! We returned to the station shunted off
the top end of the loop and gave way for two more groups to do the same...

At this point Brett probably thought we might go as 'Gillian' sat on the other shed access line (the loco
not his wife) but with it removed we duly covered this, again over the turntable and into the centre
shed road where another four steam locos sat quietly! This was repeated twice. Then we had ridden
behind five different locos and traversed all practicable track as that left was either occupied or only
available via very light connections only suitable for hand pushed ECS. The 16 members thanked Brett
profusely for his hospitality, for steaming four locos (and the battery 02!) making StMichael's
St Michaels Railway so available to us and of course all those biscuits! Thanks Simon too for arranging it.



PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: The black loco is No18, 2-6-0 Sandy River & Ran
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Horsing about, the view forward as the tra

THIS PAGE ABOVE: The long low viaduct that supports much
NEXT PAGE TOP: The Denver & Rio Grande Western loco heads a
NEXT PAGE LOWER: The BLS rare track special hauled by BR Class 02 b

All pictures taken by Simon Morti

ngeley Lakes Railway (Maine) USA, built 1893, ex-Sandy River Railroad.
ain is about to assault the grade back towards Oldwood Road station.

of the main line between Oldwood Road and the lower loop.
a train with 'Gillian' following; both posed on the lower field loop.
battery electric with its 9 year old driver, Tom, heads towards the shed.
imer on Saturday 30 March 2019.





[BLN 1328]
PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: 'Gillian' awaits departure from Oldwood Road inner platform road.

PREVIOUS LOWER: "Excuse me please, Mister, we want to come in there now'', the BLS rare track
special is about to do the centre line. John Gordon emerges after looking for lurking locos.

BELOW: View forward approaching the back of the shed, about to pass under an inflatable boat!

NEXT PAGE UPPER: A BLS shed shuttle comes out of centre road and back across the turntable

NEXT PAGE LOWER: The 4-wheel Battery Electric BR Class 02 stands on the new turntable built for the
new shed adjacent but it couldn't turn with the weight of the train Society members on it!



Details must be checked 1328 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

1232] Porthmadog: (TRACKmaps 3, p36C; Jun 2018) A strategic connection from the Ffestiniog
Railway arriving in the Welsh Highland platform (linking the two Railways) with more timetabled use
this year. On 'Red' days (28-30 May; 16-18, 23-15, 30 & 31 Jul plus Tue, Wed & Thur in Aug) the 12.20
from Blaenau Ffestiniog arrives Porthmadog 13.35. There is a 13.35 departure from the Ffestiniog
platform. The same applies on 'Yellow' days (29 Jul & Mons in Aug). Similarly, on 'Green' days (25-27
Jun, 2-4 & 9-11 Jul plus 3-5 Sep), the 10.10 from Blaenau arrives at Porthmadog 11.25 and there is a
11.25 Ffestiniog departure. A good way of doing this is an anticlockwise Ffestiniog Round Robin
circular tour (BLN 1311.1817) - currently with buses from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

1233] Railway Correspondence & Travel Society, Archive & Library: Stationmaster's House, Station
Approach, Leatherhead, KT22 7SQ. Over 10,000 books, bound magazine volumes with much other
archival material including working timetables held off site. The library is open to non-members;
times on website see http://bit.ly/2GXzsMv (in May this is alternate Sats & Weds 11.00-16.00).

1234] Wareham - Corfe Castle, Saturdays 25 May - 7 Sep: Like last year South Western Railway is
running Class 159 DMU through trains (SO): 06.35 Waterloo - Corfe Castle (11.35) via Yeovil Junction
(rev), Yeovil Pen Mill (rev), Weymouth (rev) & Wareham (11.10/11.17) (rev). Then 12.10 Corfe Castle
- Poole (12.54/14.51) - Corfe Castle (15.30/15.44) - Waterloo (20.19) as outward. Apart from the four
reversals, it provides through trains between the two Dorchester stations. Special fares are expected.

1235] RPSI, Sun 26 May & 7 Jul: Sea Breeze Dublin Connolly (10.35/ 19.33) - Wexford (13.22/16.55)
Adult €35; Child €20. The Strand Wexford (14.05/16.10) - Rosslare Strand (14.18/15.50) Adult €12;
Child €6, steam hauled. Book at http://bit.ly/2Y17hlB (fees apply). On Sundays services cross at
Wicklow, it seems the tour crosses a service at Greystones in the morning and a train from Rosslare
Europort at Strand (non-preferred platform?). The loco at least will have to go to Europort turntable.
Wexford loop has to be used at the start of the return service although this could be done as an ECS.

1236] Northern 'Rovers Return', until Sun 14 Jul: One of the best offers around. Collect TWO tokens
from qualifying Reach PLC local Northern papers or 01482 315240 to order back copies. Complete
and print the online form, attach the tokens and take to 'any staffed ticket office'; not available on
trains. Unlimited travel on Northern trains only, weekends, Bank Holidays and after 08.45 weekdays
(no evening restrictions). £10 one day or £17.50 all weekend; 5-15 years half fare (up to 4 of either
for the same dates); http://bit.ly/2WjhRUF has more. Your mission, should you choose to accept it,
is to travel between Ellesmere Port and Chathill via Heysham in one day using only these tickets...

1237] Black Country Living Museum; daily 10.00-17.00: (TRACKmaps 4, p21B - Dec 2018) (MR p32)
Tipton Rd, Dudley, DY1 4SQ, (SO 950 914), one mile from Tipton station. Adults £18.45; Concessions
£15.45; 3-16 years £9.45; various family tickets available; tickets include readmission for 12 months
free. Parking £3.50 (free at the adjacent Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, DY1 4SB with Black Country
Museum access). The 3' 6" gauge 570yd tramway is running but not necessarily all day; it is regarded
as too dangerous to travel upstairs now, so capacity is limited. On Good Friday it ran full length trips
during the quieter period 10.30-12.15; then a trolley bus ran for a few hours and finally an ex-
Midland Red Omnibus (upstairs riding permitted in both cases). It is also regarded as too dangerous
to run more than one of these at a time - the tram serves the Village stop in the opposite direction to
the other two and crosses the roadway at right angles as does, interestingly, the OHLE for tramway
and trolley bus there. There is much to see and do, a whole day can be spent here. Book online to
save queuing (no discount), arrive by 10.00, turn left on entering and make straight for the tram stop.

1238] Central Scotland Rover: Three consecutive days of ScotRail (only) travel & Glasgow Subway‡;
Valid after 09.15 weekdays and all weekends within: Partick, Newton, Larkhall, Lanark, Carstairs,
Tweedbank, North Berwick, Fife Circle/Markinch, Dunblane, Alloa all to/from Glasgow/Edinburgh.
Adult £49 (Railcards 34% discounts approx £32.30); Child 5-15 £24.50 Under 5 free; buy on the day
or in advance from ticket offices or in advance from ScotRail website/telesales (a mobile device
version is available). ‡An exchange ticket is required (available free from staffed Subway stations),
it is plastic and credit card size with embedded chip to operate the gates at all Subway stations.

1239] North Tyneside Steam Railway: Mechanical greaser wanted; email [email protected]

1240] :PROPERTY SECTION,: Stamford East station building: (CP Mon 4 Mar 1957, finally after 15 years
of negotiation, when services to Essendine were diverted to the ex-Midland Stamford Town station.)
Stamford East CG from 4 Mar 1963. A superb Georgian style original 1850 constructed Grade II listed
building with ornate stonework, part of Old Station House. Four downstairs rooms; 4 beds (the fourth
in the tower accessed by a spiral staircase). 10 min walk to Stamford station. Guide price £800k, plans
and pictures with e-BLN or see http://bit.ly/2IUNT6e (Strutt & Parker, Stamford 07471 227352.)

1241] Wingletang PRIVATE Railway, Sat 28 Sep (afternoon): A few spare places are available on a
private visit to this interesting and friendly 10¼" gauge garden railway 1⅔ mile northwest of Malvern
Link station on the B4503 towards Leigh Sinton. It has been extended since our 2014 visit.The owner of
the railway is the Chairman of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society. For full details and a booking
form please send an SAE to Rodney Wolfe-Coe, 25 Cecil Court, Upper Queens Rd, Ashford, TN24 8HG.

X.55] NEXT PAGE: Guess the Location: (BLN 1327.X49) Congratulations to Major Ian Hughes who
recognised this as the posterior view of Pontrilas Signal Box (11m 14ch) which is about half way
between Abergavenny and Hereford. (Picture by David Thomas with thanks to Chris Parker.)

●Bookings: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL. [email protected] 07983 541887.
●Fixtures Sec: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE, CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Tom Gilby, (Liverpool Lime Street Saveaway Tracker) [email protected] 69 Regent St, Barwell, Leicester LE9 8GY.
●Paul Griffin, (Austria) 7 School Bell Meadows, Church Lane, Stoneleigh, COVENTRY, CV8 3ZZ. [email protected]
●Mark Haggas, (Devon) 12 The Square, Earl Shilton, Leicester, LE9 7GU. [email protected]
●Tim Wallis (General Secretary), 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. [email protected]
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. [email protected] 07484 646542.
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor.
●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