1332

Their design is said to minimise the need for pit access but when required they will have to run ECS to
Birkenhead North Depot. The implication is that this will be a long term arrangement confirming the
reason for the Class 150 ECS trial run of 23 Jun; there are no plans to install a pit at Wrexham.

1858] Heart of (Central) Wales Line: On Sun 2 Jun Broome (1,150 recorded passengers in 2017-18
making it the 2,499th busiest station on the network) was the line's northern terminus and rail
replacement bus interchange because of engineering work on the Welsh Marches route. This has
happened before but, more unusually, a DMU was stabled at Knighton overnight on this occasion.

1859] Ebbw Vale: Services were diverted from Cardiff to Newport on 9 Jun with none on 2 & 30 Jun.

1860] Cardiff: Cardiff West to Newport was closed on 9 Jun. TfW trains to West Wales started at
Bridgend in the morning but were able to depart from Cardiff in the afternoon routed via the Leckwith
Loop. Trains to Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan line used Penarth Curve from Ninian Park until 12.40
and Penarth services were cancelled all day. GWR provided a shuttle between Swansea and Bridgend
and restarted their trains from Newport; CrossCountry services also operated east of Newport only.

1861] WSJ2 187m67ch (sic): Diligent TRACKmaps users will be able to identify this as the Engineer's
Line Reference and milepost mileage for Whittington Level Crossing on the Shrewsbury - Chester line.
It was also 'Our Reference' in NR's mail shot dated 12 Jul addressed to 'Railway Neighbour' in the
locality including your Regional Ed, no doubt one of very few recipients who could be expected to
realise its significance! The crumbling concrete block surface of the A495 road at the crossing is to be
replaced by harder wearing rubber material resulting in closure to road traffic from 22.30 on 30 Aug till
07.30 on 9 Sep. Unlike some similar recent NR communications the effect on rail traffic is also specified
and is much less: Shrewsbury - Wrexham (why not Gobowen?) buses on Sun 1 & 8 Sep. As has become
the norm (in Wales & Borders at least) there is a drop-in event in the village hall on 30 Jul for residents
to quiz the project team. Gone are the days when such work would be completed in a single Sunday…

1862] It's dearer by rail: According to the Sunday Times, peripatetic NR staff are required to travel by
air when it is cheaper than taking the train. One flight from Cardiff to Anglesey cost £19.99 whereas a
flexible single ticket to Holyhead is £84 and the cheapest advance ticket £32.50. (Rail User Express.)

1863] And finally….Pant underpasses: (BLN 1331.1676) Your Editor's worst fears are realised! From
1889 till 1962 the list of active British passenger stations included a pair of Pants. Arguably (though
perhaps stretching it) both had 'underpasses'. Hopefully avoiding making any bloomers: At Pant
(Salop) on the Cambrian main line a tramway from local limestone quarries to the canal passed
beneath both platforms. Pant (Glamorgan) on the Brecon & Merthyr (remains still visible adjacent to
the present Brecon Mountain Railway HQ) was directly above Morlais Tunnel on the LNWR Heads of
the Valleys line. It is highly unlikely that the short lived Pant Halt on the Wrexham - Legacy - Rhos -
Trevor line (1905-15) was similarly blessed but local members could perhaps advise, 'briefly', as to
Thongs Bridge (no apostrophe, indeed the modern spelling is Thongsbridge) on the Holmfirth branch?

1332 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
MR129] Fawley Hill Railway, Oxfordshire (MR p7): A member had booked tickets to visit this private
railway for its open day on Sunday 23 June, a rather cloudy, but fortunately dry day. The museum
guidebook (Second Edition, 2008, £5) is still on sale at the shop and provides a useful guide to the
history of the line, their current (and past) locomotives and rolling stock and the various outside
exhibits. There is also an extensive collection of items bought by Sir William McAlpine over the years
inside the large museum building, which features (amongst other things) cast iron signs, cutlery,
glasses and drinks, some tickets, posters, Pullman chairs, old jigsaws and a great variety of maps
(including relief map of Scotland). The line grew from a hundred yards of track laid in the valley in 1965
to its current form in 1989, after a number of relayings of the Hill line and work by contractors on the
Valley line that year. The retaining wall by the Hill line with the London & South Western Railway
arches from the road entrance to Waterloo Station completed work on the retaining wall, which had
also seen the (original) South Eastern Railway Crest and Ludgate Hill façade added.

Motive power for the day was Class 03 D2120, which spent its BR working life in the Swansea area, has
a cut down cab for the Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley line and arrived here in 1986. Passengers rode
in Shark ballast plough brake van DB993896 and GW127565 five plank open wagon. Also on site are
three main line coaches, which arrived 1995-1997: Royal BR MK1 2900 (Wolverton 1955) and M45005
LMS Royal Saloon (Wolverton 1942), both of which are riddled with asbestos and may not last long
(our reporter was told). In addition wooden bodied GE1 (also 99050), built at Stratford in 1920 as a
Directors Saloon, is occasionally still used for entertaining by Lady McAlpine.

Most trains run the full length of the line, out via Bourne Again Junction to Star Lane and then to
Inverernie, although a couple of trips only went down to the junction so that their F C Hibberd Planet 4
diesel mechanical 'Ernie' could be observed on the Valley track with its shunt truck. The café at the
main station, which is from Somersham (Eastern Counties Railway, opened 1848, but the building
dates from 1889) was doing a roaring trade of hot drinks and delicious cakes. Also present was a short
portable miniature line, with D1015 and D863 and two coaches giving short rides (two return trips).

MR130] Wensleydale Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9) (BLN 1331.1557): The railway held a Diesel
Day on Saturday 29 June. There were two sets in use - 37205 and DRS 66431 were on one set (37 at
the west end, 66 on the east) and 20166 and D9523 on the other set (20 on the west end and the Class
14 on the east end - the order contrary to the published roster). Both sets did two round trips during
the day with the 20/14 set doing a short additional turn from Redmire to Leyburn and back to
Redmire. This latter, in the Up direction, traversed the newly laid passenger loop at Leyburn non-stop,
reversing at the east end of the loop to come back into the station platform. Although the new loop
line is complete, very little of the new (short) platform has been built yet, just a few foundations
including for a footbridge over the line. The old footbridge from Brigg station dating from the 1880s
was donated to the railway by Network Rail last year. It was in a poor state of repair but has recently
been refurbished free of charge by Cleveland Bridge UK based in Darlington, to be used at Leyburn.

BELOW: Leyburn with its new loop looking east towards Northallerton. (Andy Overton 29 Jun 2019.)

No other services used the loop and it was announced to passengers that this was the first passenger
train to use it. There is no signalling at Leyburn as yet. Trains were well-loaded with both enthusiasts
and 'normal' passengers, with some inevitable thinning later in the afternoon. Everything ran pretty
much to time and it was a very good day, with friendly and helpful volunteers. Our reporter would
encourage anyone who has never had a look at Finghall Lane station to do so - as it really gives a
flavour of those massively under-patronised country stations with little in the way of catchment, which
have long since disappeared from the network, and is remarkably original.

MR131] Saltburn Cliff Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p34) (BLN 1330.MR111): A member planned to
visit this line on Sunday 30 June, following a visit to the Tees Transporter Bridge at Middlesbrough.
He happened to mention his plans to the Bridge guide, who replied 'you will if it's open!' The guide
lives in Saltburn and explained that since reopening it has been dogged with failures and is frequently
out of operation. Right enough, when he arrived in the afternoon the railway was closed, with a sign
on the top station saying this was 'for essential maintenance'. No-one was working on the railway; it
was deserted, on the hottest weekend of the summer so far with plenty of trade in the offing at the
seaside. Our correspondent rather suspects that 'essential maintenance' is a euphemism for 'failed' or
'lack of staff'. It would appear that our member in May (BLN 1330) was lucky. The informant advised
that the refurbishment work consisted of, amongst other things, new computer control of the water
filling system for the cars. It was previously done manually; the new system is unreliable and causing
failures. Our correspondent says that he is unable to vouch for the accuracy of this information.

MR132] Cleveland Model Engineers, County Durham (MR p16) (BLN 1229.MR34): This Society has a
ground level 5/7¼" gauge track in the grounds of Tees Cottage Pumping Station in Darlington. Public
running takes place during the Pumping Station open days, when the large Beam Engine is operated.
Remaining dates this year are 14/15 September & 5/6 October. The railway has a number of unusual
features: double track, a section of interlaced track and turntables at each end of the railway, which
are covered on a normal passenger trip. 'Broken Scar' station is located adjacent to the entrance to
the Pumping Station site and consists of departure and arrival spurs off a turntable. The line is double
track from this turntable and then turns west to run parallel to the River Tees. The interlaced section is
required due to restricted space between the Boiler House and the river. Following this section, the
line doubles out and terminates at another turntable. The whole train is turned here with passengers
aboard. Off the turntable are steaming bays and storage roads - one entering the adjacent shed.
'Pear Tree Halt' is by the side of this shed. The train then returns to 'Broken Scar'. On Saturday 22 June
your Minor Railways Editor arrived exactly at the opening time of 11.00.

Trains started running about 11.30, with 7¼" gauge 2-4-0T 'Dreadnought' in blue livery with one small
sit-astride coach. After a short time, a second train with a small centre cab battery electric loco entered
service, also with one small sit-astride coach. The fare was £1 for all, with no tickets being issued.
Pumping Station admission was £5. Apart from the interesting railway, the Pumping Station site is well
worth visiting with its large Beam Engine, Boiler House, Filter Beds, Gas Engine and excellent café.

NEXT PAGE: Cleveland Model Engineers; a train is readied for departure at Broken Scar station.
(Peter Scott, 22 June 2019.)

MR133] Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR), Gwynedd (MR p30) (BLNs 1320.116 & 1331.1557):
Friday 21 June was the first day of a three day Gala, the primary attraction of which was the first
working of a passenger carrying train between Porthmadog (WHHR) and Beddgelert hauled by 2-6-2T
'Russell' (Hunslet 901/ 1906), the last surviving steam loco of the original Welsh Highland Railway
(WHR), since it closed to passengers on and from 28 September 1936 (and goods in June 1937). It was
an evening run, repeated on the Saturday, departing almost on time at 18.00 from Porthmadog Welsh
Highland Heritage Railway station, using their own stock (our reporter travelled in North Wales Narrow
Gauge Railway No9, a complete new-build Ashbury's coach dating from about 2009, but a faithful
replica of a 1890s design). Their historical replica WHR buffet car was also in use of this train.



At Pen-y-Mount, all passengers had to alight at WHHR platform 2 (right hand on arrival) and re-join
the train at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway (Ff&WHR) platform 3 recently built especially
for the weekend (accessed via a locked gate), once the train had shunted, empty, from platform 2 to
platform 3. This was because the WHHR/Ff&WHR connection does not have facing point locks so
passengers cannot be carried over it (but our reporter's luggage did the connection...)

Our member is well pleased he had done the through link on 5 May 2008 when WHHR trains ran
through onto the former Croesor Tramway trackbed for about half-a-mile to a rather indeterminate
lineside nameboard called Traeth Mawr (no alighting there, then). That operation only lasted a year or
so before the Ff&WHR relaid and reopened all the way through to their Porthmadog station. Back in
2019, on 21 June he thus 'ticked off' another new station: Pen-y-Mount, platform 3 (Ff&WHR) -
beyond the locked gate, suggesting this new platform would be for use on special occasions only. Time
will tell. [Platforms 1 and 2 were both in use on the WHHR with two trains running this weekend.]

Once on board again, it was onward behind 'Russell' through the highly scenic Pass of Aberglaslyn.
At Beddgelert, there were lots of photo opportunities, including alongside the water tank atop the
concrete supports, the most tangible remnants of the pre-1936 WHR station. Then back to (WHHR)
Porthmadog via the Pen-y-Mount platform 3 to platform 2 ECS shunt. The forecast return of 20.30
proved a little optimistic (despite our reporter signalling to operating personnel that he would like to
catch the 20.55 last southbound Cambrian Coast line train of the day from Porthmadog…). As the train
rolled through Gelert's Farm station, the Up and Down coast trains could be seen in the Cambrian
station. Earlier in the day he had encountered a 'Street Pastor' in Porthmadog - our reporter thinks he
prayed for him, because, alighting from the WHHR train with luggage, smart footwork and a near lack
of traffic on Tremadog Road, ensured he caught the 20.55 south train fully two minutes after it should
have gone (the Pwllheli train had left). His 'Grauniad Angel' was definitely working overtime for him!

X.86] BELOW: East Anglia Transport Museum (MR p24 & p32) progress on the extensions -
see detailed track plan in BLN 1330.MR103. (James Beal, 28 May 2019)

MR134] Vale of Rheidol Light Railway, Ceredigion (MR p29) (BLN 1320.MR4): A visit was made to this
railway on Wednesday 19 June. Our reporter did a return trip from their new Aberystwyth station to
Pontarfynach (Devil's Bridge) and back, with newly-restored 2-6-2T No7 (which he had last previously
travelled with in 1972 - it had been out of use since at least 1998). The railway have gone 'über Great
Western', so locos 7 & 8 do not carry their 'Owain Glyndŵr' and 'Llywelyn' nameplates as these were
added by British Railways in the 1950s. (Loco 1213, ex-9, was hidden in the new shed). The 1938 GWR
loco shed now appears to be used as the carriage shed, with locos and p'way kit stabled in the new
(2012) works building. The railway has lost no time in ripping up the track from the old (ex-Manchester
& Milford Railway) Aberystwyth bay platform, leaving rubble and dereliction behind - it will be
interesting to see what becomes of the site. But that bay platform looks as if it will soon disappear.

The railway advertises their new station as '1930s style', which is true. However, don't expect an Art
Deco building - expect 'the biggest GWR Pagoda in the world'. The journey to Pontarfynach and back
was uneventful; 2-6-2T No8 was passed at Aberffrwd, on the other coaching set, on this 'four trains a
day' service day. Fares do not offer any reduced prices for seniors nowadays. From Capel Bangor to
Pontarfynach, every intermediate station has had a rebuild, with new proper platforms, back fences
and station buildings in corrugated-iron, each looking like a mini 'tin tabernacle', with a 'church type'
window on the end gable; all painted brown and cream, of course. At Capel Bangor, the number of rail
connected windowless, locked corrugated iron storage sheds has expanded to three. Presumably they
house the collection of miscellaneous steam locos from Wales and far flung places across the world
that used to sit on a (now lifted) siding adjacent to Aberystwyth main line station for several years.

The rebuilt intermediate stations continue to sport the earlier, GWR style, nameboards, including
those with spelling errors. 'Glanrafon' should be 'Glanyrafon', and worse still, 'Rheidol Falls (Rhaedr
(sic) Rheidol)'. 'Rhaedr' should be 'Rhaeadr' (Waterfall, singular) or 'Rhaeadrau' (Waterfalls, plural).
As far as our reporter knows, the name 'Devil's Bridge' is a complete invention; one of those stupid folk
tales invented for gullible, early tourists. The platform of Aberystwyth's new station faces the ex-GWR
(1938) loco shed now used as a carriage shed. The latter now only has connected rail access at the
'country' end of the building (which, pre-1967 had been the standard gauge steam loco shed). The new
platform has a short bay platform at the 'country' end. Its purpose is not obvious, but may be to shunt
locos and/or p'way vehicles out of the new (2012) shed building; as a headshunt. [Railtours perhaps?]

The new station building has two ticket windows - headed 'Tocynnau' and 'Tickets'. As you might
expect, the 'Tocynnau' window was staffed by someone who could not speak Welsh, while the 'Tickets'
window was staffed by someone who could! The walking route from the Cambrian (National) station is
now quite a hike, totally devoid of signposting! The shortest walking route is across a supermarket car
park. Incidentally, one of the exotic overseas steam locos was a 0-4-4T, one of a pair, originally built in
1923 for the narrow gauge branch line owned and operated by the Kowloon - Canton Railway, British
section. On closure of that branch in 1928, it was sold to a sugar mill in the Philippines, where both
worked for roughly 70 years. Our reporter saw the other one on 15 March 2006 at the Hong Kong
Railway Museum at Tai Po Market (old) station. At that time, the museum's handbill was rather coy as
to the whereabouts of the other 0-4-4T. He was, therefore, somewhat surprised to see it, in the VoR
sidings at Aberystwyth arriving by train on 21 February 2008. It took him about 3-7 seconds to
recognise it for what it was - not to mention the usual joy experienced when one 'clears the class'!

MR135] Talyllyn Railway, Gwynedd (MR p30) (BLN 1312.MR179): Due to a road closure (with
suspension of Lloyds Coaches Service 30 apart from the School Bus) between Bryncrug and
Abergynolwyn, from the 26 to 28 June the Railway offered free travel for local residents who needed
to travel up and down the Fathew Valley. This unusual service, perhaps one of the few where a train
has replaced a bus, generated much publicity for the Railway with BBC News coming to film on the first
day and the press taking a great deal of interest as well. The service was extended when it was realised
Abergynolwyn station Café staff would have difficulty in getting to work, with an early morning diesel
hauled service taking them to work, and bringing some local travellers to Tywyn.

1332 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart)
[email protected]

1864] Marching Crompton II; Sat 23 Mar 2019: By
Janet & John Cottrell. RIGHT: Ticket by Amy Nash.
Half past five on a Saturday morning in Crewe;
it must be railtour time again with the delights on
offer this week being Class 33 haulage to the seaside
with a few bits of enticing track thrown in for those
interested in such matters. Our train consisted of
West Coast Railway's 33029 with seven Mk1 coaches
including the all important buffet car which would

FROM TO MILES keep us all fed and watered for the trip, most

Crewe P6 Weymouth P3 238m 34ch important as the early start meant that the
Shrewsbury P7 205m 53ch food outlets on the station were not open.
Church Stretton P1 192m 73ch Bringing up the rear was 47851 providing the
Hereford P2 154m 53ch therms to keep us all warm, 'British Summer
Severn Tunnel Jn P4 102m 38ch Time' still being a week away then.

Bath Spa P1 Bath Spa P2 75m 52ch We set off on time with the Class 33 making all
Hereford P3 75m 51ch the right noises and did wonder if the Class 47
Weymouth P3 Church Stretton P2 211m 77ch might be giving a discreet helping hand/buffer
Table by Jim Sellens Shrewsbury P4 250m 17ch (?) but a friend at the opposite end of the train
Crewe P12 262m 77ch later assured us that it did nothing beyond heat
295m 57ch the coaches. It wasn't long before we sampled
the first loop of the day, opposite Shrewsbury

Crewe Bank signal box, still standing now six years after it closed, latterly very rarely switched in.

The 'austerity' 1943 WWII box was designed to withstand air raid damage meaning they are not the

easiest structures to demolish. Our 40 minute sojourn in the loop was more bearable by an

announcement that hot bacon rolls were available from the buffet, as a rather overcast day dawned.

There were further stops to pick up at Shrewsbury and Church Stretton before we headed south past
Craven Arms, by which time a watery sun was attempting to break through the clouds, and on to
Hereford where we arrived some six minutes early. Although the maximum speed of a Class 33 is
85mph, the train was timed at 75mph, the next choice of timing speed being 90mph which would have
the opposite and less desirable effect of losing time. Progressing south, past Panteg DGL covered on
the previous Aug 2018 'Marching Crompton' tour, word started to filter through of signalling problems
at Bath with a possible diversion mentioned. This would cause issues as it was a booked pick up point.
Before this, there was a stop at Severn Tunnel Junction and a chance for a quick leg-stretch as we
arrived early again and where the single yellow signal aspect with route indicator clearly showed that

we would be doing the Up Tunnel Loop as booked. Into the Severn Tunnel and out again, followed by
the Up Pilning loop, pausing for a Cardiff to Bristol service to pass, then on to Patchway where the
train turned right as scheduled so we would be going via Bath, signalling issues or not.

With the aid of modern technology in the form of 'Traksy' and the 'Open Train Times' Live Track
Diagrams it had been noticed by many that the Up trains were on the Down line and the Down trains
were using the Up line at Bath Spa, shades of the Great St Trinian's Train Robbery but rather more
organised. 1Z33 duly covered Bristol East Depot Goods Loop in the more interesting direction and
then took the facing crossover (107m 28ch) just past Oldfield Park, past a couple of slightly glum-
looking orange-clad NR staff. It called at Bath Down P1 to pick up a final batch of passengers
(some delayed by the problems, made a two minute connection from a Paddington train on the other
platform; half the Paddington - Bristol trains were diverted via Bristol Parkway).

Once back on the right line so as to speak we started gaining time again, being five minutes early at
Westbury (where a South Western Railway DMU was in the Down Trowbridge Siding - cancelled
between Westbury and Bristol due to the disruption) and seven by Frome then gaining another ten
minutes when the train didn't have to wait at Blatchbridge Jn as booked. All this early running came to
naught as we were held just past Castle Cary for the preceding (late) Gloucester to Weymouth service
to clear the single line to Yeovil Pen Mill. Although we arrived there over 10 minutes early, we actually
departed five minutes late, waiting for a Weymouth to Gloucester service which in turn had been
delayed waiting to cross its counterpart at Maiden Newton. The slightly extended Yeovil stop was
welcome as it gave the chance for another leg stretch, photos and time to queue at the station kiosk.

Some excellent Crompton 'thrash' was enjoyed after leaving Yeovil Pen Mill and we soon regained the
lost minutes, but a slow run down to Weymouth saw us arrive 3 minutes late where there was an hour
and a half to have lunch, go to the pub, visit the beach or join Tom Gilby's organised walk along the
disused Weymouth Tramway (report BLN 1328.1230). Sadly the option to visit the 10¼" gauge Rio
Grande Railway had been cancelled some weeks earlier due to the operator's family bereavement.

Crewe P6 - (Harlescott) Up Gds Loop - Shrewsbury P7 - Church Stretton P1 - Hereford P2 - Maindee N Jn -
E Jn - Magor Crossovers (151m 09ch) - Up Relief - Severn Tunnel Junction P4 - Up Tunnel Loop - Up Pilning
Loop - Filton No1 Jn - Filton Abbey Wood P1 - Horfield Jn - Down Filton Relief - Up Filton Main - Dr Day's Jn
- Up Bristol Lp - Feeder Bridge Jn - Dn Main - East Depot Gds Lp - Up Main - Bath Spa P1 - Bathampton Jn
(Dn) - Westbury N Jn - No2 Line - second crossover - No1 Line - Westbury P1 - Dn Main - Dn Frome - Castle
Cary P3 - Yeovil Pen Mill P3 - Maiden Newton P2 - Dorchester W P2 - Weymouth P3 - Dorchester W P1 -
Maiden Newton P1 - Yeovil Pen Mill P1 - Castle Cary P2 - Up Frome - Up Main - No2 Line - Westbury P2 -
Bathampton Jn (Dn) - Up Main - Bath Spa P2 - Oldfield Park P1 - Feeder Bridge Jn - Up Filton Main - Filton
Abbey Wood P2 - Stoke Gifford West Jn - Bristol Parkway Up Passenger Loop - Westerleigh Jn - Charfield
Up Goods Loop - Gloucester Yard Jn - Horton Road Jn (was Tramway Jn) - Up Main - Up Relief - Up Main -
Over Jn - Down Lydney Gds Loop - Caldicot - Dn Relief - East Usk Jn - East Usk Yard Road 5 - Maindee E Jn -
N Jn - Abergavenny Up Gds Loop - Hereford P3 - Church Stretton P2 - Up Gds Loop (Sutton Bridge Jn) -
Shrewsbury P4 - Crewe P12. [By Paul Stewart with thanks to Martyn Brailsford; bold = passenger calls.]

For the return journey, 33029 was joined by D6515 (33012), the pride and joy of the 71A Locomotive
Group, resplendent in original green livery with small yellow ends and bearing the name of LT Jenny
Lewis RN who sadly lost her life in an accident in June 2002. The locomotive is usually based at the
Swanage Railway but is mainline certified and this would be a rare treat to take it away from home, in
fact it would join 33029 for our 'Ruby Vampire, the Second Bite' Merseyside railtour the next day.

1Z34 initially retraced the tracks of the outward journey, including Frome, with minor changes at
Westbury (P1 rather than P2 - appreciated by quite a few!) and Bath where we had to wait before
going Down the bidirectional Up Main which cost us about 10 minutes but was appreciated by our
crossover members. NEXT TWO PAGES: The historical route maps which are thanks to Dave Cromarty:

Warrington Manchester KEY
Bishops Castle Rly London & South Western
Cambrian Rlys
Easton & Church Hope Midland
North Staffs
Chester Great Western Shrops & Montgomery

CREWE London&North Western BR/Network Rail
Passenger lines
N NANTWICH Stoke Freight lines
Stafford Closed/out of use

WRENBURY Wellington Tour route
Joint lines are shown in alternating colours. Names in italics indicate locations
Chester further along the lines shown, not necessarily the end of the line. Grey boxes

Oswestry WHITCHURCH denote enlargements overleaf. Not to scale : not all lines shown.
GLOUCESTER

B Cheltenham
B
PREES Ross-on-Wye 7

WEM A 8
A 9
10 STROUD
YORTON 1 Little Mill Jn LYDNEY 6 Swindon
Chester 2 PONTYPOOL ROAD
CHEPSTOW Nailsworth
CWMBRAN 5 11 Dursley

SHREWSBURY Wellington SEVERN Sudbrook
Welshpool Buildwas Jn TUNNEL JN 4 PILNING

NEWPORT Llanwern 3 12
Cardiff Uskmouth

YATE
Swindon

CHURCH Numbered locations: 14 13
STRETTON 1 Blaenavon
Buildwas Jn 2 Crumlin
3 CALDICOT
4 SEVERN BEACH Taunton 15
5 Thornbury
Bishop's 6 CAM & DURSLEY Radstock Swindon
Castle 7 Cinderford 17
8 Parkend
CRAVEN ARMS 9 Blakeney 16 19 Chippenham
10 STONEHOUSE
LUDLOW Clee Hill 11 Berkeley Road Hallatrow 21
Bewdley 12 PATCHWAY Evercreech Jn 18 20 Newbury
13 BRISTOL PARKWAY
Llandeilo 14 FILTON ABBEY WOOD WESTBURY
15 KEYNSHAM
16 OLDFIELD PARK FROME Salisbury
17 BATH SPA Evercreech Jn
18 FRESHFORD
Titley LEOMINSTER Worcester 19 AVONCLIFF
20 BRADFORD-ON-AVON
Three Cocks Jn 21 TROWBRIDGE CASTLE CARY BRUTON
Hay- 22 YEOVIL PEN MILL Taunton Templecombe
on-Wye 23 YEOVIL JUNCTION
24 THORNFORD
25 YETMINSTER

HEREFORD

Worcester Taunton 22

Salisbury

23 24

Exeter 25

Pontrilas CHETNOLE

Merthyr B Bridport MAIDEN NEWTON
B
Tydfil ABERGAVENNY
BRANCH LINE SOCIETY
A DORCHESTER WEST DORCHESTER SOUTH
A The Marching Crompton II Bournemouth
Saturday 23 March 2019
Abbotsbury UPWEY

WEYMOUTH
Weymouth Quay

Easton CSD

BRANCH LINE SOCIETY

The Marching Crompton II
Saturday 23 March 2019

To Chester To Crewe To Shrewsbury

1 Abbey Stn. (S&MR) To Worcester
2 Canal interchange
3 Abbey Foregate Jn 6 Shelwick Jn
4 English Bridge Jn 2 SHREWSBURY To Three Cocks Jn
5 Severn Bridge Jn 38
6 Crewe Jn 5 1 To Wellington Barrs Court Jns
4
7 Sutton Bridge Jn Moorfields HEREFORD
Gds (Mid.R)
8 Potteries Jn 7
Brecon Rotherwas
To Welshpool Curve Jn Jn
GW/LNW Jt

To Llanymynech Red Hill Jn
S&MR To Abergavenny
To Hereford To Buildwas Jn To Gloucester

N

To Castle Cary To Ledbury To Cheltenham
1

TOWN PEN MILL To Salisbury To Newport GLOUCESTER
To Langport Yeovil 6 2

YEOVIL South Jn 75 4 3 Barnwood Jn

Gloucester Yard Jn

JUNCTION Clifton Maybank 1 Over Jn
(GW Goods) 2 GLOUCESTER (CENTRAL)
Tuffley Jn 3 Horton Road Jn
To Exeter THORNFORD 8 4 GLOUCESTER EASTGATE
To Dorchester To Standish Jn 5 High Orchard
6 Docks
7 Docks Branch West
8 Hempstead

To Newport To Tytherington To Gloucester

New Passage Pier

Severn Tunnel 6A
SEVERN BEACH
PILNING 7 C
DE F J
B

GH YATE

Yate South Jn To Swindon

Holesmouth Jn PATCHWAY
8 11
ST ANDREWS ROAD 9 Westerleigh Jn
Westerleigh Yard
Portbury Dock AVONMOUTH 10 BRISTOL PARKWAY
FILTON ABBEY WOOD

Portishead 1

SEA MILLS Mangotsfield Jns North

1 SHIREHAMPTON Hotwells Station A LAWRENCE HILL
2 CLIFTON DOWN 34 B TEMPLE MEADS
3 REDLAND South C Dr Day's Jn
4 MONTPELIER 25 D Bristol East Jn
5 STAPLETON ROAD E Feeder Bridge Jn
6 BRISTOL ST PHILIPS 12 6 LAWRENCE HILL F North Somerset Jn
7 Avonside Wharf 7 See inset above G Bristol West Jn
8 Patchway Jn H Marsh Jn
9 Filton West Jn 13
10 Filton Jn
11 Stoke Gifford Jn BRISTOL
12 Canons' Marsh Goods TEMPLE MEADS
13 Wapping Wharf
To Taunton J St Annes Park Jn

Parson St Jn To Bath Green Park
To Bath Spa
To Radstock

There was a brief 'race' (only possible again relatively recently) with a Severn Beach train between
Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road before the latter diverged at Narroways Hill Jn. Then we turned
right after Filton Abbey Wood and headed towards Westerleigh Jn via Bristol Parkway Up Passenger
Loop. After more 'looping the loop' though Charfield Up Goods Loop it was off to Gloucester where
we came to a stand before Horton Road Jn, initial thoughts being that we were waiting for another
train to go first. An announcement was then made that there was a possible issue with coach 'B' and
the crew were investigating but it can't have been serious as we were on the move again barely ten
minutes later along the much requested bi-directional Gloucester Up Relief line, as booked, in the
Down direction. Compared with the far more frequently used and also bidirectional Up Main, the Up
Relief has jointed track, less ballast and weeds! Any passenger diversions booked to use it usually run
through a platform or the Up Main instead and it is less preferred for freight traffic even.

This is partly because it entails bidirectional running right out to Over Jn -the trailing crossover at Over!
A branch from Gloucester Docks once trailed in on the left and the line to Ledbury via Dymock left on
the right. So it was 'Over and out' of Gloucester. At Lydney our train was routed into the Down Goods
Loop as booked but had to wait there for a Nottingham to Cardiff service to pass rather than exit
straight out of the other end. Running some 30 minutes late by now there might have been a
possibility that other little 'diversions' might be sacrificed to regain time but everything took place
exactly as planned, including (thanks to Freightliner Heavy Haul), East Usk Yard Road 5 - out of use in
TRACKmaps 3 p20A Jun 2018 - surrounded by hopper wagons. Instead of waiting 18 minutes there we
kept going so left just five minutes late. Trundling round the Hereford Loop at Maindee it was then a
quick sprint for what was, we were told, a highlight for track bashers: Abergavenny Up Goods Loop.

The train took its time entering the loop by which time the following Cardiff to Llandudno Junction
service was close so there we stayed until it had cleared the next block section (Tram Inn, 17½ miles
with Pontrilas box switched out) meaning we were now nearly half an hour late again. It could have
been a late finish except there was one last loop to do, at Sutton Bridge just before Shrewsbury.

Here 1Z34 should have been passed by the Llandudno Junction train but as it had already run in front
of us we didn't stop (but importantly still did the loop), thereby recouping most of the lost time.
With the penultimate set-down in Shrewsbury the pair of 33s gave a spirited run back to Crewe, on
time after an excellent day out with over 534 miles of 'Crompton' haulage and choice bits of track.

BELOW: 33029 with the ECS for our 'Marching Crompton II' at Crewe.

ABOVE: Our tour in Crewe P6; all pictures taken by Geoff Plumb on Sat 29 Mar 2019.



ABOVE: Coleham Depot with Shrewsbury Abbey in the background on the right.
BELOW: The original Church Stretton station site and building, just north of the present one.

ABOVE: Tram Inn box (the first one south of Hereford), and former station site. BELOW: Pontrilas.

ABOVE: Abergavenny station and sidings (not the loop) looking north.
BELOW: Newport, Joining the Up Main at Maindee East Jn.

ABOVE: Chepstow Rd underbridge. BELOW: Bishton gate box. Llanwern Works East Connection is left.

ABOVE: The Bishton Flyover - electrification in progress, will the wires really fit under it?
BELOW: Heading east through the west portal of the Severn Tunnel.

ABOVE: The Severn Tunnel east portal. BELOW: Ableton Lane Tunnel (Severn Tunnel in the distance).

ABOVE: The tour is in Pilning Up Passenger Loop.
BELOW: Approaching Patchway from the west where the Up and Down lines are on different levels.

ABOVE: The tour heads south on the recently re-quadrupled Filton Bank.
BELOW: Dr Day's Jn heading to Feeder Bridge Jn on the bidirectional Up/Down Bristol Loop.

ABOVE: Feeder Bridge Jn with Dr Day's Jn round to the right and Temple Meads straight ahead.
BELOW: East Depot Goods Loop in the rarer direction heading for Bath on the 'Main Down Viaduct'
above the River Avon. Right is the separate 'Main River Viaduct' with the Up Main and the Down Main.

ABOVE: St Annes cutting on the approach to St Annes Park No2 Tunnel (BELOW).

ABOVE: St Annes Park No3 Tunnel. BELOW: Twerton Long tunnel. [Geoff certainly likes tunnels!]

ABOVE: Leaving Bath Down P1 in the Up direction; a train from London is in Up P2, some of the
participants managed to make a tight connection from this service. BELOW: Bath, Sydney Gardens.

ABOVE: The former Limpley Stoke station which closed to passengers in 1966.
BELOW: Just south of Bruton at 127m 39ch was the former Somerset & Dorset Railway overbridge.

ABOVE: Heading south from Yeovil Pen Mill the other signal is for the line up to Yeovil Junction.
BELOW: Has this view ever been shot before? A nice shot of Evershot Tunnel south of Chetnole.

ABOVE: Maiden Newton heading south to Weymouth;
the former Bridport/West Bay branch bay was on the left past the buildings. BELOW: At Weymouth.

Liverpool Saveaway Tracker [BLN 1332]
1865] The BLS Liverpool Saveaway Tracker, Wed 12 June 2019:
Lime St 10 09.35 C† (BLN 1326.776 & 929) by Rob Moorcroft. Just when you think you
have covered all the passenger track at a large station and can turn
South 1 09.44 your attentions elsewhere, NR spends £334M and it starts all over
again. The new Lime Street layout had been on my 'to do' list since
Parkway 2 10.01 the track and platform alterations were completed, but I had been too
busy to plan an itinerary and make a start. So when Tom Gilby offered
Lime 10 10.11 to lead a group of like-minded members, as a prelude to our 'Conwy
Cat' tour from Crewe the next day it was too good an offer to miss.
Street 8 10.36 I sent an email to Tom and my place was confirmed. Starting from
Cannock just after the morning peak allowed plenty of time to reach
Chester 6 11.24 Lime Street. I did look at using the train from Stafford to Merseyside,
6 11.32 but add in the weekday cost of parking at a Virgin managed station
and it wasn't very appealing, so in the end I drove to Crewe, with free
Lime 8 12.21 E roadside parking and a reasonable fare to Lime Street. Recent
weather had been exceptionally wet and the day didn't look promising
Street 5 12.37 A either. I boarded EMU 350265 & 370 and we soon eased out of Crewe
P12 and effortlessly crossed the Cheshire plain, through Weaver Jn
St Helens 12.54 H4 and over the Mersey for the run in to the magnificent station at
Liverpool Lime Street station.
Central 13.00 H2
Originally opened in 1836 when the line was extended from Edge Hill,
Lime 5 13.19 the city commissioned John Foster to design the façade. In 1867 the
first of the train shed roofs was erected by William Baker; a second
Street 3* 13.28 A adjacent span was added in 1879, identical to the first. Baker's span,
at 212ft was the widest in the world, until beaten by William Barlow's
Broad 13.37 243ft at St Pancras. With recent remodelling the roof and its supports
are now at an angle to some platforms, particularly the lower
Green 13.57 numbered ones.

Lime 2 14.09 B I paused to look at the bronze statues of MP Bessy Braddock and one
of Liverpool's favourite sons Ken Dodd, complete with Diddy Men - all
Street 2 14.15 of today's tour participants were hoping for some 'Happiness' of their
own and that it would not be too taxing. There were no diddy trains to
Huyton 4 14.29 Knotty Ash though as the station closed in 1960. The adjacent
1 14.37 sculptures are entitled 'chance meeting'; they often used to catch the
London train together. At the Northern booking office an off peak
Lime 4 14.54 'Saveaway' All Areas (only £5.40) and a TfW off peak day return to
Chester were bought. Tickets sorted, I went for a walk for some liquid
Street 6 15.19 refreshment. There are two clocks at the station made by Joyce of
Whitchurch, black numerals on a white face, high up on the glazed
Hough 15.40 gables, a reassuring reminder of the pre-digital era. Tom Gilby
appeared and ticked off the participants (in the nicest possible way, of
Green 16.00 ‡ course!) as they gathered - 13 names on his list. As is customary with
BLS events, a specially prepared track map (thanks to the very
Lime 8 16.23 E industrious Martyn Brailsford) and souvenir ticket were issued.

Street 1 16.56

Lea 17.07 H2

Green 17.18 H1

Lime 1 17.31 G

Street 10 17.37

South 1 17.47

Parkway 2 18.03

Lime 7 18.12

Street 7 18.34

South 1 18.43

Parkway 2 18.47 ‡

Lime 6 19.06
Street

†crossover used (see plan)

H = platform at Huyton

*Used in one direction only

‡ Allerton W Jn Down Slow

First of the planned moves was from P10 with 350246, this covered crossover 'C' (NEXT PAGE TOP:
Plan by Tom, the letters are for reference only, not official names) to the Up Ditton as we made our
way to Liverpool South Parkway. The weather played a part in the day's events, as we heard news
that the Chester to Shrewsbury line was blocked due to flooding.

LEFT: Part of Tom's interesting souvenir ticket even though the group
went nowhere near Stockport or Stalybridge all day (organiser's
prerogative - and why not?). Dated 20 Sep 1975, it was 52p return
(worth £4.30 now and the 2019 direct fare is £4.20!), a reminder of
how unsophisticated some tickets were then - thin paper (as now!).

Merseyrail had also stopped running the Hooton - Chester line, as
ground water was causing problems with the third rail network.
350245 arrived and we took it back to Lime Street, returning to P10.

Tom's planning allowed recovery time between trains and we had
ample time to join TfW 158835 in P8. This move was to visit Chester
via the recently returned to regular passenger use Frodsham Single
(return tickets also acceptable). As travelling on this service would
take us outside the Saveaway area, we had purchased separate
tickets, only to discover later that TfW was accepting Saveaway (and
other tickets not normally valid) due to the Hooton - Chester closure!
At least there is an alternative direct route now. The conductress
noticed I had a 'Quail' map of the route and commented 'I hate route
learning' we explained what we were doing and Tom gave her one of
the spares. She seemed to be interested and who knows by now may
have become a Society member. We paused briefly at Chester where
67014 in Wrexham & Shropshire livery was stabled in P1. Our group
returned to Lime Street on the same unit, now much busier due to
refugees from the flooding problems. It was grey skies and flooded
fields as we made our way towards Helsby. There various awards for
Best Kept Station were on display in the style of crimson British Rail
former London Midland Region station totems.

Two Class 08s were at Alstom Widnes Train Care Centre, their BR Rail
Blue colour looking very 'retro' in this era of multi coloured liveries
and vinyl wrapping. Harry Needle No4 shunter was at Halewood
Exchange Sidings as we sped past back to Lime Street; this trip
scored us crossover 'E' and a P8 arrival. We now moved under the
1867 (Northern side) train shed to 319381 in P5. These units
pounded the Thameslink corridor for 30 years and are now giving an improved service between the
main cities in the North West. It was announced that Roby station was closed, due to flooding in the
subway between the platforms.

Our group rode this unit out to St Helens Central. Pilkingtons, inventors of the float glass process, still
manufacture large quantities of glass here. Nine minutes after arriving we were all on 319370 heading
back to Lime Street. Band new DMU 195111 was seen out on test running. Our arrival scored
crossover 'A' and P5. Tom's plan allowed a 10 minute connection before the next move on 323235
from P3. Hunslet Transportation Projects built, the 323 units suffered from reliability problems when
introduced, but are now giving good service in the North West (and West Midlands) years later.

A short eight minute run followed to Broad Green. The weather was still inclement, but thankfully a
shelter was provided on the Down side as we waited for our next move. Then attention focussed on
the outline of an unfamiliar shape appearing in the distance... It approached at speed and was
identified as 195116 as it went past. Our next ride was more mundane: 319375 back through the Olive
Mount cutting and past the Georgian sandstone pavilions at Edge Hill, then down the grade to use
crossover 'B' and into P2. The next journey was on the same Class 319, within five minutes we were off
to Huyton. It did stop at Roby despite the mention of flooding here. At Huyton it was an easy eight
minutes via the subway to P1 for 319364. Lime Street arrival was into P4 (5 platforms down; 5 to go!).

A 25 minute comfort stop allowed participants time to seek (in no particular order) conveniences,
refreshments, information, number collecting or otherwise. We were then in line for a real treat!
Sitting in P6 were 142079 & 142037, we boarded and pacing ourselves, were gently rocked, shaken
and bounced around as we made our way through Edge Hill and the suburbs, to turn left at Allerton Jn
(Allerton Depot had some Class 195 units and a 331) past Hunts Cross to Hough Green. Our next train
was 'delayed' so there was time to explore the station and its environs. A commemorative stone was
noted near the Liverpool end of P1, dated 1872 the year the station was built.

156468 arrived a little late and was quite full. We all squeezed on and headed west via Hunts Cross
Chord. After Liverpool South Parkway we crossed to the Down Ditton Slow (a regular Down move,
but the Up equivalent is only booked for one train the 07.45 (SuX) Lime Street to Manchester Oxford
Road). Lime Street P8 was reached via crossover 'E'. There was a 33 minute break until the next
manœuvre, so time to look round. The next platform was P1, where we boarded TPE 185141. As is
customary the group took up seats at the rear of the train and on departure the female conductor kept
the back cab door open (thank you) giving an interesting view of the tunnels climbing up the grade to
Edge Hill. Our destination was the third 'Green' station today - Lea Green (appropriately our member
Peter Green was in the group. The furthest participant had come from Sunbury-on-Thames). After
11 minutes we were soon on board 185145 back via crossover 'G' to Lime Street P1.

The poor weather affected our next planned move - a P7 departure. The Class 350 due to form the
18.05 was cancelled at Crewe, but all was not lost, as modern technology came to the rescue in the
form of Realtime Trains. Tom discovered there would be a train arriving in to P7, so it was all aboard
175001 out to Liverpool South Parkway for 350232, which, although running late scored a P7 arrival.

The last move was a repeat of the first (for any who couldn't reach Lime Street for the start, or chose
to join later). As I didn't need this, I thanked Tom for all the work he had put in planning and leading
the group. P1-8 & 10 had been covered (P9 is only used by Virgin so Saveaways are not valid) and
crossovers 'A','B','C','E' & 'G' crossed off ('D' & 'F have booked trains at 05.24 and 22.30, so didn't fit).
All four running lines through Roby and Huyton had been covered plus Allerton West Jn Down Ditton
Fast to Slow crossover. The fixture concluded 19.06 when two hardy members returned after doing P6
both ways. It had covered 118 miles with the £5.40 'Saveaway' plus the 54 miles return trip to Chester.

Lastly, I took the 18.47 390114 Pendolino to Crewe and as expected was sat in P9, so as we rolled out
of the station I took some comfort in having covered all 10 of the remodelled platforms. A fast run
back to Crewe rounded off a satisfying day of train travel. At home thoughts turned to 'The Conwy Cat'
the following day - another drive back to Crewe. Many thanks to Tom Gilby (for planning, itinerary,
historical information and leading on the day) and also Martyn Brailsford (track plan).

NEXT PAGE (BOTH): 175001 in P2 on a TfW Chester via Runcorn service with 142079 & 142037 in P1.





PREVIOUS PAGE UPPER: Left to right 319381 in P5, 319362 in P6 and 323223 in P7. PREVIOUS PAGE
LOWER: 185141 in P1, note how far this platform has been extended. The picture also shows why the
former P1 (left) could not easily be extended and how retaining it would have shortened the effective
useable part of new P1. Although the former P1 is now trackless the platform is now a staff walkway.
ABOVE: 350374 in Lime Street P10 before its 4¼ hour trip to Euston. (All Rob Moorcroft 12 Jun 2019.)

Details must be checked 1332 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

X.87] The Conwy Quest, Sat 3 Aug: Transport for Wales steam-hauled train with '48151' and '46115'
Chester (09.34/19.15) - Blaenau Ffestiniog 13.10/16.00. £75 0844 856 0688; Mon-Fri, 08.30-16.30.

1866] Cambrian Heritage Railway (CHR), Appeal for operations volunteers: (MR p7) Volunteers are
needed to undertake various duties on operating days at Oswestry and Llynclys. These include driving
the engine(s), second man, fireman, guard and staffing Coney Green Level Crossing. Should it not be
possible to fill these positions on running days, basic safety provisions are compromised. This can lead
to services being cancelled, resulting in loss of revenue and perceived damage to the CHR brand.

Training is given and volunteers are not expected to turn up every operating day; they can do as little
or as much as personal circumstances permit. Having an extra person available to cover a position will
be a great benefit to the railway. If you are interested in training for the operational railway, join as a
member (for insurance purposes) then talk to Alan Pitt on a Thursday or contact the Operations
Manager Phil Bradley [email protected] and you can be rostered in to shadow a
passed out post holder as a first step. Annual membership is Adult £18 (life £240); Age 60+ £15 (life
£190); Joint membership £30 (life £380); Under 18 £9; Family £45. Life Membership can be paid by 10
monthly installments, all payments can be gift aided. To join http://bit.ly/2OeJcYr or 01691 728131.

Volunteers are also needed to staff Oswestry Railway Museum at the station, or to work behind the
scenes (some non-public facing) on railway administration including fund raising as well as restoring
and extending the railway. Work has started at Weston Wharf station site and on extending the line
even further south from Oswesty (see item 1704). In fact opportunities are available to suit most
people. http://bit.ly/2XVhRPw is Cambrian Heritage Railways' July/August 2019 electronic newsletter.

1867] Hidden London Tours: http://bit.ly/2SB9G4T has the latest release of these excellent small
group guided tours which support London Transport Museum. As usual there was priority for those
who had signed up to the Museum mailing list. New is Piccadilly Circus, a 75 minute tour Wednesdays
to Sundays at various times from 21 Aug until 27 Sep. The station opened in 1906, was extensively
modernised between 1925 and 1928, to a Charles Holden design. It is now described as an
'engineering marvel' with one of the finest examples of subterranean architecture on the London
Underground. Over 40M passengers per year use the Grade II listed building. As usual the tours access
non-public areas; passageways and lift shafts not used since 1929, to see the original Edwardian
features. Use as a WWII shelter and to store priceless artefacts is explained. Other tours now available:

(Jul - Sep) Charing Cross - Access All Areas, Charing Cross - Tour & Afternoon Tea, Down Street -
Churchill's Secret Station, Highgate - Wilderness Walkabout, 55 Broadway - London's First Skyscraper,
Euston - The Photography Tour and Euston - The Lost Tunnels. (Aug - Dec) Piccadilly Circus - The Heart
of London, Down Street - Tour & Luxury Cocktails, Clapham South - Subterranean Shelter, Clapham
South - Tour & Film Clip, Aldywch - The End of The Line, Aldywch - Tour & Darkest Hour, Down Street,
Euston - The Lost Tunnels, 55 Broadway and various Station Architectural Tours. Recommended by
different Society members; reports and/or pictures are always welcome for BLN please.

BELOW: Our Marching Crompton II at Weymouth before departure. (Geoff Plumb.)

1868] South Tynedale Railway: (BLN 1331.1691) Annual membership is £25 full rate, £20 over 60s
or for any member at the same address as a member paying the full rate. Under 18s are also £20.
Benefits include free travel on the South Tynedale Railway (except some special events, Santa
trains etc) for the members as well as their spouse, children and parents. There are also valuable
discounts on certain items at the Crossing Café buffet bar and shop at Alston. Free travel is available
for members plus one other person accompanying them on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Three or four copies of the 'Tynedalesman' magazine are posted out each year. Further details and
an application form were available on paper with BLN 1331 or electronically (on website) with e-BLN
1331. The railway has been negotiating with NR for access to the former Haltwhistle bay platform!

1869] Mountsorrel Branch: (BLN 1326.926) Through DMUs from the Great Central Railway Sun 28 Jul,
Wed 7 & 14 Aug and Sun 25 Aug. £7 (£4 child) circular route from Quorn, Nunckley Hill, Mountsorrel,
Rothley and back to Quorn (or from any other station). Details on GCR website or 01509 632323.

1870] Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum: (MR p14) Threlkeld, nr Keswick, CA12 4TT, (NY 328 244).
Trains at 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00 seven days a week Easter to October half term on the 700yd 2ft gauge
mineral railway up to the inner quarry face. They are now steam-hauled to 1 Sep and from 19-26 Oct.
A 600yd extension is progressing (13 initial track lengths were laid by a group of volunteers, including
Martyn Brailsford with one of his many hats on - a hard hat no doubt). Descending from the quarry it
turns left before the present passenger terminal station (which staff say will not be used when the
extension opens, so if you have not done it...) and over the level crossing accessing the Museum and
car park. It then descends in a sweeping 'U' bend through open Lake District countryside (rather than
through the quarry complex) towards the site entrance where there is to be a new car park and
building. On Wed 19 Jun after operating the 13.00 train the Ruston loco ran along the extension with a
new track section that was lifted using a tracked excavator into position (NY 3255 2437) and joined to
the previous one before it returned to the station to form the 15.00 departure.

BELOW: Plan of the extension thanks to Martyn Brailsford (!) track laying may have progressed more.

ABOVE: A series of photos of the extension taken by our member Alex Stewart on Wed 19 Jun 2019.
The passenger train after arrival at the existing station (to close) with the extension in the foreground.
BELOW: In the other direction looking west; the crossing at the start of the extension which continues
round to the left. The present terminal station is right; the engine is now at the end of line.

ABOVE: On the start of the extension before the level crossing (in the background is the line to the
passenger terminus left with the quarry is off to the right. BELOW: On the extension level crossing.

ABOVE: Past the crossing, approaching the first curve (to the left and more gentle than it looks) on the
extension. BELOW: A new track panel has been brought in by rail and is about to be lifted into place.
Behind the loco the prepared trackbed curves sharply round in a 'U' shape on a falling gradient.

ABOVE: The new panel (which has plastic sleepers) in position - not something we see every day.
All this was done and the track joined up in the two hour interval between two passenger trains.

The site opens 10.00-17.00 with underground mining tours at 11.30, 13.30 & 15.30 (these connect
with the return of each train) - booking is advised in school holidays. Admission £3, Under 16s £1.50 -
includes the extensive and interesting Mining Museum and access to the extensive quarry site with the
unique collection of vintage excavators and old quarry machinery - most of which work. Railway trip
£3, Under 16s £1.50; underground tour £5, Under 16 £3 - minimum age 7. Annual Steam Gala
27 & 28 Jul, Vintage Excavator Trust demonstration working weekends 21 & 22 Sep. 01768 779747.

1871] Whistle Stop Tours, Northam Traincare Facility, Southampton, Sat 28 Sep 10.00-17.00: Date for
your diary, free to attend but must be booked, last entry 16.00 - tickets at http://bit.ly/2M7juCI from
28 Jul. Sit in a driver's cab and take a walk underneath a train in the maintenance pit. See some
improvements and milestones achieved since the trains started running and learn about future plans
for investment. Find out about careers and opportunities in the rail industry, while taking part in family
friendly activities throughout the day. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. For more details
http://www.facebook.com/whistlestoptour has updates and to visit.

1872] Great Western Railway, Taunton - Bishop Lydeard experimental through (DMU) trains, Sats 27
Jul; 3*, 17 & 31 Aug; 7 & 21 Sep and 5 Oct. There are five services each way (from Taunton between
09.39 and 16.36) with a flat fare of £4 each way (£2 child) pay on the train. *On 3 Aug trains call
additionally at Norton Fitzwarren for the steam rally - times that day are to be confirmed. Timetable:

Taunton GWR dep 09.39 10.28 12.10 15.37 16.36
Bishops GWR arr 09.56 10.45 12.26 15.54 16.53
Lydeard WSR dep 10.15 11.00 12.40 16.20
WSR arr 11.35 12.20 14.00 18.00
Minehead.. WSR dep
WSR arr 10.03 10.05 12.53 14.30 15.25
Bishops GWR dep 10.22 11.30 13.10 15.52 16.50
Lydeard GWR arr 11.45 16.09 17.11
Taunton 12.05 16.26 17.28

1873] Ribblehead Tours: ❶Tramway Tours Thurs 1, 8, 15 & 22 Aug: 12.30 from Ribblehead station
(connections 10.40 from Leeds from Carlisle, return trains 16.14 and 16.36 respectively). The station
Visitor Centre Café opens 10.15-16.00 every day. A 2½ mile FREE leisurely guided tour (reasonable
mobility needed; strong footwear & waterproofs advised). Covers how the Midland Railway planned
the 90mph route, the heavy engineering work, navvy shanty towns and the associated facilities and
tramways. ❷Ribblehead Viaduct Tour Thur 29 Aug, 12.30 at the Visitor Centre (arriving connections
as above) for information panels and artefacts. Then a FREE guided walk to the foot of the viaduct and
trip over it on the 14.34 to Garsdale (fare payable) to see the statue of Ruswarp the dog and learn
about his sad but brave story. Returning on the 15.59 to Leeds. Just turn up on the day.

1874] Dartmouth Steam Railway, Track & Traction Charter, Sat 14 Sep 10.30-17.30 (at the latest):
(MR p6) (TRACKmaps 3 p8C Jun 2018) A charity fund raising event run by the railway. Provisionally:

10.50 Paignton Queens Park station - Goodrington P1 - Churston P1 - Kingswear bay P2 (a non-stop
run from Paignton) arr 11.15; dep 11.22 - HOO Down (what is this?) - Kingswear station run round
loop - HOO Down - Kingswear P1 - Torbay Siding - Kingswear P1 (dep 12.10) - Churston P2 (pass
service train) - Long Siding - Churston P1 - Turntable (the remains of the Brixham branch) - Churston
P1. Lunch Break (suggestion is The Weary Ploughman, not included in fare). Churston P2 (14.25) -
Kingswear P2 (dep 14.56) - Churston P2 - Goodrington P2 - limit of shunt - Cliff Park Siding - Limit of
Shunt - Happy Valley Road (?) - Limit of Shunt - Goodrington P2 - Paignton Queens Park (to finish by
17.30 at the latest). The Class 37 (6975) and a Class 03 are planned for the majority of the day but it
is hoped to have a surprise as well subject to time and operational constraints. All proceeds from
ticket sales will be donated to Samaritans and a raffle will be in aid of 'Mind'. On train refreshment
trolley available. Tickets (£35 plus £2.82 Booking Fee) only be available at: http://bit.ly/2YcxVHM

1875] Institution of Railway Signal Engineers Sat 12 & Sun 13 Oct: The Minor Railways Section is
holding its ninth technical workshop at Signet Solutions, Derby. This is open only to those actually
work on (this can be volunteering) minor railway signalling maintenance and covers a wide range of
subjects of interest to first timers and the more experienced. Only 12 places at just £95 each (due to
sponsorship) with lunch both days and a Saturday evening meal. See: https://adobe.ly/2GpZJ5k

X.88] UK Railtours, Wed 11 Dec, The Severn-Dudley Sins: http://bit.ly/2SD6Dck has details of this
tour from Euston to West Midlands freight lines including the Ironbridge branch or 01438 715050.

●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
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. [email protected] 07484 646542.
●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