oking towards Loughborough Central. Upper far right is the blocked up former e classical Great Central London Extension design - it CP from 4 Mar 1963.
BELOW: 'Iris' with a correct destination for once! Rothley looking south to
wards Leicester North, the car park is full. INSET: Detail of the headboard.
BELOW: (Item MR45) Saughtree station, familiar faces during our 10 Jul 2015 vis
sit arranged by your BLN editor. Looking east towards Hexham. (Greg Beecroft.)
BELOW: Riccarton Junction here we come - well, not quite, it's another
r 2¾ miles to go. Owner (then a Society member) Geoff Mann is driving.
BELOW: Sheepishly approaching the Hexham end of the 21ch long line, fort
tunately our train wasn't rammed. (Additional photos by Angus McDougall.)
BELOW: Motive power - actually stationary - for the shed branches; G
Geoff Mann is driving again. 'Mr MR' (Peter Scott) is in the far corner.
BELOW: (Item MR46) Doon Valley Railway, 0-4-0ST AB2244 rests outsid
de the shed - parts of this site are under threat. (Peter Scott, 7 Jul 2019.)
MR46] Doon Valley Railway, East Ayrshire (BLN 1419/689) (MR p10): This railway is operated by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group (ARPG), who need support to secure their future. In February the owner of the buildings, which the railway currently lease at Dunaskin, advised that they intend to place them up for sale within the next six months. The buildings and areas the ARPG face losing are: ●Ticket Office ●Gift Shop ●Customer Toilets ●Exhibition & Artefacts Room ●Volunteer Rest Room ●Signal Box Café ●Museum ●Joiners & Metal Shop ●The associated grounds surrounding this area. The sale of these buildings and land would put the ARPG at serious risk due to lack of storage on site. Many of these areas and buildings are used frequently (daily/weekly) by their volunteers, also during Open Days and on other special events. The Gift Shop, Ticket Office and Signal Box Café bring a significant amount of much needed funds and donations for ARPG to maintain, preserve and restore the whole site and operate the railway. This includes its buildings, permanent way, locomotives, wagons, coaches and smaller assets, not forgetting the narrow gauge stock. ARPG is in contact with the owner who has expressed their wish for the ARPG to purchase and take on ownership of these buildings. ARPG needs to raise a total of £250,000 by Monday 31 July 2023 to purchase the buildings critical to the operation of the railway. See the railway's website: https://doonvalleyrailway.co.uk [Note that only the remaining parts of Dunaskin Brickworks and Waterside Ironworks are Listed, not part of ARPG. The area is zoned for industrial use so could not be sold for housing development.] MR47] Lakeside Miniature Railway, Wiltshire (MR p26) (BLN 1400.MR84): A report received from a 2 January 2023 visit to Blunsdon station on the standard gauge Swindon & Cricklade Railway (S&CR) indicated the track on this 85 yard long, 7¼" gauge, railway had been lifted. An inspection on Saturday 4 March confirmed that this was the case. All the track has been fully lifted - some panels are roughly stacked not far from the station site. The trackbed along by the lake has rubble dumped over it, and at the station site the trackbed has been dug out. Some new fencing was noted by the picnic area. BLN 1386 in October 2021 noted that trains were running and the extension had been authorised. In response to an email, on 9 March the S&CR kindly advised that the small lake around which the line runs required extensive maintenance and upkeep in 2022 which involved considerable work on the banks. This precluded any running over that circuit then. During some of S&CR events, a temporary track was laid alongside Blunsdon station approach and trains ran on this line, usually hauled by Paul Davies' GWR 15xx steam loco. Paul has taken over the running responsibility for the miniature railway and, now that the works on the lake have been completed, has started work on re-establishing the trackbed. In fact he had a working weekend planned for 11 & 12 March. This was in association with the S&CR Building & Works Dept to bring the track up to a safe standard on the new lake banks, which have been allowed to settle over the winter. It is expected that a more frequent service will be offered once the work has been completed, dependent on trackbed refurbishment. The railway is committed to establishing the miniature railway as a regular feature on its standard gauge running days. MR48] Mid Norfolk Railway, Norfolk (MR p8): The railway has announced that, as a result of the recent management restructure, the business will also now be reorganised with a new business model implemented as a matter of urgency. The new model is urgently required as it has become clear that, like many other heritage railways, the current financial climate means the revenue that the railway is currently raising does not allow the railway to keep pace with the deterioration of the permanent way. This is an issue that the railway has faced since its creation, let alone carry out the charitable aims the railway has set itself. The most pressing problems that need addressing is the P'Way in the vicinity of Crownthorpe Bridge and also the bridge's weigh beams. The track and beams must be replaced immediately to allow running to Wymondham as the rate of deterioration has accelerated since the last six month inspection, meaning the bridge and associated track is unusable. In consequence a new emergency appeal has been launched to raise the funding to allow the railway to reopen and operate a service between Wymondham and Dereham. Despite previously announcing the 4 March as the start of operations other remedial work and inspections also need to be addressed. The consequence of which is that the reopening will be delayed until such time as the railway is confident that trains can be run. Initially the service will be a 12 mile round trip from Dereham to Thuxton. New details of the services will be published in due course (MNR Press Release).
MR49] Cromer Light Railway, Norfolk (BLN 1415.MR4): The Cromer Light Railway Club has been given permission to construct a new line and loco shed on land opposite the Amazona Zoo, southwest of Cromer town centre. While the line, which has the support of the Town Council, will initially only run around a small area next to the zoo, if it proves successful, it could be extended towards the centre of the resort. Planning officers at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) approved the initial scheme during week commencing 20 February. Alan Ball, treasurer of the Light Railway Club, said: I'm very, very pleased. It has taken a long time to get here but we can make a start very shortly. We have done it all before so I would like to think we could have something running by the end of August or September. The track is all made, we have all the equipment for platforms and we will now get on with it. A planning statement submitted to NNDC last year said: If approved and then run successfully, with the necessary backing the miniature railway also has the ability to expand and create a link to the Meadow, through the Cromer Hall campsite, which will reduce traffic movements on the Hall Road and become a more substantial and useful attraction. The Meadow is next to the town's visitor centre and car park, around 300 metres from Cromer Pier. MR50] Severn Valley Railway, Shropshire (MR p7): Further to BLN 1417.MR21, up to 18 jobs are to go at the railway, which has admitted that it has entered into a consultation period over compulsory redundancies across all departments and levels. The railway announced in January that the company was planning voluntary redundancies amid rapid rising costs and a drop in visitor numbers. The railway said at the time it hadn't ruled out compulsory redundancies but was working hard to avoid them. It also announced a reduction in the number of days that trains would operate. Now the railway has admitted that it needs to find an additional £300,000 in cost savings over the next 12 months on top of the £650,000 it has already managed to save, leading to the job losses. The railway relies heavily on volunteers but employed about around 70 salaried staff before its current financial woes. [Members should be aware that the on the day full length day return/rover is now £32 but can be booked three or more days in advance online for £25 or £27.50 one or two days ahead - £2 booking fee per order. In 2023 each ticket purchased includes a free return ticket valid for 12 months - normal services only.] :Details must be checked: 1420 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN. 818] A truly amazing offer: In 2023 the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is selling unlimited annual passes instead of all line tickets for normal services for only £40 (can be Gift Aided), valid for twelve months from first use. They are not transferrable, see website http://bit.ly/3TbWd2Q for T&Cs etc. 819] Sat 18 Mar; Statfold Barn Railway Spectacle of Steam: See more working steam locos in an hour than anywhere else in the UK, if not the world! A huge variety of rare, unique and historic locos on various manufacturers from around the world. FOUR gauges operating including opening of the 12¼'' Mease Valley Light Railway Adult £16; Concession £13.50; Child £11 (£1 discount online); Family 2A&2C £45 (£42.50 in advance). Free shuttle bus from/to outside Tamworth station - see website. 820] 1-2 Apr; SVR Open House Weekend: See website - signal box visits at Kidderminster, Highley & Bridgnorth, brakevan trips from Bewdley P1, Class 50 cab tours, C&W, machine shop & workshop etc. 821] Swanage Railway: From Tue 4 Apr four through trips are timetabled TWThSO to Wareham, until 20 Jul initially https://bit.ly/3yvTpEl believed to be the Railway's DMUs. The first is from, and the last to, Corfe Castle. It is part of their commitment to the local council of at least two services for 90 days (the previous year was 2017). West Coast Railways is the operator (as in 2017) as, unlike the Swanage Railway, they are certified and insured to run the 1m 07ch on NR from Worgret Jn to/from Wareham. 822] 7-10 Apr & 20-21 May, Astbury Light Railway: (BLN 1416.282) Glebe Farm, Peel Lane, Astbury, Congleton (less than 2 miles from the station via the canal), CW12 4RQ. This 10¼'' 400yd railway with steam operation and a 1:16 gradient plans to run at Easter - check Facebook. A steam gala is planned for 20-21 May. The Railway is appealing against refusal of planning permission - updates welcome. Work is continuing on the line (which is planned to be a mile); volunteers welcome - see Facebook. 823] Scunthorpe Steelworks: https://www.afrps.co.uk/ has details of the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society's 2023 programme of public events, Pacer and brakevan trips etc.
X.26] BELOW: Fawley Hill Railway: (MR p7) Book at http://bit.ly/3yJpZT7 (thoroughly recommended!).
824] The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway (WC&P) Then & Now: NEW SECOND EDITION By Paul Gregory, 64 pages, paperback 25 x 17.6cm from http://bit.ly/3yFh9FP £9.50 plus P&P. Published by the WC&P Group. Portishead, Clevedon & Weston-super-Mare all had separate GWR branches. A much needed direct line linking them was proposed in 1884 with construction starting in 1887. After numerous delays trains eventually ran in 1897 but this was just between Weston and Clevedon. It wasn't until 1896 that the Light Railways Act enabled previous obstacles to be overcome and the final stretch of the line to be completed, although it was not finished until 1907. The WC&P was only 14 miles long but had 20 stations and Halts plus stops for Quarries, Gas Works and Wharf links (you name it…). It ran through the scenic Gordano Valley, as does the M5 now, passed through the middle of Clevedon but, in contrast, skirted the outskirts of Weston. In 1911 Colonel Stephens was appointed manager and was able to revive parts of the Railway which was in decline. 100 years later a lane along the site of Ashcombe Road station was named Colonel Stephens Way in 2011. The WC&P lasted only 43 years and it is amazing that over 80 years later a line which closed in 1940 is still so well followed and admired by railway enthusiasts. This book has 'then' and 'now' photos of every station and stop (some barely showing that the line was there); others show walkways and trackbed along its route. The new edition includes Mud Lane Halt, Terrier N o 2 'Portishead' travelling along the Gordano Valley and details of the new Greenway Path between Yeo Bank Lane and Wick Road which should open in 2023. There is a map of a planned extension which had much work completed on it. A fold out map of the WC&P at the back shows the line in detail and other disused railways. A superb book which is a worthy purchase, even if you have the 2019 edition. All profits go to The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Group http://bit.ly/3ZGh5Sc who plan to add replica features along the path and purchase artefacts of the wonderful and unusual WC&P. (Dana Wiffen) 825] Sun 21 May 09.30; A day on the GWSR: Our member Rob Davidson, Senior Station Master at Toddington, has arranged this the week after the Steam gala, so one or two 'visitors' should be about. Meet Toddington P1 for Steam and Diesel Shed visits. Then the group catches the 10.38 steam train (bacon rolls etc available) to Broadway for photos, a look round/visit the café and on to Winchcombe (11.45). After signal box, C&W Dept and café visits, the 13.12 diesel hauled train to Cheltenham is next to visit the signal box and tea bar. The 14.20 departure will take the group on to Gotherington (14.31). With kind permission of owners Bryan and Savita Nicholls, pump trolley rides are normally available on their standard gauge line (in the former good yard) with time to view the many railway artefacts here. Trains run until 17.19 (pink timetable). All inclusive £22.50 cash only on the day (for a day rover ticket which is normally £25) plus a £5 donation shared between Bryan and The GWSR Trust for the Shed tours and Gotherington visit. All bookings and queries to Rob: [email protected] : LEFT: Our Founder, John Ling (1927-2023) CONTACT DETAILS: A full two page BLN & Committee directory was provided with BLN 1415Þ ●Editor: Paul Stewart [email protected] 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX )01684 562862 )07790 652351. ●Printed by Willow Printing & Design Ltd [email protected] 75/79 Back Cross Lane, NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS, WA12 9YE )01925 222449. ●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, STOKE GIFFORD, BS34 8NP.
826] John Francis Ling (16 Jun 1927-13 Feb 2023): If it hadn't been for John you wouldn't be reading this now! He first thought of starting the Branch Line Society on Saturday 11 Jun 1955, at the age of 27, while shaving; perhaps that is why we are a cut above the rest? In 1955 John, as well as Founder, was GS, Treasurer and Editor (no other volunteers!); from 1958-1964, he was merely Membership Secretary! Cleverly, he managed to avoid ever being Chairman. John had always been interested in railways and his branch lines affinity resulted from reading LTC Rolt's book 'Lines of Character'. In the mid-1950s, branches were already closing rapidly and he began to travel over them as much as possible - a major coup was Bridport to West Bay (BLN 1332.1714) on a family holiday in 1929, the year before passenger services were withdrawn. A big problem in 1955 was finding out which lines were likely to close and when. A Society specialising in branch lines would allow members from all over the country to contribute up to date news of lines in their area. John was teaching Latin and Classics at King Edward VI Grammar School, Stourbridge (then Worcestershire, now West Midlands) so he arranged for a notice about the proposed Society to be read out in assembly. A good number of boys attended (some became lifelong members, the last of whom John Dew, a regular railtour participant, died in 2021 - BLN 1370.325) so John Ling was encouraged to write to the railway press. His announcement appeared in Aug 1955 while he was on honeymoon but almost 100 membership forms were sent out. Initially this produced just 32 subscriptions at 10s 0d (50p worth £17 now). On 24 Sep 1955 there was a preliminary meeting at John's House; two of the 32 members turned up - he was appointed as 'Temporary Executive Officer'. On 26 Nov an inaugural meeting was held in Birmingham, 12 attended, the constitution was approved and officers elected (see BLN 1955 p15). John wrote much of the first ever BLN himself, dated Oct 1955 it warned that unless more members were forthcoming it would not be possible to publish a monthly magazine even of that size (6 pages). This BLN 1 was sent to all who had expressed interest and fortunately 88 joined over the first year. John was born in Wolverhampton. He served two years in the RAF after WWII, then studied Classics at Oxford with a scholarship. He initially taught the Classics - Latin, Greek and Ancient History at Stourbridge, then moved to Llandovery teaching at a small public school for boys. His next move was to Mansfield and he ended his career at Loughborough Grammar School. Following retirement from teaching, he continued to manage the exam administration at LGS and wrote a programme on his Spectrum computer to produce the exam timetable for the whole school. John had a passion for walking and mountain climbing, particularly in the Welsh mountains and the Scottish Highlands. He never lost his interest in trains; his son Chris and two daughters Heather and 'Boey' (Rosemary) think they must have travelled on nearly every heritage railway in the country as children! They also had a couple of early holidays in camping coaches near railways, enabling John to make cine films of passing steam trains. His other passion was classical music, leading to a very large collection of '78s'. John was a devoted family man and was never happier than when the family were all together. Robert Green writes: I was Chairman during our 40th Anniversary celebrations when John and his wife Ann were guests at the Dinner. He responded to the toast to The Society and speech by David Shepherd. He also contributed the foreword to our 40 Year Book. Then I met him again at our 60th in York when we chatted while waiting for a turn on one of the Museum trips and, of course, for that photo (actually my idea!). He was interesting to talk to and very modest but I detected a shy, yet agreeable, pride on both those occasions in what he had achieved by founding the Society. We were all delighted that John was able to attend and address our 60th anniversary AGM at York as Guest of Honour in 2015 (the year that he was also widowed), when seven former Chairmen were present and many other members. He participated in our 14 May 2017 tours of Moreton Park and Titley Junction railways, riding in open wagons at the age of almost 90! He kept busy including a bi-monthly chess problem magazine he produced, edited and sent out to subscribers worldwide. After mini-strokes, John moved into a care home near his sister and Boey, where he died peacefully on 13 Feb. His funeral was at Loughborough Crematorium on 2 March; our sympathy goes out to all his family and our gratitude goes to John. From the small acorn he planted, a giant oak flourished.
ABOVE: 'That' photograph at our 60th anniversary York AGM. Left to right: Robert Green, Don Kennedy, John Williamson, Ian Mortimer, the late John Ling, William Graveson, the late Angus McDougall & Dave Cromarty. (Alan Sheppard, 13 Nov 2015.) BELOW: From Aug 1955 Railway World…
BELOW & NEXT TWO PAGES: From BLN 3 (first series) dated December 1955…
CONTACT DETAILS: A full two page BLN & Committee directory was provided with BLN 1415Þ ●Editor: Paul Stewart [email protected] 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX )01684 562862 )07790 652351. ●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam [email protected] @BLSFixtures (Paper post via BLN Editor above please.) ●MAPS: By permission of National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html ●Printed by Willow Printing & Design Ltd [email protected] 75/79 Back Cross Lane, NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS, WA12 9YE )01925 222449. ●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, STOKE GIFFORD, BS34 8NP.