1292

ABOVE: From left to right is the 3' 0"/4' 8½" mixed gauge tramway, the 2ft main line (out from Statfold
Junction) set in concrete and the 2ft main line returning to Statfold in ballast. Right is the Museum
turntable branch that was traversed, The Second Plymouth trip is seen approaching. (Ian Mortimer)

Rejoining the Simplex and vehicles it was straight back to Statfold Junction where a Society cheque
presentation was made to Statfold's Alex by our Chairman and the Fixture Organiser. The funds will go
towards restoration of the local church roof where the lead has recently been 'removed'.

With formalities completed the 'Plymouth' mainline set returned into Statfold Junction P1 where an
extra main line run was organised behind 'Plymouth' No 8 'Tim' along with a second museum visit
option for those who were still trying to fill in stock list gaps. With return back into P2 it was an ideal
way to finish on what had turned out to be a pleasantly warm and remarkably sunny autumn day.

In response to queries from participants, Oak Tree crossover is inoperable (welded OOU and no point
levers) and P3 headshunt is disused as it is considered too dangerous to use. The railway now 'top &
tail' all trains from P3 on open days to avoid having to swap locos out of the headshunt.

In conclusion, an excellent fixture with special thanks to our organiser, Gary Lonsdale, Statfold Barn
Railway and the fixtures team volunteers who provide both the visible and invisible support for
fixtures like this. Also, thank you to our loyal membership for continuing to support these outings.

BELOW: At the end of the main tours on P1/2 at Statfold Junction station our Chairman, John
Williamson (left), presents our donation to Alex (middle) from Statfold railway. On the right is the
fixture organiser, our inimitable member Gary Lonsdale with the bespoke headboard. (Howard Everitt)

Details must be checked 1292 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

2265] Immingham Revisited, Sat 4 Nov: It is understood that the UKRT tour this weekend is (subject
to on the day circumstances) now expected to visit the Bulk Terminal Coal Pads, the Bulk Terminal
Iron Ore Pads, the Humber International Terminal (arrival line) and reopened Killingholme branch.
A few First Class dining & standard seats may still be available but 01438 715050 first to check.

X.168] High Speed Rail, Birmingham Campus Open Day, Wed 8 Nov 16.00-19.00: 2 Lister Street,
Birmingham, B7 4AG. (SP 079 879). With at least 12 other exhibitors, free admission, advance booking
required (and further details) at https://goo.gl/fQsDTT includes seeing the ex-Eurostar power cars.

2266] Light Rail Transit Association, Thu 9 Nov: Members' Day in Dublin with a tram tour of the
Green line extension, Red Line connections etc (see their website). A report for BLN would be

appreciated if anyone attends. https://goo.gl/wn1xri is a video of the extension OP expected 7 Dec.

2267] Property Section: Pike House, Saul, Gloucestershire, GL2 7JD, 4 bed, 2 bath bungalow with a
heated enclosed swimming pool in lovely countryside near the Sharpness Canal and River Severn. See:
https://goo.gl/SFEsCk includes a 405yd ride on 5" gauge ground level railway, turntable, large engine
shed, locos and rolling stock. Large heated workshop, double garage & carport, £835k Houseshop.com

2268] The Chippenham Auction Rooms, Fri 10 Nov 10.00: Unit H, The Old Laundry, Ivy Rd, SN15 1SB.
800yd walk from the station. Due to the death of the owner, an unreserved railwayana collection
auction; 250+ items including over 50 station totems (with a very rare 'Dilton Marsh Halt'), cast iron
signs, posters, badges & books etc. Details: [email protected] or 01249444544.

X.169] Guess the Location & Caption Competition: BELOW LEFT (BLN 1290.X155) Approaching
Havenstreet station (which has a bidirectional track each side of the island platform) on the Isle of
Wight Steam Railway, naturally hauled by a Hastings Line gauge Class 33 loco, 33202 into the rarer
platform (this way) during a diesel gala (Sat 29 Sep); reportedly the heaviest loco ever to work on the

IOW (see MR208 too). (Simon Mortimer 30 Sep 3017)

Some of the captions (that were actually printable)…

❖Keeping ahead of the signalling ups and downs.

❖When I said "On me 'ed, mate", I meant the football!

❖Does my hair colour match the signal, dear?

❖When you said we needed a new signal dummy arm..

❖Alright, who stole the swimming pool?

❖Heritage railway, heritage speed camera mechanism.

❖No, sorry, you're not quite right for our balance
….weight up there...

❖Ok, luv, I promise I won't be so distant with you...

❖When we asked if you had a home to go to…

❖Clearly signalling technicians on the IOW Steam
Railway don't just fix the signals they become 'one' with
them! Approaching Havenstreet the board held off by
the female technician propping it up with her head! Or
is it a mirage‽

2269] Fylde Tramway Society, Annual Christmas Tram Tour, Sat 30 Dec: (BLNs 1272.56 & 1273.175)
No details yet but https://goo.gl/Po3hvC will have details. Last year's trip did the exceedingly rare and
difficult to do southbound entry to Bispham (central) Loop and other interesting lines. Write with SAE
to: PO Box 1264, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 9EG or email: [email protected]

2270] Metrolink - The First 25 Years:
Mark Ovenden, 128 pages Capital
Transport Publishing £12.95 hardback.
2017 is the 25th anniversary of the first
section of Manchester Metrolink opening.
This new book, written with Metrolink's
full cooperation, has photos and maps
throughout. It covers the history and pre-
history including lines that failed to
materialise. The system expanded from
19 miles in 1992 to 57 miles, with further
extensions planned, and has become the
largest light rail system in the UK.

2271] Acton Works open days 21/22 Apr: (BLN 1291.MR200) Provisional dates to be confirmed with
the extended Acton Miniature Railway (MR p17) running 11.00-17.00; £1 per ride plus admission fee.

2272] Vinter's Railway Gazetteer by Jeff Vinter Oct 2016: (RRP £19.99) https://goo.gl/sDjhee From
TheWorks.co.uk now only £6, order on line or collect free at your local store; review at BLN 1277.678.

2273] Something for the Weekend… Thanks to our member Stephen Ebbs, this type of information is
regularly available by email via 'gensheet'. Just Email [email protected] to join.

Sat 4 Nov: ❖Shenfield: 05.00 hourly until 21.00 (not 20.00) from Norwich terminate in P4.
❖Shenfield: Numerous Up trains are terminating in P3 - see individual services.
❖Basingstoke: Services from Salisbury (not 05.12, 06.18 & 08.21) plus the 0619 from Honiton and the
….06.41 from Exeter St David's terminate in P1.
❖Services from Weymouth (not 21.10) plus 05.12 & 06.00 ex- Southampton Central terminate P2.
❖Services to Weymouth from 08.46 plus 20.46, 21.52, 22.52 & 23.52 to Poole start from P3.

Sat 4 & Sun 5 Nov: Perth no trains north towards Inverness. This may result in Down arrivals in P4
….and/or Up departures from P7. P6 may be in use (Perth advance platform information is unreliable).
❖Maghull: Trailing crossover in use on departure towards Liverpool.
❖Shenfield: Trains to Southend Victoria depart from P1.
❖Newark Northgate: All down originating VTEC services here depart from P2.
❖Docaster: The 13.13 (SO) and 13.15 (SuO) services to Edinburgh Waverley start from P1.

Sun 5 Nov: ❖07.25 until 14.55 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness are booked in the Down direction
….on the Up Main from Laindon P2 regaining the Down Main at Pitsea London end trailing crossover.
❖Shenfield: Regular P1 departures towards Ingatestone ; Norwich trains (not 22.35) start from P2.
❖Blackfriars: P4 in regular use all day.
❖Sole Street: Sercices to Victoria services start from P2 (London end trailing crossover on departure).
❖Purley: Tattenham Corner to Tulse Hill services are routed via P4.

2274] Jerry (JJJ) Holmes: The Society has sadly learnt of the death on Sunday 8 October of former
Committee member Jerry Holmes (ABOVE). Jerry undoubtedly held more different posts than anyone
else in our 62 year history and would readily turn his hand to anything that needed doing. Members
who can contribute information, anecdotes or reminiscences for a BLN item please contact the Editor
ASAP. His funeral was in Dorset on 27 October, Dave and Helen Cromarty represented the Society.

Position Correspondent New BLS email address ●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close,
Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. @BLSGeneralSec
Membership Alan Welsh [email protected].
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way,
Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam [email protected] Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT.

Bookings Officer Jill Everitt [email protected] ●Iain Scotchman 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD,
CM15 9AJ. [email protected]
Sales Officer Mark Gomm [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill
General Secretary Tim Wallis [email protected] Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU, or text/ring Editor.

Chairman John Williamson [email protected] ●John Cameron, (NEW POSTAL ADDRESS) 15 York
Court, 29 Burnage Lane, Manchester, M19 2HZ.
Treasurer Ian Mortimer [email protected]
● General Secretary: Tim Wallis, 10 Sandringham
Paper BLN problems. Dave Monger [email protected] Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP.

Committee member John Cameron [email protected] *Apologies for leaving out Yorkshire
(which includes North Humberside) from
Committee member Helen Cromarty [email protected] the BLN 1291 table, particularly to our
main Yorkshire Regional Editor, Graeme
Committee member William Graveson [email protected] Jolley. (**The ex-North Eastern Railway
lines are covered by Geoff Blyth.) If you
Committee member Graeme Jolley [email protected] are not sure of an area we Regional
Editors will pass contributions on as
Publications Officer. Martyn Brailsford.. [email protected] necessary between areas.

Publicity Officer David Clark [email protected] ●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of
Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
Website Officer Ian Delgado [email protected]
●Unaccredited photos are out of copyright.
E-BLN problems Andrew Taylor [email protected]

Branch Line emails Nick Garnham [email protected]

BLN Editor Paul Stewart [email protected]

BLNI Editor Paul Griffin [email protected]

Yorkshire news* Graeme Jolley [email protected]

Yorkshire - NE** . Geoff Blyth [email protected]

●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351.

Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947