1295

On returning to Pleasureland the exercise was repeated to cover the headshunt extremity and run-
round loop! Our sympathies to Owen Bramley, the owner/driver having gone round his two loops
about 60 times in all! The line's insurance does not cover passengers being propelled by a loco so the
stock was pushed beyond the points leading to the sheds. Everyone managed a trip on a sleeper

wagon along all five sidings and shed roads, full
overlap being ensured thanks to people power!
Our thanks to Owen for opening especially for us
and we trust that his newly acquired venture will
be the success it deserves to be. The 08.30 start
was fully justified as there was enough time
after to walk to Southport station for an
enjoyable Merseyrail EMU in the sunshine to
reach our SGM and AGM without rushing. In
recent years our annual meetings have become
equally as enjoyable and positive and very good
social occasions too.

NEXT PAGE: The railway's driver/owner Owen Bramley (left) with our very own fixture's organiser
(and East Midlands BLN section Regional Editor) John Cameron (right). (Supplied by John Cameron.)

2564] (5): Ciné Film Presentation: Following our 2016 East Kent AGM where Ian Mortimer presented
some of his photographs, our member Chris Totty was, shall we say, 'persuaded' to present some of
his 8mm ciné colour films at this year's meeting. Having, perhaps surprisingly, managed to find
someone in Jersey to transfer the films to DVD (apparently just in time as the emulsion was degrading
and soon the films would have been lost), Kev Adlam kindly downloaded these on to his laptop and
arrangements were made with the AGM venue hotel for a projector and screen to be made available.

Chris travelled extensively in the late 1960s and early 1970s until his emigration to Jersey in Aug 1973.
He was only meant to be going for 12 months but he is still there 44 years later, it must be something
in the water! Although not shown in strict chronological order, 54 members were treated to films of:
Northern Ireland Railways in 1970. IOM Railways in 1968 - every line except the Foxdale branch
was operational for the last time. UK preserved and private lines included early film of: The Keighley
& Worth Valley. Severn Valley. Quainton Road on its opening day. Longmoor Military Railway.
Dinting (these last two did not survive). Romney Hythe & Dymchurch. Long Sutton on the M&GN
which was a day expedition to rescue some signal posts for the fledgling North Norfolk Railway.

A good quality buffet and natter was enjoyed during the
break. Moving on to British Rail, Chris told us, accompanied
by the film of the trip, of how his Great Scottish Bash of
1970 came about; the challenge being on a Scottish Rover
to cover all passenger track in Scotland in a week. Just the
6½ miles Georgemas Jn to Thurso branch was not covered
due to the late running of the West Coast Postal and so
they missed the bus connection from Thurso to Wick.

BR steam followed, on the Southern leading up to last day in July 1967 with the Channel Islands Boat
Train and the LMR leading up to the 15 Guinea Special on 11 August 1968. Our FS had parental duties
to perform so had to leave for home and needed to take his PC with him! This left much film not seen

so Chris was invited to return to complete the show at the 2018 AGM.
We look forward to it! [Reports 1-5 above are thanks to Chris Totty
with additional contributions by your Editor.]

2565] (6) The Whitechapel Wayfarer, Sun 19 Nov: A very respectable
09.12 start from Hooton saw departure of our third recent Merseyrail
charity railtours and the sixth 2017 AGM fixture. This year the
benefactor was the Whitechapel Centre whose mission it is to prevent
and resolve homelessness in the Liverpool area. In true BLS style the
day started off unusually. From Hooton to Chester on our first leg, the
two middle cars of the six were provided for service train passengers
with stops at Capenhurst and Bache. At Chester the front of the EMU
was actually just beyond the end of the third rail at the London end of
P7A, meanwhile a 3-car Merseyrail service train came and went from
the usual P7B. BELOW: The ECS (from Kirkdale Depot) approaches
Hooton P2 at the start of the tour.

After a short break the tour made its way to Birkenhead Central via a
reversal at Hooton bay P1 to Ellesmere Port and an unusual return
through Hooton P2 instead of the normal P3. Ellesmere Port's claim to
fame, of course, being that it is home to the largest Marks and Spencer
store outside London. (LEFT: The end of bay Hooton P1 and setting the
tone for the day. A member of the general public looks on incredulously
from P0 opposite - Mark Haggas.)

ABOVE: View of Chester P7B from the tour train on P7A looking towards Hooton/Holyhead (etc).

The first highlight was a run to Birkenhead Central, then a double reversal for the long curving trailing
crossover at the Chester end and then No1 Carriage Siding (NEXT PAGE TOP the stop blocks are ahead)
behind P2, to the left of the train on the picture. Alongside are the remains of the three road depot
with intact track but no third rail now. (NEXT PAGE LOWER: Seen to the right of the train approaching
the stop blocks - which were reached.) However, a poor roof structure and asbestos means that, while
a useful asset for stock, it would be a costly exercise to rebuild to modern standards. In this cleverly
planned tour we then visited Rock Ferry bay P4, once common with terminating EMUs when the third
rail stopped there and now quite rare. This was the first 'comfort' break with portable loos.



[BLN 1295]
After an unusual non-stop run round the recently relaid loop ('new' track) our AGM tour reversed at
Mann Island Jn to take the Stock Interchange Line, a link not accustomed to seeing a loaded passenger
train as it is used for ECS movements between the Northern and Wirral Lines. Making our way north
towards Southport appropriate use was made of Liverpool Central Reversing Siding between the Up
and Down lines. In true BLS style the run to Southport involved reversals to do Hall Road (7m 10ch)
and Marsh Lane (3m 52ch) trailing crossovers completing the full set on the line over our three tours.

A few miles from Southport, just before the CLC line to Lord Street went over, we passed 'Southport
International Airport' (RAF Woodvale). There is not much activity now except some University Air
Squadron flying. Woodvale's claim to fame is that it was the home of the Temperature and Humidity
Flight ('THum') which on 10 Jun 1957 flew what was to be the last operational flight by an RAF Spitfire
anywhere in the world. However, in 1963 the RAF was seriously concerned as to how it would support
the new State of Malaysia against Indonesia whose front line fighter was the North American P51!
A fine aircraft but somewhat beyond its 'sell by' date. We were flying the Mach 2 English Electric
Lightning ,so to develop tactics to fight the P51s, a Griffon engined Mk 19 Spitfire was obtained from
RAF stores and went up against the mighty Lightning. The conclusions make interesting reading!

Meanwhile back in Southport a much deserved 'comfort break' was enjoyed by most participants
followed/preceded by (according to individual priorities!) a complementary tea or coffee kindly
provided by Merseyrail. After half an hour or so it was off from P2 to Birkdale No8 Carriage Siding for a
reversal back into P3.

BELOW: Our tour at Southport P2. Ello Ello Ello….would you like to accompany me to the station, sir?

ABOVE: The buffer stop end of Southport Birkdale No8 Carriage Siding looking east along
the non-electrified line from Southport towards Wigan Wallgate and Manchester.

BELOW: Kirkdale Carriage Shed taken from Line 4 with the NITEQ 4wBE battery electric shunter well to
the right of shot. The train on the left has not been graffitied, it is supposed to be like that!

ABOVE: Approaching the single Ormskirk platform, on the right in the distance. (Mark Haggas)

After another short break we headed back for our first depot visit at Kirkdale by way of the Sandhills
Reversing Siding with the Town Green and Maghull trailing crossovers thrown in for good measure
and Ormskirk P1. Less than five months earlier our 'Cat & Dock' tour had visited P2!

At Kirkdale North Jn the tour ran through Depot Line 4 (not by coincidence, it is coming out with the
alterations to accommodate the new EMUS) as booked then right to the end of the headshunt which
was a nice little 'extra'. I had imagined that doing this was no big deal but listening to Kev explain what
that little 'extra' took just highlights the tremendous effort needed to cover this sort of rare track.
Part of the permission to access the headshunt required the replacement of some of the wooden
sleepers! The NITEQ 4wBE (B226) battery electric unit that is used as a light weight shunter was kindly
specially positioned for tour participants to see. Several variants exist in depots around the country.

After Kirkdale it was off to Bidston via reversals at Walton Jn and Liverpool Central then via the Stock
Interchange Line pausing at James Street P2. It was dark as we made the short trip from bidirectional
Bidston P2 to the Stabling Siding which was once part of the curve and third side of the triangle to
Seacombe Jn. To make up for not being able to see much the traincrew kindly turned the carriage

lights off for the 25 minutes* or so we were in the siding. To keep us entertained, bizarrely music from
1970s/80s TV adverts was played over the PA (a BLS first?)! *Arriva Trains Wales Wrexham Central
DMUs also use P2; on a Sunday they are roughly every 2½ hours with a 20 minute wait here and have
to retreat ECS for a Down EMU. We had to wait in the siding for this to happen, but covered the
trailing crossover three times. The signalling does not allow reversal in Bidston P1. When (SuX) the
Wrexham service is hourly (with two DMUs), their reversal in P2 is, at times, almost instantaneous!

Hooton P2* - Chester North Jn X/O - Chester P7a end of third rail (rev) - Hooton South Jn X/O - Hooton bay P1(rev)
- Ellesmere Port P1 (rev) - Hooton South Jn X/O - Hooton P2 - Hooton North Jn X/O - Rock Ferry P2 - Birkenhead
Central P1 (rev) - X/O to Dn Chester - Hinderton Field Tunnel (rev) - Birkenhead Central Stabling Siding (rev) - Rock
Ferry North Jn X/O - Rock Ferry P4 (rev) - Up Chester - Mersey Tunnel - Liverpool Lime Street - James Street P3 -
Mann Island Jn (rev) - James Street P2 - Paradise Jn - Liverpool Central P2 - First crossover - Reversing Siding (rev) -
Liverpool Central P1 - X/O to Dn Southport - Hall Road P2 (rev) - X/O to Up Southport - Marsh Lane X/O (rev) - Dn
Southport - Southport P2 (rev) - Birkdale Carr Sidings No8 (rev) - Southport P3 (rev) - Sandhills Reversing Siding
(rev) - Town Green P2 (rev) - X/O to Up Ormskirk - beyond Maghull X/O (rev) - Ormskirk (rev) - Kirkdale North Jn -
Kirkdale Depot Road No4 - South End Headshunt (rev) - Road No4 - Kirkdale North Jn - Walton Jn (rev) - X/O to Up
Ormskirk - Liverpool Central P1 - Up Southport, beyond Reversing siding (rev) - X/O to Dn Southport - Liverpool
Central P2 - Paradise Jn - James Street P2 - Bidston P2 (rev) - Bidston West Jn X/O - Reversing Siding (rev) - Bidston
P2 (rev) - Up & Dn Through Sdg - Birkenhead North Depot Rd 4 (rev) - Up & Dn Through Sdg - Bidston East Jn X/O -
New Brighton P1 (rev) - Birkenhead North P1 (Up Passenger Loop) - Canning Street Jn (rev) - Canning Street Jn X/O
- Dn Chester - Birkenhead Central - Hooton North Jn X/O - Hooton P3. [*Normal passenger line unless shown.]

Hooton P2 Chester P7a East end 8m 17ch
Chester P7a East end Hooton Bay P1 8m 17ch
Hooton Bay P1 Ellesmere Port P1 3m 62ch
Ellesmere Port P1 Birkenhead Central P1 10m 29ch
Birkenhead Central P1 Down Chester Line, Clear Sig ML717 0m 16ch
Down Chester Line, Clear Sig ML717 Birkenhead Central Siding (No1) 0m 17ch
Birkenhead Central Siding (No1) Rock Ferry Bay P4 1m 13ch

Rock Ferry Bay P4 Mann Island Jn, Clear Sig ML1506 4m 71ch
(via Loop Line, to beyond James Street P3)
Mann Island Jn, Clear Sig ML1506 0m 69ch
Liverpool Central Reversing Siding Liverpool Central Reversing Siding 8m 04ch
Hall Road P2 Hall Road P2 3m 48ch
Up Southport Line, Marsh Lane X/O Up Southport Line, Marsh Lane X/O 14m 66ch
Southport P2 Southport P2 0m 19ch
Southport Birkdale Carriage Siding No8 Southport Birkdale Carriage Siding No8 0m 19ch
Southport P3 Southport P3 17m 13ch
Sandhills Reversing Siding Sandhills Reversing Siding 8m 69ch
Town Green P2 Town Green P2 3m 04ch
Up Ormskirk Line, Maghull X/O Up Ormskirk Line, Maghull X/O 5m 06ch
Ormskirk P1 Ormskirk P1 10m 19ch
Kirkdale Depot South Headshunt Kirkdale Depot South Headshunt 1m 54ch
Walton P2 Walton P2 4m 35ch
Up Southport Line, Liverpool Central South Jn Up Southport Line, Liverpool Central South Jn 4m 78ch
Bidston P2 Bidston P2 0m 18ch
Bidston Stabling Siding Bidston Stabling Siding 0m 18ch
Bidston P2 Bidston P2 0m 63ch
Birkenhead North Depot Road No4 Birkenhead North Depot Road No4 3m 03ch
New Brighton P1 New Brighton P1 5m 44ch
Up West Kirby Line, Canning Street Jn 0m 59ch
Up West Kirby Line, Canning Street Jn Birkenhead Central P2 7m 26ch
Hooton P3

[BLN 1295]
Birkenhead North depot was next on the menu via the
Up & Down Through Siding and No4 Road to the shed
doors. Talking to the guard about the level of
criminality (as you do when in Liverpool) at the depot
he says things are much better than they use to be;
in 2001 arsonists destroyed 508118 on shed!

Another 'comfort break' at New Brighton followed and
we set off back to Hooton taking in the rare
Birkenhead North P1 (the Up Passenger Loop) then
reversing at Canning Street Jn to regain the Down
Chester for a quick run to Hooton where we arrived P3 right on time at 18.47. Another very enjoyable
day with the friendly Merseyrail staff and very little waiting about so we covered much track.

It becomes more and more clear to me just how much effort has to go into organising these types of
tours and I think it worth acknowledging the effort our team (led so well by Kev Adlam) and industry
partners put in to the day so that we could complete all the bits of track we needed. Following the tour
£11,079 was donated to the Whitechapel Centre; a substantial amount to help in their endeavours.
Many thanks to Gary Lonsdale for his detailed stock lists, Jim Sellens for his 'miles' and tickets, and
Peter Scott and Martyn Brailsford for the track plans also Martyn for the moves list. (Neil Greenwood)

BELOW: Birkenhead North Depot Line 4 in the evening, but well illuminated - technical daylight.
The main passenger running lines are on the other side of our tour train.

ABOVE: Our Whitechapel Wayfarer tour at the 'wrong' end (for a Merseyrail EMU) of Chester P7 in the
morning. (All pictures in this report were by Neil Greenwood unless otherwise specified.)

BELOW: The Crewe end and off the rail (the third one that is), with an MPV approaching. (Mark Haggas)

X.195] ABOVE: Fen Drayton; loading sand for King's Cross Goods in Sep 1974 and the then extent of
the Cambridge to St Ives line (CP 5 Oct 1970). Fen Drayton - Chesterton Jn CA 9 May 1992 and is now
part of the Guided Busway (Ian Mortimer). X.196 BELOW: A Containerbase train on the now mostly
lifted Manchester Trafford Park Estate Barton Dock Branch, last train 28 Dec 2012. (Mel Thorley).

Details must be checked 1295 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

2566] Dartmoor Railway, Train to Christmas Town: (BLN 1294.2449) ABOVE: An up to date track plan
of the Meldon Quarry area thanks to Martyn Brailsford, David Hunt and the Dartmoor Railway.
The event (a similar one is available on the Weardale Railway from Stanhope station) is based on a
book 'The Train to Christmas Town' by Peggy Ellis. The round trip from Okehampton station (free
parking) takes about 70 minutes; passengers are asked to arrive 45 minutes before departure to pick
up reservations. Advance booking is advised - some trains are fully booked. To maximise ex-Line 12
coverage (apparently middle line under the former ballast loading hoppers, bottom dead end siding
above) book standard class, mention the 'Branch Line Society' and ask to be sat as near to the front as
possible. Passengers may walk up (not Premier Class passengers at the rear as it's locked off!).
The train is scheduled to start from Okehampton and run to a point towards Sampford Courtenay and
then through Okehampton to Meldon Quarry. There it is booked to diverge from the normal
Dartmoor Railway passenger train route at Meldon East Ground Frame and travel in towards the
quarry face to Road 12 before reversing. It is thought that it may never have been used by a public
passenger carrying service before. On 9 Dec the train ran about 150yd along that line; there is a stop
board in the middle of the track about 100yd from the end of the siding where it remerged with roads
11 and 13. There may be enthusiast events using the same track 13 & 14 Jan 2018 to look out for.

BELOW: 'Train to Christmas Town', well at Meldon Quarry actually, on Sat 9 Dec 2017. (David Hunt)

2567] Spirit of Scotland Travelpass, 20% off until 28 Feb: https://goo.gl/o3gZXk 4 days travel in 8

days £111 (was £139), 8 days in 15 is £143 - less than £18 per day (was £179) Railcard discounts apply.
All operators in Scotland except Caledonian Sleepers also to Carlisle/Berwick-upon-Tweed. Some peak
hour restrictions. Also Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in Scotland, Gourock - Dunoon with Arygll Ferries
and selected coach travel including in Argyll, Skye, the Borders and Northern Highlands, with Scottish
Citylink (this must be pre-booked), Stagecoach and West Coast Motors also the Glasgow Subway and
Edinburgh Trams. Discounts available on various ferries etc. Buy at staffed station or 0344 811 0141.

2568] Great Central Railway, A Bridge Not Too Far: (BLN 1292.MR209)
Work is nearing completion on the new railway bridge over the Midland
Main Line south of Loughborough (NR) station, to rejoin the two heritage
sections of the Great Central Railway, totalling 18 miles, and provide the
south line with a mainline connection. A 'Crossing the Canal' appeal was
launched on 1 Dec. £475k is needed to repair the GCR bridge over the
Grand Union Canal in situ and for associated designs etc. Subject to funds it
is hoped to start work Oct when the canal is quiet. https://goo.gl/TamKs2
has details; if you need the track please consider donating online by card,
setting up a standing order or post a cheque payable to the 'David Clarke
Railway Trust' to: 'Canal Bridge Appeal', Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Rd,
Loughborough LE11 1SL. Donations can be gift aided adding 25% - please
download and print the form from the website or send a SAE for one. LEFT:
7th Series map 1954 with the canal bridge arrowed and before there was a
connection between the GCR (lower station) and Midland (upper station).

2569] Fylde Tramway Society, Annual Christmas Tram Tour, Sat 30 Dec: 11.00 from North Pier
Heritage tram stop. Brush cars 623 and 630 have been requested (subject to availability); Adult £10; £5
Junior. Cheques payable to 'Fylde Tramway Society' with an SAE for tickets, state number of adult and
junior tickets required names and address. Bookings to Mark Green, FTS Treasurer, 23 Shevington
Moor, Standish, Wigan WN6 0SQ. This is usually a very good event with interesting track; the 2016 trip
did the exceedingly rare and difficult to do southbound entry to Bispham (central) Loop and other
interesting lines. Queries to: [email protected] or by post with an SAE.

2570] Property Section: https://goo.gl/ttk1Z7 Station House, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury Wells, WR15
8JE, Worcestershire, (SO 6414 6934) on the GWR Bewdley to Tenbury Wells and Woofferton line OP
1864; CP 30 Jul 1962. Detached 3-bed family home on nearly one acre, three reception rooms;
platforms with more station buildings, in need of modernisation. £350k Nicol & Co 01905 799072.

2571] London Map: Lightweight MDF frame and printed beige stretched polyester - wipe

clean, 28"x 39" hangs on a picture hook/nails. £16.99; can be reserved and collected. £3.95 P&P 3-5

days or £5.95 'express'. See https://goo.gl/PW4LmS and do look at it full screen. An eye catching

1:100,000 scale map prominently featuring railways and stations when Greater London was a series

of villages, interesting closed spurs, branches and lines. Probably circa 1900; Marylebone is shown.

Harrow-on-the-Hill across Alexandra Palace to Woodford/Seven Kings down to Sidcup/Chislehurst

then Bromley, Beckenham and across to New Malden/Richmond and Greenford. Your Editor took

one look and a copy now has pride of place in his lounge - an ideal Christmas present to yourself…!

●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec

●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Iain Scotchman (Finland railtour) 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD, CM15 9AJ. [email protected]

●General Secretary: Tim Wallis, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. [email protected]
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime). [email protected]

●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. *NEW EMAIL* [email protected] text/ring Editor
●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

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