1291

PREVIOUS PAGE: The south end of Pickering station, the first HST to reach the town. (Stuart Hicks)

13.05 Pickering - Whitby: With 43082 now leading again, we retraced our route to
Grosmont. At Levisham the P'way gang had moved the 125 sign to the east end of
the station for a different photo opportunity. A genuine speed restriction for our HST was in force at
Goathland, 5mph through the Down platform due to restricted gauge clearance. Back at Grosmont P2
we were delayed 20 minutes waiting for late running BR Standard 4MT No76079 to arrive on the 14.00
Whitby - Pickering with seven Mk1 coaches and Class 25 D7628 on the rear. On departure, ground
frame locking arrangements required us to stop after passing over the junction before proceeding to
Whitby. After crossing the River Esk a further nine times, we reached the seaside town 22 minutes late
at 15.17. The next Down train, the 14.03 from Middlesbrough could not depart Glaisdale (the other
end of the single line section) until our HST was locked in at Whitby P2, the rebuilt platform used by
NYMR trains (OP 24 Jul 2014). The Northern unit arrived at 15.49, 13 late, but in time for its return
working at 15.59 to Middlesbrough to start on time and return to Glaisdale. The Grade II listed Whitby
station building is (since Oct 2007) staffed by the NYMR who sell national rail tickets as well as theirs.

The Pickering Paxman was the first EMT 125 to visit Whitby, but 12 HST excursions have been there
before, with 20 different power cars. 43082 was a first time visitor but it was 43044's third time.
125 Group's current magazine has a full list of visiting power cars and dates! The team of EMT drivers
shared front end turns throughout the railtour, including Derby based Driver Chris Wells on his last,
very unusual, duty before retirement. Chris drove from Pickering but it was only at Whitby that he
noticed the very special headboard, quietly placed at Pickering onto the front of 43082, a classic cast
red design proclaiming, 'CHRIS WELLS / 1974-2017 / 43 YEARS NOT OUT!'. Chris was gob-smacked and
there followed a moving retirement ceremony and presentation hosted by EMT Head of Drivers
Darren Ward who heaped praise upon him, to the crowd's resounding applause, and a cry of 'Chris, we
even liked you in London' from a St Pancras driver, a high accolade indeed!

BELOW: The Pickering Paxman at Whitby a busy thriving town and port. (Stuart Hicks)

ABOVE: The on board team at the town end of Whitby P2 during the break. (Geoff Plumb)

After many photographs, the second ceremony began, the rededication of 43082, hosted by Jake Kelly,
Managing Director of EMT and VIP guest David Maidment, Railway Children founder. Jake is a Railway
Children Trustee. His speech celebrated EMT's 10 year liaison with the charity and hoped their joint
fundraising will continue; he invited David to rename the power car. David commented in his speech
that 22 years ago Railway Children raised just £5,000 and is now the largest charity in the world
working exclusively with street children; half of their income is from the rail industry and enthusiasts.
He gave thanks to all present renaming 43082, 'Railway Children - Fighting for street children'. Neil
Bentley of the Penistone Line Partnership had prepared a special Mallinson's 'Paxman Pale Ale' to
christen the power car, with Tim Brawn doing the honours spraying ale over the gleaming nameplate!

After further group photos, ceremonial proceedings were complete and there was a chance for a quick
walk to the harbour for fish and chips while the stewards cleaned the train. The more energetic could
climb to the Medieval Whitby Abbey ruins for another type of bite, paying homage to the infamous
Vampire Count Dracula, a character inspired by author Bram Stoker's visits to the town.

16.32 Whitby - Derby: With passengers back on-board the tour departed punctually,
leading power car 43044 now displaying the Railway Children headboard (a replica of
the new nameplate) and 43082 carrying the black cast 'The Pickering Paxman' at the rear. Both were
mounted on special HST power car headboard brackets, the first was fabricated by Etches Park depot
back in Operation Rio days, with the second made for 125 Group as an authorised copy by
Craigentinny depot staff. Like a normal HST emergency tail lamp iron, the bracket fits into the lug
found on the front of all power cars. For added security the special design is also fixed to the body
using one of the nose cone faring bolts, providing a secure mount for running at 125mph.

ABOVE: St Pancras International on 1 Aug and our very smart Treasurer (he is smart with the money
and a camera too) with Jake Kelly, MD of East Midlands Trains in the middle, present Society cheques
totalling £30,000 to Anuradha Chandran (right) Head of Corporate Partnerships at Railway Children
raised during by the Pickering Paxman. (Geoff Plumb https://plumbloco.smugmug.com/ )

More ground frame action and a pick up at Grosmont lost us 10 minutes to Glaisdale, but in First Class
passengers' attention was focused on their delicious chicken dinner. Reversal at Battersby station was
in the platform and to minimise delay passengers were asked not to alight. As a coach steward I
positioned myself at the door and spoke with enthusiasts on platform. 'What happens in Battersby
then?', I asked. 'Oh, you wouldn't believe the goings on here, we've no need to watch Coronation
Street!' (more Battersbys) was the reply. The local railfans also remarked that Battersby is a good place
to observe trains ... because everything passing through must stop to change direction - fair point!

'Right Away', our power cars revved their VP185s and whisked us out of the hotbed of drama that is
Battersby, turning north and heading for home. Behind the scenes, kind railway folk had been working
to give our tour some 'added value' en route, a bit of a 'mystery trip' in fact. InterCity 125s were
designed to be able to pretty much 'go-anywhere', enabling the benefits of long distance high speed
travel to be extended to far flung corners of the network, KX to Leeds and Harrogate for example or
Paddington to Swansea and Milford Haven. However, our first detour of the evening saw us taking a
trip into exceedingly slow speed territory with a 5mph perambulation through the remains of the once
massive Tees Yard via Up Goods No1, the Loco Line, and Down Arrival / Up Departure Line. Bizarre
things happened back in BR days but I bet a passenger HST has never penetrated so far into Tees Yard!

Back onto the passenger railway at Thornaby East Jn, it was through Yarm and a very swift passage of
the Northallerton station avoiding low level route. There is no pointwork for crossing to the Up Fast at
Longlands Jn so this was done south of Thirsk (Green Lane Jn). A brief blast of high speed running then
ensued - with cheering from the 125 cranks! - but not for long as a juicy weave UFL-USL-UFL at
Tollerton saw even more rare 'Quail' in the book for many.

Finally, through York Yard South the 'York Avoider', nicely taking the Up line to compliment the Down
which was used on 'Bound for Craigy' in March. his added some time to our run but most passengers
seemed delighted with the extra juicy track. It also caused brief consternation to those waiting for the
tour on York P11 to see it sail by!

However, after a quick reversal at Holgate loop and again at York P11, we ran south but missed out
the hoped for Selby Canal curve, because our DRS conductors would have been out of hours. The curve
will no doubt be pursued by Kev (Mr Fixit) in a later adventure. Instead we did Milford Up Loop
(another Brucie Bonus), the S&K, Aldwarke Jn, Rotherham Central, Holmes Jn, Brightside Up East
Slow, setting down at Sheffield P6. Onward to Heeley Up Loop, a booked 27 minutes here enabled us
to claw back lost time to 17 late, Chesterfield P3 (small hiccough, should have been the Up Barrow
Hill) and via Ambergate Jn to Derby P6 at 21.43; 24 late on our schedule but a great result considering
our full itinerary, diverse journey and the plethora of rare routes traversed. An exhausting long day but
entirely worth it raising a whopping £30,001.25 (finalised total after the event) for Railway Children.

Mammoth railtour adventures like this only happen because of the efforts of a huge number of great
people working above and beyond. Sincere thank you to every individual person involved, who are all
such a credit to their organisations: BLS, DB, DRS, Loram, NR, NYMR, PLEG, Rail Gourmet, Railway
Children and 125 Group. Finally, the fantastic folk at EMT, who led the operation with such vigour, and
whose managers, staff and traincrew toiled so hard on their rest days or took annual leave to be able
to spend the day on the train volunteering in their own time in aid of Railway Children. On behalf of
125 Group it was a pleasure to work with you and we hope to do it all again soon ... there are still
some significant Preserved Railways which have not been blessed with a visiting HST!

As for 43082, set NL10 and 43044, after overnighting at Etches Park, the next day they worked an
interesting booked Sunday diagram on the 09.20 EMT Nottingham - St Pancras and 12.50 St Pancras -
Leeds, then a brief rest on Neville Hill before doing a stint for VTEC: 18.45 Leeds - KX and 21.35 back.
With its shiny new nameplates, 43082 really is taking the Railway Children message far and wide!

2184] The 'Other' Deeside Line, Sun 24 Sep: The Llangollen Railway are a lucky lot. Running from the
lovely town of Llangollen they have steadily reopened nearly 10 miles of the Ruabon to Barmouth line
down the Dee Valley to Corwen. Originally they had looked at the Prestatyn to Dyserth line before
settling here; I wonder how that would have worked out. Operating for now to the temporary Corwen
(very) East station they anticipate running through to Corwen 'Central' next year when East will close.
Photos and diagrams at Llangollen show this substantial station with an island platform (the end visible
from 'East'), is coming on well. The railway has no plans, nor is it feasible, to extend further either way.

On Sun 24 Sep, during a Diesel Weekend, two similar brakevan trips were
kindly run by the Llangollen Diesel Group for BLS and PLEG members over
interesting track at 15.00 and 15.50, each for 10 participants taking about
45 minutes. I was booked on the second and waited on Llangollen P1 for
the previous trip to return. Our Editor was aboard, welcomed and
checked the participants on, handed out souvenir tickets and left us to it.

The train consisted of two brakevans and at the 'country' end 13265
better known to me as 08195. Passengers boarded the van (No35225)
nearer the loco. Departing just after 16.00 we ran over the facing
crossover as far east as possible to Llangollen P2 head shunt (the end of line). Reversing, the Class 08
powered back through P1 along the main line past Llangollen Goods Junction box. Then it veered right
over a facing connection to the separate branch towards Pentrefelin Sidings (where much of the
railway's substantial rolling stock collection is held), stopping short of the locked entrance gates before
the first point. It was rather a surprise to find a facing connection to the sidings rather than the trailing
one shown on our track plans, but we were assured it has been like this for many years!

ABOVE LEFT: Track plan and coverage. (Thanks to Martyn Brailsford.) RIGHT: Ticket by Jim Sellens.

The main loco depot and workshop is located high above the running line on the site of the former
goods yard. The two sites are linked by an independent line, the Back Road, which we took, climbing
up to the depot. The tour ran along the most northerly line the 'Diesel Road', to the far left of the
shed on approach. The traincrew were not aware of any passenger carrying train on this line before.

Heading back down the incline we reversed
again and then ran into River Siding used for
carriage storage. This was the Up line here in BR
double track days. Returning to the loop the
train reversed and our mini tour ended in P1.
Compared to the previous day's South Eastern
Metrolander tour when I used up several boxes
of red pens I only scored a bit of track, but it was
much needed nonetheless.

I also appreciated just how much effort goes in
running our type of tours, not just the organising
and arranging the train. As well as the gent
looking after us in our van, we had more
traincrew in both the cab and the rear van and
two eager railway staff clipping the points and
making sure all movements were carried out
safely. Many thanks to all involved for this very
successful and enjoyable trip. (NKP)

[BLN 1291]
PREVIOUS PAGE BOTTOM: The original Corwen station is now a sales outlet for Ifor Williams trailers.
PLAQUE ABOVE MIDDLE: The Corwen - Ruthin line actually CA 30 Apr 1962. It was Llangollen -
Corwen - Bala Junction that CP/CA 14 Dec 1964 following severe storm flood damage, its closure was
imminent anyway. (Both Angus McDougall 28 Aug 2017.)

2185] Liverpool Lime Street Signalbox, 22 Sep 2017: Twenty members in five groups of four visited, at
45 minute intervals, this brick built flat roofed signalbox, situated on the south side of the Lime Street
station throat. The box dates from 1948, but is essentially of an LMS design (Signalling Record Society
type 13) intended for wartime installations (having to some extent reinforced construction). There are
others of essentially the same general type operational at Crewe Coal Yard, Runcorn, Thornhill and
Wigan Wallgate, with disused ones still existing at Broom West (visible from the A46 to the east) and
Cold Meece. It has a Westinghouse 'L' power frame with 95 miniature levers (24 spare). Locking is
unusual, being electric, with rotating spindles below the console. Lime Street is one of only two
miniature lever frames remaining on Network Rail (the second is Maidstone East signalbox), although
there are others in Britain, for example on LUL, and in the new box at Porthmadog Ffestiniog Railway.

The box controls a relatively small area simply the four track route to Edge Hill, which is operated on
the track circuit block system. Communication with Edge Hill Power Signal Box is by train describer.
All signals are colour lights and all points (except one) have clamp locks. Levers 5 and 6 control the fast
and slow 'Home 2' signals, and those signals show the platform destination according to the lie of the
various points. A row of lights above the levers concerned show which route has been set (by
indicating the appropriate platform number). A slightly similar arrangement applies to the various
platform starting signals, which although controlled by one of several levers, clear according again to
the lie of the points. In this case also there are rows of lights to indicate the platform concerned.

BELOW: All pictures by Nick Jones on 22 Sep 2017.



OVE: Liverpool Lime Street signal box exterior a nd the station throat.

There are some other unusual features, such as two 'train running away' indicators, one for the Down
Fast and one for the Down Slow, activated when approaching trains pass signals at danger. This is a
significant possibility since the line from Edge Hill descends at a maximum gradient of 1 in 83. (From
opening in August 1863 to 1870 locomotives detached at Edge Hill and the coaches gravitated down to
Lime Street with brakesmen. A stationary steam engine at Edge Hill hauled the carriages 'up' by rope.)

There is a shunting neck between the pairs of running lines. This is at present out of use, and two press
buttons are provided on the panel to operate a shunting horn (also no longer in use) to alert drivers of
trains or locomotives on that line. More conventionally there are two 'ready to leave' indicators
(operated from the platforms and showing which one is involved).

It was a most interesting and enjoyable occasion; we are grateful to our guide, Andy Gwynne (from
Manchester ROC, which should take over Lime Street in July 2018 after a second engineering closure),
Bernard, the signaller on duty, and of course Barney Clark for the arrangements. (Angus McDougall)

Details must be checked 1291 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

2186] Fiddlers 'Five', Sat 28 Oct: Westbury (06.00/23.10), Bath, Bristol Parkway, Cheltenham (07.40/
21.30), Bromsgrove, New St (08.40/20.30) & Stafford (09.30/19.40) - Searchlight Lane Jn - Down Crewe
Independent (Down Slow requested) - Earlestown P4 - Bamfurlong Sidings Jn - Ince Moss Jn - St Helens
Central - Down goods Loop (rev) - Ravenhead (Pilkingtons) Works Sidings (rev) - Huyton - Waterloo
Sidings (rev) - Earlestown P3 - Dallam Royal Mail Terminal - Warrington Up Slow/Up Goods - Walton
Old Jn - Manchester Ship Canal Railway Holding Sidings (rev) - Latchford Sidings (rev) - Fiddlers Ferry
Power Station Loop* - Latchford Sidings (rev) - Up Liverpool Independent - Basford Hall Up Arrival -
Up Departure - Basford Hall Jn and as outward. [*The 20 Oct 2012 UKRT Ferry-go-Round tour did inner
loop 'C'; this tour is booked to do outer loop 'B'; the power station has an uncertain future, there may
not be another tour.] From £98 https://goo.gl/NEQmex Pathfinder Tours 01453 - 835414/834477.

2187] Book Review; Britain's Growing Railway: (BLN 1287.1812) ISBN 978-0-901 283-19-1, (Railfuture
2017, perfect bound, 192 pages, £9.95 (includes UK P&P). This is the sixth edition of a comprehensive
listing of stations and railway lines opened and reopened throughout Britain's rail network since 1960.
It is a fascinating and informative reference work, an area of interest to most members, but your
reviewer found it rather difficult to navigate so this is a review and a guide. Firstly, how the book is set
out. There is a contents list to its 11 sections of which five contain the bulk of the data. They are….

●From Abercynon to Ystrad, A-Z Guide to New and Reopened Stations: 94 pages, and it's actually
Ystrad Rhondda. Each station has opening date, a brief description of its physical features, in many
cases the organisation or people involved and in all cases annual passenger numbers.

●Stations Opening Soon: 8 pages, alphabetical. It is difficult to find a particular station in these first
two sections. They are differentiated by a line across the page at the start of each entry, green for the
New and Reopened Stations and red for the Opening Soon. Your reviewer noticed this late on; a more
distinctive marking would help. There is in some optimism in the term 'soon' (Soham expected 2024!).

●New Passenger Lines: 24 pages. 30 cases, in some the relevance has to be explained in this mainly
narrative section. For example, the Olive Mount Chord reduces delays to passenger trains and the
Bacon Factory Chord improves the Felixstowe line efficiency where freight delayed passenger services.

●Station Openings by Date: 13 pages, green dividing lines. The stations in date order but in annual
sections emphasising the number per year and disparities, for example one each in 1974, 2004 & 2006
with a peak of 26 in 1987. Added information is county and Government Office region by code letters.

●Lines and Chords by Date: 5 pages with blue dividing lines. Again these are listed in annual sections.
Additional information is the line length and annual cumulative length in km.

In a book setting out to foster interest in future reopenings, some of the statistics, whilst technically
correct, would not match the non-railway minded person's perception. For example Wrexham
Central's 300m move! Entries for Liverpool Central Deep Level and Liverpool Lime Street Low Level do
not make these 'new' stations. In the line and chord section Ipswich Bacon Factory chord is included.
Anybody drawing inferences from the dominance of some Government Office regions or the diversity
of annual statistics will wish to factor in population figures and line openings versus lone stations. The
lack of this information makes the presentation of the (out of context) data of little value.

There are many excellent photographs. Campaigners feature in several. Maps illustrate where the
stations cluster. Unfortunately, the mainland Britain map inside the front cover (and again, the back
cover) is repeated in the England, Scotland and Wales sections, three further pages with no additional
information. While preservation railways are generally ignored, Laverton to Broadway is in the Lines
Opening Soon section with Broadway in the Stations Opening Soon section, despite no interchange
between the Gloucestershire Warwickshire (Steam) Railway and the national network. The New Lines
for Passengers section has a Swanage entry. There are additional narrative sections on Metros, Light
Rail and Tramways and Ireland. Overall most users will find this a frequent reference document in a
convenient format which your reviewer would recommend. [Julian James]

2188] Knottingley Depot Open Day, Sat 28 Oct 12.00: A DBC event, max 100 participants raising funds
for Cancer Research UK. A tour of the working freight depot and buildings, photograph any trains or
wagons present. Admission requires your own protective footwear and a high visibility vest or coat.
No age restrictions. £15 per head, email [email protected] to reserve a place pay at
https://goo.gl/RZm7ys (and to gift aid). Attendees may win a DBC cab ride in a prize draw.

2189] Statfold Barn Railway: Tamworth (Mr p24) https://goo.gl/AkNBMX For those who missed our
recent excellent visit (organised by Gary Lonsdale - even down to the wonderful weather) or would
like to see this amazing railway with 18-20 locos (and the Burton & Ashby electric tram) working, 2018
enthusiasts open days, with visiting locos, are 24 Mar, 9 Jun and 8 Sep 2018. Passenger trains generally
09.30 to 15.30 with a loco cavalcade at 16.30 no pay on the day must be pre-booked (not yet open -
watch website). 12/13 May is a miniature traction engine weekend and there is a Family Day on 7 Jul.

2191] New contact email addresses (with immediate effect) - SAVE THE PAGE!

Position Correspondent New BLS email address
Membership Secretary
Alan Welsh [email protected] .

Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam [email protected]

Bookings Officer Jill Everitt [email protected]

Sales Officer Mark Gomm [email protected]

General Secretary Tim Wallis [email protected]

Chairman John Williamson [email protected]

Treasurer Ian Mortimer [email protected]

Paper BLN problems Dave Monger [email protected]

Committee member John Cameron [email protected]

Committee member Helen Cromarty [email protected]

Committee member William Graveson . [email protected]

Committee member Graeme Jolley [email protected]

Publications Officer and Cartographer . Martyn Brailsford [email protected]

Publicity Officer David Clark [email protected]

Website Officer Ian Delgado [email protected]

E-BLN problems Andrew Taylor [email protected]

News area Correspondent New BLS email address

BLN Editor, Head Lines, Connections Paul Stewart [email protected]

East Midlands (& South Humberside) John Cameron [email protected]

Greater London Geoff Brockett [email protected]

North East (& North & East Yorkshire) Geoff Blyth [email protected]

North West & Isle of Man Graeme Jolley [email protected]

South East England & East Anglia Julian James [email protected]

South West Darren Garnon [email protected]

West Midlands Brian Schindler [email protected].

Ireland Martin Baumann. [email protected]

Scotland Mike McCabe [email protected]

Wales Paul Jeffries [email protected]

Minor Railways (British Isles) Peter Scott [email protected]

Branch Line Message (email service) Nick Garnham [email protected]

●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. Twitter: @BLSGeneralSec
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT.
●Iain Scotchman (Finland Tour) [email protected] 102 Shenfield Place, Brentwood, CM15 9AJ.
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. or text/ring Editor.

●John Cameron, (NEW POSTAL ADDRESS) 15 York Court, 29 Burnage Lane, Manchester, M19 2HZ.

●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351.
●General Secretary: Tim Wallis, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP.
●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html Unaccredited photos are out of copyright.

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

2191] Railway Benefit Fund: The RBF Christmas catalogue including railway themed cards and

their 'Station to Station' 2018 calendar are now available https://goo.gl/9qaBZ8 on line or Railway
Benefit Fund, 1st Floor, Millennium House, 40 Nantwich Road, Crewe, CW2 6AD, 0345 241 2885