1316

ABOVE: Amlwch, the Associated Octel works loco brings sheeted wagons loaded with sulphur to the
exchange sidings. A gated level crossing can just be made out at the far right border (middle) by the
houses. (Taken from the cab of a Class 37 loco, Mar 1984.) BELOW: The wagons are ready to leave the
exchange sidings (Mostyn Docks was a regular destination for the sulphur traffic).

1316 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]

MR216] MINOR RAILWAYS - 30th EDITION - 2018 M R46] ………….
SUPPLEMENT No.3 © Peter Scott November 2018

(Supplement No. 2 at BLN 1310.MR149; No.1 at BLN 1305.MR93)

NEW ENTRIES

..13 CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Dunhams Wood Light Railway, Rodham Road, March

7¼" B 700yds TL443975 § 01354 661997

(Line reopened Sunday 14 August 2016, with approximately 5 open days a year)

OTHER AMENDMENTS
135 Milton Keynes Light Railway Amend  to: 07564 208003

148 Steeple Grange Light Railway (Killer's Branch) Amend length to: 780yds (Extension to Middleton
…….. opened 19/09/18)
17 Sutton Hall Railway Amend  to: 01702 622057
20 Springfields Miniature Railway Amend  to: 01775 723909
23 Wortley Forge Miniature Railway Amend  to: 0114 288 7576

25 Brooklands Miniature Railway Delete entry (Line closed. Last ran 23/09/18)

29 Corris Railway Amend length to: 1,200yds (Maespoeth South platform extension opened 04/04/17)

S3 .Burghclere Miniature Railway Amend length to 200yds (Extension opened on 08/10/18)

[BLN 1316]
X163] PREVIOUS PAGE: Bideford station on the 'Tarka Valley Railway' (the station building was a
'branch' of the Midland Bank for a while after passenger closure from 4 Oct 1965 but before the line
closed to freight in the early 1980s). Looking south towards Torrington and Halwill Junction, the end
of line buffer stops can be seen in the distance beyond the signal. (All John Scott 19 September 2018.)

BELOW: Tarka Valley Railway: The recent one track panel extension towards Barnstaple at Bideford
with the surviving platform and (unfixed) new stop block at the north end of this short line.

ABOVE: Tarka Valley Railway: To be continued… a view looking back towards Bideford, showing
where the running line will be extended to. The Tarka Trail is to the right. Note former signal post.

MR217] Whitwell & Reepham Railway, Norfolk (MR p8): On the former Midland & Great Northern
Joint Railway Melton Constable - Norwich City branch, based at Whitwell & Reepham station, this site
was visited on Sunday 2 September by our ever Roving Reporter. Operating passenger trips on the
running line in the former goods yard was 0-4-0ST No4 'Victory' (AB2199/1945) with one brake van.
Running on the 7¼" gauge Top Field Light Railway (BLN 1304.MR89) was loco GWR 1451 with one
sit-astride coach. Fares for this railway were £1 extra for all. The site was well patronised on this day.

MR218] Leighton Buzzard Railway, Bedfordshire (MR p12) (BLN 1298.MR22): Sunday 9 September
saw our Roving Reporter on his 40 minute walk from Leighton Buzzard station to Page's Park for his
annual visit to this well-known 2ft gauge railway, which currently runs for 2¾ miles to Stonehenge
(Bedfordshire, NOT Wiltshire!). The orange (standard) timetable was in operation with 0-6-0T No4
'Doll' (AB1641/1919) and bogie coaches 8, 12, 7 & 11. The outward journey had a party of 28 older
persons who only did a one way trip and were walking back! The track at Stonehenge towards Double
Arches has been cleared of vegetation and stored wagons. It is possible some of this extension may
open to passengers next year. The 7¼" gauge railway at Stonehenge was not working on this day.

MR219] Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, Kent (MR p19) (BLN 1296.MR11): The 2ft 6in gauge
railway held their 'End of Season Steam Gala' over the weekend of 29 & 30 September. Excellent
weather on the Saturday found the promised programme fully in place. Three steam locos were in use
- 'Superb', 'Leader' and 'Melior', along with diesel 'Victor'.

[BLN 1316]
The concentrated service ran every 40 or 45 minutes from each end of the line, with trains 'passing' at
Kemsley Down. The provision of only one platform at Sittingbourne Viaduct precludes two trains
being dealt with at the same time, although locos were changed there for each outward journey. Two
coaching rakes were in use. One consisted of four Bowater's bogie coaches and the other of a
Bowater's open bogie coach and three ex-Chattenden & Upnor Light Railway (C&ULR) bogie coaches.
The comfort of the officers' fully enclosed C&ULR coach contrasted with the two Spartan, other ranks'
vehicles. The renovated 5" ground level line at Kemsley Down was not running. This was no doubt
explained by a notice appealing for volunteers to run it. However, a four wheeled (presumably battery
electric) loco 'Lilly' and a sit-astride coach were parked on the track. This short line looked to be in
good order. On the wall of the pedestrian approach to Sittingbourne Viaduct station a new, very long
and admirable mural depicts the railway and surrounds.

MR220] Mid Norfolk Railway (MNR), Norfolk (MR p8): A member visited this railway, running over
part of the former Great Eastern Railway from Wymondham to Wells, on Wednesday 12 September.
From the publicity leaflet our reporter had expected this to be a 'Green Day' with a DMU service
offering views ahead. However, there was a rake of five coaches with BR 2-6-4T 80078 waiting in the
platform at Dereham to form the 10.30 train to Wymondham Abbey. There were a few coaches in the
bay platform - some being worked on. At Yaxham the line serves the northbound platform.

Wymondham to Dereham was double track from 1882 until singled by British Rail from 14 June 1965
when a crossing loop was established at Hardingham. At Thuxton station the train 'kept left' on the
nice long loop. The other line was shiny, but another train was not crossed. On the east side a siding
leads off the loop. This housed some track machines and coaching stock - the latter covered in graffiti.
At the privately owned Hardingham station the train ran on the very recently installed new
southbound side of the formation, part of the redoubling to Kimberley Park. There was considerable
track work going on in the area and the previous single track on the northbound side of the formation
remains with a new point at Dereham end where the new double track singles. Before Kimberley Park
work was in hand on the east side of the line to create three new sidings on MNR owned land to store
'mainline' stock. In addition Hardingham Yard (on the west side) is being connected to the MNR.

There was still a long way to go with this project. The train called at Kimberley Park where the track
serves what was the northbound platform. For some reason there was an extended dwell here, so
much so that departure was at the time the train should have arrived at Wymondham Abbey, where
eventual arrival was 10 minutes late. Here there is a basic platform on the northbound side. It still has
a 'temporary' feel about it. It is believed, long term, the MNR would like to build a station nearer to
that of Network Rail - as and when funds are available. At Wymondham Abbey a number of
passengers alighted, some remained on the train and a few boarded. The train then moved forward to
access the run-round loop. So those who stayed on the train did 'a bit more track'. For some reason,
the loco run-round seemed to take a long time - a 10 minute late arrival was turned into a 17 minute
late departure. On the return journey the train again 'kept left' at Thuxton and called at Hardingham.

[MR Ed - Heritage Railway 247 records, as did the local paper, that on the day our reporter visited: 'at
11.00 a train stopped at the station (Hardingham) for the very first time since September 9, 1968*'].

Eventual arrival back in Dereham was 19 minutes late. Rail Head Treatment Trains from Network Rail
are now being serviced here providing useful income. Like many preserved railways, our reporter feels
that it would benefit from having some carriage sheds to protect stock from the weather. [MR Ed - the
railway is in the process of erecting a locomotive shed - the first covered accommodation.]

[*BLN 952 p182 reports trains calling at Hardingham on 29 June and 13 August 2003 at least; your BLN
Editor was on a public timetabled train that called on Sunday 20 May 2018 as one had the day before.]



PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: Cambrian Heritage Railways (Oswestry) - newly lowered track under Gasworks
Bridge (Shrewsbury Road - B4579) looking south towards Weston Wharf on 4 Oct, - the metal supports
have been in place for years; off lower right is Oswestry station. (Both Chris Parker.) PREVIOUS
LOWER: End of line south of Oswestry with the bridge in the background, further south (8 Feb 2018).

MR221] Cambrian Heritage Railways (Oswestry), Shropshire (MR p7) (BLN 1310.MR156): Trackbed
lowering work at Gasworks (Shrewsbury Road) bridge overran seemingly because additional drainage
work was required. By 4 October the contractors had left site, but track replacement had not begun.

MR222] Hollycombe Working Steam Museum, West Sussex (MR p25) (BLN 1245.MR193): Our Roving
Reporter visited here on Saturday 25 August, walking the 1½ miles along the road from Liphook
station. The 2ft gauge Quarry Railway opened from '12pm' with 0-4-0ST 38 'Jerry M' (HE638/1895)
hauling four (un-numbered) bogie coaches. No other railway was in operation at the site on this day.
The standard gauge line has been out of use for many years [MR Ed - by at least August 2012] and the
7¼" gauge miniature railway had four bogie sit-in coaches, but no loco present - although showed
signs of recent use. The ground level 3½/5" gauge Liphook Model Engineers never seems to function
during public open days. There was plenty of steam activity in the Fairground.

MR223] Burghclere Miniature Railway, Hampshire (2018 Supplement 2) (BLN 1294.MR226): This 7¼"
gauge railway is located at Burghclere Sports & Social Club in Burghclere village, just south west of
Newbury (although in Hampshire). It opened as an 'E' run of 80yds on Bank Holiday Monday, 28 May.
The Club arranged its next public event over the weekend of 6 & 7 October with visiting traction
engines, steam rollers and vintage vehicles - during which the railway was to operate. However, due to
a very wet forecast (which proved to be accurate) the railway did not run on the Saturday. Therefore, a
visit was made on the Sunday - our reporter arriving around 14.45 to find the event, to which
admission was free, well supported. In the car park in the front of the Social Club were three road
rollers - two steam and one diesel and a fairground organ. On the Recreation Ground, around which
the railway runs, were a number of vintage vans and lorries, model traction engines giving rides and
stationary engines on display. The railway was in operation with two trains running. The main
passenger carrying train was formed of GWR 0-6-0PT 1503 and GWR 14xx 0-4-2T 1435 'Laurie' topping
and tailing three sit-astride coaches. Hauling a train of three wagons (which seated a few passengers)
was 0-4-0ST 'Merlin' (Hunslet quarry type). The line has now been extended to an 'E' run of 200yds -
just under half of its total eventual length - and running along two sides of the Recreation Ground.

PREVIOUS PAGE BOTTOM: Burghclere Miniature Railway - a well loaded train leaves
the station for a 'run' around the Sports Field. (Peter Scott 7 Oct 2018.)

There is a one platform station, with workshop behind on the southern side and the line then runs east
before swinging along the eastern side of the Recreation Ground. A siding on the curve will, in due
course, serve a turntable and steaming bays, which are in process of being constructed. Adult fares
were £1 for which a laminated titled ticket was issued and then collected (and later reused) before
boarding the train. Tea and cake was on sale from the local WI and earlier a barbeque was in
operation, although another member visiting around lunch time reports this had to be rapidly shut
down at one time due to high flames threatening to engulf the Social Club building! This was a
pleasant event and obviously well patronised by local families, which bodes well for the future of the
railway and club. The idea of building the railway was to bring people and money to the ailing Sports
Club. The railway intends to run on the second Saturday of the month, weather permitting.

MR224] Evergreens Miniature Railway, Lincolnshire (BLN 1301.MR53): A visit was made on Saturday
29 September to the new site for this railway - a four acre field planted with trees at the corners.
The 5" gauge elevated track is complete and the members gave our visitor a ride. A length of 7¼"
gauge has been laid and the rest of a circular track dug out and ballasted. It was proposed to steam on
the 7¼" gauge track for the first time (only a short length) on Saturday 27 October.

1316 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
2420] Invergarry & Fort Augustus Railway, Sun 5 Aug: by Tom Scott. A full party of 26 met for 12.30
(mostly!) at Invergarry station; some had started much earlier exploring the remains of this fascinating
branch from Spean Bridge further south thanks to the guidance of local member Nick Jones. Quite a
few had been on our Western Pickston railtour the day before. The time was convenient for buses
from Fort William and Inverness, although most came by car. I was the only one to arrive late (by half
an hour) as travelling on CityBus 919 from Fort William I had mistakenly alighted at Invergarry Hotel -
three miles further on, instead of Laggan Swing Bridge, a few minutes' walk from Invergarry station on

the east side of Loch Oich. It is also the entrance to
Great Glen Water Park, the area's main leisure
attraction. Luckily staff at the Invergarry Hotel kindly
drove me back avoiding a 45 minute walk along the
busy A82 road, but it did show how inconvenient the
station was for the village. Talking to the staff and
locals in the bar I was pleased to hear that they knew
all about the station restoration/museum.

'The Invergarry & Fort Augustus Railway Museum'
project, inaugurated Aug 2012, is supported and
funded by the Forestry Commission, MacLeod & MacCallum (legal specialists), Glengarry Trust, NR and
Sustrans. At Invergarry station I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the clearance work since
my previous May 2009 visit, part of a week of trackbed walking with Railway Ramblers led by the late
Brian Slater. The final day was a little different; we climbed Ben Nevis! By then it had been over
60 years since track lifting and station buildings were demolished, leaving just the fine long wide island
platform and its access subway but without its original roof. By 2009 heavy vegetation had taken hold
leaving access almost impossible. Indeed two sizable trees had grown through the platform surface!
The reasonably clear trackbed was, and still is, used by the Forestry Commission for logging elsewhere
on the branch route. Sustrans Route National Cycle Route 78 (Caledonia Way North) now takes in most
of the 4 mile Loch Oich trackbed section north of the station - a fantastic walk. In 2009 the goods yard
area west of the station was overgrown, occupied by abandoned road vehicles and fly tipping.

This 23 mile long standard gauge single track branch was built to main line standards (it was to have
been a through line to Inverness with the potential for double track). It had a short passenger life, less

than 30 years (1903-1933), and closed temporarily between Oct and Aug 1913 due to financial
difficulties. Freight continued until the very end of 1946, a Saturdays only trip from Fort William to
Fort Augustus with coal and oil. This was usually worked by ex-NB 0-6-0 No 9663. In WWII timber was
also carried. The branch, built to generally lavish standards, was surprising given the sparsely
populated area it served. Fort Augustus had a mere 500 residents at the time. There were passing
loops at Gairlochy and Invergarry stations and a loop with a signal box that was never commissioned
at Letterfinlay Crossing between the two. Three platform faces were built at Fort Augustus with a
sizable goods yard and the branch engine shed. Leaving the then comparatively recently built main
West Highland Railway line at Spean Bridge, a short bay platform was built there. The branch curved
away right in a north westerly direction for two miles where, at Gairlochy, it curved again sharply right
to form a diagonal southwest to northeast alignment all the way to Fort Augustus alongside Loch
Lochy, Loch Oich and the Great Glen Rift Valley also serving the other three intermediate stations of
Invergloy Platform, Invergarry and Aberchalder on the way. Inverness would never be reached from
here by rail despite the promoters' dream of their 'Great Glen Trunk Route'. From Fort Augustus the
line only continued 73ch to Fort Augustus Pier on the west side of Loch Ness; steamers connected for
Inverness but (some) branch trains were extended to the pier only during the summer months. This
was an elaborate and costly affair with a swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal, a fine castellated
viaduct over the River Oich supported by two stone arches and a bridge over the main road. Passenger
trains survived only three seasons until 1906; freight lingered to the Pier goods yard until Jul 1924.

The Highland Railway, using their 4-4-0s with three coaches, operated the Fort Augustus service from
the start to 1907, followed by the North British Railway 1907 to 1923 and finally the LNER from 1923
to 1946. The line was lifted in 1948. The initial service was four trains daily (SuX) but for a time there
were just two. For four days (circa 1913) two services ran to Fort William by reversing at Spean Bridge.

Invergarry station was built close to Invergarry House (now the prestigious Glengarry Castle Hotel) -
the home of the Lairds of Glengarry - King Edward VII visited in the royal train. A private waiting room
was provided for visitors to the house; the Stationmaster's House survives as a private residence.
Members initially explored the site (many walking the trackbed footpath, north and south), the rolling
stock and railway museum. Relics therein included hand lamps, flags, traffic notices, rule books,
Permanent Way and signals tools, photographs and timetables, all with a Scottish flavour. Tyndrum
Upper signal frame was donated by NR. The platform has two replica nameboards and concrete
foundation base for a signal box; the passenger subway/underpass has been repaired and painted.
The Forestry Commission as landlord has agreed to a 48ch south extension and a shorter one north.

Track, laid in 2015, is available alongside P1 (Down/to Fort Augustus) and continues north for a similar
distance totalling 480ft. When more track is delivered it will be laid in P2 and linked at the north end.
An isolated siding parallel to that at P1 is for the static display of wagons. Rolling stock is a 1947 built
0-4-0 Rushton diesel shunter. It spent almost its whole life at Lincoln and came to Invergarry by road
three years ago. Following minor repairs and a 'clean up' on site it became 'live' a year later. In the
aforementioned display siding were two 1910 built Caledonian Railway Pig Iron wagons with LMS
bogies and Highland Railway buffers from GCR Ruddington in 2016. A Lowmac Swift platelayer's trolley
is used for track installation/maintenance. An area in the former goods yard now used as a Forestry
Commission staff car park, will, in time, have track again with a shed for locos and other rolling stock.

At 13.45 hot soup, generous sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks, all included in the price, were provided
at the neighbouring Loch Oich restaurant. Back at the station from about 14.15 onwards footplate
rides for 6-7 at a time operated from the south end of the platform. Running at up to 4mph, skill was
used to traverse the maximum amount of track. This was the finale of a great day at this very friendly
embryo railway; we came away having learnt a great deal, including future hopes and aspirations.

Members, who never imagined that they would ever do any of the Fort Augustus branch, dispersed at
15.00. Our thanks to Kev Adlam and the railway for all the excellent arrangements.

ABOVE: The south end of the island platform, looking northeast; the former lower level goods yard
was to the left of the path; off picture to the far left is Loch Oich. (All Ian Mortimer 5 Aug 2018.)
NEXT: The loco is at the southern extremity of the line, looking south west. Behind the group of
members, beyond the platform ramp, is the entrance to the pedestrian subway under the trackbed.

ABOVE: Looking south from the north end of the long platform, again the loco is at the far south end.

2421] Andover Anchovy, Sun 21 Oct: By Peter
Deacon. Over 30 members assembled eagerly at
the site of the Andover Model Engineering Society
(AMES), south of the A303, between Andover and
Wherwell. Their lease from the estate (of the 6th
Marquess Camden, 7th Earl Camden, 6th Earl of
Brecknock, 7th Viscount Bayham, 7th Baron Camden
- all the same person!) part prohibits any opening
to the public, and we considered ourselves very
fortunate to have the chance to visit, explore and
(most importantly!) ride. 'Humble and hearty
thanks' should be extended to Simon Mortimer for arranging the visit and to the host members, who
did everything they could to help us achieve our somewhat eccentric aims! They did say that it was far
more enjoyable than running empty trains or light engines. https://goo.gl/f76k5p has 40 pictures.

The railway is situated in 35 acres, and during WWII in the run up to 'D Day', about 35,000 tons of
ammunition was stored under canvas well camouflaged by trees; evidence of associated earthworks
and concrete remains. The site is mostly wooded, 'leaves on the line' being a far greater problem for
them than NR because of the difference in scale! To combat this AMES has a homemade rotating leaf
brusher seen making its rather eccentric way through Red Rice, the main station, as we arrived. There
is an extensive complex ground level layout (now nearly two miles long) of 5" and 7¼" gauges, and (the
circuit bottom middle on the plan) a simpler 1,361ft loop of raised 5/3½/2½" gauge track on posts.

The more complex original part of the ground level track, serving the stations, sheds and connections
to steaming and loading bays, is dual gauge. However, the very lengthy extensions - several of them,
built in different years since - are just 7¼" through and around the extensive wooded hinterland, going
right out to the edges of the leased land - delineated by the surrounding estate roads (see plan).



ABOVE: Clatford Halt; 0-4-0 steam loco on a single carriage and the Drajeeling steam loco to the left.

The motive power provided for our trips was varied with 11 locos used. The stars for the steam fans
were a model of a Darjeeling & Himalaya, Sharp Stewart 0-4-0 saddle tank (No786), of, I think 3" or 4"
to the foot scale and an 0-4-0 saddle tank of a generic industrial design of a similar scale. Both were
built by their respective drivers and performed splendidly! In addition, we were treated to a number of
diesel outline locos, but most were battery electric powered. One, on the 5", was a scale model of a
'Baby Deltic' No5906; another was a ride-on model of a Ruston industrial loco with a real diesel engine
- diesel hydraulic Planet and one was a 'minimal gauge' Bo-Bo with a centre cab (No714).

With the complexities of the layout, and the fact that members swapped 'haulage' and routes at will,
it is almost impossible to summarise everyone's itinerary; indeed after the start some participants
were hardly seen again for several hours such was the extent and thickly wooded nature of the site! All
I can say is that I, and indeed most of our group, covered nearly all the track. This included the station
loop at Camden that was difficult to access from the main line and was very rusty on the exit such is
the rarity of use, the two sidings off this loop, and at least one of the sidings in the carriage shed if not
two including some additional hand pushage for some. The only missed bit was the line leading to the
loading/steam bays turntable, which we were told had had several derailments! One link at Red Rice
station (bottom left on plan), initially unavailable due to a points failure, was done later after extensive
work on the points mechanism. The complexity of my own travels can be judged by the fact that I went
through Clatford, the station at the most distant end of line, five times, to cover all the various loops!

Almost every participant or small groups of participants had their own itinerary but 'comparing notes'
towards the end it was possible to iron out any omissions and everyone appeared to have scored the

track very thoroughly - the friendly drivers were happy to take requests; nothing was too much
trouble. Your BLN Editor felt it was the closest he has seen to a 'railway maze' and 'ever decreasing
circles' but fortunately all lines eventually lead back to Red Rice station. This just left us the issue of
the new '2018' extension.... (arrowed on the diagram) because it wasn't open ... even finished yet!

ABOVE: The rare crossover at Clatford Halt, which we were initially told could not be done,
but where there's a will BLS party there's a way... (All pictures in this report by Simon Mortimer.)
The final excursion exceeded expectations - the new loop was under construction at the start of our
visit with quite a section of track still to lay and ballast. The organiser received word from our Gen Sec
that the three man construction gang had suggested they might finish it 'today' but occasional checks
indicated that, despite some remarkably quick progress, the odd panel remained unfixed and much
ballasting was needed. With the afternoon ticking away it was suggested by our organiser to this team
that they could finish if they had assistance, particularly shifting ballast from the dumper truck bucket
to the track... answer...'yes'!

[BLN 1316]
There were plenty of spare shovels which were soon wielded by our members, others tamped the
track and brushed ballast to level. The AMES member who had kept well ahead of his ballasters all
afternoon was now squeezed by ballast from both sides while cutting, drilling the last panel to size and
bolting it. This was completed during our visit, with sterling assistance from 8-10 members including
our GS, Editor and organiser, wielding shovels of ballast alongside several of our hosts, as the final
panel was bolted into place - although without any 'golden spike'!

Your organiser then had the distinct pleasure of walking back through the woods to Red Rice station
where the main AMES contact Godfrey was enjoying a well earned cuppa and clearly thinking our visit
was almost over, to be told he had just acquired a new 2018 extension and the engineers had
requested a few trains to help bed it all in! After a slightly bemused pause your organiser observed
there were still two trains available in the station and plenty of BLS members left to weigh them down
(word of the impending very new track had spread, although some wondered what certain members
had been up to); so it was all aboard and off we went. In fact there was a very short train already on
circuit and a member from Banbury had a surprise when at 16.00 he swung right and found himself
the first ever passenger over a section of track that didn't exist when he had set off... Our party's trains
were the first to grice the new line! Probably a BLS first helping to complete, then do, an extension!
https://goo.gl/yh7jUN is a video of one of the first trains taking the extension (Simon Mortimer).

Then it was over to the Clubhouse for excellent and much welcome homemade cakes with hot drinks,
a great finale to a splendid day which had been remarkably warm and sunny throughout.

BELOW: A Planet battery loco provided a shuttle between the sidings either end of Lower Wherwel,
to the left is the railway's leaf brusher (is it a Brush Type 4 by any chance?).

ABOVE: Form an orderly queue (never otherwise)! Participants await a shuttle in and out of the
carriage shed. Meanwhile, elsewhere, others were busy shoveling tamping and levelling ballast...
BELOW: The elevated railway (Andover MES). NEXT PAGE: Two pictures of the elevated railway.





PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: Track panel drilling and connecting. The railway must have an excellent quantity
surveyor as the ballast in the dumper truck was exactly the right amount to complete the extension.
Note participants in short sleeves in the background, it was that warm. PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: The
last hole is being drilled and the initial ballasting is almost complete. Far right Peter Deacon is building
up his strength and gathering his thoughts to write this report. ABOVE: Ruston on the VERY recently
completed extension; note that the dumper truck is now empty of ballast.

Details must be checked 1315 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

2422] Club 50 Railcard: Online or paper leaflet; Greater Anglia services (only); £20 for

12 months; 20% off Advance and Off-peak fares online or 10% off Off-peak fares at stations.

Also Anytime fares (with normal validity) if no Off-Peak is available; otherwise valid after 10.00 SSuX,

all weekends and Public Holidays. As always it isn't that simple, valid on Stansted Express but only if

purchased at the Greater Anglia website or stations (not at the Stansted Express website!). Proof of

age with photo (such as passport or driving licence) must be carried. A Network (SE) Railcard with a

34% discount may be better depending on likely use but does not cover all Greater Anglia services.

2423] Never feel peaky again on Friday evenings: (BLN 1312.1828) After this summer's trial, Virgin
Trains has now permanently lifted their evening peak ticket restrictions on Fridays (like East Midlands
Trains at St Pancras). Loadings have been more even and the severe overcrowding, requiring queuing
and crowd control, previously just after 19.00 was mitigated. The 19.00 to Manchester went from
113% average loading to 51%, the 19.03 Birmingham 113% to 39% & 19.10 Holyhead 123% to 85%.
An additional 3,500 journeys were made each Friday with an increase in passenger satisfaction. Peak
restrictions are generally lifted on all Virgin Trains over Christmas and the New Year and the 05.00 and
05.24 from Wolverhampton (and intermediate stops to Rugby) to London are 'Off-Peak' all year long.

2424] Track Plans of Minor Railways - Vol 4 (3rd Edition): The definitive publication by Peter Scott.
This fully revised and updated new edition is now available featuring railways in the Isle of Man,
Channel Islands, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All the original plans have been redrawn to a much
higher and uniform standard. 95 railways, A5 size, comb bound with plastic covers matching other
recent such publications. £9 including P&P. To order a copy, either email our Minor Railways Editor
[email protected] with your full address; payment can be made by Bank Transfer
or send a cheque payee 'P. Scott', to 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Rd, Reading, RG30 2DQ.

2425] Budget Rail Tickets: Following the previous trial, on 29 October the Chancellor or the Exchequer
announced that a 'railcard' for 26 to 30 year olds would be available across the whole network by the end
of the year giving 34% discounts, with no limit on the numbers sold. £12 minimum fare 04.30-10.00 SSuX
excluding Advance Fares. This minimum does not apply on Public Holidays or throughout July and August.
It is estimated that 4.4M people will benefit. £30 per year but, subject to confirmation, a three year version
is expected (£70) which can be bought up to the day before the 31st birthday. It is understood that it will
only be available as an electronic app and anyone with a flat battery will be 'recharged' for their journey!

2426] Through train to the Weardale Railway, Sat 11 May: UK Railtours, King's Cross 08.20/22.05, last pick
up Peterborough 09.35/20.45 to Shildon (2 hours at 'Locomotion'- free admission) then through to Bishop
Auckland West and Stanhope (break). From £89.50 Adult https://goo.gl/P51qxk 01438 715050.

● *NEW* Bookings Officer:; Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL.
Messages (Voice or Text) can be left on 07983 541887 [email protected] If you
have Mark's landline number please do NOT use it to make any bookings enquiries - thank you.

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

● *NEW* Website Officer:; Phil Wieland [email protected]

● *NEW* Committee Member:; Darren Garnon [email protected]

● *NEW* Committee Member:; Mark Haggas [email protected]

●Fixtures Sec: Kev Adlam 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor.
●Electronic Messages (to submit short notice items/data)/E-BLN or BLN problems: Nick Garnham [email protected]
●Electronic Messages (to sign up) BLS members: https://goo.gl/JqT61k Non-BLS members: https://goo.gl/uCErpL
●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

BELOW: (BLN 1316.2299) Ayr looking south, EMUs cannot reach Townhead Depot. (Greg Beecroft 8 Nov 2018.)