1342

Work started in 1844 on a line from Newquay Harbour to East Wheal Rose, an important lead mine a
short distance southeast of the village of St Newlyn East, 4 miles south of Newquay. Work was also in
progress in connecting to St Dennis and Hendra, about 10 miles east of Newquay, and destined to be
on the line to Molinnis. Treffry intended to connect the two sections of tramway, forming the coast to
coast system he had conceived, but ill health and the depressed state of the market for the minerals
delayed his plans and he died age 68 in Jan 1850 before further progress was made. However, his
tramways went on to become a substantial part of the Cornwall Minerals Railway and much of the
trackbed of the 1896 Great Western Railway Par to Newquay branch follows Treffry Tramways.

4129] Bristol Portway Park & Ride: (BLN 1327.1347) Perhaps inevitably, with development the cost of
the new single platform station at the existing bus Park & Ride has risen to around £3.5M - about £1M
above budgeted levels. Track drainage, lighting, walkways and an extra passenger waiting shelter are
cited as the main reasons. The platform will also now be longer for future train strengthening on the
Severn Beach branch (which was listed for closure in the 1963 Beeching report). The station at 8m 7ch,
about 460yd northwest of Shirehampton station towards Avonmouth, is now expected to open in Dec
2020 - this comes with a warning that it was originally due to open in 2013! Hopefully it will not be
'Bristol Portway' or passengers wanting 'Bristol Parkway' may end up there by mistake (or vice versa).

1342 WEST MIDLANDS (Brian Schindler) [email protected]
4130] Norton Bridge (1837-2004/2017/2019 RIP): (BLN 1330.1488) The first Norton Bridge station
opened to passengers on 4 Jul 1837 then it was resited about 300yd south from 14 Oct 1876 to its
present location. The last passenger train called on Sat 22 May 2004. Stopping services ceased to allow

the West Coast Route Modernisation project. The
station footbridge was in the way, inconveniently,
so like Pilning more recently, Norton Bridge
became bridge-less and it was not replaced.

Eventually the station was 'officially' closed from
10 Dec 2017 but the Stafford to Stone local rail
replacement bus service (on which rail tickets
were valid) continued, serving the abandoned
Norton Bridge station until Sat 30 Mar 2019. Like
the trains, there were no Sunday services. On its
penultimate day a correspondent made a trip.
Norton Bridge documented 4,793 passengers in
2002/2003, the last full year of rail services, 2,080
in 2004/2005, then 585 the following year and
341 in 2006/2007. All the subsequent figures have
been a closely guarded state secret!
At one time there was a regular 'all stations' (literally) hourly EMU service between Birmingham New
Street and Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke, but latterly only an irregular infrequent local train service
between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford until May 2004. A rail replacement bus service was introduced
between Stafford and Stone via Norton Bridge shown in the rail timetable and journey planners. Rail
tickets continued to be available and accepted on the buses which also served other bus stops along
the route. A similar service still continues between Stoke, Stone and Stafford to serve Barlaston and
Wedgwood (bus stops rather than the actual stations) which also lost their train services in 2004.

Funding for the Norton Bridge buses came indirectly from the DfT as the franchise holder at that time,
London Midland, had included the cost of the bus in its successful bid. With the new West Midlands
franchise from Oct 2017, the DfT decided to finally bring what was supposed to be a 'temporary'
arrangement to an end and issued a consultation in late 2016 to formally close Norton Bridge, even
though trains hadn't called for twelve years. Our member comments: If there is anything that sums up
our dysfunctional non-integrated transport system in this country perhaps that is it!

The formal closure was enacted from the 10 Dec 2017 timetable change but the bus service was given
a further stay of execution with continued part DfT funding through the new franchise until the end of
Mar 2019, giving Staffordshire County Council time to review other bus service levels in the area.

Sadly D&G Bus service '13' ended after running on Sat 30 Mar 2019 and the 600 residents of Norton
Bridge, who had lost their irregular trains in 2004, then lost their only bus service. Our correspondent
arrived in Stafford over an hour before the 12.35 departure was due to leave for Norton Bridge and
Stone (earlier bus departures were at 08.35 and 10.35 with later ones at 15.05, 16.15 and 17.15).

It enabled him to see the bus arriving from Stone from its previous journey at 11.33, before the driver
took just over an hour's break. It wasn't a particularly arduous schedule having half an hour running
time end to end. There was absolutely no information about the route, its times or even its existence
anywhere in Stafford station or outside on the bus shelters. He was pleasantly surprised to see three
passengers boarding the bus for the trip to Stone although they were regulars who travel into Stafford
for shopping. One lady alighted in Great Bridgeford (a village on the route just north of Stafford) which
continues to be served by another D&G Bus service, Route 14, ironically also serving Wedgwood and
Barlaston which also lost their stations in the West Coast Route Modernisation project. You can still
buy rail tickets to either from any station and use them on the bus (a Barlaston to Wedgwood single is
just £1.90; Railcard £1.25). One passenger continued on the bus towards Stone and the third alighted
with our correspondent in Norton Bridge village. The bus stop was right opposite the former station
entrance. It was a sad day when the footbridge was taken down and platform access was lost for good.

A 'Helpful Information' poster was still displayed at the entrance to the station forecourt. Norton
Bridge station was alive and well; except no ticket office, no ticket machine and sadly no step free
access. Oh, and no access to the crumbling remaining island platform and … no trains either! Not only
that but the new franchisee, LNwR, had taken the trouble to reprint the poster in their own corporate
house style and someone had been to Norton Bridge to display it, yet the adjacent bus shelter had no
information at all about the bus replacement service. Nothing! Saddened, he headed back to Stafford.

4131] Worcestershire Parkway: (BLN 1339.1334) (1) Opening of the new station is delayed until 2020
due to electrical work needing completion and commissioning issues. The official statement: We are
nearing the conclusion of the standard rigorous rail industry Entry into Service process where all the
new equipment and facilities are tested and commissioned. This process is complex involving a wide
range of stakeholders and it has not been possible to achieve the final sign-off for the station to
become operational until early in the New Year. (Sounds a bit like a repeat of the Kenilworth saga).

Previously the new timetable looked very promising for opening as the station was live in the system
with tickets on sale from 15 Dec onward long before Warrington West and Robroyston which did
open. It also appears in the paper printed timetables. Presumably refunds are available! [With online
ticket purchasing, is this the first modern occasion tickets exist from an as yet unopened station?]

(2): In the new timetable the North Cotswold line has its best ever service, hourly and also accelerated
Paddington - Worcester trains all day every day (and more to Malvern). SSuX the 22.50 to Oxford will
be extended to Worcestershire Parkway arriving 01.07 (when it opens - meanwhile it's Evesham). It is
then ECS direct to Worcester Shrub Hill Hereford Sidings to stable (which normally requires a shunt
from Shrub Hill platforms - the junction faces London) as the station itself is locked up by then!

4132] Ironbridge: (BLN 1340.2849) The distinctive four pink cooling towers at the power station were
blown up simultaneously at 11.00 on Fri 6 Dec. This was a successful high precision job, due to the lack
of space, which cost £10M. The power station was built, including on part of the Severn Valley Railway,
in the early 1960s (with objections from the locals). Red pigment was added to the concrete for the
cooling towers so that they would blend in with the local Shropshire sandstone soil colour. Latterly
some locals have campaigned to save them. Maybe some cooling towers should be listed, before they
become extinct - after all, Birmingham New Street Power Box is listed so anything is possible.

4133] West Midlands Metro: (BLN 1341.2986) (1): A member notes that the first tram of the day at
04.30 is even earlier than LUL's first advertised departure anywhere on its network - the 04.37 SuX
Hammersmith via King's Cross to Aldgate! (2): On Wed 10 Dec just after 13.00 there were serious
overhead line problems near Bradley Lane. Services ran between Grand Central and Wednesbury
Parkway only turning back in P2 (the normal platform for Wolverhampton). The exceptionally rare
Birmingham end trailing crossover was then used in service for trams to return including all Thursday.

It is exceptionally rare as previously it was understood that it had never been commissioned since
installation for the line opening on 30 May 1999 (unless anyone knows otherwise). Thanks to a posting
on 'Gensheet' quite a few of our members were able to go and do it - are any able to advise please if it
was a signalled move or were the points moved manually by lever/point iron with hand signals in use?

Some trams even turned back in Wednesbury Parkway P3 - far left on arrival, two rare connections on
return to Grand Central! Several normally go into service in the Birmingham direction out of
Wednesbury Depot but it is understood that they use the Wolverhampton end facing crossover ECS at
Wednesbury Parkway then reverse to call at P1. This crossover can be done in the other direction, on
short workings from Wolverhampton terminating in P3, then ECS into the depot coming out of service.

(3): There was another big surprise on Thur 11 Dec when at 11.00 the extension to Town Hall and
Library suddenly opened to the public without warning - although Sun 8 Dec had been widely tipped
as the opening day this was never suggested or advertised by West Midlands Metro. This delighted
members in the area for the crossover who were able to do it - including both Library platforms and
the scissors crossover quite easily. During the previous testing period in the peaks, some trams from
Wolverhampton still turned back in Grand Central using the trailing crossover on departure instead of
doing the extension. This was a wise 'move' as the trams concerned were not yet fitted with batteries!
Due to the General Election it was decided to defer an official opening ceremony until the New Year.

(4): Intrigued by 'Gensheet' reports of a rare crossover in use due to OHL damage west of Wednesbury
Parkway, and wanting to WALK the Library extension in Birmingham as well as Christmas shopping in
the City a member found himself on a CrossCity Train. Near Shustoke he just happened to check his
phone and thanks to further 'Gensheet' updates it seemed that the Metro Extension had opened a few
hours earlier! Sure enough a couple of officials were lurking by the Grand Central stop, now labelled
'Platform 1' and soon Tram 25 drew in and almost everyone alighted, it was announced as going to the
Library and set off with three or four passengers and two conductors. It paused at Town Hall and then
used the facing Library scissors crossover to the right hand (on arrival) platform. It then ran through to
Wednesbury Parkway where passengers were already waiting on the Wolverhampton direction P2 for
it - so the crossover was certain. The line beyond was blocked by engineering teams working on the
damaged overhead. The friendly Conductors then announced the tram on the left (that was in P3, the
depot loop side) would be out next at which 'point' your correspondent leapt aboard - two crossovers
and a rare platform! The surprises weren't over as arriving back at Library both platforms were being
used and, of course, the scissors crossovers which seemed to be the normal with a 6 or 8 min service.
So a very low key opening during the Wednesbury Parkway to Wolverhampton temporary closure.

4134] Blackwell Down Goods Loop is down: (BLN 1310.1679) Situated at the top of the Lickey Incline
where unfitted trains (that's without continuous brakes to our youthful members) used to stop to have
handbrakes pinned down, this is out of use again. At midday on 12 Nov a crack was discovered in the
trailing Bromsgrove end points, the 20mph Temporary Speed Restriction on the points was reduced to
a 5mph Emergency Speed Restriction - the pointwork has been plain lined pending replacement.

NEXT PAGE TOP: The new West Midlands Metro Library stop on the first day of public services.
The temporary (for a year or two) end of line is behind the photographer, looking towards Town Hall -
which is the small looking building middle, far right. (All Tom Gilby, unless specified, Thur 11 Dec 2019.)

BELOW: To be continued… The end of the line at Library looking towards Five Ways the 'STOP' sign is
very good advice as the track currently ends the other side of that temporary fencing.



ABOVE: Cutting edge technology, Library scissors crossover; the tram from Wolverhampton shows
'Birmingham' as its destination, but this is technically wrong; it has been leaving the city! (Phil Dooley.)
BELOW: Library scissors crossover is on 'borrowed' time (well a year or two of regular use). The tram
has the correct destination; our photographer waited for the other one to complete the crossover.

ABOVE: At Wednesbury Parkway stop, also on 11 Dec, looking towards Birmingham. The tram on the
left has arrived from Birmingham in the normal Wolverhampton P2. The tram on the right is about to
depart for Birmingham from P3 over a rare then a very rare crossover - straight on (right) is the depot.

1342 IRELAND (Martin Baumann) [email protected]
4135] New NIR Timetable: (BLN 1341.3000) This began on Sun 8 Dec and runs until Sat 5 Dec 2020.
Carrickfergus did not lose a starter and terminator but in fact gained a starter (07.20 SSuX to Great
Victoria Street), which arrives ECS from Belfast. The main changes to our BLS Ireland Microgricing
guide (latest version with e-BLN 1342) are new entries for Belfast Lanyon Place/Central and Lisburn.

Bangor P1 has more booked use: SSuX 06.57, 07.51, 18.55 & 19.25; SO 07.55 & 08.25. Arrivals: SSuX
06.50, 18.15 & 18.35 ex-Belfast Lanyon Place/Central, 19.50 ex-Newry and SO 20.15 ex-Portadown.
At the new Londonderry station, the use of P2 by all Sunday services ended with the new timetable.
It is now booked for 06.42 SO/07.35 SSuX departures & the 20.10 (SuX) from Great Victoria Street.

4136] Londonderry: Demolition of the 1980 station (last train 8 Oct 2019) commenced on 5 Dec and
was complete by the afternoon of the 7 Dec. The old station site is to be used for a new car park.

4137] Lisburn West: (BLN 1340.2854) NIR advises that the new station will be at 103m 48ch (the
previous Knockmore station was at 104m 9ch). Construction is due to start by Sep 2022 for completion
by Mar 2024 but funding has not been secured and so the project is currently on hold.

4138] Kilrea: Some members may have seen contradictory information in the IRRS Journal concerning
the last train in 1959. Thanks to Richard Maund it is confirmed that this ran from Cookstown Junction
(3¼ miles northwest of Antrim on the line to Ballymena) on 30 Sep 1959, with official closure the next
day. The line ran west from the junction just north of Lough Neagh, turning north after Magherafelt
joining the former Derry Central Railway (DCR) to Kilrea.

The final passenger train was an IRRS railtour
from Belfast which ran 26 Sep 1959 with UTA
diesel Railcar '4'. Regular passenger service
ended from 28 Aug 1950, with last trains on 26
Aug 1950. These dates saw the last train and
complete closure of the DCR continuation north
from Kilrea to Macfin (3¼ miles northwest of
Ballymoney) on the line now to Coleraine,
reached by the DCR and where services
terminated. Cookstown Jn - Macfin was 47
miles. LEFT: The Ulster Transport Authority
Railcar 4 at Magherafelt on the 26 Sep 1959
Irish Railway Record Society railtour.

4139] Irish Rail Infrastructure Funding: The
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane
Ross TD has signed a five-year Infrastructure Management Multi Annual Contract with Irish Rail (IR), to
ensure sustainable funding of heavy rail infrastructure from 2020 to 2024. The contract follows
restoration of steady state funding for IR infrastructure in 2019, after the economic crisis, two years
ahead of target under the National Development Plan. Under the contract, IR Infrastructure will
receive €199.7M in exchequer funding in 2020 for maintenance and renewal of infrastructure.
Inflation (depending on how it is measured) is provided for over the life of the contract, achieving
'steady state' funding levels.

The contract details performance indicators ensuring safe maintenance of, and renewal programmes
for, rail infrastructure assets and ensures value for money. These exchequer funds are supplemented
by €89.6M (2020) from track and station access charges payable by the Railway Undertaking.

The Irish Rail network has about 2,400km (1,500 miles) of operational track, 4,440 bridges, 1,100 point
ends, 970 level crossings, 144 stations, over 3,300 cuttings and embankments, 372 platforms and
13 tunnels. The Commission for Railway Regulation, an independent body, will monitor the contracted
performance obligations quarterly and annually. There has been a successful programme to close level
crossings over the years. Quail Book 6 reports that there were 2,640 on Irish Rail in Feb 2004. Of these,
880 (33%) had been closed by then and another 108 were out of use; 1,133 (43%) were user-worked
Field Accommodation Crossings. In Feb 2004 there were 23 Automatic Half Barrier level crossings and
22 were CCTV controlled. 249 were unattended user-worked with iron gates and 152 were the white
wooden gate type - normally left open to road traffic and generally attended by railway staff.

4140] Donegal Railway Heritage Centre: As part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of
closure, a short length of temporary track was laid at Mullanboy Halt on Tue 3 Dec on which a
lightweight 4-person Wickham trolley was run between 14.00 and 15.00. The event was poorly
publicised (and why a weekday?). It was open to the public and http://bit.ly/2E8IF2q (the Facebook
clip) shows them riding on track that looks more permanent than temporary - roughly double the
length of the platform. The intact Mullanboy Halt was 7¼ miles from Donegal Town on the Killybegs
(19 miles) branch. The line closed to all traffic from Fri 1 Jan 1960, last train Thur 31 Dec 1959.

4141] M3 Parkway: The station building has been permanently closed to the public; seemingly from
2 Dec. Irish Rail has confirmed that it is being converted for Permanent Way Department use. This has
prompted many complaints about the resulting lack of shelter and there is only one road/rail track
machine based there. When originally opened on 3 Sep 2010, the parkway station was said to be an
important interchange for onward bus connections - however there are no buses now.

4142] Antrim - Lisburn: A now rare use of the line, on Tue 17 Dec the Northern Ireland Railway
Multipurpose Vehicle was to run from Antrim to MP 0m 75ch (the Lisburn end) and return to Antrim.

X.173] ABOVE: Wed 18 Dec; 314202+314205 on the ScotRail Class 314 farewell tour at Helensburgh
Central P2 buffer stops before the final run back to Glasgow. BELOW: Earlier in the day at Carstairs.
It is reported that the final regular passenger workings were on the Paisley Canal line on Sat 14 Dec
2019, concluding with 314210 on the 17.05 from Paisley and 314216 on the 17.35. (Greg Beecroft.)

1342 SCOTLAND (Mike McCabe) [email protected]

4143] Glasgow Central: (TRACKmaps 1 p7R Nov 2017) The 07.41 (SSuX) from Edinburgh via Shotts is
2 x Class 380 EMUs and scheduled to use Glasgow Central P1. The train then divides there to form the
09.17 return to Edinburgh and the 09.32 to Ayr. It is most unusual for an Ayr train to depart from P1
and there is only one route available, crossing the entire layout and requiring use of the connection
from Line 4 across to the Down Ayr at Salkeld Street. Trains via Paisley almost always depart from the
high numbered platforms furthest from the main concourse. On occasions when a member has been
on through trains between Ayr and Edinburgh they have used the middle platforms at Glasgow
Central, where there is access to both the main and Ayrshire lines immediately outside the station.

4144] 14.50 Ayr to Edinburgh: SuX there are 5 Ayr to Edinburgh trains, with 5 the opposite way SSuX
and 6 SO but none either way on Sundays. From the timetable change, approaching Glasgow Central,
the 14.50 SSuX from Ayr is shown in RTT to use Line 6 (instead of the usual Line 8) from Bridge Street
Jn then to P5. At Motherwell SSuX it calls at P1 (rather than the usual P4), is routed via Wishaw to Law
Jn and then Carstairs Up Passenger Loop (16.21½ to 16.34½), for the 16.00 Glasgow to Euston to pass.

SO the 14.50 from Ayr is booked via the normal Line 8 at Bridge Street Jn to Glasgow Central P6 then
Motherwell P4. Next it runs north via the Mossend South Jn to East Jn curve (so the 16.00 Glasgow to
Euston can pass), then south to Wishaw (but not via Carstairs Up Passenger Loop). Carstairs departure
time is the same both routes. Note it does not stop at Paisley; the last stop to Glasgow is Kilwinning.

4145] Haymarket: From 25-29 Dec, four sets of points and over 250m of track are being relaid at
Haymarket East Jn which is used by up to 30 trains an hour. There are no trains anyway on 25 & 26
Dec (Strathclyde does have Boxing Day trains). On 27 & 28 Dec, trains will be unable to pass through
Haymarket although some terminate at/start from, bay P0 from/to the Aberdeen and Inverness lines.

Other interesting sections of track which should be available include Thornton Down Passenger Loop,
and extra use of Perth P6. LNER trains to/from destinations north of Edinburgh and Avanti West Coast
trains to/from Edinburgh are diverted via the Edinburgh Suburban Line. LNER trains run Portobello Jn
- Craiglockhart Jn - Haymarket West Jn and Avanti via Portobello Jn - Craiglockhart Jn - Slateford Jn as
does the Edinburgh portion of the Caledonian Sleeper. The Inverness/Fort William/Aberdeen train is
not running. West Calder crossover is in use for trains from Glasgow turning back in P2 on departure.

A most interesting feature is the Fife Circle; services from/to Perth/Arbroath/Dundee are shown to
start from/terminate at Dalgety Bay with buses to/from Edinburgh. What they actually do is continue
round the Fire Circle, clockwise or anticlockwise, barely pausing for breath at Dalgety Bay, so
Inverkeithing East - West Jn has passenger trains all day in both directions. Turnbacks at Inverkeithing,
Lockerbie, Linlithgow and Bathgate are ECS; it will be interesting to see how turnbacks at Edinburgh
Park work. Replacement buses fill the gaps - if you particularly like these then Carlisle to Edinburgh is
recommended (TPE services) taking 2h 40min. Normal services should resume at 10.00 on Sun 29 Dec.

4146] Dunbar: (BLN 1325.753) The orange army was finishing work on the lights and signs on new P2
recently. It did open, as planned, on Sun 15 Dec with the new timetable. At Dunbar East the facing
crossover (29m 49ch) from the Down Berwick to Up P1 has become rare. SuX there are some trains
from the west that turn back in P1 so do the Dunbar West trailing crossover (28m 31ch) on departure.

The new platform includes: Customer Information Systems, CCTV and telecommunications. Step
free access via a new footbridge with stairs and lifts. Platform furniture, waiting shelter and seating.
New despatch equipment, Double sided Off/RA Indicators.· Car stop markers for CrossCountry &
LNER Train Operators. (Dunbar, with 460,000 passengers in 2017-18, is also served by ScotRail).

4147] Montrose: NR and contractor Taziker have been awarded a National Railway Heritage award for
their refurbishment of the single track South Esk Viaduct (30m 02ch to 30m 23ch) south of Montrose.

4148] Gleneagles Hotel Branch: (BLN 1341.2913) This standard gauge freight branch, about 1¼ miles,
was used for supplies to the Hotel, mainly coal. A daily pick up freight came from Stirling, powered by
an old 63D/65J 'Jumbo' such as 57246, 57261 or 57339. Later a member saw '46403' from England, on
the job. ABOVE: A 1:10,560 map with the branch; Gleneagles station is off bottom right and the line to
Comrie (off top right) is shown. In the 'V' of the 'Y' road junction note the milestone 'MS (Defaced)'.

4149] Motherwell: The Signalling Centre closes from Fri 27 Dec with re-control of remaining Panel 6 to
the new 'Carstairs Workstation' at the West of Scotland Signalling Centre (WSCC), Springburn. Signals
will have the prefix 'GMC'. Ground Switch Panels at Symington, Abington North, Abington South,
Beattock Summit, Beattock North, Wamphray, Lockerbie North, Lockerbie South and Kirtlebridge will
be abolished and have their telephones removed. Control of these crossovers will be by the Carstairs
Workstation Signaller and they will be renamed 'Emergency Crossovers'. The lines affected by this are:

(1): The West Coast Main Line from the interface with Carlisle Power Signal Box (12m 30ch north of
Carlisle station) which is north of Quintinshill Loops to 75m 50ch (south of Lanark Jn). (2): WCML
between Carstairs South Jn (73m 17ch) and 79m 35ch - the interface with Edinburgh Signalling centre
on the Edinburgh line. (3) Between Carstairs Station Jn (73m 37ch) and Carstairs East Jn (74m 10ch).

The Carstairs area is being transferred to WSCC with its existing layout. Later remodelling is expected
to allow higher speeds on the main line and the curves onto the Edinburgh line. The Through Siding
will be upgraded for passenger trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh not stopping at Carstairs.

4150] Counted Places (not the Forth Bridge or Severn Tunnel): ScotRail seat reservations will not be
available from 15 Dec between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Aberdeen/Inverness & Aberdeen - Inverness.
This is because three different types of trains are now used with incompatible seating plans. Instead
passengers receive a 'counted place booking' for a specific service rather than an actual seat number
as before. Transport Focus and the RMT both think this will be a disaster leading to a mad scramble for
seats, like the Good Old Days on railtours. However, it is not uncommon for Advance Tickets to be
available for specific trains without specific seats, particularly connecting services. At the opposite
extreme TPE used to reserve seats between Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road (and may still?).

4151] Aberdeen 'misazzumption': Azuma 800104 has a tartan design, representing the ECML, and
'Celebrating Scotland' on the side but they do not all carry this! [There is Leeds, Lincoln etc too…]

4152] Azuming to Inverness: The last LNER HST departure was 07.55 on 9 Dec. The evening arrival and
subsequent services were scheduled to be Azumas. The last timetabled LNER HSTs ran on Sun 15 Dec.

4153] Inverness: There is an 'EIIR' wall post box at the station entrance. The siding behind P1 has been
shortened and now extends only a couple of coach lengths past the platform (Perth) end towards the
old buffer stops per TRACKmaps Nov 2017. Of course it has a new buffer stop. Some old track remains.
There are two separate gate lines, one to P1 &2, the other for the higher numbered platforms. A pub
outside (to the right on exiting) is called 'Platform 8'; the sign features Highland Railway loco No103.

4154] Kingussie: There is an unusual 'EVIIR' wall post box on P1 (northbound but bidirectional) but the
last collection is 09.00. A sign advises that 'nearby' Grantown-on- Spey has a 5.30pm collection; it is
only 24 miles away! P2 is only normally used by the 09.39 (SuX) & 13.37 (SuO) to Glasgow.

4155] Fort William: Two of the remaining buildings at Tom-na-Faire Depot here have gone. The rail
connected 'Loco Shed' (Road 18) has been demolished and replaced with a fenced compound. The
roof was blown off in a storm about six years ago and never replaced, however its inspection pit was
still used for loco inspections. The new fenced compound includes the track and inspection pit so
presumably it remains in use. Secondly the double road shed (end of Road 15 & 16) is also being
demolished. It is not shown on newer TRACKmaps but is on Quail 1 P8c May 1987. This did have a roof
but had been in non rail use for many years (Road 15 terminated at buffers before the shed doors).

It is believed that the changes have been driven by DB Cargo giving up its ownership/lease on the yard,
though this is by no means certain. Local road haulier Fergussons also has some stake, probably using
the double shed for storage. It would be interesting to know the exact arrangements as there have
been some disputes over the years. An example is when the Ground Frame connection to the Alumina
factory failed and a (non-DBC) freight train had to be put quickly into the DBC yard to clear the main
line. The (ex- Marylebone) turntable (Road 9) is or was alleged to be owned by West Coast Railways
and again there have been some disputes over its use by other companies. It is also rumoured that
Roads 5-8 (long-disused and well covered with trees) are to be lifted or at least disconnected.

BELOW: Looking towards Fort William, from right to left is the Down Mallaig line then Up Mallaig and
Roads 1-4 in the yard. Dead end Roads 5 & 6 can be glimpsed on the far left distance in the trees.

ABOVE: Close up of dead end Roads 5 & 6, left (7 behind) with 4, 3 & 2 towards the bottom right.
BELOW: A train leaving Fort William for Mallaig passes the sidings and remains of the depot building.

ABOVE: Close up of the demolished building, Road 18 to the former shed is the nearest one.
BELOW: Dead end Roads 18 (nearest) across to 10 - not all can be seen, the furthest of all across is the
West Highland Extension itself, Mallaig is to the right and Fort William is to the left. (All Nick Jones.)

ABOVE: Road 18 and site of the former loco shed showing the inspection pit and surrounding fencing.

4156] Blackford: (BLN 1305.1107) NR proposes a footbridge to replace the crossing at Panholes as it
would not be safe for pedestrians when the [Perth] line has been upgraded and electrified for quieter
and faster accelerating trains. Well, it is Scotland. Outdoor groups Ramblers Scotland, Perth & Kinross
Outdoor Access Forum and ScotWays, of course, objected to the closure, arguing that the bridge does
not comply with equality legislation. The Scottish Government ruled the footpath needs to be closed.
NR commented that the footpaths and land around the crossing have never been accessible to all.

This is of particular interest because of the reference to the (Perth) line being upgraded and electrified.
In former times British Rail (BR) managed to deal with ramblers' objections to closure of foot crossings.
There was a foot crossing over the ECML between Brookmans Park and Welham Green that BR
wished to close, given the increased frequency and speed of trains due to suburban electrification and
HSTs. In practice the crossing was defunct, with no boards, so it was assumed that closure would be a
legal formality, especially as there was a road bridge nearby. However, ramblers objected, claiming
that the crossing was well-used. The BR response was 'we did not realise that, we had better put up
new whistle boards'. It didn't take more than a week or two of train horns being sounded every few
minutes all day for the locals to be clamouring for the Council to grant the order to close the crossing.

41342 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]
4157] Chepstow: From 27 Dec until 1 Jan inclusive, due to engineering works, CrossCountry services
from the Gloucester direction turnback in Down P1 and use the trailing crossover on return. TfW
services are replaced by buses between Cheltenham Spa and Bridgend (that is 2hr 40min all stations).

4158] Cardiff Central: (BLN 1341.3024) Another blockade is scheduled 23.00 Tues 29 Dec 2020 until
05.00 Mon 4 Jan 2021 for S&C renewal west of the station. During this period: ¶only P0-2 will be
available; ¶all platformed Down trains cross to Line 'D' at Cardiff West Jn; ¶no access Central - Queen
St; ¶Canton carriage washer route is blocked; the only depot access will be via Ninian Park or Leckwith
Ground Frame (reversing at Leckwith Loop North Jn) ¶no access to/from the Barry & City lines except
to/from Canton at Ninian Park. Buses replace all passenger services except the South Wales Main line.

4159] TfW cuts welcomed: Hopefully a much needed boost to TfW's sagging public image. On 2 Jan,
when UK rail fares increase by an average of 2.7%, fares for TfW services will instead reduce overall by
more than 1%. This is stated to be the result of a major fares revision delivered as part of the Welsh
Government's rail responsibilities that began in Oct 2018. It includes a 10% reduction to/from/within
'many' (not yet specified) North Wales routes. Most 'internal' Day Returns will also cost less; Advance
tickets will be available on the day of travel and for a wider range of journeys. Fares from/to 33 of the
Valley Lines stations most distant from Cardiff will be reduced generally, some by more than 10%.
Within defined areas of the TfW network, there will be new concessions or exemptions for
accompanied children and Annual Season Ticket holders as well as new Railcards for 18 year olds and
students. http://bit.ly/2LQvk32 has advance outline details, specifics are in online fare finders.

4160] Dec 2019 timetable: (BLN 1341.3015) Three substitute road services are to be provided by TfW
SSuX as mitigation for the Train Service Requirement (TSR) contravention from 16 Dec as follows:
①Shrewsbury 09.25, Gobowen 09.55*, Chirk 10.10*, Ruabon arr 10.30. ②Gobowen 09.15, Chirk
09.30, Ruabon 09.50, Wrexham General 10.10, Chester arr 10.40. ③Shrewsbury 15.30, Church
Stretton 16.05, Craven Arms 16.30, Ludlow arr 16.05. The Chair of the Chester - Shrewsbury Rail
Partnership has said that this action is: Clearly outside Transport for Wales franchise commitment and
agreement on devolution. It also calls into question the franchised system of the railways and if we
should renationalise the Railways to deliver the aspirations of the public - a political point which
ignores the fact that Welsh Government involvement actually created this problem! [*Set Down only.]
No bus service is provided to fill the 2-hour gap (SX) south of Chester between 13.38 and 15.38.

TfW Rail Services (KeolisAmey) as operator now claims that pressure of workload and the industry
timetable planning deadlines prevented it producing a TSR-compliant timetable on this occasion.

In reply, the DfT has recognised that this is not a satisfactory outcome for passengers affected, and
states it will be working with TfW and their operator to ensure that any such similar issues in future
are raised in enough time for choices to be made by the franchising authorities. Yet again advance
publicity for the road services is limited. They do not (yet) feature in NR's journey planner (so not on
those of individual TOCs) nor published timetables. However TfW has produced a poster (with e-BLN)
to display at affected stations and (thanks to the user groups) details have appeared in the local press
and on local radio. By Fri 13 Dec the poster had yet to appear although Gobowen did have leaflets (but
only available when the booking office is open) and homemade posters - it is privately run. That day,
on its last weekday run, the 09.25 ex-Shrewsbury (07.21 Cardiff to Holyhead) arrived lightly loaded at
Gobowen (quite a railhead now) where 25 boarded, there were 7 joining at Chirk and 20 at Ruabon.

4161] TfW rolling stock 'set backs': (BLNs 1341.3025 & 1336.2374) Test runs appear to have confirmed
the Wrexham - Bidston Rail Users Association assertion that Class 153 units cannot maintain the line's
timetable and Class 150s are to continue pending the delayed introduction of Class 230s. It is unknown
if this also applies to the other services originally (but no longer) to be operated by the Vivarail units
(Chester - Crewe shuttles and the Conwy Valley). Meanwhile NR's response to TfW's Vehicle Change
Proposal only allows Class 170s to operate to Maesteg, Ebbw Vale & (as CrossCountry) Cheltenham.

4162] Aberthaw 'B' Power Station: (BLN 1334.2110) The demise of the last coal fired power station in
Wales has been further accelerated; generation permanently ceased at 15.30⅓ on Fri 13 Dec. The
official closure date remains 31 Mar 2020 but its commitment to supply the National Grid is now to be
fulfilled by coal-fired West Burton 'A' and gas fired plants at Peterhead, Grimsby and Cowes instead.
It is understood that this decision is purely commercial as Aberthaw was not generating much latterly.

1342 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
MR233] Halesworth to Southwold Railway, Suffolk (BLN 1323.MR34): Track laying commenced at the
beginning of October at Halesworth, comprising seven panels of ballasted track. Apart from what was
laid on the bridge at Birds Folly in 2000 and recently relaid to the correct 3ft gauge by the Society, this
is the first track on the old route since the rails were lifted in 1941-42 after closure from12 Apr 1929.
http://bit.ly/2tzDA15 has a series of pictures and more information about the work.



[BLN 1342]

PREVIOUS PAGE: Garden & Woodland Railway. TOP: A train on the last day in the autumn sunshine.

LOWER: 'Robin Hood' is ready for its next turn during the lunch break. (BLN Reporter, 10 Nov 2019.)

MR234] Helston Railway, Cornwall (MR p6) (BLN 1340.2881): Work has started on digging out the
cutting adjacent to the car park in preparation for the new Prospidnick station, for which planning
permission was granted in 2016. The cutting will be wide enough to accommodate a run-round loop; it
was filled in during the 1970s to a depth of up to 12 feet. At the Truthall (south) end of the line - after
purchasing the next quarter mile of trackbed towards Helston earlier in the year, work has started on
the clearance of 60 years' worth of vegetation. It has also revealed many tonnes of material in the
cutting, which will need to be removed. 0-4-0ST 'William Murdoch' (Peckett 2100) which is owned by
Portsmouth City Museum (and originally working at Hilsea Gas Works) was, until recently, in the
custodianship of the Great Western Railway Preservation Group at Southall. In 2016 the Group leased
the loco to the Helston Railway on the understanding that they would undertake the 10 year overhaul.

After a brief steaming, the loco was stripped and the overhaul started. Unfortunately, the Southall
Group was recently forced to close down, but as a result Helston Railway is able to report that
negotiations to transfer custodianship of the loco to the Railway are in the final stages. To date the
overhaul has included refurbishing and painting the cab and saddle tank, manufacture of a new front
tube plate and smokebox and removal of a section of the outer firebox which was found to be badly
wasted. It is hoped to have the loco operational again by the middle of 2020.

MR235] Garden & Woodland Railway, Oxfordshire (BLN 1324.MR41 - picture in e-BLN) This PRIVATE
7¼" gauge railway is located in Thame and was the life work of its late owner Ted Martin, who died in
May 2010. It continued to operate, 'by invitation' open days with the support of Irene Martin and a
band of helpers. Sadly, Mrs Martin passed away in June 2018 and the open days ceased. However, it
ran for a final time on Sunday 10 November 2019 and your reporter gratefully received an invitation to
this nostalgic special event. There were two trains in operation, each formed of four sit-astride GWR
coaches. Motive power was a very extensive selection of scale mainline GWR, SR and BR types.

These double headed all trains and there were probably around at least eleven locomotives in steam.
There was a good turnout of people to pay their respects to the railway and a continuous service of
well loaded trains was in operation. Pleasing for this reporter, some track not covered on his previous
visits was in use, with trains doing a double circuit and the return loop. The railway is to be removed
and the whole site redeveloped, although it was stated the locomotives and equipment would be kept
together at a new location. A sad but celebratory occasion helped by glorious sunny weather.

MR236] Kirklees Light Railway, West Yorkshire (MR p25) (BLN 1334.MR158): The November issue of
'Railway Magazine' reports the opening of a ground level 7¼" gauge railway at Clayton West station,
replacing the previous elevated railway. This 3½/5" gauge line was acquired at the end of 2018 by the
Thornes Park Railway in Wakefield, not long after it ran especially on Friday 26 October 2018 for our
AGM weekend. There it will be re-erected allowing them to operate smaller scale locomotives owned
by a number of their members. The line was previously owned by the Barnsley Model Engineers
Society, which was forced to cease operations at Clayton West - some of their members have
transferred to the Wakefield Model Engineers, who operate the Thornes Park Railway.

MR237] Pleasure Beach Express, Lancashire (MR p19) (BLN 1243.MR175): There is a 7¼" gauge 'coin in
the slot' railway for younger riders adjacent to the 21" gauge Pleasure Beach Express main station in
Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Riders must be no taller than one metre (39.4"). The fare is £1.

NEXT TWO PAGES: Pleasure Beach Express, Blackpool. (Kev Adlam, who is too tall! - 6 Nov 2019.)





MR238] Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Lincolnshire (MR p8) (BLN 1331.1684 with plan): The railway has
been preparing to lay track south of Ludborough station (146m 24ch). Track materials and equipment
have been delivered for the first phase, south to Pear Tree Lane level crossing (145m 49ch). The new
delivery area at Pear Tree Lane has enabled lorries to reverse in off the road to unload; some reverse
all the way down to the end of the line, where work is being carried out. Ground works have taken
over a year, including drainage, culverts, surveying and levelling. Ballasting has been taking place and
rail has been sorted into matched pairs for length, height and head wear, ready to be moved into
position and installed as finished track. Sleepers have been placed ready as work progresses.

MR239] Nene Valley Railway, Cambridgeshire (MR p8): The railway is to build a 5" gauge miniature at
Wansford to take visitors from the children's play area to the engineering shed for the viewing gallery.

MR240] Poole Park Railway, Dorset (MR p15) (BLN 1330.MR108): Bournemouth Christchurch and
Poole Council has issued expression of interest documents for a contract for the Installation and
maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock with an estimated value of £105,500. The window for
applications ran from 15.30 on 14 November to 14.00 until 5 December. The estimated contract dates
run from 3 February 2020 until 4 August 2021. There is an extensive selection of associated
documents, but gauge is stated as 12¼", with a battery electric locomotive having a steam outline
appearance. http://bit.ly/2P8351E has (unless withdrawn) 44 different related documents!!

MR241] North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9): In November 2019 work began on
Bridge No27. It carries the line over the Eller Beck at Goathland station. The replacement 84-tonne
single span bridge is being constructed by Cleveland Bridge UK in Darlington, which can undertake a
trial assembly of the structure. This ensures a more efficient final installation when the components
are taken by road to Middlesbrough for onward transport by rail to Goathland in the New Year.

MR242] CairnGorm Mountain Railway, Highland (MR p32) (BLN 1334.2106): Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (HIE), which owns the railway and the wider Cairngorm Mountain Snowsports Centre, has
now released a July 2018 report. Engineers concluded the general condition of the structure was poor.
They said there were widespread minor deficiencies. The engineers stated: The structure's condition is
disappointing for its age, regardless of its environment. There are various defects appearing that
demonstrate an ongoing deterioration of the structure. A second report, also released by HIE,
confirmed that work is required to strengthen the railway's foundations, beams and piers. It said that
new sliding bearings better able to handle a heavier load and 'movement capacity' should be installed.

HIE released the documents under Freedom of Information rules and said that its intention would be
to repair the railway, estimated to cost £10M. The Scottish Government will be asked to make a
decision on the repairs. HIE, a public body, said it expected to have the business case for this work to
be ready to submit to the Government in December this year. Meanwhile, it has also announced it was
making preparations for public consultation on a new master plan for the Cairngorm Mountain resort.

1342 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
4163] How easy is it to run a train to Portsmouth? Type 3 to the Sea, Sat 10 Aug - Prologue Part 2:
(BLN 1341.3031) By Dan Hitchens. In autumn 2017, with our new BLS friends added to the mix, DRS,
and Virgin Trains (VT) had a conference call with Hovertravel based in Ryde about a 2018 summer
special train. The DRS team had changed from the one that ran VT's previous three charity tours with
most of the original team now at Crewe Locomotive Services Limited (LSL). However, DRS's Sam Dixon
very enthusiastically took up the reins and suggested options. Right, summer 2018 here we come.
SRPS stock to Preston, Class 88 to Kilburn Loop (reverse) with two '68s' to Havant; Class 88 to
Portsmouth and the '68s' back to Preston. 'The Pompey Cat'; we all agreed to go away and come back
by Dec with the train. Unfortunately, DRS could not confirm the Class 68s with the TPE contract then
still unconfirmed. Unofficially the '37s' had been planned to be withdrawn ASAP (this was reversed
later with some Class 37 contracts won in Cumbria and Anglia) but their Class 47s had already gone.
We ended up with only Class 57/3s and SPRS stock which was still a 'no' and not on the safety case.

I don't have a problem with Riviera stock but just wanted to run a train with Mk1s, if only once. Riviera
also had more commitments with their Mk1 rake and the stock hire price had changed considerably
since the Bournemouth Flyer, so it became apparent that 2018 summer was not going to happen.

Talking with Kev after the conference call and getting the train off my chest we approached the LSL
guys that we at VT had previously worked with. They agreed on paper that we could probably run a
Liverpool to Portsmouth train shared with DRS. The conference call happened with a group of people
that get on very well and combining what we have together to do something for the greater good.
47635 or 47/8 Crewe to Liverpool; '88/68' pair to Wembley, pan up on the '88'; '88/68' Wembley to
Portsmouth diesel; 47635 or 47/8 helping as needed to Eastleigh; '88/68' Portsmouth to Liverpool
and then 47635 or 47/8 Liverpool to Crewe. 'The Up Pompey' was born. For various business reasons,
despite good relations, this combination and joint working was not a runner in early 2018.

Could LSL go on their own just using their own locos? D213 had just joined the fleet early 2018, was it
ready? LSL then advised us they could not guarantee stock with the number of trains it had agreed to
run for Saphos. We knew that LSL were putting together a second rake, but it wouldn't be ready in
time. So reluctantly I put the Portsmouth train to bed. Here we have a MD of a company, head of 'Visit
Portsmouth' and on the board of 'Visit Isle of Wight' wanting to offer a great number of off train
options, with great PR and raising money for a charity, and I couldn't even get the train off the shed.

In the summer of 2018 many things changed personally for me and I felt that the Portsmouth train
would be lost. I knew the options we had could not just disappear, so I spoke to Mike Hoptroff at VT
who had been onboard from the start. I was going to give the train away to anyone that could run it.
We couldn't lose the choices we had been offered for a charity train benefitting from three years of
work. We had by then had Class 20, 37, 40, 47, 50, 68, 73 & 88s on the train at some point. Mike
agreed but VT and the Railway Magazine had some crazy idea in their heads about a Crewe open day
with LSL. I spoke to James Dobson and he also agreed about the Portsmouth train and little surprised
me when I found out he was behind this Open Day with every Freight Operator and as many Train
Operators as they could get together. I wished James well with his event and set out on my own.

I turned to Kev with three years of work and first refusal after the trust put into me and the time
already spent by Kev. My only condition was to look at it and if he couldn't run it let me pass it on to
someone else. I don't know what Kev thought, there was no stock, no date, no locomotives, no charity
but I did have hovercraft, tube trains, museums, history, ships and shopping complexes. You could see
Kev's cogs whirring but with so many trains on paper, in his mind or open for booking on the go, you
never know. How many '33s' do West Coast Railways (WCR) have? WCR stock? If not GBRF how much
for '50s'/'73s'? What would margins be for charity? SRPS stock? Kev still looked at me as if I was mad.

It was time to take Kev for a ride to Ryde. In Feb 2019 we went to the Hovertravel boardroom on the
IOW. I was welcomed back as I had been going for years and Kev left a little in awe after a 'winning'
new hovercraft, the enthusiasm of Neil, plus the view across the Solent from the board room. Within
minutes Kev looked at me: We are going to Portsmouth. I had my doubts not in Kev but in believing it
would ever happen. This would be my fifth attempt after the Up Pompey, Pompey Cat, Four to the
Shore, Solent Syphons/Vulcan Vectis. Kev had all of the options, locos, routes, stock and ideas.
We agreed in principle four hours in Portsmouth and a Crewe start - less risky than from further north.

Coming back from Portsmouth Kev made notes: WCR stock and question marks over the locos. I didn't
hear much for a little while as Kev had to speak to WCR about stock. By the 25 Mar 'Version 6' had a
proposed date of Sat 10 Aug. I spoke to James Dobson and between LSL and Crewe station they had
started to finalise their mass Crewe open day. With this moving forward for Sat 8 Jun, a BLS tour for
Rethink Mental Illness on the following day was investigated and so the 'Sunday Yicker' was conceived.

One morning shortly after, Mark Thomas a friend, BLS Member and fellow Three Peaks Challenge
catering crew member, mentioned that the train to Portsmouth for RNLI with Class 37s sounded
amazing and thanked me for what I had done‽ I checked my emails … nothing there … I saw Kev that

weekend and grinning he said that WCR had agreed and here was the spec for a '37' hauled train.
It was very close to the one I have had for years with a few changes for BLS track requirements. The
only change from Version 6 was 'Up Pompey' crossed out and replaced by 'Type Three To The Sea' and
the charity was now the RNLI. We had lost the '57' on the rear to a third '37' as it was in the summer.

'xx/xx/19' was the date, my heart did drop a little with no date, though 10/08/19 had been mentioned,
it was definitely not a public knowledge train yet, but progress. The email chatter picked up. Could we
have all three '37s' on the front on the way home? Could we run the back loco around at Fratton,
Guildford, Reading or Nuneaton? The next email chain again included Sat 10 Aug. Then a date I won't
forget reading, 3 May, when WCR would bid for the charter to NR. 'Save the date' was in the 9 May
BLN 1328 and slowly I started to believe. Bookings opened in BLN 1329 of 30 May with many options.

The three 37s on the front on Saturday could not be guaranteed so with a few questions to WCR it was
agreed that Sunday's Crewe to Lancaster ECS would be a Class 1 public train. The 'Tri County Triple
Tractor' was made public, crossing Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire; 100 participated.

Now the hard work starts, although I had one key job related to my employer. VT had promised me a
Class 390 nameplate and I was aware 'All Change at Crewe' (the open day) was having a nameplate
auction. I signed for and collected the name plate off 390043 within days; it then spent 16 weeks in my
study - but was safe. My head was full of all sorts. The Portsmouth job had taken up so much space in
my brain for so long, it needed a weekend off, so I worked the ticket barrier at 'All change Crewe' and
then we had 'The Sunday Yicker' for Rethink Mental illness next day. I visited Hoylake lifeboat station
to get photos of the launch of the Sharon Class boat and the Hovercraft ready for our tour brochure.

The Portsmouth train took over my life, Class 37s, mascots from VT, RNLI, Hovertravel, a Poppy wreath
in memory of those lost at sea. Kev always has weekly phone updates about forthcoming fixtures,
usually during one of his drives home. The work done on the Portsmouth train was outstanding, but
another train really had my heart for all of the right reason, but it was a date I had been struggling to
get off work and now fast approaching. With very limited time left, work agreed the leave and I found
myself on our Sat 20 Jul 'Luca Pezzulo Express'. What an amazing humbling train to work. Luca's train
had a huge amount of energy on it with groups of people working together to pull it off as well as for
the future ideas. Arrival at Lancaster with 37521 and £21k raised for Martin House Children's Hospice
meant that the Portsmouth train was next. We had a great train on paper and the ticket sales had
covered the cost to run it, but there were still some seats left, what else could we do as time was
limited. We tried for the last time that week to find options to have three 37s on the front from
Portsmouth which we gracefully gave up on; in the end a Class 97 was even considered.

Mon 5 Aug came which meant the week was underway and the train would run in a few days, each
day emails came from Mark Gomm about ticket sales - it was mad. Every day more bookings arrived
and we ended up selling seats until late on the Friday night with the ECS already in the Crewe Refuge
Siding. With brochures, maps, tickets, window decals, raffle flyers and passenger manifests printed the
week was spent sorting out operational matters. WCR were brilliant in confirming stock changes and
allowing us to swap the RMB back into the rake to give the catering staff onboard a better service area
instead of just having the kitchen. The fleet team also made 37518 fit for a test run so we could have
the three locos as requested. When we had first planned the train WCR didn't need two Class 37s at
Fort William as well as one at Bo'ness - the latter to help with cover for an SRPS tour to Tweedbank.
The brilliant work done by the Carnforth team that week preparing the locos will not be forgotten, this
push with 37518 it gave us the weekend we wanted. 'Thank you' doesn't nearly cover it enough.

As usual some of the stewards went up to Carnforth on the Friday to prep the train. On the railway we

always talk about travelling light I only had safety gear, a special headboard, the Class 390 nameplate,

100 pint glasses, 32 pints of beer, kit bag and my personal bag for the weekend. With the stock stabled

at Crewe the train was all ready for the participants. I did not sleep well at all that Friday night; with

my mind whirring; so much that had been going on for so long... [To be concluded.]

4164] The North Derbyshire AGM Warm Up, Fri 15 Nov: By Andy Main. This first day of a very full
weekend was kindly arranged by our local member Neil Lewis, although without his usual trio of young
helpers as it was a school day. On their journey 24 members had passed flooded fields, overflowing
rivers and also water filled potholes on the roadway leading to the Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick
to visit two miniature railways within the site. Meeting at 09.15 under dark cloudy conditions (but at
least it had stopped raining), the group walked the short distance to the first of the railways.

Butterley Park Miniature Railway: This is a 3½/5" gauge elevated railway of 1,320ft in a heavily
engineered oval circuit with a curved tunnel running in open parkland boarded on two sides by trees.

On arrival two 5" gauge locos each hauling two sit-astride coaches were soon available for rides and
hot drinks offered for a donation. 37410 'Aluminium 100' in BR large logo livery set off first, traversing
the track anticlockwise, followed shortly behind by Class 25 7506 in BR blue livery completing two
circuits (for overlap) non-stop before the next group rode. The sector plate that was secured for the
continuous public circuit was now moved across for the quite lengthy elevated non-passenger carrying
branch to the steaming bays within the circuit. We thanked our hosts for turning out at this hour on a
Nov Friday. The visit finished with an unusual one way departure. Leaving the station area on the
public line and then traversing the sector plate, it was off to the steaming bays behind Baby Deltic
D5907 in BR two tone green livery hauling a further two sit-astride coaches. D5907 with driver and
guard returned ECS (due to the falling gradient) for the next group with runs until all had been carried.

BELOW: Butterley Park Miniature Railway, the station and Britain Jn - the public running circuit is on
the left and the steaming bay branch is bottom right. (All pictures in this section Simon Mortimer.)

NEXT PAGE TOP: In the other direction from the station, doesn't the signal box look much bigger now?
The sector plate has been set and locked for the lengthy steaming bay branch, off left. Note that the
signal is showing a single yellow and a feather; there are no more signals on the branch. The shunt
signal is presumably for permissive working. The main public circuit is off to the right.

There was then a short walk over to the Golden Valley Light Railway, a 2ft gauge railway 1,400yd long.
Starting at 10.30 it was now raining, so members chose to sit in the three open sided but roofed
carriages with the middle open carriage left empty. [Nothing to do with the covered coaches being at
the ends of the train, of course...] Simplex 60S364 b1968, 62hp ex-Campbells Brickworks, Staveley
departed Butterley Park station by reversing over the first of many non-public sections covered, up to
the loading line gates, before travelling back through the station for further reversals to cover the
crossovers and the two approach roads up to the closed doors of the small loco shed here.

With all the Butterley Park terminus lines covered, we proceeded through Brands Crossing station and
passed the running shed before entering Brands South Siding behind Brands Siding Halt. Reversing
back onto the main line and running downhill beside fields, trees shedding leaves along the Golden
Valley (which lived up to its name with the wonderful autumn colours) we arrived at Newlands Inn
terminus and it was dry! The staff would not let us disembark until they had swept all the leaves off
the wooden platform. Below could be viewed a remaining short section of the Cromford Canal and
eastern portal of its 1¾ mile tunnel opened in 1794. Then it was into the headshunt before propelling
back to the platform and along the siding, originally part of the main line until it was realigned in 2013.
We returned to the headshunt but this time via the loco run round loop and, after further reversals,
back to the platform. The Simplex then ran round with some members changing to the rear carriage
before a third visit to the headshunt. There was then a spirited run back to Butterley Park terminus.

[BLN 1342]
ABOVE: The Golden Valley Railway Campbells Brickworks Simplex stands in Butterley Park station

waiting with our special train. (All pictures in this section by Simon Mortimer, Fri 15 Nov 2019.)

We walked the short distance back to the substantial 2007-built combined running shed and workshop
which contained a good number and variety of locos and carriages in various conditions - not all were
easy to photograph. Hot drinks and biscuits, very much appreciated, were available for a donation.

Suitably refreshed and stock inspected, Hunslet 7009/71 b1971, 28hp AD 34 ex-MOD Lydd Gun Ranges
and small open wagon 113 ex-RNAD, very well filled with our members, covered all the track that we
could in Bands South and North Sidings in three runs. Ashover Light Railway No4 was on Road 1 and
participants boarded for some haulage and new track as battery loco Baguley Drewry 3703/74 b1974,
50hp NG24 ex-RAF Chilmark moved the coach out "for photographs" (…well it was a good excuse).

We profusely thanked our hosts for the much appreciated efforts they made for us during the longer
than planned visit. Then it was onto the last visit across the Derbyshire Dales to Wirksworth for 15.00.

NEXT PAGE TOP: View forward; the main train does the connection into the yard adjacent to depot.

NEXT PAGE LOWER: View forward entering the depot area looking towards the depot headshunt.



ABOVE: The MOM sets the road for the siding at Newlands Inn, note the steep gradient out on the
running line (right). BELOW: In the siding (with no stop blocks) which was formerly the running line.

ABOVE: Our special stands in the freshly swept Newlands Inn platform. The Simplex has run round for
the return up the grade (but first it propelled back to the stop blocks…) BELOW: Baguley Drewry 3703
'NG24' hauled participants out of the shed in this very fine original Ashover Light Railway coach.

ABOVE/BELOW: Filling in the track details in groups using a wagon specially fitted with wooden seats.

ABOVE: A trip is called forward to the wagon on the backshunt; the yellow loco is on the public line.

BELOW: The present Duffield end of line of the Wirksworth Miniature Railway, the trackbed
continues ready for the next extension. To the left is the standard gauge Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.



PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: Looking back towards Wirksworth station from the end of the miniature line.
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: The rare track under the road bridge. (All Simon Mortimer, 15 Nov 2019.)

Wirksworth Miniature Railway: (open Saturdays 11.30-15.00) This expanding 7¼" ground level line
runs 186yd south from the Duffield end of Wirksworth station alongside big brother, the Ecclesbourne
Valley Railway. A ⅓ scale 2ft gauge Kerr Stuart Wren class 0-4-0ST b1990 near Sheffield, propelled two
sit-astride coaches to the end of the line and back for everyone. Then the siding and shed beneath
Coldwell Street road bridge were traversed, two at a time, changing ends for maximum coverage. It
was good to have steam on this trip and the loco gave a good account of itself. In fading light members
dispersed. The railway is extending further southwards to over 440yd but the extension gang consists
of two. One was recognised by some members as they had previously visited his garden railway at
Duffield (now closed as he has turned his attention to this railway instead). Heads were turned as a
passing road/rail Land Rover returned to Wirksworth following a track inspection on the EVR before
passenger trains ran the following day, or was it the attractive young lady in the front passenger seat?

The original itinerary included a fourth visit, to Hall Leys Miniature Railway at Matlock, an unusual 9½"
gauge. Unfortunately this had to be cancelled due to severe floods the week before. The railway's loco
'Little David' and coaches were sadly water damaged. Instead of having refunds quite a few members
chose to donate their £5 fare to assist the railway with its recovery. A lovely email was received from
the owner thanking us for our £75 donation - the railway hopes to be running again in the spring.

All participants are grateful to Neil Lewis for this well organised, interesting and very enjoyable day.

4165] The AGM Roundhouse Explorer, Sat 16 Nov 2019: By Chris Totty. Saturday morning dawned
dull and cold, and with the severe floods in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire during the week, there
were a few cancellations from members unable to reach Barrow Hill for the AGM. Your scribe, in the
company of our General Secretary, was taking advantage of a generous taxi offer from the Editor of
BLN when we rounded a corner to discover a road dip flooded to a fair depth and so it was a quick 'U'
turn, totally confusing his Sat-Nav! However we eventually made Barrow Hill to find the great and the
good of the BLS arriving. The superb new café, especially opened for us by the volunteers of the
Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, was doing a roaring trade in various drinks, cobs and full breakfasts!

At Roundhouse Halt was our BLS Riding Vehicle 'Molly' (which is kept at Barrow Hill) with 08879 at the
Springwell end and 03066 at the other end. After the 50 participants had boarded and tickets were
checked we were off at 09.50, but not in the usual BLS way in that we went away from the buffer stops
to the end of the Springwell branch! 'Top & Tail' locos proved its worth as we were soon on our way to
the Network Rail boundary signal from where we returned to the end of the Springwell branch and
then Roundhouse Halt. Here some happy travellers from the 'haulage fraternity' alighted and we
reversed to the level crossing (would we ever get to the other buffer stops?). Additional interest was
provided by the arrival of 31128 off the main line for our railtour next day. Carriage Sidings 1 & 2 then
followed; a Class 45 loco in No1 Siding blocked our way but the end of line was reached in No2.

Out of No2 Siding it was just onto the single line to reverse then traverse New Sidings 1 & 2 especially
laid for the servicing East Midlands Trains (at the time) stock during the summer 2018 Derby blockade.

The AGM was beginning to call so we returned to the end of the Springwell branch (again, only for the
fourth time today!) and back to Roundhouse Halt non-stop running past the café ('spotting' other
members starting to assemble) to the buffer stops - at last! Returning through the platform, we then
reversed into the 'bay' platform road. Next was the Platform Siding for the final reversal of the
morning (only the 17th!) to return us to Roundhouse Halt and the conclusion of the morning activities
at this interesting railway location. It was surprising how many members were making their first visit.

After the formalities of the AGM and an excellent presentation by Tim Shoveller (see BLN 1341.2903)
participants reconvened in 'Molly' departing at 15.05 along the Platform Siding to the single line for a
visit to the throat at the entrance to the Deltic Preservation Society Depot and the gate to the

ABOVE: 08879 at the Springwell end of 'Molly'. (All pictures John Cameron unless specified.)

Compound Sidings. Clearing the throat, a final visit was made to the Springwell branch end then, for
me, the highlight of the day. Proceeding along the Coal & Shed Roads we went into the Roundhouse,
across the turntable and out into daylight again to the end of the Garden Road. Here 03066 was
uncoupled and 08879 pulled and pushed us back to Roundhouse Halt; 25 reversals since we started
that morning! [Try a summer Scunthorpe trip - up to 100 reversals…] Sincere thanks to all at Barrow
Hill, especially our well known member Martyn Brailsford, for putting together an excellent tour.

BELOW: 03066 at the Round House end of 'Molly'.



PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: The end of the Springwell Branch, in autumn no less.

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Guard Kev looks out of 'Molly'. In orange, right, are Alan Sheppard and far
right, by the fence, Martyn Brailsford both trained to operate trackside. (Photo thanks to Kev Adlam.)

ABOVE: Two of the sidings used by East Midlands Trains during the summer 2018 Derby station
blockade were clear (and rusty). The Roundhouse Museum is background centre and left. Taken from
the rear Class 08; 'Molly' and the Class 03 are in front to the right. (Ian Mortimer, and next picture…)

BELOW: Returning from the car park end of line with the '08' leading; Roundhouse Halt is on the left.

ABOVE: Taken from the Springwell Branch, 31128 arrives via the NR connection (which is ahead) for
our tour the next day. Roundhouse Halt is round to the left. (All John Cameron unless specified.)

ABOVE & PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: The Deltic Preservation Group Shed. BELOW: The branch down to
the main line, which was once double track; note the check rail and rainwater droplets on windscreen.

ABOVE: The NR boundary looking across 'The Old Road' to Barrow Hill freight sidings.
BELOW: Returning towards Roundhouse Halt with the Roundhouse in the background.

ABOVE & BELOW: Approaching the Roundhouse, turntable and doors on the far side.

ABOVE: 'Open sesame' - the Garden Road on the other side of the Roundhouse.
BELOW: At the very end of the Garden Road.

ABOVE: Approaching yet another end of line; Roundhouse Halt and its bay platform are right.
BELOW: The end of the Car Park road, in … the car park; the main public entrance (ahead) was shut for
the day due to our AGM. The buffer stops is the furthest that track extends beyond the Round House.

BELOW: We all know that Kev is not afraid to get his hands dirty, but
this is definitely way beyond the call of duty… (Mark Haggas)

ABOVE: The Garden Road - the new café where the AGM was held is on the left. (Mark Haggas.)
BELOW: Our Barrow Hill Explorer Railtour at the end of the Car Park Road (Mark Haggas.)

ABOVE: The other end of the Car Park Road and a nice view of 'Molly'. (Mark Haggas)

4166] AGM Evening Presentations, Sat 16 Nov 2019: By Chris Totty. After the 'Roundhouse Explorer',
42 members adjourned to Barrow Hill café for a film show on Minor Railways by our member Andy
Main. Andy has travelled extensively around the UK, not to mention some of the offshore islands,
visiting many Minor Railways with his video camera. We were entertained with his wanderings from
1991 up to 2008 and the Miniature Men present were able to play 'Guess the Location'. Some of the
track and ballast on these lines left a lot to be desired and there appeared to be a recurrent theme in
that some closed shortly after Andy had visited them. Perhaps he should supply a list of those he plans
to visit in advance! As some of the lines were visited on BLS and associated visits, various worthies of
the Society appeared considerably younger than they are now and sadly some are no longer with us.

After an hour we adjourned for a sumptuous buffet supper kindly provided by the Barrow Hill Engine
Shed Society and, when everyone had had their fill, Andy continued with film from 2009 onwards.

Then our member Bill Davis presented the illustrated results of his original research into the remains
of railways on the Isle of Arran. The fact that railways had existed on this island was news to your
scribe but they had been used to transport baryte mined on the island. All the lines had gone by 1945
and it was suspected that they were horse drawn or gravity worked. Trackbeds can be seen quite
clearly on Google maps but Bill did give a warning that some of the shafts are not closed off so be very
careful if you decide to visit! A most enjoyable and social evening to conclude a great and varied day.

4167] Sherwood Forest Railway, Sun 17 Nov: By James Beal. With our main line tour not starting from
Barrow Hill until 12.15 there was plenty of time for another fixture. The third and final day of our AGM
weekend saw a band of merry members shooting off to Sherwood Forest in rural Nottinghamshire.
Some came in their Lincoln green 'hoodies' and others in scarlet but Marian wasn't made to attend.

This characterful 15" gauge railway is alongside, but lower than, NR's Tuxford Rail Innovation &
Development Centre access line (the former High Marnham Power Station branch, ex-Lancashire,
Derbyshire & East Coast Railway through to Lincoln, of course). The Sherwood Forest Railway locos are
⅝ sized models of contractors' locomotives, (but no Golden Arrow) giving it a much different look to
most railways of this gauge. This was a second visit by the Society, but there had been track changes
and a significant extension since our previous 31 Mar 2016 fixture (report BLN 1255.758).

BELOW: Reaching the parts others can't reach…the shed at Loxley station end of line. (Lisa Sheppard.)

ABOVE: Guess who? Needless to say some keen members had to do the full extent of the Zip Wire at
the railway (there was no age limit). Interestingly no one did the high level version above. Perhaps we
might persuade Martyn Brailsford to add zip wires to TRACKmaps? (Lisa Sheppard, 17 Nov 2019.)

We started at Loxley, green still on this mid-Nov day. The party was split into two, each with one loco
and a semi-open coach (which Little John might have struggled to fit in), to maximise coverage and
haulage. I started with the diminutive Lister, driven by the enthusiastic owner. So enthusiastic, in fact,
that he gauge cleared the route into the shed for us by taking a hacksaw to the doorstop, allowing the
shed door to open all the way. He certainly had a handle on what we wanted. Maximum coverage
achieved, we ran on to the run round loop and back over the other shed road to the doors (this line
was chock full of stock on the inside). We then had the run of the run round loop before backing into
the platform. The layout has changed here recently, with realignments due to the previous unusual
island replaced by a conventional side platform.

ABOVE: Looping the loop on the Loxley station tour and showing the new platform. (James Beal.)

Soon the other group was back and we swapped over. Saddle tank 'Smokey Joe' took us on a spirited
run down the bank. We reversed under a tree house (yes, really) to cover about a chain of the carriage
shed branch. This was as far as we could go this time, due to the track condition. There was a bonus to
come though... We continued down the running line and all 'went round the bend' past Weldale, the
other public terminus and continued. We covered about 4ch of the extension (not open to the public);
the single buffer of the loco touched the fifth chain (which fixed the stop block to the track). New track
for every passenger left us all a quiver. More of the extension was staked out invitingly ahead…

Another spirited run back to Loxley allowed me to take in the location. The 550yd line is now a hockey
stick shape. The completed route, almost doubling the length, will be a 'U', running along both sides of
a dry valley, which is open but studded with mature trees. The track is laid part way up the valley side,
allowing a clear view of the new formation from the existing running line on the opposite bank.

Back at Loxley, there was time for extra trips and a walking tour of the lengthy carriage shed, which
had a row or two of stock (they have a large number of coaches for such a small railway). Then it was
time to bid a fond farewell. For most it was back to Barrow Hill for our main line tour with even time
to 'Tuck' into a 'Friared' breakfast as well at the café there before departure. We will return, when the
time is right, to do the extension and full extent of the carriage line. The owner, David Colley, and his
son Bob were most friendly, made us very welcome, and really seemed to 'get' what we want.
If you are looking for a mid-week minor railway fix, they run daily from Feb half-term to the end of
Nov, 11.30 to 16.30 (last train) - check first. Many thanks to Neil Lewis for his meticulous organisation,
right on target, and to Archie & Ruby Lewis for their excellent stewarding. Take a 'bow'. [By rights this
item should, perhaps, have been in a 'Sans-sheriff' font as he didn't put in an appearance - Ed.]

ABOVE: the loco and coach for the main run, again showing the new platform at Loxley, behind the
trees at a much lower level can be seen part of the roof of the very long carriage shed. (James Beal.)

:Details must be checked 1342 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.
4168] Feltham Area Signalling Centre: (BLNs 1341.2921 & 1260.1285 - with our 30 Apr 2016 visit
report) Close to the station, our member Stuart Hicks is arranging a Southern Electric Group visit to
the interesting panel - expected to be a spring weekday afternoon. The signalling is due to transfer to
Basingstoke ROC over the next few years. A charity donation applies, expressions of interest to:
[email protected] (please include your BLS membership number).

4169] Horwich Works final visits: Originally built by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1886 the
last part was closed by British Rail in 1983. In 2020 the Erecting & Repair Shop is to be demolished for
site redevelopment including a new road. Small group visits are available as required between 09.00
and 16.00 Mondays - Fridays. Anyone interested should ring 0161 302 0670 at least 24 hours before.

4170] Manchester Mayfield station tours: More excellent highly recommended tours of this 24 acre
station by Jonathan Schofield. BLN 1299.368 of 24 Feb 2018 (see website archive) has a report with
pictures. It is not clear how long they will continue as they will stop when redevelopment work starts.
http://bit.ly/2rHQLN2 has details/to book. These are by torchlight and include areas not reached on
previous tours. Mon 20 & Tue 21 Jan and Mon 17 & Tue 18 Feb, 18.30. Meet Granby Row side of
The Bull's Head Pub, M1 2PN by Piccadilly Station. Many other Manchester tours are available.

4171] AFRPS, Steam Hauled Brakevan Tours, Sats 25 Jan, 22 Feb, 21 Mar & 18 Apr; 11.00-15.00:
Frodingham Platform, Brigg Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1TS, with free parking and 15 min walk from
Scunthorpe station. These steelworks railtours give excellent views and experience of steelmaking
and the railway. Includes a toilet break with refreshments on sale. No fixed fares but please be
generous with donations to support the volunteers in their work. Must be booked in advance via
Brigg Tourist Information: [email protected] or 01652 657053. No under 10 year olds.