1391

here Dave's excellent footplate trip ended up.

BELOW: (Item 3314) Santa Special on Crowle Peatland Railway which has pub

blic running on Mon 27 Dec 10.00-15.30. (All Martin Crompton, 11 Dec 2021.)

BELOW: Approaching Mrs Santa's Grotto at the end o

of the recent extension (E-BLN 1390.MR216 pictures).

BELOW: Mrs Santa's Grotto station even has tactile paving (so there are no

o incessant PA announcements to say that it doesn't have tactile paving!).

3308] Taffs Well: (BLN 1386.2685.1) Visits to TfW new rolling stock mock ups here by organised and
prebooked interested groups are welcome. They are expected to be there for about 18 months and a
Society fixture is under consideration. Rail User Group representatives including your Regional Ed
were invited on 9 Dec. The mock ups are impressive, full size but not full length and without simulated
running gear. The seating layout as displayed may not entirely be the finished article but the legroom
is quite generous; the seats are best described as less firm than those in Classes 80x [that wouldn't be
'hard']. The Class 197, intended for longer distance services, has a welcome retro feature, good sized
overhead luggage racks. The FLIRT is of an interior mock up only with no body shell. It represents a
231 and a 756, basically the same animal from a passenger's viewpoint. The only significant difference
will be that the 231s will have toilets and, therefore, two passenger doors each side instead of three.

3309] Shrewsbury: (BLN 1378.1647) The £250,000 Severn Bridge Junction Signal Box (the big one!)
refurbishment has won the Signalling category in the 2021 National Railway Heritage Awards.

1391 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
MR221] Bristol Harbour Railway, Bristol (MR p6): The Railway ran all week during the October half-
term (25-29 0ct) - the only time it has run in 2021 and thought to be the first time in the Pandemic.
This was only for Footplate Experience - a footplate trip along the Wharf and up into an electric crane
for £50. It is hoped for a more normal running service to restart in 2022. Locos used were 0-6-0ST S3
'Portbury'/'IW&D No34" (Avonside 1764 of 1917) and 0-6-0ST 'Henbury' S9 (Peckett 1940 of 1937).

MR222] Mid Norfolk Railway, Norfolk (MR p8): The Railway is planning a full programme of events for
2022 - subject to pandemic restrictions. They will include Steam and Diesel Galas, together with a
number of other special event weekends. The 2022 operating season will commence on 6 March and,
as in previous years, will feature a mixture of running days. New for 2022 will be timetabled diesel
locomotive running days. These will join the previous timetable schedule as the orange timetable.

Diesel services will feature either the maroon liveried vacuum braked Mk1 and 2 coaches or the
ex-Greater Anglia MK3 coaches, depending on the traction hauling the train. On multiple train days
the timetable will be a mixture of steam and diesel trains with DMUs. The first steam running day will
be on 27 March and the first special event will be an Easter themed event. From the 9 May for at least
two weeks the railway is planning to close to carry out a major engineering project. In June the railway
will be holding a Queen's Platinum Jubilee event during the special Bank Holiday, further details will be
announced later. The 26 June will also see the regular annual opening of Hardingham station, part of
Hardingham Fête. This annual event is a rare opportunity for the public to use the station as the
station grounds and buildings are in private ownership and this event is at the owner's invitation.

The Steam Gala is planned over 1-3 July; visiting steam engines will be announced in due course.
On 6 & 7 August the annual 1940s Railway at War weekend will be held. The Diesel Gala will be one of
the highlights of the coming year from 23-25 September. It will feature visiting mainline and heritage
diesels to supplement the home fleet. The railway is planning, for the first time, to be open for the
Norfolk schools autumn half term break from 24-28 October and the year will end with the return of
the ever popular Polar Express, during November and December leading up to Christmas 2022.
Throughout the 2022 running season, the railway will once again be running the popular 'Breckland
Fryer' fish & chip trains in the evening and afternoon cream tea trains on selected running days.

MR223] Bridge View Light Railway, Warwickshire (MR p25) (BLN 1387.MR195): This 7¼" gauge
railway is located in the grounds of Russells Garden Centre at Baginton, near Coventry. On 27 & 28
November, a Craft Festival was held from 10.30 to 15.00 each day and the railway was running with no
advance booking required. On the Sunday, a visit at around 11.00 found a two train service in
operation. A steam outline Bo-Bo BE loco, with works plate lettered 'K', was hauling three coaches and
using Platform 2. A 6wBE with 4 coaches was using Platform 1. Trains ran round the new 300 yard long
circuit in an anticlockwise direction. The fare was £1.50 for which a ride of one circuit was given.
Tickets were a titled thin Edmondson size and were clipped on the train before departure. There was
always a short queue waiting for a ride during the time our correspondent was on site.

MR224] Tanfield Railway, Tyne & Wear (MR p9): 'Now It Can Be Told' - Minor Railways Style, by Dave
Leeming. On an undisclosed date I had planned a trip to the Tanfield Railway, a special event that had
promised to have a train run from Marley Hill. I obtained the times and every other bit of info that I
thought I needed then the Good Lady and I set off. We arrived and had a regular ride. I then found out
that the Marley Hill train was not going to run. Very disappointing. We went into the café to find what
sort of sustenance we could obtain. I mentioned to the man behind the counter that we had travelled
from Manchester specifically for the Marley Hill run and how annoying it was to find out when we got
there that it was off. He told me the reason why (I cannot remember what it was now) and apologised.

A little later, we returned to the café. While we were sitting down, the man who I had previously
spoken to called me over and said that they had arranged something for me. He said to meet a
particular train and to go to the engine. I was on the platform when the train arrived. Are you the chap
we're looking out for? I was invited on to the footplate. The engine uncoupled and it was moved to
Terrace Junction, reversed and then went all the way to the end of Marley Hill platform. But it was
not over yet! The engine was moved towards the flat crossing by Marley Hill Signal Box and stopped
short. But no! The signalman was waving us forward and we moved right across the running line and
on to the buffers (now lifted). I noticed that quite a few photographers were busy recording the scene.
I wonder if anyone has any of those photographs? The engine was moved back, went into the Shed
Yard, and we ended up inside the Engine Shed. Wow! Much better than I had originally planned!

It seems that the man I spoke to was rather higher up the Tanfield hierarchy than I had realised at the
time and it will have been he who had arranged for the engine to do the little extras. Even the driver
said he had never been that far. It cannot be done now of course, as the flat crossing is no more.
It does go to show that by making a reasoned complaint but without screaming and shouting,
wonderful things can happen! Of course, it was only right that I should go back to the café and thank
the man for making what was going to be a disappointing day into something really special.

MR225] Llangollen Railway, Denbighshire (MR p9): The Railway issued a statement about its AGM,
the first since the PLC trading arm was placed into administration. The PLC announced in March that it
was not legally able to continue to trade with the company insolvent to the extent of £350,000.
The separate Llangollen Railway Trust announced in April it had completed a deal with the
administrators to purchase some of the Railway's assets along with the right to use the line. The AGM
was the first opportunity for the membership as a whole to discuss the outcome and quiz the new
board in what has been described as a lively Q&A session afterwards. The statement on the AGM says:

The 31st December 2020 accounts were presented. These show a small loss of £7,252 after write-offs of
£220,000, mostly in connection with the PLC trading arm now in administration. No further write-offs
in that respect will be required. The Trust is in a healthy financial state with a positive bank balance, no
debt and minimal creditors. Phil Freeth, Finance Director, reported the up-to-date position showed the
bank balance had increased significantly since thanks to a mixture of generous donations from
supporters and the general public, grants, delays in rehiring staff, operating fewer steam trains, relying
on DMUs and diesel for midweek operations in particular, and passenger loadings had been about
10% above forecast. The board was also able to announce that approximately £200,000 had been
approved under South Clwyd's Levelling Up fund application towards the cost of the Corwen canopy.

MR226] Oswestry & District Narrow Gauge Railway Group, Brymbo, Shropshire (BLN 1335.MR165):
The planned 2ft gauge railway at Brymbo has failed to materialise. A visit on 14 October, reported on
the IRS online group, noted that all the 2ft gauge railway items had gone. The security officer said they
went in November 2020, he understood initially to Llynclys. Sadly, some of the wagons went for scrap

MR227] Cambrian Heritage Railway (CHR) (Oswestry), Shropshire (MR p7): Prior to their AGM on
Saturday 13 November, CHR members were treated to a Pacer ride from Oswestry to Weston Wharf.
A week later, on Saturday 20 November, members of Shrewsbury and West Shropshire Campaign for
Real Ale (CAMRA) took a ride from Oswestry to Weston Wharf in 144006 to visit the Stonehouse
Brewery. The trip to the Brewery was arranged by Dave Roll of (CHR) who is also a CAMRA member.

The trip was supported by many volunteers on the day who staffed the stations, the train and
crossings in between. When a member walked past Oswestry station during 25 November evening,
one of the Pacers (presumably 006 but he was unable to verify and hadn't learned of this event then)
was still stabled in the station platform. They are normally based at Weston. A local newspaper report
claims this was the first passenger service to Weston Wharf since 19 January 1965. There has never
been any such service to it before; the last passenger train to pass it would have been the Up evening
mail from Aberystwyth on Sunday 17 January 1965 (behind the now preserved 'Foxcote Manor').

1391 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]

ABOVE: Marked up track plan of our railtour, not to scale. With thanks to Peter Scott and Martyn
Brailsford. 'A–A' below is a continuation of the line from Pentrepiod above it. Plan is ©2021 Peter
Scott, reproduced with permission; further copying except for strictly personal use is prohibited.
3310] Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid/Bala Lake Railway Flag Up, Sun 14 Nov: Peter Dawson (1637) with extra
material. A new Railway, the chance for a final grice of the year and bacon butties made for a simple
booking decision! Llanuwchllyn was reached later than planned, thanks to Nigel's (non) navigation
skills. [He mixed up his Lake Railways heading for Llanberis, but at least didn't go to Lakeside!] After
handing over our indemnity forms, we joined the socially distanced throng before partaking of the
pre-booked bacon butties and coffee at this lovely, scenic and friendly 4½ mile long, 1' 11½" gauge line.
Before long, Kev's Stentorian announcement summoned us to the Ruabon end of the platform.
The 50-strong party, many of whom had been on our Middleton Railway trip (BLN 1390.3175) the day
before, was divided into two groups. They boarded, in turn, open coach 'S' (ex-Penrhyn Quarry
Railway) to be pulled/pushed by diesel loco 'Chilmark' over Llanuwchllyn run round loop and into
Monkey House Siding 1 and about 80% of siding Monkey House Siding 2, while the other group
enjoyed exceedingly rare traction from the recently acquired Schöma mine Locomotive 'Murphy' over
Locomotive Shed Lines 2 & 3 ... not forgetting to duck at the right time due to the tight clearances.
Reforming into one group we joined the train of covered coaches waiting at the main Platform 1.
Headed by diesel loco 'Bob Davies' our train set off for Bala, passing the Loco & Carriage Sheds we
would cover further on our return, once the stock had been re-shunted. The Railway is on the former
Barmouth Junction to Llangollen Line Jn (Ruabon) standard gauge line - this section of which closed to
passengers/all traffic from 18 Jan 1965 (Barmouth Jn - Bala Junction - Bala Town). Llangollen Goods Jn -
Bala Junction (excl) closed without warning 14 Dec 1964 after severe flood damage. At Llangower we
slowed to traverse the loop in the unusual direction - that was right hand running, noting the not yet
in use lower quadrant semaphore signals. The loop is used if two trains run (rarely). The GWR opened
Llangower Halt on 10 Jun 1929; CP 18 Jan 1965. The Bala Lake Railway station (2m 1ch - miles from
Llanuwchllyn end of line) of the same name is on single track at the Llanuwchllyn end of the loop,
over 500 yd west of the original Halt. The modern railway also has Pentrepiod Halt (1m 27ch).

Due to the Pandemic, service trains were not calling at intermediate stations. The Railway gives great
views of Lake Bala, the largest natural (glacial) lake in Wales - it is 3.7 miles long and half mile wide.

The Railway's present Bala station is about ¾ mile from the town centre on the site of the original Bala
station OP 1 Apr 1868; CP 1 Nov 1882 when replaced by a station in the town on the Bala Junction to
Blaenau Ffestiniog (Central) branch. It reopened as Bala Lake Halt, ready for use on 5 Feb 1934, with
some excursion use later that year according to 'Quick'. Regular calls began 8 Jul 1935; on summer
Sundays it served as the station for Bala (which had no Sunday service) - one Ruabon to Barmouth
train. Last regular use was Sun 24 Sep 1939 but there was an excursion from Stoke on Sun 4 Aug 1963.

The station faces closure with truncation of the line for the planned extension. A notice board with a
map shows the extension curving off the present formation north to Bala town centre, about half way
along the platform. Our train set down in the platform and then stabled in the run-round loop. In two
groups open coach 'T' (already placed in the east end dock siding) was hand propelled to the line
extremity, then buffered up to the rear of the stabled train, back over the points and right down the
platform line to ensure 'overlap' with all parts of the incoming train, returning to the dock via the end
of line. Following an earlier two-minute silence, Kev Adlam gave a short remembrance service here in
view of the date (at the last minute the booked Railway Chaplin was unable to attend to do this).

Participants rejoined the main train in the loop which
then propelled back to overlap with the open coach
coverage before returning to Llanuwchllyn. For those
like me that needed it, the 'main' line was covered at
Llangower. A photo stop was made at Glan Llyn Halt
(sometimes Glanllyn), now only normally used by Santa
trains, very appropriate for a Christmas BLN report.
The station, known locally as Flag Station, is shown as
such on the 1900 OS 6" map (LEFT) as the local
landowner (a GWR Director) used to display a flag when
he wished a boat to come across the Lake to collect him
after he had alighted from a train. Note SB = Signal Box
and SP (twice) = Signal Post; even the flagstaff itself is shown (FS). In 2021 the adjacent cottage now
carries a nameplate 'Flag Halt Cottage'. Quick has: Glan Llyn OP 4 Aug 1868 as a private station for Sir
WW Wynn but the public could use with his consent. The Carnarvonshire (sic) & Denbigh Herald had it
as 'Flag Station at Glanllyn' and it was in the 'Hand-book of Stations as 'Sir Watkin Wynn (Private)
Station' as late as 1956. It first appeared as 'Flag Station' in 20 Sep 1926 'Bradshaw's Timetable' then
as such in the public timetable from 13 Sep 1931. From 4 Jul 1938 it was 'Flag Station Halt' (Clinker -
from Bradshaw's Timetable?) but remained Flag Station in the GWR 28 Sep 1938 Working Timetable.
British Railways renamed it Glan Llyn (sic) Halt 15 Sep 1950; it survived until the line shut 18 Jan 1965.
Sir Watkin Wynn had right to stop expresses at 'Bala Flag Station' for owners, occupiers or visitors to
Glanllyn Mansion - on the other side of the lake - inherited from the Bala & Dolgelly (sic) Railway Co.

At Llanuwchllyn, which simply OP 4 Aug 1868 and CP 18 Jan 1965 with the line (!), lunch was taken in
the café. In standard gauge days the station was a two platform passing place, with the main buildings
on the Up (to Ruabon) side. The afternoon was in three groups to cover: (1): Two lines in the loco shed
yard (on a DIY pump trolley for two). (2): Into the carriage shed, heritage centre and loco shed with
open coach 'S' and the Schöma diesel loco. (Fortunately it was a totally dry day, remarkably for Wales
in Nov, with sunshine and clear sky even!) (3): The Barmouth end of line from the platform and the
coal siding (Down P2). The latter was in the ex-Dinorwic quarry open 4-wheeled 'Royal' coach from the
railway's Museum, hand propelled. Built in 1886 it was for Royal and other VIP guests (like us!) and
was last used by Princess Margaret in the 1950s. The grand finale enabled all participants to cover the
crossovers from the loco shed area onto the running line and the station run-round loop with overlap.

Our excellent and very comprehensive visit concluded with heartfelt thanks to the Bala Lake Railway
volunteers who had worked most of the previous day moving stock and other items to maximize track.

BELOW: 1949 map in early British Railways days. Corwen, LLangollen & Rua
Bala Junction station is shown as 'closed to passengers' - it wasn't in fact

Bala Lake Halt (site of the present Bala station on the Bala Lake Railway) is sho

abon are off top right, Dolgelly (as then) and Barmouth are off bottom left.
t; the branch via Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog (Central) goes off top centre.
own as closed to passengers. Note 'Flag Station'. Llanuwchllyn is bottom left.

BELOW: The 1956 map, Bala Junction (top right of centre) is now shown as

open to passengers and Flag Station has become Glanllyn (one word) Halt.

BELOW: Llanuwchllyn station and signal box looking west towards Ba

armouth. (Chris Parker.) All pictures taken during our Sun 14 Nov visit.

BELOW: Participants assemble with eager anticipation on Llanuwchllyn m

main Up platform (for Bala, Corwen, Llangollen & Ruabon!) (John Luxton.)

BELOW: The east end of Llanuwchllyn sta
NEXT: Our Chairman, John Williamson, was in attendance so naturally had

ation looking towards Bala. (John Luxton.)
d to be in the frame somewhere; looking towards Bala. (Jenny Williamson.)





BELOW: Llanuwchllyn, the former Down platform (west to B

Barmouth) looking towards Bala and Ruabon. (John Luxton.)

BELOW: The station with its three tracks from th

he west end, looking towards Bala. (John Luxton.)

BELOW: The former Goods Shed is left; right is the Carriage Shed (this end)

) and Heritage Centre/Museum (far end). Bala is to off right. (Ian Mortimer.)

BELOW: Emerging from Carriage Shed & Museum Road 3 (far left); Monkey H

House Siding 2 is far right, then No1 and the main line (occupied). (John Luxton.)

BELOW: On the line to Monkey House Siding No1 &

No2 (left) - Bala is also off to the left. (John Luxton.)

BELOW: 'Quarry Hunslet' 364 of 1885 'Winifred' in Penrhyn Quarry Railwa

ay livery has escaped from Llanuwchllyn Railway Museum. (John Luxton.)

BELOW: Two random members on the pump trolley section; bottom le
NEXT: These two are clearly not off their trolley and are heading towards the

eft is a rare picture of Mrs Chairman, Jenny Williamson. (Ian Mortimer.)
e loco shed (right). The station cat has seen it all before. (Jenny Williamson.)





BELOW: Marian, the station cat, was totally relaxed about all the

e activity (and had done the track herself before). (John Luxton.)

BELOW: In case you were wondering, the rolling stock was reshuffled

d during the lunch break to clear some different lines. (John Luxton.)

BELOW: Members 'going west' through the Museum & Carriage Shed cen

ntre line (this is the Carriage Shed end) looking west. (Jenny Williamson.)

BELOW: At the Barmouth (southwest) end of Llanuwchllyn station (platfor
Royal Coach from the Dinorwic (Quarry) Railway out of Bala Lake Railway's M

NEXT: Another animal, Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon), at Llanuwchllyn; th

rms left and right) some head off for the end of line in the open 4-wheeled
Museum. It was last used in the 1950s by Princess Margaret!! (Ian Mortimer.)

he Bala end of the platform ramp is bottom right. (Jenny Williamson.)





BELOW: An usnual GWR bilingual sign at Llanuwchllyn - rydych ch