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Published by membersonly, 2018-04-12 12:04:38

1302

14th April 2018

[BLN 1302]
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: 1954 1" map with the previous Maesteg station (CP 22 Jun 1970; school
traffic continued to 14 Jul 1970). Top middle is Coegnant Colliery on the NCB line (Caerau Colliery, to
the northeast, was a mile further on at the end of the NCB line and closed in 1977). St John's Colliery is
bottom right, note its access headshunt was an NCB line just east of (and at a higher level to) the
original Port Talbot Railway, (shown as a 'mineral line' this followed the east side of the Llynfi Valley,
crossed over the passenger line by a high bridge and ran down the west side almost surrounding
Maesteg). The NCB took some of this over and the complicated connections can be seen. Maesteg
Central Washery was built later on the former Cwmdu Mine branch (compare with 1980s map above).

ABOVE: 28 Apr 1973 'Maesteg Deep Locomotive Shed' looking north, this NCB shed and wagon works
were off the former Port Talbot Railway (PTR) on the northwest side of Maesteg and then the western
extremity of NCB operations. The red arrow is Coegnant Collliery, with the settlement of Nantyffyllon
to the left and Caerau beyond. The purple arrow is the NCB internal line to Maesteg Central Washery
(off to the right) continuing (in 1973 via a reversal) to St John's Colliery headshunt. The part shown
was not a section of the PTR. This was during the Dean Forest Railway Preservation Society 'Llynfi &
Ogmore' DMU railtour https://goo.gl/3nPbKf which can be seen below Coegnant Colliery at Llynfi Jn
(exchange sidings and junction for the NCB line). This is significantly north of the present end of line at
the new Maesteg station. Participants enjoyed an NCB steam hauled trip with '9642' from Llynfi Jn to
the Washery the loco shed, St John's headshunt and back. It was also thought to be the final tour to
visit Barry Pier station. (Ian Mortimer Apr 1973)
BELOW TOP LEFT: St John's NCB headshunt (where all trains to or from the colliery reversed) was
higher up above the Llynfi Valley. The Port Talbot Railway was lower down at this point once winding
its way round to the Garw Valley. (Ian Mortimer Dec 1977)

Back in Mar 1982 at Llynfi Jn exchange sidings,
Shortly after, the usual Class 37 arrived to collect
the wagons (they wouldn't dare leave loaded coal
wagons in the sidings for any length of time,
otherwise doors would mysteriously open and the
coal vanish - Magic Coal?). There was very little
traffic then, just one mainline trip daily; most of
the coal from the remaining St John's Colliery was
unsold and being stockpiled. The natives were
friendly and gave a trip to the end of the line
('at last' the notes say), considerably north of the
modern passenger terminus (see maps earlier),
overlapping well with the NCB trip. On the NCB
side Coegnant Colliery (closed 1981) was reached
but was being demolished, the pit head gear cut
up and the resulting scrap metal sent out by rail.

The Maesteg NCB system was once busy, (6 steam
locos were serviceable in 1970) with steam
haulage in daily use until quite late. As elsewhere,
the NCB partly took over former 'main' lines
between their facilities, when they were no longer
otherwise needed, in this case a chunk of the Port
Talbot Railway. They even gave trips in their
brakevan from time to time and in connection
with railtours. In 1957 the new Maesteg Central
Washery opened on the former Cwmdu colliery
(merged with St John's) branch to more efficiently wash the coal from Caerau, Coegnant and St John's
Collieries. This resulted in internal traffic of unwashed coal in and washed coal out - to add to the fun
coal would be carried between sites by rail for washing, blending and stocking. Sometimes there would
be spoil for tipping. Over the years there were at least 20
collieries in the Llynfi Valley but the final one, St John's,
closed after the 1984/5 Miners' strike on 22 Nov 1985 as
it was losing £73.66p (=£190 now) per tonne of coal
mined. At the time this was more than any other South
Wales mine. https://goo.gl/thFZDq has some incredible
pictures taken by Linda Paschali in summer 1968 from her
garden (RIGHT & NEXT PAGE TOP) which looked up at the
St John's headshunt, a BLS member asking for the end of
line perhaps? It was only the weight of the loaded wagons
that prevented the loco from toppling over.

Moving on, Blaengarw at the dead end 'head' of the Garw
Valley was then visited; just 3 miles as the crow flies, but
12 miles and half an hour by car. This small village was
once home to SIX collieries: Lluest, Glenafon, Darren,
International, Ocean/Garw and Ffaldau. By 1982 only
Garw and Ffaldau (joined as one unit which, although
more efficient, tended to reduce their life expectancy)
were working. Numerous escape/ventilation shafts in the
surrounding hills witnessed much busier days.

The afternoon BR working was the target but the inward empty wagons (20 of them) rattled past as
our members were standing in the wrong place! They hotfooted it and luckily managed to join the
inevitable Class 37 when the crew changed ends at the top of the headshunt to run round at the very
end of the line not penetrated by railtours. This involved taking the brakevan back to Pontycymmer
Colliery a mile down the valley to run round it and pick up the chargeman, giving overlap with previous
internal NCB trips. In true BLS style, not wasting any remaining daylight, Ogmore Vale Central
Washery (once Rhonda Main colliery), Nantgarw, Lady Windsor and Abercynon Collieries were visited
(nothing doing) before arriving home in Cardiff at 19.00 after two very enjoyable and successful days.

796] Cwmgwrach: (BLN 1296.78) NR carried out extensive vegetation clearance especially for the UK
Railtour 'Valley of the Witch' 10 Mar tour. On Tue 6 Mar 66152 ran light engine from Margam (11.25/
15.02) to Cwmgwrach (12.42/13.35) for route refreshing, checking and further tree clearance - thought
to be the first train since a track recorder ran on 17 Jan 2015. Pathfinder's 24 Mar 2012 'Coal Grinder'
was the previous railtour. The branch is in good condition, mostly with jointed track and significant
lengths of metal sleepers. It is being retained for possible future traffic from Aberpergwm Colliery.

797] Aberpergwm Colliery Drifts on: (BLN 1175.1584) This drift coal mine near Glynneath is to (again)
reopen, creating 200 jobs (some retraining of miners will be needed!), after coal production stopped in
2015. Energybuild, a now standalone UK company, intends to restart coal extraction from 'potentially
tens of millions of tonnes of underground reserves' with an initial £10M investment to produce at least
1M tonnes annually. They will take the company out of administration … they've been keeping the
mine on care and maintenance so there's no water or gas in the mine. The first three months will be
just ... a skeleton workforce, getting some coal out and some sales, and then building the company over
the next five years. Neath Port Talbot Council approved the plans unanimously on 20 March.

[BLN 1302]
The monitoring of mineral sites is undertaken by Carmarthenshire County Council, with procedures in
place to ensure no unacceptable impact. A liaison committee will be set up involving councillors,
minerals officers, and Energybuild for regular site visits. Aberpergwm opened in the late 19th Century
and at its height during the 1930s employed over 1,500. It closed in 1985 but reopened a year later
under private ownership. Mining had been supplemented since 2005 by opencast coal developments
on the high ground above the mine site. The high grade anthracite is very suitable for steel making.

ABOVE: This was a routine scene in April 1974 as another load of coal is brought down the valley from
Graig Merthyr Colliery in BR 21 ton vacuum braked mineral wagons (nearly 5,000 were built in the
early 1960s). They would be taken to the exchange sidings for a BR trip to collect. (Ian Mortimer)
NEXT PAGE TOP: Our 23 Jun 1984 'Dyfed Dragon' railtour https://goo.gl/37fxiG (visiting an incredible
number of interesting lines on a summer day) on BR's Sep 1974 steep connection from Grovesend
Colliery Loop on the Swansea District Line down to join the former Pontarddulais to Swansea Victoria
line. Prior to 15 Jun 1964 that line was used by Central Wales Line passenger trains to Swansea. After
then it became a freight branch just to Gorseinon, north of Gowerton. This new BR connection
enabled closure of the line from here line back to Pontarddulais. By 1984 this line also served an MGR
wagon loading pad next to Brynlliw Colliery; the mine closed 21 Jul 1984 but a large stock pile of coal
was then cleared. Upper middle right a strip of ballast can just be made out, this was the lifted former
NCB Brynlliw Colliery branch (used by BR trips) at a much higher level. (Ian Mortimer 23 Jun 1984.)

X.47] BELOW: A classic South Wales tour in a different valley, Monmouthshire Railway Society's 'Coed Ely
Coupling' (don't ask!), with our International Editor on board, at Nantymoel. (Ian Mortimer 31 Mar 1984)

798] Fishguard: (BLN 1283.1626) It seems that the 2017 timetable changes left ATW in breach of their
franchise by only running 6 trains (rather than 7) as they have published a track access application to
extend the 19.30 from Manchester to Fishguard Harbour, returning at 02.37 to Carmarthen (bus in
the early hours of Sunday.) It is ironic that Fishguard has its best service for many years, yet the
connections to the boats are sometimes very poor! Work on the station level crossing (288m 11ch)
later this year (with TCP beyond Fishguard & Goodwick) suggests the Harbour station's future is safe.

799] The Pickering Paxman HST tour, Sat 15 Jul 2017: (BLN 1291.2183) With thanks to Martyn Brailsford;
route is shown when more than one is possible. Derby (P3) - London Road Jn - Up Main - X/O - Connecting
Line - Way & Works Jn - 'Old' Carriage Wash Road (by Up Main) (rev) - Way & Works Jn - Connecting line -
X/O - Down (Dn) Goods - St Mary's North Jn - X/O (not on TRACKmaps Aug 2013) - Dn Goods - Chesterfield
(P3) - Tapton Jn - Queens Road - Dn Main - Sheffield (P2) - Moorthorpe - Church Fenton (P2) - Dn Normanton
- Colton Jn - Dn Main - York (P11) - Loco Line - Skelton Jn - Dn Fast - Northallerton - Dn Main - Croft Jn - Dn
Passenger Loop - Up/Dn Station Loop (Darlington) (rev) - Up Main - Darlington South Jn - Eaglescliffe - Dn Gds
Loop - Thornaby East Jn - Dn Goods - Newport East Jn - Dn Main - Middlesbrough (P2) - Battersby Platform
(rev) - Grosmont GF (rev) - Grosmont (P2) - Levisham (Up) - Pickering (P1) front of train on last points (rev) -
Levisham (Dn) - Goathland (Dn) - Grosmont (P2) - Whitby (P2) (rev) - Battersby Platform (rev) - Nunthorpe
(P1) - Middlesbrough (P2) - Up Main - Newport East Jn - Up Goods - Up Goods No1 - X/O (13m 38ch) - Loco
Line - Tees Yard Dn Arrival/Up Departures - Thornaby East Jn - Northallerton East Jn - Up Longlands Loop -
Up Slow - Thirsk - Up Fast - X/O (10m 18ch) - Up Slow - Tollerton - X/O (9m 53ch) - Up Fast - Skelton Bridge Jn
- Up Slow (York Avoider) - X/O (0m 21ch) - Dn Slow - Holgate Jn - Up/Dn Holgate Loop (rev) - Dn Leeds - York
(P11) (rev) - Up Leeds - Colton South Ladder - Up Normanton - Church Fenton (P1) - Milford North - Up
Passenger Loop - Up Pontefract - Aldwarke Jn - Rotherham Central (P1) - Brightside Station Jn - Up East Slow
- Up Main - Sheffield (P6) - Up Heeley Loop - Chesterfield (P3) - Clay Cross North Jn - Up Main - Derby (P6).

PREVIOUS PAGE: The south end of Derby station, a scene that has already changed significantly since
with the lifting of the Goods Lines (far left). Our Pickering Paxman HST tour is hauled out of P3 to
Etches Park, Way & Works Jn - 'Old' Carriage Wash Road by 08417 + 08899. (Geoff Plumb 15 Jul 2017)

ABOVE: The Pickering Paxman reversing on the Whitby line at Grosmont before travelling to Pickering,
the first HST to reach the town. (Taken by authorised EMT staff on behalf of Geoff Plumb.)

1302 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
[Those that qualify for Peter Scott's MR publication, except IOM. Not National/Local Authority, Light Rail

or Tram Systems. Pre-heritage/preservation (historical) items usually go in the regional sections.]

MR58] Fancott Miniature Railway, Bedfordshire (MR p12) (BLN 1229.594): This 7¼" gauge railway is
said to be 'on the brink of closure' if no extra volunteers are found soon. The line is the 'last pub
railway' in the country and sees around 10,000 visitors a year (the Fenn Bell Miniature Railway, near
Rochester, has been closed and lifted - the last trains ran for Christmas 2017). Tickets cost £2 - the 400
yards long railway is 'in need of people, not money'. The current three volunteers are all they have and
most of them are now nearing retirement age. Volunteers will need to be able to complete gardening
and track work, as well as running the trains, which operate most of the year. The level crossing on the
railway needs staffing, which leaves just two other volunteers to run the railway when it is open.
Anyone interested in discussing helping out at the railway please make contact on 07917 756237.

MR59] Spa Valley Railway, Kent (MR p6): Sunday 11 March saw our Roving Reporter at Tunbridge
Wells West for the 12.00 departure to Eridge - during the advertised 'Diesel Gala'. In fact, 0-6-0T 323
'Bluebell' and Class 33 diesel 33063 operated all of the trains. 323 apparently arrived in February and
was expected to return home to the Bluebell Railway by Easter. Our reporter noted the number of
visitors/passengers was extremely low. A few places remain on our 'rare track' event here on 2 August.

MR60] Crich Tramway Village, Derbyshire (MR p32) (BLN 1293.MR222): Track renewal at Cliffside has
taken place over the winter closure period to address drainage problems. A former stone-based level
crossing has been replaced by a timber crossing to allow for ease of future track inspections.

MR61] Epping Ongar Railway, Essex (MR p8): Our Roving Reporter visited on Sunday 18 February,
which also saw a bus event at North Weald. Trains were formed of 4 ex-BR MK1 coaches, with 31438
and Metropolitan 0-4-4T No1 on various journeys. At Ongar a temporary 7¼" gauge railway was laid on
the platform near the 0km post. At work on it were an 0-4-0BE and a 0-4-0ST by Station Road Steam.

MR62] Southwold Railway Trust, Suffolk (BLN 1288.MR167): The Trust announced on 12 March that
the foundations of its 'Steam Works' facility in Blyth Road, Southwold were now installed with the
structure expected to be opened to the public in July. Steam Works is both a celebration of the
Southwold Railway and the first phase of its restoration. The station platform will provide access to a
visitor centre and a museum created within a delightful replica Southwold Railway van already on site.
The 1,000ft2 facility will house the 'Egg and Shovel' Café, a shop, toilets and a boardroom. The Trust
purchased the Blyth Road site in 2017 and the project is part of larger plans to reopen the 3ft gauge
railway, which ran from 1879 until 1929, with stops at Wenhaston, Blythburgh and Walberswick.

The Trust has full planning permission to build 22ch of track at Steam Works - the site is adjacent to
(but not on) the original 1879 trackbed. Other projects the Trust are currently working on at Steam
Works are the Blyth Valley Light Railway - a 7¼" gauge track around the one acre landscaped site.
It is nearing completion and there will be rides in the summer, some of which will be steam-powered,
although the first rides were given in August last year over a short section. In the engine shed work
continues on 'Scaldwell' - the 3ft gauge locomotive given to the Trust last year. Plans to build a steel
gantry to facilitate the lifting of the saddle tank are on the drawing board but will be erected soon.

MR63] East Somerset Railway, Somerset (MR p6): The Railway has received £46,500 from the
Heritage Lottery Fund for a project that will focus on reinstating the former Down platform at
Cranmore and its waiting room, which were demolished by British Railways in the 1960s.
The reinstated waiting room will be developed as an education and interpretation centre showing the
history of the railway and its effect on local industry, people and businesses. Initial construction work
is expected to start during the second quarter of 2018 and the education centre is planned to be
opened at the end of the year. The project will also enable volunteers and staff at the Railway to learn
new skills and be trained in Oral History and Heritage Interpretation to better display the rich local
history associated with the railway and (for example) its significant links to the local quarrying
industry. This in turn will enable visitors and school parties to better understand the importance of the
railways in the historical development of the local economy in East Somerset.

The railway held a Steam Gala over the weekend of 24/25 March and a visit was made on the Sunday.
In use, alternating on passenger and goods trains, were BR 2-6-0 46447 (Crewe/1950) and GWR 0-6-2T
5637 (Swindon/1925). Trains departed approximately hourly from Cranmore to Mendip Vale and
return. The passenger train was formed of three ex-BR MK1 coaches, while the goods trains was
formed of various wagons with a brake van at each end. Unlimited passenger riding in either brake van
was permitted without additional charge. On return, the goods train detrained all passengers at
Cranmore West as it ran into the loop at Cranmore. In the yard 0-4-0ST 'Little Nan' (AB1719/1920) was
offering 'Driver for a Tenner' cab rides. The loco shed and works building was open for inspection, but
not the new diesel shed or carriage shed. Cranmore signal box was open, where a replacement frame
has been fitted (from Coombe Junction), but only one signal has been connected to the frame, while
many others have been erected. Beyond the ESR/NR boundary, at 5m 48ch, the Network Rail section
towards Merehead is heavily rusted and partly overgrown. The 7¼" gauge Miniature Railway was in
operation, with three sit-in coaches top and tailed by a 'Toby' tram petrol loco and a small sit-on diesel
outline loco. Fares were £1 'donation' for all. The Gala seemed well supported, without trains being
unduly overcrowded. An adult day ticket was a very reasonable £10 - the normal day rover fare.

ABOVE: East Somerset Railway - 5637 arrives back at Cranmore with the goods train, while 46447
waits with stock for the 11.10 passenger train. (Peter Scott, 25 March 2018)

MR64] Fawley Hill Railway, Oxfordshire (MR p7): The owner of this private railway near Henley-on-
Thames, Sir William McAlpine, sadly died on 4 March 2018 - aged 82. It is not currently known whether
open days will continue. There is a creditable report that everything may be sold off but trade events
are booked later in the year and the venue is available to book for weddings with/without the railway.

MR65] Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, Gloucestershire (MR p7) (BLN 1300.443):
The railway opened its extension to Broadway to public passenger services on Good Friday, 30 March
2018 and a dedicated member and his dog duly visited to cover the new track. Despite the advice on
the Railway's website regarding overcrowding and to plan your journey, he arrived at 09.00 at
Toddington to find only a handful of cars parked in the field nearest P2. Entry was by wristband,
although tickets were issued and instantly crossed out - £18 for an all day rover - excellent value for
nearly 14 miles of standard gauge steam (actually 13m 75ch!). He even managed to get the very first
dog day rover ticket at only £2. This was numbered 0001, a yellow Edmonson, unclipped or disfigured
in any way. A real collector's item and no doubt highly sought after by ticket aficionados.

The first public train from reopened Broadway (dep 09.40) arrived at Toddington P2 at 09.56 on time
with whistles sounding and Union Jacks flying from the First Class and with the headboard 'Return to
Broadway'. This was hauled by GWR 4-6-0 7903 'Foremarke Hall' with 8 coaches and plenty of room
for all with no overcrowding (it was rather a wet day!). Our reporter arrived at Cheltenham at 10.35
and departed for Broadway at 11.05. The loop at Gotherington was in use by all trains returning
towards Broadway, but P2 at Winchcombe only saw one train use it (the 09.40 ex Cheltenham).
Trains also passed at Toddington. Arrival at Broadway was at 12.06, running into the right hand
platform. The station footbridge (from Henley-in-Arden) has yet to be completed with steps. A massive
amount of money has been spent getting to Broadway and this should invigorate the local economy -
a truly amazing feat by dedicated enthusiasts. Despite the railway being wary of overcrowding,
everyone acted with good manners and politeness and there were no problems to report whatsoever.
An excellent event well managed with lots of staff on hand to help visitors our reporter comments.



[BLN 1302]
PREVIOUS PAGE: The owner of Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (sic) Dog Ticket 0001

proudly poses with his rare collectable ticket. (Rod Bryant 30 March 2018)

MR66] North Gloucestershire Railway, Gloucestershire (MR p17) (BLN 1094.MR132): This 2ft gauge
line runs alongside the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway at Toddington and was visited on
Good Friday, 30 March. In steam was 0-8-0T Henschel 15968/1918 with three semi open carriages.
Trains were lightly loaded despite this being first day of public services to Broadway on the GWSR.
Trains stop at California Crossing for a short time to allow viewing of the loco shed and signal box,
including a coach now restored from the Wembley Exhibition of 1924. They continue to Didbrook loop
(right hand side) and then return to Toddington via the platform avoiding line at California Crossing.

MR67] Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway, Greater London (MR p17) (BLN 1280.MR78):
The railway has agreed a lease with Thames Water to build a new line over most of the original route.
On 19 March 2018, the Deputy Mayors from Richmond and Hounslow and the Mayor of Spelthorne
attended the lease signing ceremony along with the chairman of the Railway and CEO of Thames
Water. Michael Hamilton, chairman of the Railway, said: This landmark event is the culmination of
many years of co-operation with Thames Water to gain permission to rebuild the original 1915
industrial railway across their land. This extends our already five-year operational loop, enhancing our
remarkable heritage railway's potential as a major attraction for local communities.

The relaid 2ft gauge railway will run 1½ miles from Kempton Steam Museum to Hydes Field, Hampton,
giving visitors a trip through unspoilt countryside (only 12 miles from Hyde Park Corner!). Plans are in
place to build a visitor and community centre that will provide educational opportunities for local
schools and other interested groups. A short section off the current operational circuit (which opened
on 18 May 2013) has already been laid as far as the 'first straight'. The original railway carried coal
from the Thames at Hampton to the Kempton & Hampton water pumping stations from 1915 to 1945.

MR68] Beamish Tramway, County Durham (MR p32) (BLN 1282.MR100): The total fleet mileage for
2017 was 27,550, an average per car of 6,500 miles. This was higher than the normal annual average
per car of 5,500 miles, due to increased visitor numbers and extra events during the year. A three-car
service had to be maintained whereas in previous years a two-car service was normal on quieter days.
A four-car service runs on the busiest days, mainly in the school holidays. The area in front of the Tram
Depot is being altered to provide an apron for shunting trams and turning Colliery bus services.

MR69] Snowdon Mountain Railway, Gwynedd (MR p30) (BLN 1296.MR10): The railway's inaugural
train ran on Easter Monday, 1896 - but all did not run smoothly. On the way back down the mountain
locomotive No1 'LADAS' derailed and plunged off the edge of a cliff. The driver and fireman leapt to
safety. Even though the carriage behind (which was not coupled to the locomotive for that reason, as
is still the case) ground safely to a halt, two passengers also jumped out. One, Ellis Griffith Roberts,
sustained fatal injuries in the fall. The line was mothballed while a safety review ensued. Eventually, it
was decided to refit the rack-and-pinion track (based on a design pioneered in the Swiss Alps) with an
additional safety feature: a steel girder running the length of the track to lock trains in. The new design
was completed in 1897 and has remained in place ever since - the only one of its kind in the world, and
with no further accidents.

This winter, though, the railway (with 120,000 passengers a year) embarked on a 10-year £2.6M
project to lift the old track and replace it with a modern design, which does not rely on the safety
girder. Over the past few months engineers have battled through blizzards, fog and hill snow to lay
280m of the new track, known as an 'Ypsilon Sleeper' because of the Y-shaped design.

NEXT PAGE: Snowdon Mountain Railway - crowds throng the path to the summit on a glorious clear
sunny day. Llyn Padarn (Llanberis Lake) is middle left. (Peter Scott, 8 September 2012)

Details must be checked 1302 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
[Items that may be of interest to our members but are generally not Branch Line Society activities]

800] Peaky trains leads to Glasgow - Edinburgh Cheap Peaks: The new Class 385 EMUs (70 trains on
order), planned to reduce Glasgow to Edinburgh journey times to as little as 39 minutes for the
47¼ miles, are unable to enter service as planned. The windscreens significantly distort signal aspects
with a 'fish bowl' effect. Meanwhile some Class 170 DMUs have gone off lease as intended, shortening
some peak trains by 50%. ScotRail are looking for replacement stock for the 170s and meanwhile have
reduced Anytime Day Return fares via Bathgate from £24.70 (Senior Railcard £16.30) to the Off-Peak
fare of £13.00 (£8.60). This journey can take as little as 1 hour 7 minutes for the 44 miles, only
13 minutes longer than some trains via Falkirk High. Single fares are now £14.40 via Falkirk and £12.90
(again the Off-Peak fare) via Bathgate respectively (Senior Railcard £9.50/£8.50). CrossCountry actually
offer the best deal for flexible tickets; their Anytime day returns are £12 (Senior Railcard £7.90) (Single
£9.20/ £6.10) valid on any of their trains only and taking under an hour for the 57¼ miles via Carstairs.

801] Volk's Electric Railway: (MR p16) Madeira Drive, Seafront, Brighton, BN2 1EN, TQ 316 038.
2' 8½" gauge 1 mile (taking 12 minutes), fully reopened after relaying and refurbishment, restored
cars and new buildings. Open Easter to end of Oct, trains every 15 mins (subject to weather) to
17.15 weekdays/18.15 weekends. Adult £3.70 Single, £4.80 return, Child (3-15) £2.20/£2.90; Senior
£2.50/£3.70; Family (2A&2C) £9.20/£12.50. Visitor Centre at Aquarium station MWThO 10.00-16.00.

802] Hastings Diesels Ltd, West Norfolk Wanderer, Sat 21 Apr: To the Middleton Towers branch (King's
Lynn dep 15.30, Ely arr 17.07), As some are visiting Cambridge (11.12/17.32) & Ely (11.34/17.07) a part fare
may be possible; email [email protected] details https://goo.gl/qBvByg 07501 478676.

803] Job Vacancy, Epping Ongar Railway, General Manager: Closing date 27 Apr, a full time position;
see website for details. Curriculum vitae to [email protected] with a covering letter.

804] ScotRail 'Fife for a Fiver', 16 Apr until 15 Jun: Off-Peak Day Return between Fife, Edinburgh and
Dundee for £5 (details awaited). This is an 'apology' from ScotRail for poor service with overcrowding,
cancellations and late running trains missing stops to catch up. Sadly with the new toll free Forth
Motorway Road Bridge open and its new connections, this is not the time for poor rail performance.…..

805] Steeple Grange Light Railway: Porter Lane (B5035), Bolehill, Wirksworth, DE4 4LS, (SK 288 555).
Suns & Bank Hols to the end of Sep, also Sats Jul & Aug and some days in autumn half term holiday.
Bus services run near. A very friendly 18" gauge railway; trains every 20 minutes from 12.00-17.00 on
the 620yd main line (part of the standard gauge Killer's Quarry Branch CG Apr 1967, off the Cromford
& High Peak Line - map BLN 1293.2347) and since 9 Dec 2017 on the Steeplehouse Quarry Branch
(150yd) again. Adult £4; Concession £3; Child £2; Family £10 (2A&3C) includes rides on both lines.

806] Leighton Buzzard Railway, FREE 'Youth Day', Sat 12 May: The Heritage Railway Association; to
encourage and enlist more young volunteers (age 16-25). Designed to show the many different aspects
of volunteering on a heritage railway and potential benefits. FREE - except for a fish & Chip supper at
cost if required. https://goo.gl/ZmJJqs is the programme email Tim Parsons [email protected]

X.48] BELOW: BLN 1302 Guess the location - no clues there are quite a few already. (Ian Mortimer)

Tue 15 May 2018 Arr Dep

Tue 15 May 2018 Arr Dep 807] Railway Preservation society of Ireland, 131 Renaissance,
Whitehead Excursion - 08.20
Belfast Central 09.25 Tue 15 May: (LEFT) A railtour based on the lines from Belfast,
Lisburn 09.19 10.00 with newly-restored steam locomotive No131. In particular out
Antrim 09.49 11.10
Lisburn 10.52 12.18 of, and back in to, Whitehead Excursion Platform and Lisburn to
Bangor 12.00 14.15
Lisburn 13.05 15.27 Antrim in both directions by steam. £40 (option 'B3') plus £5 for
Belfast Central 15.08 16.00
Whitehead Excursion 15.50 optional visit to Whitehead Railway Museum (option 'B4').
16.57 -
Details: https://goo.gl/6siiEZ to book: https://goo.gl/t8B3RD is

the booking form which has to be posted in by 17 Apr but it may
be possible to book this trip later try 44 28 9337 3968 or email

[email protected] to check and for queries.

808] Mid-Norfolk Railway, Return to Worthing! Sat 19 & Sun 20 May: (Item 682) "Public timetabled
trains have not worked through Worthing since 1964." (sic) 11.00 Sat reopening train, VIP All Line Day
Rover £20 Adult; Child £10; Family £40 (online and limited number on the day). For the rest of Sat or
Sun Day Rovers: Adult £15; Concession £12; Mid-Norfolk Member £10; Family £30; Child £4. An Adult
Dereham - Worthing only day rover is available £11. Steam, diesel loco/DMU planned (see website).

BELOW: 88008 'Ariadne' electrodieselat Wymondham Abbey station, Mid-Norfolk Railway,
in the snow on Sat 17 Mar 2018. (Stephen Atkinson)

809] Southern Electric Group, Hornsey Driving Simulator, Thur 31 May 14.00-17.00: Thanks to our
member Stuart Hicks, an afternoon visit for up to 9 people with at least 20 minutes of 'driving' each.
Apply to [email protected] (mention your BLS membership and membership number) or
write with an SAE to 2 Queen Anne's Gate, Caversham, Reading RG4 5DU. A charity donation applies.

X.49] ABOVE: Very rare track in Bodiam station yard during our 2016 AGM weekend (Ian Mortimer).

810] Hidden London NEW VISITS: Those who thought that they had completed the London Transport
Museum set of Underground tours may be interested in some new station architecture tours ●Holden
Goes West: From 12 May, 2½ hours; 'British Modernism' the Piccadilly line western extension Sudbury
Town, Alperton, Park Royal & Acton Town. ●The Stations of Leslie Green: Begins 2 Jun, 2½ hours; the
hidden parts of Holloway Road, Arsenal, Russell Square & Covent Garden. ●Semi-detached Holden:
Starts 21 Jul, 2½ hours; Oakwood, Southgate & Arnos Grove compare with the 1930s surrounding
suburbs. Charles Holden's innovative architecture with Frank Pick. ●Looping the Loop: 8 Sep and after,
2½ hours London's earliest 'main line' suburban commuter stations on the Central Line Fairlop Loop.

All are in groups of 12 at £35 (concessions £30) plus £1.50 per transaction when open for bookings.
Reports for BLN/high definition pictures welcome. Available to book now: ●55 Broadway: London's
First Skyscraper (with refreshments and a roof top visit), ●Euston: The Lost Tunnels (limited time; part
is to be demolished for HS2), ●Clapham South: Subterranean Shelter, ●Charing Cross: Access all areas,
●Down Street: Churchill's Secret Station (with refreshments), ●Highgate: Wilderness Walkabout.
Sign up at https://goo.gl/NFuKs3 for notifications or it may be possible to book at 012 7565 7298.

811] Downs Light Railway, Sat 23 Jun 11.00-17.00: https://goo.gl/p3TDMK (BLN 1279.921 with plan)
Downs School, Brockhill Rd, Colwall, WR13 6EY, (SO 7593 4329); 950yd walk from Colwall station.
This interesting school railway of unusual 9½" gauge is running for ex-pupils and teachers of the school
(in practice few attend). Public rides (only for the second time recently) for a charge, if capacity and
motive power allows. 'The World's oldest private miniature railway' (1925), with an incredible tunnel!

●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime). [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor
●Publicity Officer: David Clark, 30 Tylacelyn Rd, Tonypandy CF40 1JS. [email protected] (PLEASE USE THIS EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY)
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

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


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