[BLN 1254]
735] Ravenstruther ('Renstrie'): (BLN 1184.628) April Modern Railways has a picture of the 1989 built
coal loading facility being demolished on 7 March. This was completed by 25 March but the track was
then still in situ. It was at 75m 08ch, just north of Carstairs on the Glasgow line, a mile south of Lanark
Jm. Coal was brought in by road from open-cast workings in the Douglas Basin, South Lanarkshire. The
final three trains ran in June 2013 to clear the stockpile. A report in the Carluke Gazette of 7 Jan 2009
stated that Scottish Resources Group had received outline planning permission from South Lanarkshire
Council to build a 'unique housing development', once coal loading had ceased. BELOW: The terminal
on 1 May 2006 (Alan Stewart). The branch ran underneath the loader and the West Coast Main Line is
in front (Carstairs and Carlisle to the left; Lanark Jn, Motherwell and Glasgow to the right).
ABOVE: An empty train from Longannet approaching the bunker in December 2005 (Archie Acre).
737] New Email Address: Your Scotland Regional Editor, Mike McCabe, has a new email address
without an 'underscore' [email protected] his previous address will still work.
[BLN 1254]
736] Longannet last rites: (BLN 1253. 610 & X38): On Friday 18 March, a day earlier than originally
planned, the final coal train ran from Hunterston High Level, departing 06.25. It reached Longannet at
09.21, the empty wagons left 11.18 returning to Hunterston HL at 13.42. The final train of all on
Wednesday 23 March was a light engine at 14.00 from Mossend arriving Longannet at 15.14 to pick up
five crippled wagons, it left with them at 17.53. Electricity generation ended after 47 years (it was built
for a life of 25 years), at 12 noon on Thursday 24 March, after the final fuel at Scotland's last coal-
burning power station had been burnt. With 4 x 600MW generators it was the largest power station in
Europe when built. It first generated in 1969, was fully commissioned in 1973, and has burnt 177M
tonnes of coal. This was originally supplied directly by conveyor belt from the adjacent Longannet
Colliery complex until it closed in 2002 after a flood and was Scotland's final significant deep mine. Of
the 230 staff, 45 are to be kept on until the end of the year for decommissioning. This involves
cleaning and removing oils from the system, there are no plans for demolition yet. Hunterston HL still
sends one daily train to Radcliffe-on-Soar SSuMX which is the only inward coal that power station is
currently receiving. With the S&C closure, the train runs via Hexham and the East Coast main line.
1254 WALES
738] Easter: (BLN 1252.432) Engineering work blocked the line between Cardiff Queen Street and
Central from 21.00 on Saturday 26 March (after the World Half Marathon event in the city) to Tuesday
29 March. Facing points were installed from the Down Barry line toward the new Central station P8,
with repositioning of trailing crossover 821 (between the Up and Down Barry lines) 8m nearer to the
station. The possession brought about some unusual operations. On Easter Sunday, all Rhymney Valley
and Taff Vale services started and terminated at Cardiff Bay, with up trains using the crossovers at
Queen Street South Jn; bus services operated south of Cardiff Central. Bank Holiday Monday saw
through workings Merthyr Tydfil/Aberdare to/from Barry Island/Bridgend, non-stop between Radyr
and Grangetown via Penarth Curve. Treherbert and Rhymney Valley trains again operated to/from
Cardiff Bay, and Coryton line stations were served by a half-hourly 'locked in' shuttle, passengers
changed between Heath High and Low Level stations. Replacement buses ran between Central/Cogan
and Penarth. Tuesday brought a further variation for Merthyr and Aberdare trains, booked non-stop
between Radyr and Cardiff Central via Danescourt, with replacement buses between Cardiff Central
and Barry Island/Penarth, and a shuttle train service between Barry and Bridgend. Danescourt to
Ninian Park stations inclusive were closed throughout, with rail tickets available by local buses.
739] Fishguard potential closure: It is not always appreciated that trains to Fishguard Harbour leave
NR tracks just beyond Fishguard & Goodwick station. The remainder of the line belongs to the
Fishguard & Rosslare Railways and Harbour Co (F&RR&H), a company nowadays jointly owned by
Iarnród Éireann and Stena Line Ports Ltd. They are successors to the original partners, the Great
Southern & Western Railway of Ireland and (via BR Sealink and predecessors) the Great Western
Railway. 'Railwatch' reports that as predicted in (BLN 1163.723) of 16 Jun 2012, that company now
intends to close Fishguard Harbour station, substituting a bus link from Fishguard & Goodwick. Can
any reader comment as to whether the usual statutory closure formalities would apply to F&RR&H?
The last passenger railway in Wales to close was the Caernarfon branch on 5 Jan 1970.
On the Irish side, the F&RR&H Company own (but leases to IÉ) the line from Rosslare Europort to just
short of Wexford station and the moribund line from Rosslare Strand to Waterford (Abbey Jn). Its
onward continuation from Waterford (Suir Bridge Jn) to Fermoy CP 27 Mar 1967, and an authorised
extension from Fermoy to Cork was never built, boat trains instead using GS&W tracks via Mallow.
740] South East Wales Metro: (BLN 1247.2357) Signing of a 20-year 'City Deal' on 15 March brings the
promise of £734M funding for rail and bus schemes comprising the proposed Metro. The deal is to be
funded 45% each by Welsh Government and HM Treasury, and 10% by the ten Local Authorities
making up the Cardiff Capital Region. This includes the £125M already committed for Valley Lines
electrification, which will be a key element. The ambition is to use public transport investment to
attract and retain business, and driving up the economic prosperity of the region.
1254 MINOR RAILWAYS
. From this BLN the 'MR' page numbers refer to the new 2016 (28th) edition of Minor Railways.
MR56] Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Cornwall (MR p6): The Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway
Company (an offshoot of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway) are hoping to build a new Wadebridge
East station at Guineaport, and relay 4½ miles of track alongside the Camel Trail, through Nanstallon
to Boscarne. The Company wants Cornwall Council to back a full feasibility study of the area, after
initial assessments suggested either a heritage line or combined steam and local commuter line would
both prove profitable. In a newsletter to members, the group said there was a strong business case for
both options, which is why further investigation must be undertaken. The Council backed the initial
round of assessments but has not made a decision on further funding allocations. The ex-single track
railway route (CP 30 Jan 1967; CG 4 Sep 1978) is part of the popular 'Camel Trail' cycleway/footpath.
MR57] Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, Midsomer Norton (MR p6): Passenger trains
recommenced here with Santa trains during December 2015. However, there were two special running
weekends - 27/28 February and 5/6 March - the latter to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of
the S&DR in March 1966. These utilised specially hired in LMSR class 3F 0-6-0 47406 masquerading as
former S&D loco 47506. A number of BLS members were noted on Sunday 6 March. The planned half-
hourly timetable seemed to have been abandoned and trains were running continuously during the
period 11.00-13.00. Later there was a break for lunch. 47506 hauled BR MK1 SK M26049 and SR
'Queen Mary' brake van ADS56286 from Midsomer Norton South station (12m 00ch) to the passenger
limit at 12m 42ch and propelled back. The trains used the down (towards Bournemouth) line to 12m
26ch where the up line ends. Track finishes at 12m 44ch; the end of their previous lease.
However, another lease has now been agreed with the Duchy of Cornwall to take the line towards the
infill blocking Chilcompton Tunnel mouth. Tree clearance work was noted on the first part of this
section. Shuttling back and forth on the up line was Sentinel 7109, just returned to steam and giving
footplate rides. Entrance to the site was free with train rides £5. Travel was permitted on the 'Queen
Mary' at no extra cost. Refreshments were available in the ex-West Coast BR MK3 buffet car stabled in
the goods dock. Heritage buses linked the town centre/car parks and the station and ran some tours.
MR58] Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Derbyshire (MR p8): The former 1870 Midland Railway Roundhouse
(used by BR until 9 Feb 1991 and saved from demolition by local campaigners with 48 hours to spare)
has been awarded £1,170,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The money will be used to repair
and refurbish the building, transforming the Roundhouse into a nationally important museum. A new
entrance, shop and café will be created alongside high quality new visitor facilities, a dedicated
learning and meeting space with a conservation workshop. A wide range of learning, training and skills
activities will accompany this, ensuring that the Roundhouse can attract a much wider and more
diverse audience. It is hoped that work will start in June this year and be complete by mid-2019.
Many years of service have taken their toll on the main building, and it now requires urgent attention
to make it water-tight and save the collections from damage. There is also a pressing need to record
the memories of the people who worked at the site, many of whom are now elderly. Jonathan Platt,
Head of the HLF East Midlands, said: 'As the last surviving operational Roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a
unique role in telling the story of the UK's evocative transport heritage. There is no better way to learn
about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we are
delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much needed project to repair
the building and enhance visitors' understanding and enjoyment of the site'. HLF previously provided a
£96,400 development grant in 2014 to work-up plans for the project. Now, following a further
application, the full grant has been awarded allowing the major works to commence. No alterations to
the track layout are being made. The Railway Centre has over 30,000 visitors each year.
[BLN 1254]
MR59] North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9): Following over five years in the
planning, the conversion from Train Staff and Ticket Telephone Block method of signalling to Electric
Token Block between the signal boxes Goathland - Levisham and Levisham - New Bridge (Pickering)
has commenced. On 6 February Train Staff and Ticket Telephone Block working was abolished
between the 'short' Goathland SB - Levisham SB section, and the 'long' Goathland SB - New Bridge SB
section. At 16.45 on 6 March 2016 Electric Token Block working, using Tyer's No6 tablet instruments,
was commissioned between Goathland SB and Levisham SB. The first train movements to be signalled
by this new method occurred on the 11 March when light Diesel Class 25 D7628 worked the OP01
08.00 Grosmont to Pickering, and the return empty stock 5G02 09.20 Pickering to Grosmont.
Conversion of the Levisham SB - New Bridge SB and the Goathland - New Bridge SB sections to Electric
Token Block in the case of the former, and Electric Key Token Block using Tyer's No9 instruments for
the latter, (enabling Levisham SB to be able to be 'switched out' again), will take place later in the year.
MR60] Alexandra Park Miniature Railway, East Sussex (MR p16) (BLN 1252.MR43): A member visited
here on Saturday 13 February for the official reopening ceremony by the Mayor of Hastings.
Unfortunately, it was in torrential rain, although about 40 people turned out for the ribbon cutting.
The Mayor had a successful first ride at 11.00, but the rain more or less put an end to the proceedings.
However, our correspondent did return a week later on Saturday 20 February on what was a fine
morning. The train was running with a small petrol chain driven locomotive with two sit-in coaches.
There is a second track in the tunnel used for storage, only connected at the eastern end, where two
more sit-in coaches were stored. Two further sit-astride coaches were on the open siding, making six
riding coaches in all. Three 7¼" gauge locomotives are present at the moment, one being a battery
class 08 and the other two petrol and chain driven. Tickets issued were a nice titled ('Hastings
Miniature Railway' - probably meant for that railway) roll ticket - the £1 fare entitles the purchaser to
50p off the Hastings Miniature Railway on the seafront if the ticket is presented.
MR61] Haigh Railway, Greater Manchester (MR p17) (BLN 1206.MR44): On 5 March a member visited
this railway situated in Haigh Country Park, Haigh, Wigan. The 15" gauge railway is a mile long circuit
through woodland in the grounds of Haigh Hall. Trains run at weekends, bank holidays and during
Wigan school holidays. Times are: 11.00 until 16.00. Rides cost £1 per person. There are two stations -
Haigh Hall and The Walled Garden and all trains call at both. Motive power is currently provided by
steam outline 0-6-2 Diesel Hydraulic locomotive Helen (Alan Keef 41/1992), hauling three covered
coaches. The Country Park has a (paid) car park. Public transport is by the '575' bus from Wigan bus
station or Blackrod railway station to Aspull, followed by a pleasant 10-15 minute walk.
MR62] Stradbally Woodland Express, County Laois (MR p27) (BLN 1187.MR121): A group of about 15
to 20 volunteers are active on this railway in County Laois, located just off the M7/8 motorway from
Dublin. The site originally had no railway connection and was once green fields! The oldest heritage
railway in Ireland - it was founded c1967 by the Irish Steam Preservation society and originally started
out with a Spence Guinness 1ft 10in loco No15 on a short stretch of rails (the only Guinness loco to
operate in preservation!). This loco is now in the Steam Museum nearby in Stradbally village. The
railway then became 3ft gauge sometime in the 1970s, with a balloon loop installed by volunteers
from scratch. The railway took delivery of preserved Andrew Barclay 0-4-0WT No2 (LM44) - one of a
trio of Bord na Mona steam locos. No2 is the mainstay of operations at Stradbally, with a former Cavan
& Leitrim 3rd class coach and a former Lochaber Railway chassis the main passenger stock. This was
completed in the mid 1980s. The railway has largely run on Bank Holiday weekends and in conjunction
with the Steam Rally weekend, along with opening during 'Heritage Week'. The group has recently
completed the major task of completely transforming the station track layout to allow two sidings to
give access to a brand new shed to store stock in. Volunteers cleared cuttings etc and moved sleepers
into position along with second hand ex-mainline grade 75, 85, and 90lb rails.………… …………………….
[BLN 1254]
MR63] Ffestiniog Railway, Gwynedd (MR p29) (BLN 1251.MR33): A detailed article entitled 'Coed y
Bleiddiau: Occupiers & Interesting Connections' by Peter Napier was published in the Winter 2014/15
edition of the FR Society's Ffestiniog Railway Magazine. Although some of the dates differ by a few
years (but without quoting sources), the salient facts are consistent with Peter Johnson's account
derived from FR archives, which is quoted in the BLN 1251 item. However, Napier does provide
information regarding the most recent tenants: Bob and Babs Johnson lived there from 1951 until
2006, 'when their advanced age and failing health made living in such a remote place impracticable'.
From the reopening of the Tan-y-Bwlch to Dduallt section of the FR in 1968, Coed y Bleiddiau was a
private request stop. However, in later years at least, the couple did have a car, which they parked, in
the forest, walking to the cottage along a rough footpath. Their main income came from gathering
sphagnum moss in the locality. It is known to have been carried by the FR from Tan-y-Bwlch to Blaenau
in the 1940s en route to Liverpool hospitals; there it was used for clinical dressings because of wartime
cotton shortages by contrast with its more common horticultural use in peacetime!
A member reports he was able to use Coed y Bleiddiau station in 2005, at the second attempt, and
then only with special written permission from the railway. His previous attempt was in 2004, when
the railway declined his request, explaining that the couple who lived there were elderly and infirm,
and that the only passenger who normally alighted there, was the district nurse attending to their
needs. Thus, on 5 October 2004 he successfully used Plas Halt, and also (with permission) Campbell's
Platform, but, not yet Coed y Bleiddiau!
A year later the position had changed (presumably the elderly couple were no longer there - he seems
to recall one had died and the other was in care). Permission was now forthcoming, and making use of
the low season train service on 30 November 2005, No7 Taliesin 0-4-4T took him from Porthmadog to
Coed y Bleiddiau, and back again (on its return from Blaenau Ffestiniog), after quite a long wait in dark
and foggy weather. The cottage at Coed y Bleiddiau did appear to be unoccupied at that date. Travels
on the line on 5 October 2004 were a little more extensive, from Porthmadog to Plas Halt and back.
Porthmadog ticket office produced a machine-printed standard printed paper to Plas Halt, endorsed
'please notify the guard before boarding train'. Then, later in the day, Porthmadog to Campbell's
Platform, where our reporter alighted. This private halt serves the resident of the house called Plas y
Dduallt. From there he walked the half a mile to nearby Dduallt station, and proceeded back by train
to Tan-y-Bwlch, before finally making for Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Plas Halt http://goo.gl/IrI204 was built to serve Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, formerly home of the Oakeley slate
quarry owners and now a local authority further education centre. It is still a request stop in the 2016
FR timetable and is ½ mile nearer to Plas Tan-y-Bwlch than Tan-y-Bwlch station.
1254 CONNECTIONS
.Please mention the Branch Line Society when booking or enquiring. A service to members, all details must be checked with the organisers.
741] Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Broadway Extension Shares: (BLN 1253.626) Each of the
Shareholder Ticket Vouchers, issued annually, is for one All Day Rover Ticket (not just one round trip),
they are transferable and apply to the full line as it is extended. They are not valid on 'special events'
shown as yellow days in the timetable. For the Broadway Extension Appeal use http://goo.gl/GUer0r
or write to The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucs GL54 5DT for an application form. It is an HMRC
Enterprise Investment Scheme; taxpayers can claim £30 tax relief for every £100 of shares purchased!
742] Kyre Valley PRIVATE Railway: (SO 629 620). Off the B4212, Tenbury Wells to Bromyard Road,
WR15 8RS, Worcestershire. No public access normally to this very extensive private miniature railway
with three main running lines and gradients as steep as 1 in 35 on a private estate south of Tenbury
Wells. Possible charity days (e.g. St. Richard's Hospice, Hereford): from 11.00; 14 May, 11 June, 9 July
& 10 Sep 2016. Locally advertised; IMPORTANT: please check local media/social media for any access.
[BLN 1254]
X.44] BLN 1253, Guess the Location:
(e-BLN 1253.X39) RIGHT: This was a 4-
wheel railbus, 812011, working train Os*
6753, the 10.50 from Brezno to Tisovec, a
journey of just over an hour in Central
Slovakia on Tuesday 8 Mar 2016. The unit
is approaching Brezno mesto (town)
station on the line from Banská Bystrica
to Margecany, so not actually on a branch
line despite appearances. The branch
referred to in BLN 1253 (to Tisovec,
Rimavská Sobota and Jesenské) diverges
at the next station east, Brezno-Halny.
Joining one stop before the junction was
to be sure of the overlap with the 'main'
line. (Dave Cromarty) *Osobný vlak or
(ordinary) passenger train; what we
would call local or stopping trains.
743] Direct Rail Services Crewe Gresty Bridge Depot, Charity Open Day, Sat 23 Jul: Gresty Road CW2
5AA, 10.00 to 16.00. 20-minute walk from the station, various locos on show with displays, stalls, open
workshops and other attractions. £5 Adult, under 16s free with accompanying adult. Check website
http://goo.gl/5rG6dU for more details. Limited parking for disabled by application only. Pay on the
day or book via the DRS shop http://goo.gl/erzDox which also has other DRS items for sale.
744] Finmere Station (CP 4 Mar 1963; CG 5 Oct 1964), Sat 13 Aug: http://www.nsers.org/ Thanks to
Chris Green a visit to this private site, home of the Network South East Railway Society. It is on the
ex-Great Central Railway main line between Calvert and Brackley Central (CA 5 Sep 1966) where it
crosses the A4421 (SP 629 313), near Buckingham, Oxfordshire, MK18 4AZ and 1¼ miles southwest of
Finmere itself. Various rolling stock items with running loco 73130 and standard gauge track. The site
is at risk of obliteration by HS2. Thanks to our member Rob Davidson, BLS members are invited;
contact Rob with 'NSERS Day Out' as the email subject at [email protected] for details when
available. Alternatively write with SAE to 107 Aston Cantlow Rd, Wilmcote, Warwickshire CV37 9XW.
745] For Sale: 5km of standard gauge track, two weighbridges, lighting towers, signalling and many
railway sleepers at Ironbridge Power Station. Bids close 11 Nov 2016 (all to be removed within 10 days
of the invoice). For details with 24 pictures http://goo.gl/ETkQqv (click on picture) 07901 502682.
The track laid at the oil sidings in 1996 for the 'Trevithick' replica (BLNP 1250 p23 pictures) is still there!
746] BLS Official Train Driver Sunglasses Offer: http://goo.gl/WFDKOt 'Metro Eyewear' has
specialised in quality sunglasses for professional drivers since 1972, supplying Train Operating
Companies for about 15 years. We are delighted to offer our members a rare and limited chance to
buy them. Two styles are available: Metro Tracker and Metro Curve; available to BLS members at a
special price of £25 each including P&P; a £4.95 discount. ALL proceeds will be donated to the
'Station to Station' project, part of the Queen's 90th birthday Celebrations. Cheque (sorry no card
payments) payee 'Branch Line Society' to 53 Kemble Close, Crewe, CW2 6XN with delivery details.
BELOW LEFT: 'Metro Tracker' driver sunglasses perfect for our railtours; slate grey sports style frame
with Dx15 grey polycarbonate lenses (medium/large fit). BELOW RIGHT: 'Metro Curve' gunmetal
colour and slightly wrapped frame and spring hinges. DX15 grey polycarbonate lenses (medium/ large).
[BLN 1254]
X 45] Top Links:
New Banbury layout after resignalling http://goo.gl/D8qOIt in August.
The incredible Railmap Online http://goo.gl/5w6PjR with many updates, particularly Liverpool.
Crowle Peatlands Railway https://goo.gl/DG4vbb (BLN 1250.MR28).
The BBC's take on Pacer http://goo.gl/hGQRfI 'trains'.
Edinburgh Waverley to Newcastle cab ride http://goo.gl/QRXlx0 in five minutes.
The Post Office Railway https://youtu.be/hzGd-5kwR9E?t=189
X.45] Guess the Location: (BELOW) Two pictures from a 1975 BLS fixture, which had three participants
including the late Arthur Miall (see item 723) standing to the right of Kevin Driscoll in the top picture.
[BLN 1254]
FULL COMMITTEE AND NEWS etc. CONTACT DETAILS - PLEASE RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE:
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