1336

1336 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]

2369] North Wales freight: (BLN 1241.1740) Sellafield bound nuclear flask traffic is expected to end
this month (Sep 2019), after removal of the last of 90,000 fuel rods from Wylfa Nuclear Power Station
on Anglesey. They are transferred from road vehicles at Valley sidings. Operated by DRS, latterly using
pairs of Class 68 locos, this is now the last regular freight on the North Wales Coast line. However, any
pause may be brief as work to clear and reopen Llandudno Junction and Glan Conwy yards for
Breedon Aggregates slate traffic from Penrhyn Quarry is due to begin in Sep. Preparations are already
being made for rail traffic to resume from Hanson's Penmaenmawr granite quarry (BLN 1330.1516).

2370] Penyffordd: (BLN 1332.1852) Better late than never! The long anticipated test train for the new
loading facilities at Padeswood Cement Works, consisting of one JPA bogie wagon and six PCA two-
axle wagons, arrived from Gloucester New Yard at 10.05 on Wed 28 Aug with GBRf 66713. The loco
and the JPA left for Horrocksford next day at 16.25; the PCAs remained, presumably for a loading test.
Of note, with the trailing crossover removed at Penyffordd from 28 May 2016, it had to run north to
Dee Marsh Sidings to run round then south past Penyffordd to Wrexham to run round again in the Up
Goods Loop and then headed off via Mickle Trafford Jn. If only the Dee Marsh Jn - Mickle Trafford line
had survived! Amending the earlier item, the 17.08 cement to Bescot is to run when required WSSuX.

2371] Rhymney: (BLN 1334.2117) The latest 'Beer Necessities', the journal of the South East Wales
CAMRA branch, available from local real ale hostelries, suggests ones to visit near stations on this line.
A fitting end to the day after a Class 37 thrash on the 17.01 or 17.46 SSuX Cardiff Central to Rhymney‽

PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: Recent CAMRA publicity taken with Chris Parker's camera.

372] Tygwyn: (BLN 1335.2446) The station ROP 9 Sep as planned. Work included replacing the very
badly warped and worn wooden platform edges, strengthening the riser wall, tarmacing and painting
white lines; the most substantial refurbishment since it OP 11 Jul 1927 as a 'Halt' so it has lasted well!
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Tygwyn (1,580 passengers recorded in 2017-18) was in a bit of a state before
the recent repairs. Like every station in Wales it has a passenger information display. (Network Rail).

2373] Shocking News: While some large TfW served stations already had these, since Mar 2019 public
access defibrillators (PADs) funded by the DfT National Stations Improvement Programme have been
installed at another 21: Holyhead, Bangor, Llandudno Junction, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Rhyl,
Wrexham, Prestatyn, Flint, Hereford, Carmarthen, Cathays, Treherbert, Rhymney, Trefforest, Llanelli,
Craven Arms, Knighton, Llandrindod Wells, Pontarddulais and Llandeilo. No training is needed to use
them and there are clear instructions on how to attach the defibrillator pads. They automatically
assess the heart rhythm and will only instruct and allow the user to deliver a shock if it is needed. The
user cannot deliver a shock accidentally. NR's regional route director commented: Putting passengers
first is at the very heart of what we aim to achieve. He would clearly be a suitable candidate for the
BLN editorial team - talking of which it is good to see defibrillators on the Heart of Wales Line.

2374] Turbostars: The transfer of eight 3-car and four 2-car Class 170 DMUs to TfW from Greater
Anglia began with 3-car 170207's Crown Point - Canton move on 1 Sep. Driver training was to begin on
16 Sep with first public use expected to be on Maesteg - Cheltenham services from the Dec timetable
change. Class 170 DMUs already have route clearance for Cardiff Central - Cheltenham with their use
on CrossCountry Cardiff - Nottingham services but Keolis Amey also proposes to use them on:

Cardiff Central - Maesteg.
Cardiff Central - Ebbw Vale Town.
Cardiff Central - Swansea.
Swansea - Milford Haven/Pembroke Dock/Fishguard Harbour.
Llanelli - Craven Arms via Central Wales Line.
Newport - Shrewsbury - Crewe.
Cardiff Central - Vale of Glamorgan Line - Bridgend.

(The latter needs route clearance of known gauging issues at Grangetown, Cadoxton & Barry stations.)
To allow for diversions, ECS moves etc the proposal includes: Swansea Avoiding Line, Swansea District
Line, Genwen Loop, Hendy loop, Penarth Curve, Leckwith Loop, Gaer Jn - Park Jn ('Gaer Single'),
Maindee North Jn to East Jn ('Hereford Loop'), Abbey Foregate loop, Shrewsbury - Abbey Foregate Jn
(used by West Midlands Railway Class 170 units) and Crewe - Crewe LNWR depot connections. NR
supports the change in principle subject to the necessary clearances being obtained but observes that
more frequent fishplate failures on jointed track should be anticipated due to the higher axle loads of
Class 170s. Regarding TfW's existing fleet, 170s can operate in multiple with classes 150, 153 and 158.

2375] Amlwch: (BLN 1316.2419) Opposition to
the proposed reopening of the Llangefni -
Amlwch northern section by Anglesey Central
Railway (ACR) has arisen in the form of
advocates of Lon Las Môn, a long distance
walking and cycle path across Anglesey. The
line's lack of level crossings would make it
particularly attractive as part of a traffic-free
route. Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn (Anglesey County
Council) took a similar view in 2007; however
it did a U-turn in favour of the ACR scheme in
2009 and has confirmed that this policy
remains unchanged. The 'numerous walking
paths' already available on the island and the
potential benefits of the ACR scheme to
tourism and local communities are cited. LEFT:
The state of the branch now. (Nick Jones).

2376] Cambrian chaos: On 2 Sep at about 10.00 NR Class 97302 on a track move from Shrewsbury
Coleham Depot in the morning engineering train path failed between Caersws and Talerddig.
Unfortunately the nearest loco able to affect a rescue (as ERTMS is required) was at Derby Railway
Technical Centre, so another Colas driver had to be despatched from Coleham to fetch it.
1Z99 consisting of 97304 left Derby around 13.00. Meanwhile Cambrian services went into meltdown.

Trains which had left Machynlleth or Shrewsbury were either terminated at the next station or
returned to each end of the Cambrian mainline. A bus service of sorts was instigated with Lloyd's
Coaches of Machynlleth. Service on 2 Sep finally resumed around 17.45 but with substantial delays all
evening. Our local reporter knows when there is a problem on the Cambrian main line as invariably the
A489 trunk road suddenly becomes much busier with Lloyd's coaches hurtling up and down.

2377] Class 153s: TfW recently received more of these single car DMUs from GWR and intends to use
some on the Wrexham - Bidston and Conwy Valley lines due to continuing delays in the introduction
of Class 230s. Both lines have had ATW Class 153 operation; the 150s currently deployed are required
to meet shortages in South Wales. The first Class 230 diesel/battery hybrid (ordered by TfW) only ran
on the national network for the first time on 9 Sep between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh. Testing,
fault free mileage accumulation, acceptance and training will be required before any can enter service.

2378] Electrification & Non-electrification: (BLN 1330.1515) As of 10 Sep, no significant extra wiring
had taken place since June but masts had been erected west of Cardiff Central station as far as could
be seen towards Brickyard Sidings. NR has confirmed that the Severn Tunnel was excluded from the
Patchway to St Brides OHLE energisation on 14 Sep (BLN 1334.2111). The effect of water ingress and
the generally damp atmosphere has caused 'growth' on the wires - so perhaps they are sort of 'live'?
The problem will be revisited in about a year's time when hopefully a solution (fungicide?) may be
found; meanwhile, as expected, bimode trains must continue to run through the tunnel on diesel.

1336 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]

ABOVE: The Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway. In happier times, 31206 is about to haul
a 2-coach away from the far end of line. (Peter Scott, 10 Apr 2011.)

MR173] Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway, Northamptonshire (MR p7) (BLN 1255 MR65):
A member visiting this 30ch long standard gauge line on Saturday 24 August found that trains were not
running. On asking, he was told there were track problems and trains would not be running before
Christmas. There was a padlocked gate across the platform roads, which were all very rusty. [MR Ed:
The reason for the lack of activity is that the railway was served with a Prohibition Notice by the ORR
(Serial Number P/ SJT/03/07/19/1) on 3 July 2019. This states the railway had: an inadequate and out
of date Safety Management System, inability to demonstrate competence of staff and maintenance of
traction and rolling stock, permanent way and one bridge. No trains of any sort can operate until these
deficiencies have been rectified and, presumably, an inspection carried out. The railway had already
voluntarily suspended operations in early 2018]. Unfortunately over a year later, the railway's website
was still showing a passenger timetable and makes no mention that trains are not running. [However,
on 12 Sep, it stated: 'Unfortunately there will be no train services until further notice' - PAS]

MR174] Moorland Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p22) (BLN 1327.1103): This PRIVATE 7¼" gauge
miniature railway opens for charity during the afternoon of the first Sunday of the month from May to
September. On Sunday 4 August, the charity was Macmillan Cancer Support. A three train service was
being operated, using two Met Railway locos (8 'Sherlock Holmes' and 17 'Florence Nightingale') and
SR 20001 - all battery electric. The railway is owned by Alan Williams of 'Modern Railways' fame.

MR175] Birmingham Model Engineers, West Midlands (MR p25) (BLN 1251.MR34): This site has a
5/7¼" ground level track (a circuit of 370yds) around a 3½/5" gauge elevated track, which itself has a
significant Gauge One model railway inside. Public running has recently ceased due to the difficulty of
ensuring sufficient volunteers, but it remains an active site and available for private hire. On Sunday 25
August there was a visit by the Birmingham Model Club whose interests focused on Gauge One
running. Elevated track operation with a 1970s GWR Manor steam loco (7817 'Garsington Manor') had
ceased by mid-afternoon with limited interest in it, sadly before your peripatetic members arrived.

However, they were made welcome and were able to walk the railways. The ground level includes a
significant shed branch with a link to a loading line. A section of the original lower alignment remains
set in the concrete driveway. The elevated track has a traverser accessing two very substantial sections
leading to steaming bays. This traverser works by putting its length of track on top of the lines with the
locos running onto them by a ramp.

MR176] Ruislip Lido Railway, Greater London (MR p17) (BLN 1290.MR190): Our reporter and his
partner (both BLS members) visited this 12" gauge railway on Bank Holiday Monday (26 August) and
found a two train service in operation. One train was diesel hauled by 1986 built 'Lady of the Lakes'
and the other by their steam loco 'Mad Bess' - with trains at maximum length - thus ALL their coaching
stock was in use. Due to anticipated extra demand there was an advertised 20 minute frequency, but
the timetable seemed to be erratic when our reporter arrived around 14.00. They boarded the diesel
departure at 14.10 (timetable poster stated XX.00, XX.20 and XX.40) from Willow Lawn with the train
well filled and, due to engineering work on that day, it ran wrong line between Eleanor's Loop and
The Dell just outside the Woody Bay terminal loop (an unexpected bonus - but they now have to do a
repeat visit to do the normal line!). They re-boarded the same train straightaway for the return and
requested to get off at what is probably London's only request railway station: Haste Hill (at which you
can only alight at, no boarding). There is a locked gate opened by the guard between the platform and
the footpath beyond. They were the only ones to take advantage of this! Our reporter thought the
fares charged (£3.30 adult return) were very good for this near two mile line through Ruislip Woods.

MR177] Bala Lake Railway, Gwynedd (MR p29) (BLN 1297.MR17): The railway held a 'Mini Steam Gala'
over the Bank Holiday weekend of 24-26 August. The timetable featured two train running, with trains
crossing on the reinstated passing loop at Llangower. A visit was made on the Sunday - in superb
weather, which brought out crowds of people - virtually all 'normals'. All trains seen between about
11.00 and 14.00 were full. In steam and taking turns on the service trains were 0-4-0 steam tank locos:
'Winifred' (HE364/1885), 'George B' (HE680/1898), 'Alice' (HE780/1902) and lastly 'Maid Marian'
(HE822/1903). The 11.50 from Llanuwchllyn to Bala was worked by 'Winifred' with three coaches and
passed 'George B' and 'Maid Marian' by using the loop at Llangower. The return 12.30 from Bala (still
with 'Winifred') passed 'Alice' at Llangower - this time by using the through line. Locos laying over at
Llanuwchllyn were available for 'Driver for a Fiver' along part of run-round loop there.

At Llangower the signalling is not operational, but the points were controlled from the ground frame
by the level crossing and station. Hand signalling using flags was, therefore, employed. This station was
well used, being adjacent to Bala Lake. As for the other intermediate stations: Glanllyn (also referred
to by the railway in its website line description as Glan Llyn Flag Halt) is only used for Santa trains and
although Pentrepiod is shown on the leaflet map, it does not appear in the timetable. The small grassy
platform has a name board - but neither of the two trains our reporter travelled on called. A 'Priv'
adult return was £3, for which a 'Child' light green Edmondson card ticket was issued.

ABOVE: Bala Lake Railway; 'Winifred' runs round her train at Bala station. (Peter Scott, 25 Aug 2019.)

MR178] Vale of Rheidol Railway, Ceredigion (MR p29) (BLN 1332.MR134): The new Aberystwyth
station was first used for passenger services on 16 February 2019. The line is temporarily shortened,
however as the railway is constructing a carriage shed in the old bay platform, the line will then
continue to the zero point at the end of the old Aberystwyth head shunt. Clearance work is now taking
place, and shed construction will begin shortly. The running line is about 9ch shorter than before.

MR178] Old Kiln Light Railway, Surrey (MR p24) (BLN 1162.MR91): This 2ft gauge railway runs through
the grounds of the Rural Life Centre at Tilford, near Farnham. It is an 'E' run of 600 yards with the main
station, Mills Wood, near a Timber Yard. Our dedicated member visited on Bank Holiday Sunday, 25
August, arriving late afternoon in hot weather; there seemed to be few visitors. Entrance to the Rural
Life Centre is £10, with £2 for a ride on the railway. Trains ran every 30 minutes. In use was 4wDM
(MR8981/1946) with the two former Alton Towers coaches and a brake van. Trains were lightly loaded
and left from the middle station by sheds. Staff were very friendly and a shed inspection was arranged.

ABOVE: Old Kiln Light Railway; the train stands in Mills Wood station. (Rod Bryant, 25 Aug 2019.)

MR180] Kingsbridge & District Light Railway, Devon (MR p15) (BLN 1314.MR195): A visit was made to
this 7¼" gauge railway on Wednesday 21 August in fine weather. Trains were scheduled to operate
from 11.00 until 18.00 and during the time our reporter was there, a steady flow of passengers were
riding for the fare of £1 each way. Of note is that railway recently carried its 20,000th customer.

MR181] Wythall Miniature Railway, Worcestershire (MR p26) (BLN 1186.MR105): On Sunday 25
August your peripatetic members paid the £7 'special event' Museum entrance fee to access the
3½/5/7¼" gauge railway operated by the Elmdon Model Engineering Society. The railway charges £1
per ride, or four for £3. 0-4-0ST 'Sandwell Lady' was operating trains from Elmdon Halt, round the
circuit (including a tunnel with very imposing roundels), then taking the station avoiding line, round
again and back into platform. The 'inner loop' by the old station on the circuit is not regularly used.

One of the operators recalled a visit by an enthusiast some years ago on a very wet day who failed to
get overlap when the driver stopped under cover and was persuaded to run a bit further along the
platform for him - if you are this person, you are infamous at this railway! On a quiet day, your
reporters having bought 4 tickets for £3 simply stayed aboard for a second run to ensure overlap.
The railway's tickets are numbered and simply read 'Admission' with no personalisation. As a special
event day, there were plenty of buses operating, picking up alongside Elmdon Halt and time was found
for a 30 minute trip round 'The Lakes' past various local main line stations on a 1953 AEC Regal coach.

ABOVE: Hollycombe Miniature Railway; the driver is awaited. (Rod Bryant, 25 Aug 2019.)

MR182] Hollycombe Working Steam Museum, West Sussex (MR p25) (BLN 1316.MR222): A dedicated
member visited the collection on Bank Holiday, Sunday 25 August. Trains on the 2ft gauge Quarry
Railway started at 12.00 with the Steam Fairground open at 12.30; a fascinating collection of Victorian
fairground amusements. In use was 0-4-0ST 'Jerry M' (HE638/1895) - the only operational steam loco.
A stop was made during the trip to view the South Downs. All trains noted were full. The 7¼" gauge
Garden Railway ran continuously with two coaches; the line has recently been relaid and fettled.
The inner ground level 5" gauge line is disused. The Standard Gauge line has now been part lifted at
the south end. The brake van remains on site along with 0-4-0ST 'Commander B' (HL2450/1899), which
is derelict. In operation of note in the Fairground was the steam driven Ferris Wheel and the Carousel,
with the haunted cottage being a firm favourite of our reporter! A shop and café are available on site.

MR183] Hornby, Margate, Kent: A member visited here on Sunday 18 August - a special open weekend
at the former Hornby factory. As well as the Hornby museum and shop, the ONE-ONE exhibition was
open by special permission of the building's owners. A disused part of the factory contained a variety
of society, preserved railway and model railway sales stands. There was, of course, a large Hornby
stand, with Simon Kohler in attendance, and a long SEG/NSERS sales stand. The Hornby museum
http://bit.ly/2lHkwKs covers the history of the many brands now in the Hornby stable, including
Tri-ang and Hornby Dublo, with old models and literature as well as more recent equipment, and is
worth a view. The museum, café & Hornby shop open most days. The ONE-ONE exhibition had: Black 5
45379, A4 Pacific 4464, Diesel 47841, Crane RDC 96719 and runner 941766, Saloon W9005, Saloon
NER 305 (99051), Wickham trolley 3956, 4 SUB 4732 (12795, 12354, 10239, 12796), Merseyside set
29289 plus two others, There was also a coach which our reporter was told was half a Tyneside EPB.

1336 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
X.128] Welsh Marches Signal Box Visits, Fri 26 Jul 2019: (Report BLN 1335.2254) More pictures, all

taken on the day of the visits by our member Andrew Gardiner unless specified otherwise.

ABOVE: Leominster, the Bromyard line passed behind it until it was lifted in 1959. (Peter Humphries.)

ABOVE: Hereford, (once Aylston Hill) the 51m 13½ch is from Shrewsbury station. (Peter Humphries.)



THIS PAGE: Various instruments and equipment at Hereford Signal box.

BELOW: An unusual view of the south end of Hereford st

tation from the box; an IET approaches from Paddington.



BELOW: Pontrilas, there is a local campaign to reopen the station here (also CP 9 Jun 1958) to break
up the 24 mile Hereford - Abergavenny section - it is about half way. (Both pictures, Peter Humphries.)

ABOVE: Pontrilas, there would have been a third semaphore far left for the Golden Valley line.

ABOVE: Detail from Pontrilas Signal Box diagram.

To Morpeth

BRANCH LINE SOCIETY

The South Gosforth Avoider
Sunday 24 February 2019

Gosforth West Jn

Kingston Park Wansbeck Road Gosforth MD Four Lane Benton N
To Airport Fawdon Regent Centre (Nexus)

Ends Benton

KEY South Gosforth Longbenton
Gosforth East Jn
Planned tour route

Other Metro lines Ilford Road
Network Rail :

Passenger lines

Freight lines West Jesmond
Closed lines

North Tyneside

Steam Rly (NTSR) Heaton TMD
Walker
Metro stat ions Simonside Jesmond Jn
Jesmond Chillingham Road
NR stat ions DUNSTON

Not to scale : note that for clarity,

many industrial/colliery/minor

freight lines have been omit et d. Haymarket Byker

St James MANORS Quayside
Monument branch

To Hexham Central Station

NEWCASTLE Riverside lo

River Tyne Gateshead Gateshead Stadium
To Durham
METROCENTRE

Felling HEWORTH
Hewor
DUNSTON

CSD To Tanf ield To Durham

To Bedlington West Monkseaton To Blyth, Bedlington
and Morpeth Shiremoor and Morpeth
Northumberland Park Monkseaton
Whitley Bay

Cullercoats

Palmersville N

Stephenson Railway Museum Tynemouth

North Jn

North Tyneside Steam Railway North Shields

Temporary Howdon Metro Percy Main South
depot (to be built) Shields
Meadow Well
Howdon Tyne Commission To
Quay Westoe

Hadrian Road

Wallsend Whitehill Point

rgate River Tyne Chichester
Tyne Dock

Jarrow Shell (oil) (coal) (containers)

Jarrow Tyne Dock
Bot tom
Pontop Jn Tyne Dock
Hebburn Harton Jn

Bowes Rly Bede
(latterly NCB) Simonside

oop Green Lane Jn

Pelaw: Fellgate Brockley Whins
North Jn
Metro Jn

Pelaw Note : NR and Metro share Hedworth Lane
tracks between Pelaw Metro To Consett To Sunderland
rth Jn and Sunderland South Jn.
To Springwell
To Ferryhill





2379] The South Gosforth Avoider, Sun 24 Feb 2019: By local member Phil Logie. This fully booked
tour with 130 participants was the sequel to our very successful T&W Metro tour on Sun 25 Feb 2018.

ABOVE: Window decal (and ticket BELOW) by Amy Nash. The decals are produced for our principal
tours, extra copies are sold in aid of the good cause and quite a few members now collector them.
[The historical map above is thanks to Dave Cromarty and the marked up updated track plan with
Howdon Depot and the old/new South Shields stops is thanks to Martyn Brailsford.]

We again found ourselves waiting at South Gosforth stop early on a Sunday morning in February.
To be fair it wasn't that early and not as early as the Stewards had reported for duty, but earlier than
I would normally be out and about on a Sunday morning! There was a slight difference to last year as,
despite arriving at the same time, 08.17, we were on the opposite platform. There were already a
significant number for our tour, due at 08.41. The 08.32 Metro to South Hylton swelled the numbers
further, delivering those who took advantage of the free parking at, and trip from, Regent Centre.
Having being helpfully advised of the carriage order, 'A' leading from South Gosforth with 'D' at the
rear, participants gathered on the appropriate part of the platform, estimating where the doors would
stop. There was a subtle clue as to where this would be, as the more observant may have noticed...

Shortly our tour train (4030 & 4085) appeared from the Regent Centre direction. Pelaw Siding No1 was
the first rare track, so with everyone on board, we left via Ilford Road and West Jesmond. Then the
Manors Spur was noted going off left which we were booked to cover later in the day, but in the
opposite direction to last year to complete the middle passing loop. Through Jesmond and the City
Centre the tour continued over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge above the Tyne, back underground
through Gateshead and on to Heworth where we stopped to allow some 'passengers in excess of
capacity' to alight. I was intrigued to see the destination display there while we were stopped showed
'Pelaw Special Branch Train'. Was this a hint that the force was with us?

The excess passengers had boarded at South Gosforth after noticing a Facebook posting and
incorrectly assumed they could just turn up on the day. They didn't appreciate that the tour was
already fully booked, or that they would have to pay even, but they did get the bonus of leaving the
train by the driver's door. They weren't the only ones to benefit from this rare cabbing opportunity
during the day... After reversing in Pelaw Siding No1 we ran to Haymarket P2, reversed, and used the
trailing crossover towards Monument then it was back to Pelaw this time for Pelaw Siding No2. With
our reversal complete we headed for a coast towards the Coast [c2C?]. Following the outward route
back to South Gosforth the train took the curve towards Longbenton with South Gosforth Depot on

the left. There were a few longing glances at the South
Gosforth Avoiding Line which we were scheduled to
traverse later in the day. Fortunately, the points issue had
been resolved since our trip 12 months earlier and the
line was in use again. Passing Longbenton and reaching
line speed the driver announced we would attempt to
coast to the Coast - a recognised T&W Metro 'challenge'.
We didn't quite make it all the way to Whitley Bay, with
power reapplied in the Monkseaton area.

At Whitley Bay a craft market was in progress and shortly after Cullercoats the North Sea came into
view on the left, before passing through Tynemouth where the regular Sunday market was in full
swing. There is little trace of where the branch from the N&BR station (CP 3 Jul 1882; CG 10 Sep 1979 -
then a domestic coal depot) trailed in left after Tynemouth, the cutting had been filled in and built
over. However, I recall seeing a Class 31 loco waiting to leave the yard with a coal train while I was
travelling to visit my Grandmother in Percy Main during the early 1970s. [On Sat 31 Mar 1979 your
now Treasurer & Editor did it on 31406 including the former station platform then on to North Shields
Coal Depot.] BELOW: Early morning at Tynemouth Coal Depot - the former passenger terminus
platform remains are upper centre, straight ahead. (All in this section Ian Mortimer, Sat 31 Mar 1979.)

BELOW: A rather grubby 31406 turned up with loaded coal wagons from Tyne Yard to shunt the sidings.

ABOVE: 1:25,000 map (1953). Tynemouth (1882) through station is top right - now the Metro stop.
The previous passenger terminus, latterly a coal depot, is below it indicated by the bright green spot.
North Shields station (now the Metro stop) is bottom left, the former coal depot here is indicated by
the pink spot - this is now the T&W Metro Hylton Street Permanent Way Depot (non-electrified).

PREVIOUS PAGE: The Tynemouth Coal Depot (behind the photographer) branch connection with a
Newcastle to Newcastle DMU (anticlockwise) on the curve between North Shields and Tynemouth (to
the right) stations. The substantial overbridge on the right carries the main road shown on the map.
As well as shunting Tynemouth Coal Depot the Class 31 took your now Treasurer and Editor into North
Shields Coal Depot (ABOVE). This had never been a passenger station, but was still interesting to do
and little did they know that it would become the site of the T&W Metro Hylton Street P'Way Depot.

FROM TO Km LEFT: Information is thanks to Jim Sellens.

South Gosforth P1 Pelaw Carriage Sdg No1 10.40 Fast forward 40 years … at North Shields
Pelaw Carriage Sdg No1 6.97 P2 on 24 Feb 2019 a familiar face was on
Haymarket P2 6.97 the platform as our tour stopped. It was
Haymarket P2 Pelaw Carriage Sdg No2 one of our participants who had decided
Pelaw Carriage Sdg No2 27.58
Bagnall's Sdg

Bagnall's Sdg North Shields Bay 0.50 to avail himself of a lie in and forego the

North Shields Bay Manors P1 11.03 excitement of Pelaw Sidings and the

Manors P1 Stoddart St Siding No1 0.62 Haymarket crossover [tut tut]. Attracting

Stoddart St Siding No1 Stoddart St Headshunt 0.23 the driver's attention while we were
Stoddart St Headshunt Stoddart St Siding No2 0.23 stopped waiting to enter Bagnall's Siding,
Stoddart St Siding No2 St James P1 Over-run 1.76 he was given permission to board through
St James P1 Over-run St James P1 0.06 the driver's door. With the route set for
St James P1 Manors P1 1.08 the facing crossover to Bagnall's Siding
Manors P1 Monkseaton Loop 15.14 (also known as Preston Refuge Siding -
Monkseaton Loop Kingston Park P2 14.90 don't ask) we ran in. I wondered if this
Kingston Park P2 South Shields Plat 25.99 was the first passenger carrying at the
South Shields Plat Regent Centre Siding 23.37 siding? This was the highlight of the day
Regent Centre P1 0.21 for one member as it is at the end of the
Regent Centre Siding South Gosforth P1 1.52 street where he lives. Pleasing the
bidirectionalists we took the crossover in

the other direction to North Shields bay to reverse again before heading to Manors. This bay used to

be the turnback for the 'Blue Line' service to St James. It can no longer be used by service trains as a

building has been constructed very close to the edge.

[BLN 1336]
Bagnall's Siding is for trains coming out of the non-electrified Hylton Street P'Way Depot, usually 'Top
& Tail' they reverse beyond the junction on the 'Out Loop', and then set back into North Shields Bay.
Reversing again they take the facing crossover into Bagnall's Siding to reverse for the third time then
can go via the coast round to South Gosforth Depot.

The tour ran via Percy Main with, just after, the North Tyneside Steam Railway below (should their
station be Percy Minor?). This runs north to their Middle Engine Lane site, originally part of the line to
Tyne Improvement Commissions' Quay - quite a mouthful - passenger station (CP 4 May 1970). Just
after was the facing junction (left) for the double track Riverside loop, no longer visible. It had a very
sparse service SSuX and CP 23 Jul 1973, but I was fortunate to travel on it once, part of a journey from
Newcastle towards North Shields, after a great deal of pleading to my mother. I think she eventually
gave in to keep me quiet! Back in 2019, just before Howdon on the left is the site for the future
temporary Metro Depot with a trailing connection; we paused at the stop for the crossing to activate.
Passing over Willington Viaduct slowly to observe the speed restriction, on the left was the Bogie
Chain pub with a Mk1 Coach for extra seating. Since our trip ran it has left for the Aln Valley Railway
and the pub has been demolished with housing built on the site. [They don't hang about in Newcastle!]

Travelling onwards through Wallsend and Walkergate, Heaton Traction Maintenance Depot is on the
right, before Chillingham Road where the line deviates from the original railway through Byker Tunnel
and over the Byker Viaduct (controversial when constructed due to the cost) to Manors where we
crossed right over to P1. The tour reversed and proceeded into Stoddart Street Siding 1 - the furthest
from the main line. After a reversal in the headshunt (a big highlight for track connoisseurs as it is on
the trackbed of the Quayside Goods Branch - CG 1968) then it was back into Stoddart Street Siding 2.

From here the tour unusually ran back to Manors P1 and then 'wrong line' to Monument P3, causing
some confusion to passengers awaiting a train towards the Coast. There are three late night services
from the coast which terminate at Monument P3. This also occasionally happens in times of disruption
with a train being turned around here rather than at St James. We then performed an even rarer move
by continuing from Monument P3 to St James P1, something I have never experienced before. To do
this we had to be given permission to pass the signal at the end of P3 which, although a two aspect
signal, is only capable of displaying one, red! Even better still, our train continued through St James P1
and to the end of the line. The look of bemusement on one normal's face sitting on the usual Metro
service in P2 as we headed west out of P1 was quite something - the Carlisle extension perhaps?

After an hour lunch break at St James we resumed our exploration and returned to Manors P1 for
reversal then, with everyone seated, traversed the very tightly curved Manors Spur via the middle
loop (it is left hand running in each direction) before passing the original Jesmond station to reach
Jesmond Jn. From here we ran to Monkseaton taking the facing crossover into the loop to reverse and
returned to Longbenton. Then it was the highlight of the trip for many; the single bidirectional South
Gosforth Depot Avoiding Line. In this direction the facing crossover at Gosforth East Jn and the
trailing one at Gosforth West Jn were included. This track is the furthest north outside the depot
building with an internal level crossing at the depot entrance and is quite different from the third side
of the triangle in British Rail days. A special platform was built on the avoider for the Sep 1989 depot
open day with services from/to Regent Centre. NEXT PAGE TOP: 1:25,000 map (1951); Longbenton
station is far right, South Gosforth bottom middle and West Gosforth (CP 17 Jun 1929) upper left. The
depot avoiding line north of the depot building was not a through line at the west end then but there
was a through double track curve between the then Gosforth East Jn and West Jn as shown instead.

97901/2/3 (BL1, BL2 & BL3) were outside the depot with 4002 outside the shed. We ran through
Regent Centre to Kingston Park, reversing in P2 to do the trailing crossover on departure. South
Shields was next, 'Special Branch Train' was noted on some station displays; the force was still with us.

Left of Pelaw Metro stop was Pelaw North Jn once for the Leamside Line which we crossed over, then
Pelaw Metro Jn was on the right for the NR line to Sunderland and we ran alongside the NR Jarrow
Branch (left). At Hebburn there are two staggered platforms, then a short single track section to
Jarrow Metro stop (two platforms again). There used to be a yard on the left and British Steel locos
had running powers for trip workings to/from the local works.

After Jarrow Loop the track singles again until the NR line diverges left to Jarrow Oil Terminal.
We continued towards Tyne Dock and Chichester [pronounced 'Chai - Chester']. At the latter the
Newcastle platform was out of use at the time of the tour due to signalling restrictions during
construction of the new South Shields Interchange. Before it the line now singles earlier with
remodelling. We passed the new stop, (later OP Sun 4 Aug 2019), before the 1984 South Shields
terminus. The track beyond, (see e-BLN 1335.2178 picture), passing South Shields British Rail station
(CP 1981), is OOU as a new Metro Maintenance & Renewals Skills Centre is under construction.

Once the driver had changed ends, we proceeded back to Pelaw for the fourth time to run through
Pelaw Refuge Siding - for those on our 2018 tour as well this completed coverage of the complex T&W
trackwork here. Then it was off to take the facing crossover into Regent Centre Siding, reaching the
very end of the track with the coupling expertly fitted into the appropriate shaped slot in the buffers
by our driver. After a final reversal, our tour terminated at South Gosforth P1. This was another
excellent day out with the South Gosforth Avoider being the highlight for many. There is still some
further track to cover, Chichester crossover please, so hopefully there will be another one next year.

Grateful thanks to the many at T&W Metro, Nexus and in our Society who made this special event
happen and supported it in
numerous different ways. This
included participating, providing
tour notes, souvenir tickets,
historical and track maps,
stewarding, donating raffle prizes
(also buying tickets) and
calculating the mileages and
moves etc. Particular thanks to
the organiser John Cameron with
support from Kev Adlam. It is very
pleasing to report that our tour
raised £7,042.45 for Alzheimer's
Society.

LEFT: Our unit at Gosforth Depot
before the tour.

ABOVE: Prototype Tyne & Wear Metro unit 4002 at the temporary platform to the rear of
South Gosforth Carriage Sheds during a Metro open day on the 17 Sep 1989. (Both Richard Vogel.)
BELOW: A Metro unit in Bagnall's siding on the right, with another unit passing, in the late 1980s.

ABOVE: Our unit at Gosforth Depot before the tour. BELOW: A 'selection' of Stewards with the
T&W Metro staff at Gosforth Depot, some looking at a different camera perhaps?

ABOVE: At South Gosforth Metro stop. The Metro Control Centre for operations, signalling, power
supply, customer service etc centre is right - the Society had a very interesting visit on 1 May 2015.
BELOW: The fog on the Tyne is mine, all mine… The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge above the river.

ABOVE: Not guess the location and a rear cab view rather than wrong line running.
BELOW: The (Sunderland) end of Pelaw No1 Siding - all pictures taken by authorised personnel.

ABOVE: More fog at Pelaw looking east. Except where specified, all pictures are by our Official Society

Photographer https://plumbloco.smugmug.com/ Geoff Plumb. BELOW: You don't see this very often!
A rare photo of Geoff Plumb, on the left side at the front of our unit; Pelaw No1 Siding, Newcastle end.

ABOVE: Reversing at Haymarket, (note the fixed red) the 'normal' doesn't seem at all bothered.
BELOW: Haymarket trailing crossover is rather more than just a simple crossover.

ABOVE: Time for another chorus of 'The fog on the Tyne is mine, all mine…'

ABOVE: Looks familiar? Yes, but this time it's the Newcastle end of Pelaw No2 Siding.
BELOW: Another remarkable 'selfie' by Geoff Plumb - the end of Bagnall's Siding.

ABOVE: Inside New Bridge Street Tunnel, on the former Quayside Goods Branch (CG 1968), now the
headshunt for Stoddart Street Sidings at Manors and the highlight of the tour for many.

BELOW: The end of St James (P1) run off tunnel; the start of the T&W Metro Carlisle extension.

BELOW: The tour organiser, Society Committee member, John Cameron, 'cabbing' one of the units.
John is also your BLN North West Regional Editor. (Kev Adlam, 24 Feb 2019.)

ABOVE: The fine building at Longbenton Metro stop. BELOW: Our tour approaches. (Sir Ian Hughes.)

ABOVE: Rear view of Gosforth Depot Avoiding Line heading away from Longbenton.
BELOW: The depot road/pedestrian entrance is over a level crossing midway along the avoiding line.

ABOVE: A photo, of a photo, of a photo, on the Depot Avoiding Line (Sir Ian Hughes.)
BELOW: T&W Metro Battery Loco No1 at Gosforth saw action after the tour.

[BLN 1336]
2380] BLS Carinthia Explorer; Day 2; Sat 27 Jul 2019 ... An Electric Roundabout: (BLN 1335.2255 with
map) By David Palmer & Paul Griffin. An earlier start and slightly cooler morning saw the explorers
gather once again at Klagenfurt Hauptbahnhof, where the rather splendid little electric Bo-Bo loco
1245.05 sat ahead of our four carriage train, ready to head north from the station. Built in 1935, the
mechanical parts came from Lokomotivfabrik Wien-Floridsdorf, with the electrics from ABES (AEG,
Brown Boveri, ELIN and Siemens-Schuckert).

Our plucky little engine took us back off to St Veit; a long propelling movement south along the main
line right to the end of the sidings to the west, gave access to the Sankt Veit an der Glan avoiding line
and the former Sankt Veit an der Glan Westbahnhof steam shed, now owned by our operators, NBiK.
Entry to the sidings behind the shed, known as the 'boiler house', was effected by our train coasting
past the end of the OHLE, before two small NBiK diesel locos took us to the bitter end of the sidings.

A short break gave time to explore the exhibits at the boiler house, before the diesel locos propelled
us back under the wires and we were able to head south east along the single-track Rudolfsbahn to
Villach. The second half runs along the north shore of the Ossiacher See (a rather attractive lake).
Our schedule, and the need to cross booked passenger trains, gave time for photo stops at some
intermediate stations, including Annenheim, (from where a cable car runs to Gerlitzen - 1,909m above
sea level) with time for a stroll down to the lake. The local ice cream stall did brisk business then too!

At Villach we rejoined the line from Klagenfurt and headed northwest, under two of the station
avoiding lines, along the Tauernbahn and following the river Drau as far as Paternion-Feistritz, where
our engine ran round the train before propelling us back into a siding. Heading back towards Villach
we took the freight-only Tauern loop (schleife), which allows trains from the Tauernbahn to avoid
Villach, to begin our extensive exploration of the huge freight yard at Villach Süd/Fürnitz, with its four-
way curves at the east end and triangle at the west end. To achieve this feat our route was:

(1): Villach Warmbad - Fürnitz - clockwise circuit of yard - Furnitz - Arnoldstein (reverse).
(2): Arnoldstein - clockwise around north side of yard - Rosenbach (reverse).
(3): Rosenbach - Fürnitz - clockwise around yard - Villach Warmbad.

It had been planned to do both sides of the Einfahrgruppe Yard, so when the second pass failed to do
so our Society organiser asked the driver what was happening. He replied that the south side hadn't
been done for 'complicated' reasons, but they would attempt it again on the third pass … success!
During loop (1) hump-shunting was observed in action, though by loop (2) this had finished. On the
way to Rosenbach photo stops were made first at Faak am See - beyond which the cable car at
Annenheim could clearly be seen - and Winkl, a tiny station distant from any habitation which, we
were told, will close with the December 2019 timetable change.

Approaching Rosenbach the bridge carrying the line from Weizelsdorf was visible, its poor condition
being the reason why the line has closed. All possible chords around the freight yard having been
griced (with the exception of the passenger line from Villach towards Rosenbach), from Villach
Warmbad we took the goods lines then the second Villach Hauptbahnhof avoider over the main line
and north of the station - though it now hosts Platform 8 - to explore what is prosaically known as
Villach Terminal 2, first into Platform 14, alongside a car and sleeper train to Turkey waiting to board.

Here the station pilot, a bright red shunter numbered 2068.018, quickly attached at the rear to pull us
beyond the Terminal 2 throat and push back into another vehicle loading platform, this time No11.
Then, electric loco re-attached, it was back into Villach Hauptbahnhof station, where our plucky
electric ran around for the final time, before depositing the explorers back in Klagenfurt.

[To be continued; the whole report with pictures and additional material is an e-BLN 1335 download.]

:Details must be checked 1336 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

X.129] Lea Bailey (Gold Mine) Light Railway (2ft gauge), Sun 22 Sep 11.00-15.00: (SO 6445 1957),
HR9 5TR, hidden in the lovely Forest of Dean. Open weekend (e-BLN 1267.X163 with photos).
It normally includes 'Driver for a Fiver', which is the only way you can ride on this line. It is laid partly
on the trackbed of The Mitcheldean Road & Forest of Dean Junction Railway, later part of the GWR,
from Whimsey (Cinderford) - Mitcheldean Road, on the Hereford, Ross & Gloucester Railway. The
railway was built but never used north of Drybrook Quarry. Motor Rail 'Simplex' 21282 is in running
order and will be available for demonstration trains at the open day. A small group of volunteers will
be on site to give progress updates and outline our future plans. They will also be happy to give advice
on how to join this friendly railway as a volunteer if you are not one already!

2381] Tyseley Locomotive Works Open Day 28 & 29 Sep 10.00-17.00: 670 Warwick Rd, B11 2HL.
08021 is due to haul passenger trains 10.00-11.00 each day. Free steam-hauled standard gauge and
peripatetic minor railways (3 gauges expected including 15") rides, turntable demonstrations, vintage
fairground, old vehicles, workshop gallery, trade stands etc. Adult £15 online, £17 on the day; 5-16yrs
£4/£5; Family £30/£35; Occupants of booked pre-1980 vehicles FREE (double deck bus anyone?).

2382] FOR SALE, Hayling Railway: (E-BLN 1335.X.120) (MR p18) As widely reported in the media, this
2ft gauge one mile long line is for sale as the owner Bob Haddock (age 72) is retiring - the Society has a
visit on Sun 22 Sep (BLN 1332.1694). Established in 1988 by the current owner, he runs it helped by 60
volunteers along the seafront of Hayling Island. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with
great views of The Solent. Turnover is about £60k per year, although the estate agent's* Facebook
page initially gave a price of £59,995 plus assets, it has emerged that this is only for a seven year lease,
the purchase price is actually £300k. (*ETS Corporate 01865 819865 or 07912 513 876.) For those
who just want to ride on line, it runs throughout the year, WSuO & daily in Hampshire School Holidays,
first train: Eastoke (PO11 9HL) 10.40 and Beachlands (PO11 0AG) 11.00; 07775 696912 for other
times on the day. Adult (16+) return £4; single £3; concession £3/£2; Family (2A &2C age 3-15) £9.

2383] Transport for Wales Club 50: http://bit.ly/2m47neD £29 return on TfW only, (no add on
tickets or railcard discounts) for those age 50+. Available at ticket offices, on trains; website and via
the app until 24 Nov; travel out on the date of ticket, return within 8 days (includes that day). Proof
of age required. Travel all weekends (except 30 Nov to/from/via Cardiff) or after 09.30 Mondays to
Fridays. This could be useful to travel to Cardiff for our 6 Oct Pacer railtour which is filling well.

2384] The Rovers Return... Northern Day/Weekend Unlimited Travel; 23 Sep until 24 Nov: Collect
three tokens from local newspapers (JPIMedia Ltd- 36 titles are involved) across the North of England
on participating dates (should start around 23 Sep). If you are not 'local', or miss a copy ring JPIMedia
on 03304030066 for copies with the tokens. See https://goo.gl/wQy9RC for details, print the form,
attach three tokens and take it to a staffed station up to three days before the date/s of travel. If you
are not near a staffed station, contact the Northern 'Customer Experience Centre'; they cannot be sold
on trains. Although this might all seem a bit complicated it is an extremely good offer! Up to FOUR
Northern (only) one Day Rangers (£10) or all Weekend Rovers (£17.50) - child 5-15 half price - can be
purchased (for the same day/weekend) for each three tokens. Check Sundays for cancellations due to
'staff shortages'. The tickets allow unlimited travel on any Northern trains only all weekends and Bank
Holidays or after 08.45 Mondays - Fridays with, very usefully, no evening peak restrictions.
2385] Friday 13th - Lucky For some: 'Model Railway Challenge', a new series, started 20.00 Fri 13 Sep
on Channel 5 or retrospectively on 'My5'. You may even see someone you know in it one week.

2386] Mountsorrel Railway: Runs Suns 29 Sep & 27 Oct 10.00-16.30; see Great Central Railway website.

2387] Aln Valley Railway Wanted! Mechanical facing point lock bolt assembly & No1 stretcher bar to
suit (or cut) for Green Rigg Halt extension (1m 20ch) loop, email [email protected]

X.130] Great Western Railway 16-25 Railcard Offer: 50% off GWR Standard Class Advance Fares only.
Book by 26 Sep for travel until 11 Dec. Only valid with a 16-15 Railcard (which is also available for full
time mature students to buy). Book via http://bit.ly/2lZG70G to claim 300 extra Nectar Points.

2388] Wirral Heritage Tramway; Sun 6 Oct: (MR p32) Open top, Birkenhead Tram 20 built in 1901, is
running specials all afternoon between, for the first time, Pacific Road Yard (CH41 1LJ) at 13.20 and
every 40 mins to 16.00, to Woodside Ferry and return. £1 with U5s free; Day Tickets accepted. This is
not a service tramcar - no alighting at Woodside due to time constraints. Please follow all instructions
from the tram crew. It runs to the rare inside (landside) Woodside Ferry terminus line, following a
service car which uses the outside (waterside) line. Due overhead wire height in the yard, they will
normally run to the gates. BLS members should make themselves known to the motorman and sit on
the lower deck of the car. He will, if possible, take the car as close as possible to the car that may be on
display in the yard or the depot doors once passengers from the top deck have alighted or moved to
the lower deck. An extra donation to the conductor would be appreciated but is not mandatory.

X.131] ScotRail £5 Advance Ticket Offer: Book at http://bit.ly/2m3eRhK by Friday 4 October on
selected routes for £5 single fares to travel from Monday 7 October until Friday 8 November.

2389] The Institute of Railway Operators, Aberdeen - Inverness Improvement Project, presentation;
Wed 16 Oct 18.00-20.00: Atrium Court, 50 Waterloo St, Glasgow, G2 6HQ. A Scottish Government
funded scheme to improve journey times and increase capacity. Phase 1 invested over £300M during
the last 3 years. The Inverness - Elgin section was completed in Oct 2017 with a new fully accessible
station at Forres, a realigned loop, extended platforms at Elgin and Inverness to Keith resignalling.

During summer closures in 2018 and 2019 the 14 miles between Aberdeen (Kittybrewster) and
Inverurie were redoubled and resignalled with control transferred to Inverness. A day time hourly
service will be provided between Inverness and Elgin and at least a half hourly service between
Inverurie and Aberdeen (3,000 extra seats per day) by the end of 2019, with eventually hourly
Aberdeen to Inverness services. Extra Elgin to Aberdeen early morning/late evening trains will run.

Matthew Spence the Route Delivery Director is speaking, see http://bit.ly/2kE7UUj to book.

2390] Hidden London Tours, Piccadilly Circus LUL: (BLN 1335.2152) More available 8 Nov until 15 Dec.

2391] Have a Quick look at this: The Railway & Canal Historical Society is pleased to announce the
publication of the 5th edition of Michael Quick's Chronology of Passenger Stations in Great Britain.
Over 30 years ago, Michael Quick amused himself by drawing maps showing the changing aspects of
Britain's railway network over time. Discovery of many gaps and anomalies in recording station
names led him into the task of recording the names, name changes, opening dates and (if closed)
closing dates of every railway passenger station in England, Wales and Scotland. The result was
Quick's Chronology, first published in 1995. Since then, there have been four editions published and
periodic updates have also been issued. The 5th edition of 'Railway Passenger Stations in Great
Britain, A Chronology' http://bit.ly/2mlqCjW is now available. It comprises the contents of the 4th
edition and its five supplements plus further updates and new information. This unique book is now
available only from the RCHS website electronically and is free for all to use. It is regarded by
many, including Richard Maund, as being probably the best publication available on the subject.

●Bookings: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL. [email protected] 07983 541887.
●Fixtures Sec: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE, CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Iain Scotchman (Madrid railtour): 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD, CM15 9AJ. [email protected]
●MAPS: By kind permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/indexhtml
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. [email protected] 07484 646542.
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor.
●Bill Davis (Marwell Zoo visit): [email protected] or by post via the BLN Editor below.
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351. [email protected]
●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.