1387

eft; Glasgow right. NEXT: Slightly further east towards Glasgow looking west.





BELOW: The same section at trackbed level - Bow

wling Viaduct east of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

2789] Bowling: On 24 Sep Glasgow's answer to the New York Highline opened at Bowling Harbour.
'The Bowline' is part of a £10M regeneration programme connecting the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath
to the wider National Cycle Network, providing virtually uninterrupted off-road access from Glasgow
to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The former Caledonian Railway viaduct has been
converted into a linear park, walking, 'wheeling' (sic) and cycling route at the western gateway to the
Lowland canals. The fully accessible route gives breathtaking views over the historic canal to the River
Clyde and beyond. To mark the opening, active travellers, including a unicyclist, cyclist, child bouncing
on a space hopper and mobility scooter user, made the inaugural trip across The Bowline, cheered on
by newly appointed Active Travel Minister, Patrick Harvie MSP, project funders and local residents.

The Lanarkshire & Dumbartonshire Railway opened from Stobcross to Clydebank on 1 May 1896 and
to Dumbarton on 15 Jun 1896. The line was worked by the Caledonian Railway, which absorbed the
Railway in 1909. Traffic ceased on the section through Bowling from 5 Oct 1964 and the line was taken
out of use on 17 May 1965. The railway ran across a viaduct at Bowling, split into two parts by a swing
bridge over the Forth & Clyde Canal. West of the viaduct there were fixed, steel bridges across the
North British Railway and the main road through Bowling village. At first glance the viaduct looks as if
it was built of sandstone, but it is, in fact, concrete coloured pink. The swing bridge was pivoted at the
Dumbarton end, powered by a steam engine in one of the arches and controlled from a signal box
that spanned the railway tracks. The bridge ceased operating when the canal closed in 1963 and the
machinery and signal box have gone. A historical display on the path includes a photograph of the
swing bridge when it was in operational use. The design and execution of the recent conversion work
is to a very high standard, but the outer faces of the bridge over the railway have not been repainted.
A good feature is a raised platform on the swing bridge, enabling people to see over the top of the
truss. Most of the arches in the viaduct are put to commercial use, including a pleasant coffee shop.

2790] Glasgow: From 18 Oct to 1 Apr NR is undertaking £700k worth of improvements to Bell Street
underbridge. It is the first one after High Street Jn on the double track City Union Line to Shields Jns.
It will be grit blasted, repaired and repainted. Once the line carried considerable coal traffic to
Longannet Power Station. Now it is mainly used by DMU ECS workings such as Eastfield Depot/Queen
Street to/from Corkerhill and between Haymarket and Shields (to use the wheel lathe at the latter).

An interesting path over it is the GBRF worked SuO (as required) Bridge of Orchy to Wemyss Bay.
It is the Royal Scotsman running every few weeks, and does other rare track too (see BLN 1378.1627).
The City Union Line even has a Railhead Treatment Train but no freight. With Covid, the possibility of
passenger reopening as the proposed Glasgow 'Cross-City' line must be a very distant prospect now.

2791] Life support: ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise Emergency Measures Agreements have
been extended until Dec to prevent them from flatlining. Payments cover operating costs as necessary
due to reduced revenues with a small incentive payment linked strictly to good performance.

2792] Tranent Waggonway: https://bit.ly/3AOT9yV Constructed in East Lothian in 1722, recently
archaeological excavations have identified three upgrades between 1722-25, 1728-30 and 1743-44,
each immediately on top of the previous. It was initially built for hauling coal from a pit at Tranent to
Cockenzie and Port Seton as fuel for salt making. Attempts seem to have been made to upgrade the
waggonway with 'crudely cut timbers' over a short period of time. The gauge was also changed from
the original 3ft 3in to 4ft in the second and third upgrades. The second is described as 'extremely well
constructed', with cobbles laid between the rails as a track for the horses that pulled the wag(g)ons.

2793] Queen Street: On 4 Oct First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the station (independently, of
course). She joined Scotland's Railway in marking the official completion of the station's £120M
Scottish Government funded transformation which began in 2017. The First Minister helped to unveil
two plaques at the event, the first a replica of the station plate from 1881 celebrating the completion
of the station's Victorian barrelled roof and the second to celebrate the current redevelopment. Your
BLN Editor finds it difficult to keep a straight face when Ms Sturgeon is mentioned, as his daughter's
favourite bedtime children's book, in fact de rigueur, was 'Knickerless Nicola' by Kara May (©1989).

[E-BLN 1378]

LEFT: (item 2792) Dig this!
The archaeological study of the
Tranent Waggonway showing the
different levels. (Press Release.)

BELOW: (Item 2794) The skew A835
(Station Road) level crossing of the
Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh line at
Garve, just north of the station - as
can be seen it is definitely not a
bridge! When the crossing is closed
(not just the barriers down) it is over
150 miles from one side to the other
by road (NR.)

2794] Garve: Network Rail is to relay the track on
the trunk A835 (Station Road) skew level crossing
(11m 72ch) at the Kyle of Lochalsh end of Garve
station over the 30 & 31 Oct weekend. Ordnance
Survey (OS) Maps, from the opening of the line
until the modern 1:50,000, series wrongly show
it as an overbridge with a dog's leg in the road.
Maybe that was originally intended, unless it's an
OS deliberate error for copyright purposes.
The level crossing is strategically placed on the
road network such that, when closed, to drive
from one side to the other is well over 150 miles
via Inverness, the west side of Loch Ness, turning
west towards Kyle of Lochalsh then following the
railway to Garve (or vice versa!). ABOVE: 1955 map with the road overbridge that has never existed.

2795] Borders Railway: (BLN 1327.1076) The Borderlands Partnership has published a Prospectus to
inform discussions with the UK and Scottish Governments about extending the Borders Railway to
Carlisle. It is part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, signed on 18 Mar by the UK and Scottish
Governments, and the five Borderlands Council partners: Carlisle City, Cumbria County, Dumfries &
Galloway, Northumberland County & Scottish Borders. £10M is allocated for this work; the evidence
base is initially progressing through Transport Scotland's ongoing second Scottish Strategic Transport
Projects Review. The DfT is progressing complementary work with a wider UK perspective. Developing
the Prospectus, the Partnership has assessed what is needed to tackle transport issues in the heart of
the Borderlands Region. It has identified the development of the Tweedbank to Carlisle railway as the
best solution. The Prospectus provides context as to why an extension to this route could transform
the area. However, the document does not provide a view on where stations should be or comment
on the viability of potential freight traffic opportunities. These will be matters for the feasibility study.

2796] Levenmouth: (BLN 1382.2123) The branch single track has now been lifted for recycling and the
ballast removed. Laying new track is due to start in early 2022. The Fife Heritage Railway at the former
Kirkland Yard, Shed 47 near Dunfermline, Caledonian Railway (Brechin) and Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
have all received large quantities of track and sleepers. Next, many trial boreholes will be sunk along
the five mile route as it is a former mining area. Ground testing will also locate any contamination.

………. 1387 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]
2797] Wrexham Central: (BLN 1384.2408) From Sat 16 Oct the single platform was to fully reopen at
its extended operational length of 69yds (was 57yds) for Class 230 units. Due to the notoriously tight
turnarounds previously here, most Bidston services still run only to Wrexham General to allow time
for cabs to be sanitised when drivers change ends (does it actually happen?). As a result, at what was
the busiest station on the line itself, arrivals are: 07.13 SuX (ex-Wrexham General, rarely wedged)
SSuX 18.46 & 19.54; SO 17.40, 18.38 & 20.03 ex-Bidston. Departures are even sparser: 07.29 (SuX),
17.44 (SO), 19.55 (SSuX) & 20.04 (SO) to Bidston. SuO eight of the 10 trains on the line serve Central.

2798] Cambrian Coast: (BLN 1385.2551) NR is using the service suspension to renew Pant Eidal
underbridge over a stream flowing into the north side of the Dyfi estuary at 81m 37¾ch, just west of
Frongoch (Aberdovey No1) Tunnel between the sites of the former Gogarth and Abertafol halts.
From 4-22 Oct a section of the closely parallel A493 road was reduced to single lane with traffic lights
and completely closed in the immediate vicinity of the bridge from 08.00 Sun 10 until 20.00 on Wed
13 Oct, while a crane was used to remove the existing span. Meanwhile, as of 10 Oct, work on the
structure known to the OS as 'Barmouth Bridge' was ahead of schedule, aided by favourable weather,
no doubt. Portable stop lamps were placed in the 'four foot' either side of Cae Pawb, Porthmadog, the
Welsh Highland Railway flat crossing, to protect it from any stray NR contractors' railborne vehicles.

ABOVE: (Items 2784 & 2785) 'Maid of the Loch' tied up at Balloch Pier. (Ian Mortimer, 5 Sep 1977.)
BELOW: (Item 2802) Our 24 Feb 1990 railtour of Mostyn Docks, by the signal box. (Ian Mortimer.)

2799] Timetables: (BLN 1386.2684) On 7 Oct your Regional Ed in his capacity as a rail user group
committee member took part in an online workshop regarding TfW's plans for Borders area services -
though inevitably some matters of wider interest were also included. These were the main points:

●TfW is to offer free rail travel to under 11s at all times and under 16s off peak ●Punctuality is to be
classed as arrival within 3mins of schedule, more stringent than the national PPM (Public Performance
Measure) margin. ●Unlike most other operators TfW is looking to restore service levels to 100% of
pre-Covid levels and, while there will be delays such as those listed in BLN 1386, it intends to fulfil all
its plans announced from 2018 onwards; they are still progressing. ●South Wales to Manchester loco
powered services were initially announced as 3-hourly to/from Swansea (BLN 1377.1475) but an
alternative option of 2-hourly to/from Cardiff is now being considered. ●In the longer term, major
infrastructure improvements to the Marches line (Newport - Shrewsbury - Crewe) are envisaged
including level crossing upgrades, longer station platforms and electrification. Expected timescale is
around 2040, confirming BLN 1384.2406. This is very much TfW's premier route, particularly now long
distance and leisure travel is making a much better recovery than commuter traffic.

●Updating BLN 1386, from Dec 2024 the Liverpool - Frodsham - Chester service is due to be extended,
continuing to Cardiff and Shrewsbury alternate hours, both via Wrexham. These are additional to
existing services south of Chester. Six level crossings between there and Shrewsbury will be upgraded
to meet the safety standards required by the greater frequency. Locations were unspecified but are
assumed to all be south of Wrexham as those to the north had a lot of work done when Rossett Jn to
Saltney Jn was redoubled. There are no vehicle crossings on the remaining single line section (Rossett
Jn to Wrexham North Jn). As previously announced, new intermediate block signals will also be
provided between Gobowen and Wrexham to divide the existing long section. ●When the 'all day'
hourly Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service is introduced, the plan is for all except very early and late
services to run through to/from Birmingham International, subject to NR and ORR agreement, but…

●From Dec 2022 it is proposed that TfW services between Wolverhampton and New Street should
call at Sandwell & Dudley instead of Smethwick Galton Bridge. This is subject to local consultation as
the arguments regarding the resulting loss of what has become a popular interchange are finely
balanced but TfW is 'minded' to do it because it would 'improve performance' and 'could' increase
patronage. [Loss of connections may have the opposite effect.] ●Engineering work scheduling is being
reviewed as peak travel is now at weekends; likely to be Mon-Fri route closures (BLN 1385.2495).
There was no mention whether this might also lead to a corresponding peak fare structure review!!

2800] North Wales Coast: (BLN 1385.2547.2) The additional Avanti Holyhead services are thought to
be a remnant of a Track Access Application https://bit.ly/3oJwTUI for service enhancements originally
proposed from 16 May 2021 but not implemented because of Covid restrictions.

2801] Mostyn (1): (BLN 1302.792) The bidirectional Up Goods Loop (UGL) saw (very?) rare use on
28 Sep when NR's Measurement Train 950001 was held there from 16.59 until 17.23 during a Bangor
to Crewe run to allow a TfW Holyhead to Birmingham International service to overtake. The UGL was
provided with 26 Mar 2018 resignalling in anticipation of freight traffic resuming at Mostyn Dock.
This has yet to occur and the Glan Conwy and Penmaenmawr freight traffic is also still awaited so it is
wondered how much if any use of it has been made previously? Our Conwy Cat railtour did it in both
directions on Thur 13 Jun 2019 (the Down direction also does the facing and trailing crossovers).

2802] Mostyn (2): (BLN 1314.2181; TRACKMaps 3 p34A 2018) The son of the owner of 'Duke of
Lancaster', the ex-British Rail ferry beached at Llanerch-y-Mor (famous as the only boat shown on
TRACKmaps), now has permission to hold fundraising events on the adjacent dock side in aid of the
ship's restoration to public use. They were previously refused as the access bridge under the main line
was said to be too low for emergency vehicles. A food festival https://bit.ly/3abtHbZ took place on
4 and 5 Sep (the first public event on the ship for 30 years) and a 12 Dec Christmas Market is planned.
The ship's interior is said to be in almost perfect condition and the previously decaying exterior
received cosmetic attention in 2017. (Both items adapted from North Wales Coast Railway website.)

2803] Cardiff: (BLN 1385.2547)] Prior to Covid service reductions Coryton - Cardiff Central - Fairwater
- Radyr 'City Line' daytime frequency was half hourly, with three DMUs running the service as through
trains, turning back in Radyr P3. When the service was reduced to hourly, pupils at Bishop of Llandaff
Church in Wales High School, in Fairwater, had a different journey to school. Those joining at stations
Heath Low Level to Whitchurch had to head in the 'wrong' direction and change at Coryton to a bus.
A local member suspects this was an existing school bus route 801. The journey home was in reverse.

When the half hourly daytime service was restored on 13 Sep, it was split into Coryton - Cardiff Bay
and Cardiff Central - Radyr, a double change for anyone making a through journey. A notice spotted at
Heath Low Level indicates that the removal of the leg between Cardiff Queen Street and Central is
due to work on a 'town centre bridge'. This is presumably Sandon Street (BLN 1374.1070) where track
remained lifted when seen by your Regional Ed on 10 Aug. The Sectional Appendix shows this still OOU
since 1 May 2021. It includes the independent Cardiff Bay Chord from Queen Street South Jn
(0m 66ch) on the Cardiff Bay branch to Queen Street bay P1 (inclusive) and 1m 01ch (to P2 exclusive).

Cardiff Bay frequency remains half hourly (as Queen Street P1 is OOU) with daytime services provided
by Coryton trains. Meanwhile, Bishop of Llandaff pupils are catered for after all, as the 07.45 SSuX
from Coryton and 14.59 from Radyr make the full journey (now we know why), as before Covid cuts.
The 08.07 Queen Street to Cardiff Bay and 08.14 SSuX return are a rail replacement bus as a result.
Coryton has no Sunday services so Cardiff Bay has through trains to Rhymney and Caerphilly instead.

2804] Port Talbot: (BLN 1323.487) On 4 Oct NR opened industry consultation over Port Talbot West
Phase 2 Resignalling. Conventional signalling is proposed for the existing Port Talbot Power Signal Box
(PSB) area and modular (simpler and cheaper) for Pembrey & Burry Port to Carmarthen. Provided
recontrol of Port Talbot East to Wales ROC has occurred, the PSB will close but its remaining functions,
together with those of Pembrey, Kidwelly, Ferryside and Carmarthen, boxes will initially transfer to a
temporary control centre and workstation within its compound. Rationalisation due to reduced freight
traffic accounts for most of the significant changes: Hendy and Genwen Loops are to be singled and
their junctions rationalised/remodelled. Llandeilo Jn Down Goods Loop and sidings plus Carmarthen
Jn Down Sidings (all OOU in practice) will be removed. Also to go are Llanelli West, Grovesend and
Ferryside crossovers, Jersey Marine South Jn 977 points and Carmarthen 77 points. However, as
already reported (BLNs 1375.1190 & 1384.2409), installation of some new crossovers on the Swansea
District line has already commenced. Duffryn, Bertwyn, Pembrey, Kidwelly and Ferryside Level
Crossings are to be upgraded and those at Llanelli East and West, Penybedd and Sarnau recontrolled.
Commissioning is scheduled for two 72 hour possessions in Mar 2023 and Sep 2023.

2805] Craven Arms: (BLN 1385.2554) By Tue 28 Sep the Down Goods Loop exit (south end) turnout
had been removed but engineering trollies (hand propelled?) were still accessing the loop from the
north end; one was seen parked on it and the rails were quite shiny. A large engineering compound
had been set up northwest of the crossing. At the station, the replacement turnouts and crossover
were piled behind the Up platform awaiting installation. The track over the level crossing had been
renewed, on the Down line at least, but it was not obvious which other three miles is to be relaid.

2806] Barmouth (neither bridge nor viaduct): Shifting sand patterns have revealed two parallel
narrow gauge tracks descending into the sea at the north end of the beach, inevitably provoking
suggestions that this was the line to Cantre'r Gwaelod, the Welsh Atlantis! A more serious theory that
they are the remains of track used by a steam crane to rebuild the sea wall in 1930 is also easily
dismissed as that was standard gauge. A local historian believes they were probably used to upgrade
the town's sewerage system 40 years earlier. However this does not account for a third section of
similar track with a set of wheels on another part of the beach. Another suggestion is that they were a
guide for boats being launched into the estuary. The original lifeboat station can be discounted as it
was a little upstream; its slipway - which did have track - passed beneath the railway immediately
south of Barmouth Tunnel (100m 08ch). See https://bit.ly/3v1IC2b for more details and pictures.

BELOW: (Item 2802) 'The Duke of Lancester' n

near Mostyn on 20 Nov 2010. (Bob Prigg.)



LEFT: The 'Duke of Lancaster' near Mostyn
on 29 Sep 2021 after her recent makeover.

She is the only ship to appear on
TRACKmaps (Book 3 p34A 2018).

(Thanks to Bob Prigg of Railway
Ramblers via Chris Parker)

BELOW: (BLN 1386.2687 with map.) Another view of the historic G
that National Highways is reported to want to replace with a (concre

GWR original 1935 pre-cast concrete bridge on the Kerry branch
ete and aggregate?) embankment. (Dave Cromarty, 17 Oct 2010.)

2807] Newport: It has become common practice for westbound steam specials terminating at Cardiff
to be 'tailed' by a diesel loco, which assists in turning the entire train with passengers en route for the
return run. This move normally occurs on Maindee triangle but on 2 Oct the Vintage Trains Tyseley
Steam Trust to Cardiff Central excursion featuring 7029 'Clun Castle' used the Gaer/Park/Ebbw Jns
triangle instead. Realtime Trains provides supporting evidence and 'Railway Herald' 744 had a photo of
47773 and train setting off for Cardiff from Park Jn with 7029 at the rear. According to the organiser's
email issued a while earlier, which our pleasantly surprised member on board admits he had since
forgotten, this is: extremely rare track for steam and I don't believe there's been any steam over there
since 1965. [A Society steam track Gricer agrees with this but, if you know different, please advise!]

2808] Class 230: (BLN 1379.1741, e-BLN 1386.X.207 - photos) The final TfW unit, 230010, left Long
Marston at last on 7 Oct and took the customary route to Wrexham General. However it paused only
briefly there before continuing via Chester to Crewe Carriage Sidings where it arrived at 21.41.

1387 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
MR188] Epping Ongar Railway, Essex (MR p8): The railway held a Diesel Gala over the weekend of
25 & 26 September. Our reporter visited on the Sunday, which started cloudy but brightened up in the
afternoon. There were not that many people about, so room for pictures and plenty of space aboard.
A day rover ticket (£20) was bought with cash on the bus from Epping to avoid the messing around
previously experienced and a three minute 'connection' was made over the footbridge onto the 11.10
to Epping Forest. This had D9551 (Class 14) leading and D6729 (Class 37) on the rear ready to take the
train through to Ongar, to where our reporter travelled - his only visit there this day. Coaches in that
rake were 4925, 4947, 9410 & 13341, which was his home for a while. 47635 bought the train back
from Ongar with 20227 attached at North Weald and doing the honours back from Epping Forest.

There was a 50 minute interval service with two rakes of coaches (the other was 16237, 4809, 9385 &
5181) and four locos on the Epping Forest to Ongar route. Locos changed at Ongar; the one arriving
on the rear at North Weald from Epping Forest was detached and added to the rear of the other set.
Resident locos were D6729 and 47635 along with visiting 20227 and D9551. At North Weald, between
the through service to Epping Forest, two shuttle services were fitted in - alternately either 51384 +
56287 (DMU), or (at a supplementary fare of £5) D2170 (Class 03) with brakevan 993856. At North
Weald, D8001 (Class 20) was being prepared for the next diesel running day and 31438 was 'spare'.

MR189] North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9): At about 10.32 on 21 September, a
Class 20 diesel locomotive collided with the rear of a stationary passenger train at Grosmont station at
around 10mph with minor injuries to five passengers and some damage to the passenger train.
The RAIB have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding the incident
and, having assessed the evidence which had been gathered, have decided to publish a safety digest.

The five-track, single-storey Carriage Stable at Pickering was officially opened on 22 September 2021.
It features a cantilevered roof and will accommodate up to 40 coaches. For the first time it will enable
vital servicing and cleaning tasks to be completed undercover. It will enter full service in 2022.

MR190] Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Cornwall (MR p13) (BLN 1359.MR128): A visit was made here on
Sunday 5 September. On arrival Exmoor built loco 'Ellie' was steaming up, but the railway had just
moved to their autumn timetable and our correspondent had to wait until 10.40 for the first train on
the 1¼ mile 15" gauge 'Main Line'. An ex-BR mainline coach, acquired from Exmouth seafront, has
been placed in the car park, is being done up and converted into a café. At Wheal Rose, a new grey
monstrosity of a building is being erected, of the type to be seen in any modern industrial park or
logistics centre. It is not fitted out yet, but looks to be an indoor playground. A hideous contrast to the
old mine buildings. Our reporter did not have time for the two miniatures here (the 7¼" gauge 350yd
Woodland Railway and 10¼" gauge 700yd Newlyn Branch Line). He always thought that you could
only access Wheal Rose by train, but judging by the number of families on site, far more than travelled
on the first train, perhaps there is now direct road access here - but the website does not mention it.

MR191] Ferry Meadows Railway, Cambridgeshire (MR p13) (BLN 1127.MR259): This 10¼" gauge
700yd long railway was covered by a comprehensive Society railtour on 8 March 2014. Set in Ferry
Meadows Country Park near Peterborough, it is up for sale. The owners, David and Sandra Coging, say
on their website: After 14 very happy years we have decided to put the railway up for sale, we are both
over 70 and would like to retire while we still have the energy to do other things. If you have come to
this page you will already know something about our railway, where it is and how it is run on a daily
basis, the stock and locomotives. Included in the sale is locomotive 'Charles' and the five coach set,
along with the track, stations, turntables, water tower and everything needed to operate.

This would provide a working railway, but also for sale is a pair of trams, a Rio Grande loco and No44
Darjeeling steam loco. The railway runs on average about 120 days per year from 11.30 to 16.30,
which gives a good return, however, there are no restrictions and it could operate 365 days of the year
from dawn to dusk. If you are interested, please email or telephone to speak to either David or Sandra
- but NOT when the railway is operating please, because they will be busy running trains and dealing
with the passengers! 01933 398889. Email: [email protected]

MR192] Holly Tree Railway, Greater London (MR p17) (BLN 1346.MR46): This railway runs in grounds
of the Holly Tree Pub in Forest Gate. On Sunday 8 August, after a very tedious drive round the South
Circular and Blackwall Tunnel (other modes of transport are available), a member eventually found
this Pub, which has a small 75 yard, 7¼" gauge oval circuit in the garden. Both Pub and railway were
crowded, doing good business and full of families with young children. The railway passes very close
right outside the side door and our reporter wondered that they had accidents or near misses with so
many small children running around. Naturally, he walked straight through the Pub to the train and
asked the youthful driver where to buy a ticket and was told to return to his table and wait for his
'server' to take his order. So a table was found and our reporter waited while various staff ran round
with iPads totally ignoring him. After 10 minutes he walked to the bar and found out that he should
have waited outside the main entrance for someone to notice and take his order. So he did that and
eventually ordered a train ride for the sum of £1, then he had to wait again for the train driver to
escort him in for his ride of three circuits. What a performance, he comments, but to be fair they were
happy to just sell him a ride and made no fuss that he did not order a meal or drink (£6.95 for a pint!).

MR193] Sutton Model Engineers, Greater London (MR p17) (BLN 1280.MR179): Sunday 8 August was
their first post pandemic steam up. They appear to be a well kept secret, hidden amongst suburban
housing estates, probably unknown to even the local neighbours. The address is Chatham Close,
Sutton, a small cul-de-sac, which was jammed with residents' cars so our reporter parked at ASDA a
couple of streets away and walked back. The entrance was not obvious until he spotted a dirt track
between two houses and you have to walk down it someway before you see their site. They do give
public rides, but do not actually appear to be geared up for it. Our reporter arrived at 12.25 (website
says 12.00) to find no one had even started steaming up locos yet (all locos steam - at least this day).

There were only eight members on site but they were very friendly and invited him into the club room
while they consumed tea and biscuits, engaging in engineer speak about No4 injectors etc! Eventually,
they started and a member gave him a tour while he waited for a ride. The 7¼" gauge 176 yard circuit
has a station and a bypass loop for through running. There are a lot of miniature railways where the
driver can reach out to a mechanical device or electric switch to set the route ahead, but this is the
first one he has seen where the driver can change the points behind him by tugging on a blue rope -
delightfully Heath Robinson. Only one loco was available on this track; as it had not been steamed for
18 months the driver was having difficulty with the injector and had to stop frequently to hand crank
it. Eventually, after several test runs a coach was wheeled out of the shed and our reporter got his ride
of three laps including the bypass. Only one local family turned up for a ride, saying they used to be
regulars pre-pandemic and the children did ride before the driver declared the loco a failure.
It was another half hour wait for the first loco to finish steaming on the elevated circuit before a ride
was possible - tightly squeezed in behind the driver. No fares were charged but a donation was made.

BELOW: (Item MR 188) Epping Ongar Railway; D2170 on the brakevan tri

ips in North Weald bay platform. (© Andrew k Overton, 25 Sep 2021.)

RIGHT: (Item MR 193) Sutton
Model Engineers; a view
from the signal box.

(Peter Scott, 9 May 2017.).



X.224] NEXT FIVE: The very remote PRIVATE Saughtree station (MR p10) i
Our 10 Jul 2015 Society visit and trip report is at BLN 1238.14
THIS PAGE BELOW: One of a pair of mod
NEXT: The Engine Shed is a modern conversion from a former

THIRD: The station has a very pleasant B&B - looking east towards He

in Scotland, during a Railway Ramblers' walk (visited with permission).
414 of 8 Aug 2015. (All photos Chris Parker, 16 Oct 2021.)
dern - not original - signs in the rain!
r railwayman's cottage. The station crane is a recent addition.
exham (Riccarton Junction and Hawick are behind the photographer).

















BELOW: (Item 195) Bridge View Light Railway; an un-numbered BE loco thre

eads the dinosaur on the new extension. (Simon Mortimer, 25 Sep 2021.)



LEFT: Bridge View Light Railway
(Item MR 195), 'Hamish' departs
from Bridge View station before
drive chain trouble enforced the

locomotive's retirement.

(Simon Mortimer, 25 Sep 2021).

NEXT: Train on the extension
Hauled by Loco No1.

(A BLN Reporter, 25 Sep 2021.)





X.225] BELOW & NEXT (BLN 1385.MR177) The Corris Railway southern exte

ension embankment is gaining height again. (Graeme Jolley, 4 Sep 2021.)





MR194] Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, Kent (MR p19) (BLN 1376.MR68): The railway had a
special day on Saturday 4 September to mark the return to steam of 4-6-2 No11 'Black Prince' (Krupp
1664/1937), which coincidentally was the last of the railway's locos our correspondent required.
He also has a soft spot for the line, as he believes it was the first minor railway he travelled on in 1958.
Therefore, he purchased an advance ticket for the 15.00 round trip special from New Romney via
Hythe and (non-stop through) Dungeness for a fare of £16.50. Unfortunately, a motorway traffic
accident delayed his arrival considerably and he just missed the special's departure, but was able to
catch the next train to Hythe in time to join it there. What was not made clear was that 'Black Prince'
would double head 'Samson', and 'Northern Chief' was added at Romney for a triple header round
Dungeness - but still very enjoyable. How this line has changed over the years, our reporter
comments, with housing development blocking the view not to mention the nuclear power stations!

MR195] Bridge View Light Railway, Warwickshire (MR p25) (BLN 1334.MR160): The railway reopened
on Saturday 25 September and also opened its extension to a full circuit of 300 yards. Two Society
members were in attendance at around 11.00 for commencement of service, but it had already begun
and as for the 'ribbon cutting' at 11.15; well, not a ribbon or scissors in sight! Initially, there was three
train operation but this gradually dwindled down to zero train operation due to drained batteries,
dragging brakes and a loose drive chain. However, service was partly restored to one and eventually
two trains and the crowd began to be moved around the new full circuit. Having overcome some long
term planning issues, the half of the loop that is new was constructed in two weeks flat - partly helped
by not needing to lay the rails flush to ground to permit mowing and thus avoiding a lot of excavation.

Those next to ride having approached the numbers on our members' tickets, a bit like supermarket
counter queue regulation, our two members were asked to fill a gap and needed no extra bidding.
Surprisingly, on return hearing the need to do the other loop mentioned between them (and no extra
train at the time to do it), the driver immediately instructed the signalman to arrange the return to
that side on next circuit to accommodate our representatives on board! It turned out that, on chatting
to the driver, he had driven the standard gauge loco at Coventry Electric Railway Museum (now
closed) on our 27 Jun 2015 visit, so just assumed (correctly) they were 'BLS'. He was surprised, though,
when our reporter told him he had actually organised that visit. On return the driver even ensured our
two members did the full loop by the simple expedient of dropping them at the level crossing beyond.

MR196] Falconwood Miniature Railway, Greater London: This 3½/5" gauge elevated railway is run by
the Welling & District Model Engineering Society (W&DMES). For 45 years, until 2021, it was at Eltham
Substation, Rochester Way in Falconwood. Due to the National Grid wanting to reclaim their land for
cable tunnel works, which are being constructed to run under SE London and Kent, the railway is
relocating to Hall Place in Bexley, Kent. Work has started and track has been laid, opening at Hall Place
is planned in the spring of 2022. Planning permission was requested to Bexley Council for: A new
model railway and ancillary features for W&DMES (sidings, station, ticket office, signal box, level
crossing, carriage shed, miniature track and fencing); new clubhouse (in the nursery yard area), new
children's play area, new bridge across the River Cray to enhance accessibility, new window on west
side of Visitor Centre/Pavilion Café, canopy/covered seating area on east side of Visitor Centre/café,
new gates and fencing to secure separation between paid and unpaid areas, wayfinding/signage/
banners/features, human sundial and a new wooden gate in the boundary fence for vehicular access.

1387 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
2809] The 'Theoretical' Thunderer, Rod Miebs: And Now for Something Completely Different. Fri 30
Jul, drive from home to a hotel in Kegworth. Early in journey, pass under low bridge at the Up end of
Shortlands station. The bridge means that a busy road and bus route is barred to double deckers and
high vehicles. Not long after, pass both ends of Bramdean Crescent, it runs out close to the railway.
The next link to the tour was crossing over the Dartford loop line before reaching the delights of
Blackwall Tunnel. The final link was Kegworth itself. Saw the soft drinks factory. Had a holiday with my
now late wife in Cyprus in 1975. Shared our evening hotel meal table twice with another couple.

The wife worked in admin at the drinks factory, the husband worked on the railway. He worked
weekends at Coalville sometimes. If spotters said they were in the RCTS, he would let them look
round. That holiday had an experience where the 'Thunderer' AKA 'The Times' got it wrong. The
headline 'Britons take Cyprus quake in their stride' was inaccurate. The quake happened just before
midnight, so most people were not striding. The more obvious comment did appear within the article.

Sat 31 Jul: lift from the hotel to East Midlands Parkway, given by my table companion to join the train.
The station booking office clerk was helpful; as tour passengers walked by, he called out to say he
could issue parking tickets if they had not already bought them to open the barriers in the evening.

Pass the recalcitrant 'Thunderer' (50008) stabled at Leicester. Possible track gains near Bedford and
Bletchley P5. Did not check loco numbers on departure, sent text to friend probably viewing on the
West London Line, prompt response, 'Hercules' (50007) & 'Defiance' (50049). 'Invicta' (unconquered)
is the motto of Kent. So 'Defiance' is appropriate for where the tour would be for the next few hours.
Legend has it that the Kentish Men and Men of Kent waved sticks to no response from William the
Conqueror as he and his army marched through Kent bound for Winchester after the battle of Battle.

I had always been curious, as was mentioned in
the tour booklet, about the name Knockholt for
the station as Knockholt Pound first and then (two
miles from the station) was Knockholt itself, up a
steep climb on an unclassified road mounting the
Kentish Downs dip slope. The station, 'Halstead
for Knockholt' OP 1 May 1876 and lost its prefix
from 1 Oct 1900. I was aware that there is a Fort
Halstead but had no real idea of where it was.
'Wikipedia' gave the answers. It was a Polygonal
Fort built in 1895/97 as part of the London
Defence Scheme with other Forts to the south and east of London to repel attacks from the sea. It
remained in use by the MoD for weapons and explosives development and possibly the Manhattan
Project. Maybe station renaming was in the interest of National Security. [Ticket design by Amy Nash.]

The New Popular Edition OS One-Inch map shows a squiggle that could be a polygon but nothing else.
The site is being redeveloped as a housing and business estate. There is a railway 'connection'. One of
the people who worked there was Richard Baron Beeching of East Grinstead. Maybe 'disconnection'
would be a better word. Beeching Way in East Grinstead, part of the A22, is on the trackbed of the
East Grinstead Low Level to Tunbridge Wells line through Forest Row, most of which he closed.

Passing Dunton Green reminded me that I did do the 4¾ mile long Westerham branch from there with
Dad on the last day of the service (28 Oct 1961) with two day returns from Hither Green. At the latter
the ticket collector allowed me to keep the tickets on our return, I've still got them. Bridging the River
Medway approaching Tonbridge is a border crossing. East of the river is the realm of Kentish Men,
west Men of Kent. British Railways Southern Region had a named steam hauled train, 'The Man of
Kent', which commemorated the split. Slightly unusually, the name applied to more than one train!
Originally used in 1954, the proliferation of trains bearing the name is said to have been to avoid
having to move the carriage roof boards from one set of stock to another! See https://bit.ly/3DPdy91

On to Margate along familiar tracks for a stroll along the promenade and lunch with a friend from
another part of my life who I had not seen since the start of the pandemic. The return from Margate
was again on familiar territory, any hope of getting though the Up loop that serves as P3 at Strood
towards Dartford was forlorn. The Southern Electric Group 2 BIL Farewell tour on 9 Jan 1971 may have
done it (any ideas, please?) but I did not keep detailed notes and 'Six Bells Junction' gives no clue.
Interesting tour, a troubled BIL was replaced by a 4 SUB at Wimbledon and that was replaced by a BIL
and a HAL at Victoria. Harbinger of things to come on tours with veteran motive power in Jul 2021.