1306

[BLN 1306]
PREVIOUS PAGE: The party (less one) at Sligo P1 (which used to be the departures platform) from the
buffer stops looking towards Dublin. The Middle Road and ex-P2 (formerly the arrivals platform) are
right. (Ian Mortimer - some people will do anything to avoid having their photo taken! - 4 May 2018.)

Some made a thorough exploration of the former Sligo Quay branch (CG 11 Dec 2008; CA 4 Mar 2010)
which is intact for 440yd to stop blocks before the first underbridge (Finisklin Rd) and can stable up to
8-cars overnight. At one time wagons of grain were unloaded from the bridge by spout directly into
road vehicles below. Further along much of the track to the former Belfast Quay Container Terminal is
intact as is the overhead gantry there but not at the Cement Terminal. There used to be a Guinness
Siding on the northeast side, an Oil Siding to the southwest and also timber traffic. Track was even
found in Deepwater Quay (a road) past the container terminal on the line to a further oil terminal etc.

Back at the station (where three more units stable overnight in the left hand former 'arrival' P2, the
middle road and P1 - formerly the departures platform) the turntable was intact but securely fenced
off with disconnected track on it. Saying goodbye to Sligo participants wondered how many years it
would be before their next visit and headed for Ballymote, but not via the loop, despite requests made
to railway staff - a missed opportunity again. At Ballymote, the closed (due to the poor state of the
track) 7¼" miniature was visited, adjacent to the station. The group wandered around the site and
found the loco and rolling stock locked in a purpose built shed, only just identifiable from the bogies.
Talking to a young mother with her daughter in the park, the line had not operated for about 5 years.

Meanwhile a cunning plan had been concocted, to stray from our itinerary and try for the missing
loop. The 13.52 was taken back to Sligo, returning just 73 minutes after we had left! The silver tongue
of Kev asked the driver if Sligo loop could be arranged with the signaller. A round of applause and
cheers went around the front carriage as we achieve the desired move! The locals looked puzzled and
were even more so when it was explained. Another hour in Sligo followed with a celebratory Guinness.

It was déjà vu leaving Sligo for Dromod and the highlight of the day, the Cavan & Leitrim Railway,
(3ft gauge) where we were not disappointed. Our hosts Michael Kelly andPhilip Bedford greeted us,
providing a stock list showing where each loco was. With over 60 across the area in various conditions,
this was invaluable. There was much more to see including sections of gliders and airplanes, hearses,
boats, fire engines, ambulances, buses, old cars etc in fact you name it… nothing is ever turned away.

Everyone shoehorned into the coach at Dromod (C&LR) platform which was hauled by an ex-Bord na
Móna loco to the end of the half mile line just before Clooncolry crossing, back to the platform and
then shunted into the depot yard.

Time for a wander and make use of the stock list. Meanwhile trips ran over sections of 2' gauge, riding
on three Hunslet locos coupled together. Various other lines were made available using pedal power
with a couple of velocipedes. This includes lifting one machine to the other end of the yard and moving
the former Great Northern Railway Gardner motor coach in front of the original engine shed (with
rides for those interested) out of the way. With everyone satisfied and an hour before the train back to
Dublin, most made their way to the 'Copper Still' for a drink and/or some efficiently produced and
served hot food. A few dynamic members squeezed in a one mile velocipede ride as well. Our hosts,
Michael and Philip joined us a little later for a well earned pint after the railway shut for the night, of
course. An excellent end to our superb visit. This location is very recommended and (from TripAdvisor,
Facebook and the Website) does provide public trips again.

The journey back to Dublin was on the booked suburban unit with plenty of seats available and a
refreshment trolley provided. The party was split up on the train, which was full of lively characters on
their way for a night out in the capital. The return route was via the same side of the loops as before.
The only variation was running via North Strand and ending in the short Connolly P1. An excellent day
thanks to Kev Adlam and helpers. Participants said their goodbyes and drifted off into the night.

ABOVE: 'Standing room only' on the 2ft gauge at Dromod. BELOW: In the opposite direction a pump
trolley and (left) a three-wheeler; the 5' 3" gauge Sligo line Dromod station is right with the original
Cavan & Leitrim engine shed and water tower background - left of centre background. (Ian Mortimer)

ABOVE: A 3ft gauge peripatetic Gricycle made for two… showing what fun modern BLN fixtures can be
and ideal for reaching ends of lines. This track leads to the engine shed (behind the photographer).
The single decker (right) had been moved to clear it (giving two chances for participants to have a ride
as it was driven back afterwards). The water tower (left) behind the signal box remains is on the 5' 3"
line. The Cavan & Leitrim 3ft gauge running line is left with the Dromod station off left. (Ian Mortimer)

BELOW: The end of the end of the half-mile 3ft gauge running line just before the former Clooncolry
level crossing, the buffer stops are bottom left, looking back towards Dromod. (Ian Mortimer)





PREVIOUS PAGE (LANDSCAPE) UPPER: Plan of the Arlington
Eastleigh Works with thanks to Arlington Fleet services and
Martyn Brailsford (tour route marked in red). The mainline
connection, near the station (northwest end of the complex)
is on the left, end of line stop blocks (southeast) is right.

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: The 'William and Mary' railtour
https://goo.gl/vCT1dw of 29 Jun 1985 with 2BIL and 4SUB
units on the loop around the outside of the depot, which is
still in use now, of course. (Ian Mortimer)

1243] BLS/PLEG Arlington Explorer, Sat 2 June: By Adam
Daniels. Being a born-and-bred 'Southern' man, as soon as
the series of 'Arlington Explorer' tours were advertised they
were frankly too good to miss. I'd visited the objective of the
tours (Arlington Fleet Group Ltd Eastleigh Works) a few
times on open days in the 1980s, 1990s and noughties; but if
I did ever cover any internal track during those visits I don't
remember it (and only then being a spotter, didn't record
track and haulage anyway). There were to be four trips,
starting 14.00 then hourly, and each was to have a different
combination of haulage 'top & tail' covering identical track.

As I needed the originally advertised fixed loco, 08879, along
with tail locos 08567, 07007 and (doing 'foreign') the Köf
(ex-DB 323539), I decided to book on the first two trips.
Proceeds from the trips would be donated to a very worthy
charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). My
report below should be read in conjunction with the
annotated map and stocklist emailed to BLS members a day
or so after the event (with thanks to Mr Adlam & Co!).

During the weeks leading up to the Arlington trips it was to become obvious all was not well
concerning some of the advertised locomotives - 08879 had left the site and 08567 was not repaired in
time. However, in true BLS and PLEG style though, Mr Adlam and his contacts worked their magic and
negotiated a true 'Southern' loco in the guise of 73133 to act as trunk loco and stay at the North end of
our riding BLS vehicle 'Molly' throughout, with the South end loco swapping between trips: ex-DB
323539 on the 14.00, the 07 on the 15.00 and GBRf 66784 for the 16.00 & 17.00 trips in pristine
condition, fresh from the Arlington paint shop and a last minute (very acceptable) substitute for GBRf
66732 - thanks guys. 66784 had done little passenger work in its former guise of DBC 66081 and a
phone-call on the day caused a carload of hopeful passengers to set off from the Churnet Valley
Railway just after 13.00, hoping to make the 17.00 trip …. (AA Route Planner gives 3¼ hours so
possible.)I arrived at Eastleigh station in plenty of time and met up with other members there
watching the busy comings and goings including significant freight traffic and light engine movements.
Around half an hour before each trip the walk to the works was undertaken, arriving at Arlington's
Gate 2 in time to 'check in' and be given our souvenir ticket. We then undertook the short walk via the
road to 'Crossing 1', observing various locomotives ply their trade while awaiting the arrival of 'Molly'
with its 'top & tail' locos. A couple of minutes after 14.00, slightly delayed due to the 'rush hour'
departure of Arlington's morning shift workers over the crossing by road, 'Molly' was shunted right up
to 'Crossing 1' and the participants for the 14.00 boarded.

Now for my only negative words about the day - to say it was extremely warm hot both outside and
inside 'Molly' was an understatement! While I realise that on a non-mainline tour the stock won't
exactly be moving quickly, and therefore there will be no flow of fresh air, those I spoke to generally

thought that there were perhaps a few too many members on each trip given the lovely weather.
[The loadings, 190 in total, were for two reasons, firstly to cover the significant cost of transporting
Molly by road from, and back to, Barrow Hill but also not to turn anyone away disappointed - Ed.]
I decided that partaking in the 15.00 as well may be too much! Anyway, back to positive matters…

73133 firstly took us the short distance to just before the NR boundary before reversing, with a very
decent sounding ex-DB Köf 323539 taking us south past 'Unit 6' and then left at the points to the third
rightmost track as far as 'Crossing 4'. One or two familiar faces from a well known railtour catering
company were glimpsed in a neighbouring rake of stock 'taking five', as the 'Torbay Express' stock was
being marshalled and prepared for its ECS move to Bristol Temple Meads and the first run of the
season next day. Other locos were also seen stabled en-route. Another reversal at 'Crossing 4' (with
73133 now in charge) took us back to the NR boundary,this time right up to the gate. Reversing again,
our Köf now hauled 'Molly' and 73133 via the line to the right of 'Area 2', then past the 'Old Test Shed',
right up to the end of the line at the southeast extremity of the complex, (top of plan) a few yards
from the loop line around Eastleigh Works.

Another reversal with 73133 in charge then took us towards the main works building, passing pretty
much every participant's haulage requirement (08567) en-route, along with other mainline locos and
plenty of stock for those so inclined to view. The tour then entered and ran right through the main
300yd long Arlington workshop, via 'Bay 3' from one end to the other. En route immaculate LUL No12
'Sarah Siddons' was seen, along with rather less complete steam loco 35005, a couple of SWR units
and various Freightliner flats being maintained. Eventually out in daylight again, the tour proceeded to
the NR boundary, and another reversal took us back to our joining point hauled by our Köf.

Near the 15.00 departure time for the second trip I decided to return to Eastleigh town centre for a
cold drink, and then after cooling down took a train to Southampton Airport Parkway and back to do
the Up Slow line from Stoneham Jn to Eastleigh station commissioned 26 Oct 2015.

All in all, this was an excellent 45-minute journey courtesy of Arlington Fleet Services, the BLS and
PLEG, in brilliant sunshine too. A good deal of track was covered (going to the ends of lines at the NR
boundary, the depot loop end and others) exactly as advertised. Traction was varied (with ex-BR and
ex-foreign locos performing superbly along with our main 'Southern' train engine 73133) and was an
excellent compromise given the lack of the two original 08s advertised, the failures and other issues
occasionally happen with mechanical things. Many thanks Mr Adlam and others in the BLS and PLEG
for sorting out attractive alternatives. An excellent total of £5,200 was raised for the RNLI as GBRf did
not charge for their loco (and thanks for that too!). Trip 2 totalled 1m 66ch (6ft short of the buffers at
the end of line); Trip 1 was 1m 64ch. [The party from Churnet did arrive in time! Our esteemed
Member No1 attended the event and was delighted to link up his track coverage with a railtour some
50 years ago that reached the Works Gates from the other side! Never give up! Does that deserve a
few more of your wonderful railtour reminiscences for the record, No1 - please? ]

NEXT PAGE BELOW: A series of pictures in the sequence of the tour, mostly from the Class 07 Loco cab
on the final trip, (all by Ian Mortimer). This is at 'Crossing 1' where participants boarded and alighted.

2nd PAGE: 'Area 4'; ahead is 'Crossing 3' with 'Crossing 4' (reached by the tour) in the distance.

Loco Trip 2, (GPS Darren Garnon) Ch 3rd PAGE: A great 'Vue' of the mainline connection, 73m 50ch
from Waterloo, any further and the loco might be doing the
73133 'Crossing 1' to NR limit 1ch trap point protecting the connection as well! 4th PAGE: 'Molly'
with Tour Manger approaches the end of Works headshunt.
07007 NR limit to 'Crossing 4' 27ch
5th & 6th PAGE: Running up to the main workshop from the
73133 'Crossing 4' to NR limit 31ch headshunt (southeast). FINAL (7th) PAGE: The pièce de
résistance was going right through the 300yd main workshop.
07007 NR limit to End of Line 47ch [All pictures have been approved by Arlington for use in BLN.]

73133 End of Line - 'Bay 3' - NR limit 33ch

07007 NR limit to 'Crossing 1' 7ch





























Details must be checked 1306 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

1243] Explore Cambrian: Rail travel Pwllheli - Machynlleth - Aberystwyth for one day after 09.00
Mon-Fri, all day weekends & Bank Holidays. When the hourly Aberystwyth service operates there
are very good connections with the stunning Cambrian Coast line at Dovey Junction - where it is
now possible to see three trains at times! Remember Aberystwyth trains depart from the far south
end of the very long P2 (when the service is hourly they also do the Down loop before arriving) and
Shrewsbury direction services leave from the north end. £13 Adult; £6.50 Child; £21 Family (2A &
2C); Railcard £8.50. For comparison Aberystwyth - Pwllheli day return is £17.60 (railcard £11.60).

1244] Welsh Highland (WHR) - Ffestiniog Railway (FR); Porthmadog Harbour Strategic Connection:
Normally used by FR services arriving at the WHR platform when the FR platform is occupied by the
next departure. There are more services on this 'PSUL' in 2018. 'Green' Ffestiniog days 26-28 Jun, 3-5 &
10-12 Jul, 4-6 & 11-13 Sep: 10.10 ex-Blaenau Ffestiniog. 'Red' Ffestiniog days 17-19, 24-26 & 31 July,
1 & 2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23 & 28-30 August: 12.15 ex-Blaenau F. They pick up at Boston Lodge on request.

PREVIOUS PAGE TOP: View forward crossing The Cob on an FR train to Porthmadog in high summer
2014 - hence the pouring rain! The shunt signal indicates movement to WHR platform (right) - very few
trains did this connection then. PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Passing the 'W' theatre light and shunt signal
heading for rare connection to the WHR platform straight ahead. The reason for this can be seen, an
FR train is awaiting departure (left) from the FR platform. (Both Simon Mortimer)

1245] Fairbourne Railway Steam Gala, Sat 28 & Sun 29 Jul: (MR p29) 1¾ miles long, adjacent to the
NR Fairbourne station and connects to Barmouth via the Barmouth ferry. https://goo.gl/Tc1Dxc
All available locos with an intensive service; visiting locos (four) for the first time in many years on the
12¼"/15" lines. Rare 5"/7¼" gauge rides and model railways. Day rover available. Visit Golf Halt, a bit
of a hole, Gorsafawddacha'idraigodanheddogleddollônpenrhynareurdraethceredigion before 2007!

1246] Ffestiniog Round Robin: A one-day circular train tour ideal with either of the previous two
items. Any train any time in either direction from stations between Crewe, Chester, Shrewsbury,
Porthmadog or Crewe, Chester, Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Includes a Ffestiniog
Railway single journey (not return) either way. Travel via the North Wales Coast and Conwy Valley
line, returning via the Cambrian Coast line and Shrewsbury or the other way round. Free extensions
from Holyhead, Pwllheli or Aberystwyth to the circular route. £39 Adults; £19.50 Child; from any
station on the tour or North Wales. Extensions from Birmingham, Manchester, Warrington,
Liverpool, Bidston or intermediately to Shrewsbury, Chester or Crewe £44 Adult, £22 Child.
No Railcard discounts. They are difficult to find on ticket machines; the 'destination' is 'Ffestiniog'.

1247] Friends & Family Railcard: 10% online discount code MFFR10 to 30 Jun (purchase or renewal).

1248] PlusBus - Special Offer Jul & Aug just £2 per day booked online: Where available adds bus and
tram travel at either end of a rail journey (or both) which must be in different PlusBus areas from each
other. No peak restrictions, unlimited all day. Valid with train singles, day returns or period returns
also can be added to weekly, monthly, 3-monthly or annual train season tickets. 34% railcard discount
on normal prices; Under 16s half price. PlusBus is usually cheaper than a bus pass from an area main
bus operator, available for numerous towns and cities http://www.plusbus.info/ has full details.

The £2 online offer (no railcard discounts) can be bought for any single or return journey (not seasons)
from C2C, GWR, Southern, SouthEastern, South Western Railway, Thameslink, TPE or Virgin East Coast
websites (PlusBus website has full list). The whole Midland Metro line is included with a Birmingham,
Wolverhampton or Sandwell & Dudley PlusBus, with Nottingham most of NET and Sheffield
Supertram with Sheffield - each for just £2. The biggest discount with the £2 offer is Buxton (normally
£6). [Not in the special offer Blackpool is £3.60, railcard £2.40 with Starr Gate to Cleveleys on the tram
thrown in and Edinburgh £3.80, railcard £2.50 includes the tram York Place to Ingliston Park & Ride.]

1249] Invergarry & Fort Augustus Railway Museum Suns 1 Jul & 2 Sep, 12.00-16.00: Invergarry
station, South Laggan, near Spean Bridge, PH34 4EA, (NN 3041 9841). One of the UK's most remote
and interesting standard gauge railways (CP 1 Dec 1933; CA 1 Jan 1947), over ¼ mile of the North
British Railway Fort Augustus branch at this former station, originally to be a double track main line to
Inverness. For those who can't make our (now fully booked) 5 Aug visit, weather permitting the
Lesmac Plate Layers Trolley now offers limited rides to adults and children. No tickets required but
donations please to track fund. New web site https://goo.gl/dLdsXK with more information on the
history of the Fort Augustus line and how you can support the reopening project at Invergarry station.
Citylink coach service 919 (Fort William - Inverness) passes near the station (advance booking advised).

1250] Great Welland Railway Fri-Sun 27-29 Jul 08.00-20.00 (17.00 Sun): (SO 8020 4088) to (SO 8042
4064). Woodside Farm, Welland, Malvern, WR13 6NG. Welland Steam & Country Rally
http://goo.gl/gAu0fc the only chance to ride this standard gauge steam line. Hunslet Austerity No3839

'Wimblebury' 0-6-0ST (NCB No7) (BELOW - Press release) and also see:
https://goo.gl/CuhZdg is booked hauling a brakevan. Demonstration
narrow gauge lines expected and a 4' 8½" steam crane. Classic steam
plant and machinery working and road building demonstration (how
roads were made using steam power) etc. Pay on the day or via
website £12 adult, £10 senior/child (11-16, U11 free). We had an
excellent visit in 2014 (two standard & two narrow gauge lines).

1251] The Fifield PRIVATE Railway Sat 28 Jul, afternoon: 'Deep
Meadows', Ledger Road, Fifield, SL6 2NX, (SU 907 766) between
Windsor and Maidenhead (off B3024, four miles west of the former).
Annual public rides at this steam hauled standard gauge railway as part
of the local http://goo.gl/MjNal5 charity 'fun day'. Rides are usually in
open wagons with seats and a brakevan, steam-hauled. LEFT: Showing
the 'teardrop' layout of the railway.

X.76] LEFT: Guess the Location: (E-BLN
1305.X.74) The 2ft gauge horse-worked
tramway at Bude Harbour which carried
sand from Summerleaze Beach for
loading onto barges on the Bude Canal.
It was last used in 1942 and also
connected with the end of the standard
gauge Bude Harbour Branch. Does
anyone have a transportable 2ft gauge
riding vehicle? (Craig Kinsey 29 May
2018) An interesting illustrated article:
https://goo.gl/jVPMbG BELOW: 1950 six
inches to the mile OS (1938 revision).
The designation of Bude passenger
station, (CP/CA 3 Oct 1966) as 'Terminus
Sta' is interesting. It was 18½ miles from
Halwill Junction and 229 miles from
London Waterloo. The standard gauge
branch to the Bude Canal and Harbour
can be seen. The Summerleaze Beach
sand tramway is indicated by the purple
arrow and once had lines on the beach.

1252] *NEW* Northern Explorer 55: A day ranger for those over 55s (proof of age required) only £15
[Blackburn - Crewe is £18.15 off peak return] - no discounts. After 09.30 Mon-Fri, all day weekends or
Bank Holidays on Northern services only (including bus substitutes). Initially from ticket offices and on
trains they will 'soon' be available from Northern's website and ticket machines. Valid west of Carlisle,
Carnforth, Clitheroe, Colne, Burnley Manchester Road, Littleborough, Greenfield, Hadfield and Edale.
Also to Windermere, Heysham Port, Blackpool, Southport, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, Chester, Crewe,
Stoke and Buxton (map above). Does not include Clitheroe - Settle - Carlisle or Oxenholme - Carlisle.

●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime). [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor
●BLN Wales: Chris Parker, 7 Three Trees, Station Road, Whittington, Oswestry, SY11 4DE [email protected]
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

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