1258

[BLN 1258]
crossing. The 2ft gauge 'Stone Line' was not operating during the time our reporter was at Wirksworth
- although the loco (Lesley the Lister) and the single coach were out on the line and staff were nearby.
The short 5" gauge line has been moved from outside the station alongside the car park and is now
situated off the south end of P1 - passing under the road bridge. It is only about 30yd in length. The
Ravenstor Incline was being operated by a two-car class 101 set in BR blue. Return to Duffield was on
the 13.05 departure from P2, formed by 2-car unit class 119 W51073 and class 108 E53599 - both in BR
blue and grey livery. At Duffield a small wooden station building is under construction on the railway's
P3. A brake van stabled in the headshunt provides a basic ticket office. Most trains were well filled -
with enthusiasts as opposed to 'ordinary' passengers. An all day adult rover ticket was £15. The day did
invoke many happy memories of cross-country and local journeys (as well as railtours) on similar units.
[BLN 1258] BELOW: M79900 at Duffield P3. This single car unit is 60 yrs old this year. (Peter Scott 14 May 2016)

MR99] Valley International Park
Railway, South Lanarkshire (MR p28)
(BLN 1243.MR178): The railway and the
park were reported as closed in 2015 as
per BLN 1243. Does anyone, perhaps a
local member, know more about the
current situation please? LEFT: Valley
International Park Railway, when still
running, 'Chance 31' at the station.

(Peter Scott 18 Aug 2012)

BLN.MR100] Colne Valley Railway, Essex (MR p8): The Railway has been given planning permission to
improve its museum, following an application to Braintree Council to add a 120m2 building to the
existing museum with a corridor connecting the two. The new museum will feature interactive
displays, film screenings and information boards. Essex Council's heritage consultant David Andrews
said the scale and design of the extension was 'inappropriate'. However, the Council indicated its
support for the project, under the condition that the materials used are signed off. The railway applied
for permission to build a new entrance, parking and a reception building earlier this year, but is yet to
receive a decision on the application. The work is expected to cost in the vicinity of £1.7M to complete.
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded funding to develop plans to buy and improve part of the site. The
Railway was almost thrown off its site by the landowner, before he agreed to sell a portion of the land.

MR101] Gwili Steam Railway, Carmarthenshire (MR p9): As part of the ongoing work to open the
extension to Abergwili, the level crossing at Bronwydd Arms has been renewed. The road surface was
removed, the track relaid and a new road surface installed. Other minor tasks remain to be undertaken
by the small volunteer workforce. Currently, it is hoped to have the extension open by the end of this
season, weather, workforce and funds permitting.

MR102] South Tynedale Railway, Cumbria (MR p14) (BLN 1237.MR111): The railway is part way
through a 3-year, £5.6M development project; mostly funded by a £4.35M Heritage Lottery Fund
grant. Part of this is to extend the railway by 1½ miles from Lintley to Slaggyford (creating a 4½ mile
ride from its Alston terminus). A local family company Cubby Construction has started to clear the
trackbed and the aim is to have trains running to Slaggyford by 2017.

MR103] Bressingham Steam Museum, Norfolk (MR p20) (BLN 1212.MR104): The Museum held a
special event over the weekend of the May Day Bank Holiday to mark the 50th anniversary of the 2ft
gauge Nursery Railway. Since 1966 the railway has been a mainstay at the Museum and the
locomotive George Sholto, which opened the line then, was in operation during the event. Visiting
locomotives Rishra and Chaloner, from the Leighton Buzzard Railway, were in use. Phillip Rooke,
Museum Curator, said: 'More than 2,000 people have turned up over the weekend. I think it has
exceeded our expectations. We have had a lot of enthusiasts as well. At the end of the day we lined all
the 2ft engines up and we had a lot of people wait until then to get pictures'. On Sunday the traction
engines, road rollers and Jones's Butcher's van and fire engine from the Museum's Dad's Army
Collection, took part in a short road run into Diss.

ABOVE: Our FS picked monorail set No8 'Strawberry Fields' (for ever?) at Alton Towers. (Kev Adlam 14 May)

BLN 1258.MR104] Foxfield Miniature Railway, http://goo.gl/QlB00k Staffordshire (MR p23) (BLN
1241.MR157): An impromptu visit to this 7¼" gauge railway by the Fixtures Secretary on the way back
home from a 7th birthday party weekend at Alton Towers (where four different monorail sets had been
covered and the full length of the gondola ride in both directions for good measure!). The line was
operating with Wilf hauling two green liveried open coaches (Nos2 & 3). All classes were £1 with
accompanied under 2s free. Wilf is a 4wDH built in 2015 by Jeffrey/Comley as works No1, and carries
an attractive red livery with wasp stripe ends. The builder's plate proudly states Makers of Bizarre
Mistakes! The standard route was taken covering the circa 350yd balloon loop layout in just over five
minutes with a lively run up the 1:25 incline. The additional track on the return loop has not yet been
brought into use.

MR105] Broadstairs & Cliftonville Lido Cliff Railways, Kent: During a coastal walk from Ramsgate to
Margate on 28 April, the remains of both of these long closed cliff railways were viewed. The 5ft 3in
gauge single track railway at Broadstairs (BLN 898.MR96) opened in 1910, being 120ft in length and
linking Viking Beach with the promenade above. It closed in August 1990. One of its unusual features
was that the top station was in the grounds of a hotel - it was also entirely underground. The bottom
station is still clearly visible but totally derelict with the attractive canopy missing all its glass. It
presents an unsightly appearance. The upper station has been mostly removed and a wooden decking
terrace for drinkers and diners placed over it. However, there is a small slope down to a trap door
which no doubt still gives access to the disused shaft/track. The whole of the site at Cliftonville Lido in
Margate is derelict - the Lido itself being filled with sand, undergrowth and rubbish. The short railway
(BLN 336 p225) led down from the upper promenade to the Lido entrance. The slope on which the
single track was mounted is still clearly visible. The wooden beams onto which the track was laid are
still in position, as is a pulley wheel at the upper station. Otherwise all else has gone. The railway was
5ft gauge and 69ft in length, opening in 1913. It appears to have closed around 1972.

BELOW: Cliftonville, trackbed of cliff railway (Peter Scott 13 Feb 2013).

[BLN 1258]
MR106] Otterden and Boardfield Railway, Kent: This little known railway was located about 7 miles
from Faversham. A pre-arranged visit to inspect the remains (all on private grounds) was made on 11
May. The archivist at Faversham Library said the railway, serving the Otterden estate, was constructed
in the early 1800s and was horse-worked until the 1950s, when a diesel locomotive was introduced.
The line closed in the 1980s, with the loco still in the shed. This is all pure fantasy, although the truth is
little less bizarre! In fact, the line was opened in the 1950s by Mr Granville Wheler who decided his
estate needed a railway. It carried timber and was about ¾ mile in length. It was absolutely pointless,
because the timber could have been loaded direct onto lorries where the railway started. The gauge
was 4ft 0in (and still is, because, although closed over 20 years ago it is still intact), because the first
track came second hand from the Glasgow Subway. The line was horse worked throughout its life until
closure about 1990. Mr Wheler (who was clearly eccentric) said every good railway should have a loco
shed, so he built one in classical Egyptian style, although the line never had a loco!

A low level line was also planned (called the Lower Adit, although it is not known why). The trackbed
was completed and is still clearly seen, although no track was ever laid. It was to be connected with
the existing line by a rope-worked incline (to continue the eccentricity) which was constructed and still
exists, although track was never laid on this either. There are five wagons on site, three of enormous
construction and must have been quite a load for the horse to move - even without the timber. In use
for many years was a massive Suffolk Punch carthorse called Bourne, which took a dislike to Mr Wheler
and would bite him at every opportunity. The wagons must have been professionally built, although
there is nothing on them to say by whom. One of them carries the name of the railway in full. Two
wagons are in the loco shed. The other three are a few yards away in a primitive open shed. The visit
was courtesy of David Merrifield, the present tenant, although Granville Wheler's younger brother is
still alive, and owns the estate.

1258 CONNECTIONS

.Please mention the Branch Line Society when booking or enquiring. A service to members, all details must be checked with the organisers.

1152] BBC Four, 'Trainspotting Live': A live TV programme to watch for later in the year (dates please)
over three nights from Didcot Railway Centre, various trains from the lineside of some 'major lines'.

1153] BBC Two: Blast! Films is making a documentary (date broadcast not known) about Virgin Trains'
London to Glasgow route In June and want to speak to as many people as possible about why they are
travelling and their story. Anyone interested contact 'Joe' [email protected] 0203 841 6000.

1154] Selhurst Electrical Control Room: (BLN 1257.1049) An SEG visit is anticipated, details as per
previous item, contact Stuart Hicks [email protected] quoting BLS membership number.

1155] 'Steam & Moorland' Engine Shed Restaurant: Malton Road, Pickering, YO18 7JW, has a very
high-level (about 2.5m up) 'G Gauge' railway circling the outer walls. This is only half a mile from the
new Cedar Barn Railway opening the end of June at Cedar Barn Farmshop and café on the A170,
Thornton Road, Pickering, YO18 7JX 01751 475614. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is near.

BELOW: The new Cedar Barn Railway, Pickering (May 2016 Press Release).

[BLN 1258]
1156] Fintown Railway: (MR p26) (BLNs 1249.MR18 & 1250.234) County Donegal. Note the warnings
about 2016 possibly being the last year of operation if passenger number do not pick up, 2¼ miles of
3ft gauge http://goo.gl/S901Hn railway. Until 12 Sep, SuO and Bank Holidays 13.00 then hourly to
17.00 (incl), other days 11.00 to 16.00 (incl). A scenic remote line along the shore of Lough Finn…
https://goo.gl/J05ZxN and https://goo.gl/mvZjaq queries [email protected] +353 (0)74 9546280.

1157] Station to Station, 10-12 June: (BLN 1255.786) Over 129 stations are taking part in this event to
celebrate HM The Queen's 90th birthday, click on map https://goo.gl/rgDmF2 for locations and events.

1158] Llangollen Station East Headshunt (DMU Gala), 11 & 12 Jun: Visiting Railbus 79960 from the
North Norfolk Railway is booked both days from P1 at 09.25 via the facing X/O to P2 headshunt (on
the original route to Ruabon) to reverse, then run non-stop through P2. The 16.22 from Corwen East
will run non-stop through P2, reverse in the headshunt then X/O to P1. DMUs approx half-hourly to
Carrog, hourly to Corwen. The Working Timetable should soon be available on http://goo.gl/fcdQuf

X.75] Flying Scotsman Free Competition (closes 14 Jun 10.00): Win a free trip behind Flying Scotsman
on its first trip at Shildon http://goo.gl/INBkoW on Sat 23 July. There are five prizes each of a pair of
tickets. Events: http://goo.gl/NQZb90 (railtours at the bottom of the page).

1159] Rail Live, Quinton Rail Technology Centre, 22 & 23 Jun: Long Marston Airfield, Campden Road,
Long Marston, CV37 8LL. 'An outdoor rail show aimed at the entire rail sector' http://goo.gl/2VuWM4
To book http://goo.gl/Y2xhXm (free). A 3-car Vivarail Cl 230 DMU http://goo.gl/2VuWM4 should run.

X.76] East Kent Railway, Fri 24 Jun, 17.45: Shepherds Well station (adjacent to NR station), Station
Road Shepherdswell, CT15 7PD. PLEG has kindly arranged a summer evening visit to follow Bill Davis's
Hitchin area railway walk 10.30 to 13.30 (BLN 1256.869) and allows plenty of time to reach Stratford
International for our Docklands Light Railway trip (see beginning of this BLN) at 22.00. This will be first
ever passenger use of Class 01/5 ex-MOD 01543 and 01546 (works numbers TH303 & TH273) 'top and
tail' riding in 4-COR motor coach S11187. The shunters will operate from 17.45 to 18.45 (connects to
the 19.00 Southeastern service from Shepherds Well). The shuttle picks up and sets down each time it
reverses at Shepherds Well so there is no need to be there for 17.45. Cost: £10 or £15 with a light
buffet (sandwiches, crisps, snacks and a hot or cold drink). Advance booking essential. Please forward
a cheque (only) for £10/£15 per person payable to 'Kev Adlam' to 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, Crewe,
Cheshire CW2 6XN. Mark your envelope 'EKR' and put your email address on the reverse of your
cheque for confirmation of booking and your e-ticket. A souvenir track map and stock list will be
provided. Please support this initiative and the East Kent Railway. Queries to [email protected]
Please tell anyone you know who might be interested and who does not have e-BLN or PLEG emails.

X.77] Treetops Light Railway, Sun 26 Jun, 12.30-16.30: 25 Green End, (off Park Drive which is off the
B4579 Oakhurst Road) Oswestry, SY11 1BU. (SJ 2886 3045) Annual charity open day (just turn up) in
aid of the MacMillan Cancer Nursing service. A private five-inch gauge garden railway with an 82m
circuit and new long passing loop, three trains can run at once. (Picture below)

1160] Fifield Private Railway, Saturday 6 August 13.30: Deep Meadows, Ledger Road, Fifeld, SL6 2NX,
(SU 907766) between Windsor and Maidenhead (off the B3024, four miles west of the former). Annual
public rides at this standard gauge railway as part of the local http://goo.gl/MjNal5 charity 'fun day'.

1161] The Weybourne Wanderer, Sat 23 Jul: Hastings Diesels Ltd, fully booked from Hastings and
selected stations to Norwich (12.15/17.20) then Sheringham (13.10/ 16.25), connection to North
Norfolk Railway and Holt. However, a specially negotiated fare of £15 from Norwich to Holt and
back is available; use booking form http://goo.gl/e2RiUo and mention the BLS. 07501 478676.
Sorry NOW ALL FULLY BOOKED THROUGHOUT although a repeat is being considered for 2017.

[BLN 1258]

ABOVE: The Treetops Light Railway, Oswestry, May 2016 (David Dilnot).
BELOW: The Sheringham NR to North Norfolk Railway (NNR) connection looking east; for most of the
time it is a car park! The link was first used by a test train on 7 Mar 2010 and a passenger train four
days later. Although it looks like a level crossing, it is built like a bridge to carry the railway at ground
level over various services that would otherwise have cost £400K to divert. (Ian Mortimer 7 Apr 2016)

[BLN 1258]
ABOVE: One inch 7th Series map, 1952-1960. The level crossing is just east of Sheringham NNR station
(the red dot, at that time the BR station); the current NR station is east of the crossing. Cromer
(Beach), the present station, is off the map to the right. Of note, unusually, the single track from North
Walsham and Norwich (bottom right) became four tracks at Newstead Lane Jn, (the south junction of
the triangle) two tracks went left to Runton West Jn for Sheringham and two right, now singled, for
Runton West Jn and Cromer. The third side of the triangle from Runton West Jn to Runton East Jn is
also double track and into Cromer. Runton West Jn was also where a single track became four (this
also happened at Wolverhampton on the Wombourn(e) loop at Oxley Branch Jn). Sheringham to
Cromer and Newstead Lane Jn is the last part of the Midland & Great Northern Railway in NR use.

1162] Station Road Steam Works, Sat 6 Aug: (BLN 1257.1050) It has been confirmed that the Kirkby
Green Light Railway will. .NOT. .be operating and there is therefore no free shuttle bus.

1163] Bennerley Viaduct Exhibition, until 30 Aug: (BLN 1227.339 with picture) Erewash Museum, High
Street, Ilkeston, DE7 5JA. 0115 907 1141 Open MWSuX (SuX in school holidays) 10.00-16.00. In
conjunction with Sustrans, with Heritage Lottery funding, features the heritage of the 139 year old rare
wrought iron Grade II* listed iron viaduct, a local landmark owned by Railway Paths Ltd. The 'Friends
of Bennerley Viaduct' Http://goo.gl/cxJcN4 website. Https://goo.gl/UxMzl4 is a video about it.

1164] Independent Yorkshireman, Sat 3 Sep: (BLNs 1256.957 & 1257.939) It is thought the tour may
use the rare residual section of the Up Chester Independent line (off the Up Manchester Independent
at 158m 14ch) leading to Up Arrival No1 and on to Basford Hall Jn. Bookings opened on 1 June.
BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN BY PHONE ONLY 01507 529529 08.30-19.00 SSuX, 08.30 to 12.30 SO.

1165] Windmill Farm Railway, Thur 29 Sep: Fish Lane, Burscough Bridge, L40 1UQ, (SD427156) follow
brown tourist signs. 2½ mile walk from Burscough Bridge station. Open day at this 750yd 15" gauge
line, £5 pay on the day (normally, including the farm: £6 adults, £4.50 senior and £7.50 children!).
11.00 prompt, up to six locos working, two in steam, replica goods train, NEW revamped museum
open, visiting loco, side stalls and café. Half-hourly service with double heading, 'access all areas'.
Some BLS members have already booked; the loop at Lakeside is disconnected. The railway is happy to
take us beyond the station to the buffer stops, the three long sidings within the station, the museum
and stock shed roads that are connected to the main system and possibly the traverser as well. This
will be in single carriages (extra donation appreciated for this). 35 bookings are needed to run the day
(cancelled last year; lack of support) notify Andrew Waldron, specifying names and if you want to do
the extra track [email protected] or to 1 Hazel Pear Close, Horwich, Bolton BL6 5GS.

[BLN 1258]
X.78] Southeastern Trains 20% Summer Discount until 24 Aug: For most off peak/advance standard
tickets booked on line with a value of £3.60 and over, including on HS1 see http://goo.gl/bmwuqo for
full details, conditions and booking portal. Valid for travel to 24 August, excludes Oyster/Travelcards.

X.79] Guess the Location: ABOVE LEFT: (BLN 1257.X72) Liverpool Exchange station once had 10
platforms (CP 29 Apr 1977). See http://goo.gl/6CaLqZ for pictures, more information and a BR
timetable map from when Liverpool had four separate termini. Manchester, Stockport and Bradford
also once had 'Exchange' stations too. (Angus McDougall). ABOVE RIGHT: This edition's Guess the
Location (Kev Adlam May 2016) - answer in e-BLN 1259.
X.80] STOP PRESS: Norton Bridge: The reversible single track Norton Bridge East Chord was not
commissioned on 31 May as had been scheduled. London Midland services from Stone to the Trent
Valley generally continue to use the new flyover and cross north of Stafford station to call at P1.

Paper BLN Distribution: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] 07592 585230.
Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] Twitter: @BLSGeneralSec

Membership: Alan Welsh, 22 Treemount Court, Grove Ave., EPSOM, KT17 4DU. [email protected] 01372 728677.

General Secretary: Tim Wallis, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL, BS34 8NP. [email protected]
Chairman: John Williamson, 'La Marguerite', Croit-E-Quill Rd., LAXEY, Isle of Man, IM4 7JD. [email protected]
Treasurer: Ian Mortimer, 69 Malmesbury Road, Cheadle Hulme, CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 7QL. [email protected]
Publicity Officer: David Clark, 15 Broadfield Close, Penygraig, TONYPANDY CF40 1SY. [email protected]
Publications / Society Cartographer: Martyn Brailsford, 18 Queen St. Brimington, CHESTERFIELD, S43 1HT [email protected]
SALES: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. [email protected] 01782 769960 (daytime).
Committee members: Helen Cromarty, [email protected] and William Graveson [email protected] (plus ** below)
NEWS TEAM: Wales: Paul Jeffries, 54 Heol Erwin, CARDIFF, CF14 6QR. [email protected]
Branch Line: Nick Garnham, [email protected] Subscribe: [email protected]
South East England, East Anglia & Ireland: Julian James, 58 Nelson Road, WORTHING, BN12 6EN. [email protected]
London: Geoff Brockett, 155 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, LONDON, E18 1NA. [email protected]
East & West Midlands: Brian Schindler, 15 Sudeley, Dosthill, TAMWORTH, B77 1JR. [email protected]
South West: Mike Newman, 19 Plover Close, Worle, WESTON-Super-MARE, BS22 8XB. [email protected]
North East England: Geoff Blyth, 26 Trafalgar Way, Queens Park, BILLERICAY, CM12 0UT. [email protected]
Scotland: Mike McCabe, Lawrenceholme Barn, Oulton, WIGTON, CA7 0PH. [email protected]
North West, Yorkshire, Humberside, & IOM: **Graeme Jolley, 3 Laurel Cottages, Rencell Hill, LAXEY, IOM, IM4 7BJ. [email protected]
Minor Railways (British Isles): Peter Scott, 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Rd, READING, RG30 2DQ. [email protected]
E-BLN (Distribution problems and BLN Pictorial): **Dave Cromarty, [email protected]
Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX [email protected] 01684562862 / 07790652351.
Printed by Deva Enterprises, Waters Edge, The Drive, Ifold, LOXWOOD, West Sussex, RH14 0TD 01403 752837 [email protected] or
[email protected] Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.