1385

of Ayr Farm Park, a 10¼" gauge 500yd railway. (Kev Adlam, Sun 19 Sep 2021.)





MR170] Wicksteed Park Railway, Northamptonshire (MR p21) (BLN 1359.MR125): Wicksteed Park,
opened in 1921, is the oldest theme park in Britain and is set in a nice parkland location on the edge of
Kettering. It boasts a number of old fashioned rides including its 2ft gauge 1¼ mile long railway, which
runs from its single station in a clockwise loop around the park. A shed stands alongside. Entry to the
Park is free and railway users have to buy generic tickets, valid for any of the Park's rides, at a cost of
£2.50. These are deposited in a wooden box when entering the platform. Fearful of possible queues
on a sunny Sunday morning in August (15th), a member arrived in good time for the first train of the
day at 10.40. Steam outline 0-4-0DH 'Merlin' (AK86/2010) pulled a rake of four spacious semi-open
coaches across a level crossing, through a short tunnel, around the lake and past some of the other
rides. Trains continued on demand thereafter and our member enjoyed a further trip on the second
working of the day. See https://wicksteedpark.org/rides-attractions for all the dates of operation.
The Railway claims to be Britain's most popular narrow gauge railway in terms of passenger numbers.

MR171] CairnGorm Mountain Railway, Highland (BLN 1382.MR132): The Railway will remain out of
action this coming winter, owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced at the end of
August. The current phase of engineering works to strengthen the 1.9km viaduct that supports the
railway track began in April, with the aim of returning the railway to service early next year. However,
despite saying 'strong progress' has been made in tough conditions, HIE has concluded that the
planned timescale now needs to extend into the second half of 2022. A new reopening date of autumn
2022 has been set. The mountain resort will stay open throughout winter, with snowboarders and
skiers able to access the slopes using nine ski tows that will run every day when weather conditions
are suitable. According to the development agency, several factors have combined to lengthen the
works programme. These include technical challenges associated with designing and implementing
effective solutions to an existing structure, as opposed to a new build. HIE also said progress has been
hampered by Covid impacts and by extreme weather, particularly blizzard conditions in the spring.

MR172] Battlefield Line Railway, Leicestershire (MR p7) (BLN 1329.MR87) : A member paid a visit to
this standard gauge line on Sunday 15 August, starting at Shackerstone and relying heavily on his
satnav to find this remote station. Four return trips were scheduled, trains running non-stop from
Shackerstone to Shenton and back; passengers could start their trips from either end. However, the
last train of the day made a brief unscheduled stop at Market Bosworth to drop off a staff member.
Shackerstone passengers used a barrow crossing to reach the eastern departure platform as this was
inaccessible from the decrepit footbridge which, nevertheless, forms part of the Leicestershire Round
long distance footpath. Social distancing wasn't a problem with visiting GWR Modified Hall class 4-6-0
6989 'Wightwick Hall' hauling a rake of one open and four compartment coaches. Edmondson style
tickets were purchased on the day giving unlimited travel. Weekend and some Wednesday trains
continue until early November with Santa specials and post-Christmas workings the following month.

MR173] Hythe Pier Railway, Hampshire (MR p18) (BLN 1380.MR112): On 27 August 2021 six seaside
heritage sites across England were listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on
the advice of Historic England. One of these (Grade II) was Hythe Pier https://bit.ly/3lvktMO which
stretches 700 yards from the centre of Hythe out into the channel of Southampton Water.

Historic England's web site states: It was opened in 1881 to facilitate the ferry steamers that travelled
between Southampton and Hythe, and acted as one of the main access points to the New Forest.
According to a map from 1575, a ferry has operated from Hythe to Southampton as early as the Middle
Ages, making the pier a historically significant transport site that still functions now. The pierhead
buildings have good architectural detailing, and the pier's well surviving cast iron substructure, slender
columns and cross bracing make it a strong example of a late 19th century pier with a touch of
elegance. Piers appeared at the start of the 19th century to provide landings for ferries, but by the late
1860s we'd entered the heyday of the British seaside and so they were also used for pleasure, such as
promenading and fun fairs. In 1922 an electric railway was built on the south side of the pier. It is still
running today and is believed to be the oldest continuously operating public pier train in the world.

MR174] Plym Valley Railway, Devon (MR p6) (BLN 1191.MR155): The Railway held an Autumn Gala
over the weekend of 4/5 September, a visit was made on the Sunday. The first train from Marsh Mills
departed at 11.00, propelled to Plym Bridge by 0-6-0DH 429 'River Annan' (RH466618/1961) with BR
Mk2 coaches TSO W5141 and BFK W17089. Later trains were to be 'top & tailed' by 429 and 0-4-0ST
705 (AB2047/1937). An adult day rover was £6 and advance booking was available, but not required.
Wooden screens were fitted between the seating bays in the TSO, but no social distancing measures
were in operation. Marsh Mills run-round loop is now complete and a second platform has been
partly built. A ground level 7¼" gauge railway has been constructed to the rear of this platform.

The line, about 70 yards in length, cannot be brought into operation until the platform is completed
and access to it provided. In the meantime, a short 7¼" gauge temporary line was operating near the
loco shed - its driver said it was hoped the permanent line would be in use 'by this time next year'.

MR175] Bala Lake Railway, Gwynedd (MR p29) (BLN 1374.MR56): A member visited this 2ft gauge
railway on Saturday 28 August, on the way to join other members of his family for a week's holiday in
North Wales. The railway was running a gala weekend, with all of the line's active steam locos in use
and 0-4-0ST 'Margaret' (HE605/1894) visiting from the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Your correspondent
hadn't booked in advance, unlike most passengers at Llanuwchllyn. It turned out that the railway was
not selling rover tickets and all tickets had to be for specified trains. Fortunately, having arrived at
10.50, there was room for your correspondent on the 11.00 to Bala and 11.40 return, but only just, as
the trains were fairly full. A return was purchased from a volunteer on the platform at Llanuwchllyn,
who entered details on an iPad then issued a slip of paper as a ticket.

The return journey was with 'Margaret' in both directions. Back at Llanuwchllyn, the demonstration
freight left almost as soon as the passenger train arrived, and required a short jog from platform to
station throat to take a photograph. The freight was marshalled in the run round loop before
departure and consisted of 'Maid Marian' (HE822/1903) and some slate wagons. Your correspondent
then went to buy a single to Bala for the 12.40 departure, hauled by 'George B' (HE680/1898). A 50%
discount was offered for buying multiple tickets on the same day! At Bala, your correspondent then
took the free bus link to the town*, also provided as part of the gala, where he connected to the T3
bus to Wrexham. This very scenic bus route runs from Wrexham to Barmouth, paralleling railways
open and closed. An adult return Wrexham to Llanuwchllyn cost just £6.80 for over 3 hours of travel.
[*It's not far to walk either and should be possible on the train if the railway extends; BLN 1378.1654 .]

MR176] Eaton Park Railway, Cheshire (MR p13) (BLN 1143.MR137): The first Eaton (Hall) Railway
opened in 1896 and ran for three miles from a private yard adjoining Balderton GWR station
(OP 1901; CP 1952) to Eaton Hall, the palatial home of the 1st Duke of Westminster. A branch with a
triangular junction ran to Cuckoo's Nest, where the Belgrave Engine Shed, brick store and estate
works were situated. This area is now part of Grosvenor Garden Centre. Price's Sidings, another short
spur, led to a Keeper's cottage. The main purpose of the 15" gauge railway was to transport heavy
materials, particularly coal, to Eaton Hall, 15" being considered the minimum gauge that could replace
the horse and cart satisfactorily. The line also carried a number of notable visitors including King
Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and Winston Churchill, but did not cater for the general public. It closed
in 1947 after Eaton Hall was leased to the War Department, which had its own fleet of lorries.

The opportunity to restore the railway arose in 1996 when the 6th Duke acquired a replica of the 0-4-0
steam locomotive 'Katie', which ran on the line from 1896 to 1916 before being sold to the Ravenglass
& Eskdale Railway. Tracks were laid from the original two road carriage shed and siding inside the
walls of the Hall and out through a gate into Eaton Park. The line then follows the original route for a
short distance past the cricket field. The new line then turns right to form a 1½ mile balloon loop.
The first private runs were in 2000 with the first public rides on 19 September 2004 at an open day.

Eaton Park covers over 800 acres of which 88 acres are formal gardens and its (normally) tri-annual
charity open days are very popular. A local member visited on Sunday 29 August when tickets for both
the open day and train rides had sold out online in advance. Tickets for the latter were particularly

sought after with a 30-minute service in operation and just 40 seats per trip. The total cost to our
member was £14.31, train passengers having to pay for the open day as well. Separate tickets were
sold for compartment and open seats, the former being restricted to groups travelling together.

'Katie' pulled the original open carriage, brake van and bogie brake van and also the rebuilt three
compartment passenger carriage known as the Duchess's Coach clockwise around the circuit, scaring
the deer along the way. All of these wooden vehicles were beautifully restored and were sanitised
after each trip after the bogie brake van had been hand shunted to the back of the train. The trip took
12 minutes after which our member spent some hours enjoying the rest of the open day. (Keep an eye
on Eaton Estate website https://www.eatonestate.co.uk/ for future open and public running days.)

MR177] Corris Railway, Gwynedd (MR p29) (BLN 1383.MR150): Work on the southern extension
continues with the Pont y Goedwig Deviation receiving further spoil in recent weeks. The embankment
has risen again, and the next 'step' has been cut ready for drainage stone. This 'step' is where one
could look down on the works last year, soon it will be up. The new embankment looks little different
in the short term, but longer term comparisons (and photos in e-BLN) do show progress!

1385 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
2562] Scunthorpe Steel Works, Sun 29 Aug 2021: By Nick Porter. E-BLN 1385 has a marked up route
map download. Having missed last summer's visit, I eagerly booked on the Jan 2021 fixture. Due to
Covid it was delayed and became our Scunthorpe Summer Steeler No22. I always do as many of these
trips as I can, there are no other industrial sites in this country of this size (over 100 miles of standard
gauge track set in 2,800 acres - the works produces 2.8M tonnes of liquid steel per year), no others
where we have access, and we can never quite be sure what the future holds. Fortunately, with rising
demand the plant was rather busier than 12 months earlier and their steel stocks much reduced.

Parking in works car park Entrance 'E', I was one of the last to arrive and was met by Kev giving out
shots of hand gel and also received a much appreciated A3 colour works and track map from Mark
Haggas who kindly prints them. Our train was worked by the usual Loco 1 (YE2877/1963) with four
brakevans. Spaces were allocated to avoid crowding and I was on the rear balcony of Van 'C' (middle
of the train). Armed with map and notebook in hand to record sightings including wagons we set off.

Departing on time at 10.30 we went into the works. Despite its vast size, which dominates eastern
Scunthorpe, very little can be seen from outside and on curving around from Frodingham Platform the
works come into view. Various routes can be taken but we went straight on past the AFRPS (Appleby
Frodingham Railway Preservation Society) site via 227 Loop to Points 529 where many lines meet.

The tour then made for the Redbourn Semi-finished Steel Stockyard. Probably not my favourite part
of the site, it covers a large area with three sets of sidings but at least it emphasises the size of the
works. It was a bit breezy and can be chilly in Scunthorpe as you've no doubt heard, so always wrap up
well even in summer! In standard Society working practice we covered all three tracks of Line 'C' to
the end. In the adjacent Line 'B' sidings a pair of the big ex-Norwegian diesels, which now seem to
work most trains, busied themselves - even though it was a Sunday, work continues 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Siding 'B2' had been extended but I'll have to wait for another day to visit.

We then headed up to the Rail Service Centre where rail is made. Despite Bank Holiday Engineering
on NR, the sidings were full of wagons, so exploration was limited. The odd wagon can be moved but I
don't think they'd let us empty a whole yard. We visited firstly 2 Bay East line then ran to the very end
of the line from Points 619 and finally just into the building itself at 5 Bay. With lots of alarms, sirens
and flashing lights, it's always very interesting to see inside such buildings. Finally it was into 3 Bay.

We then set off on what I would call the 'main line' around to the eastern side of the site. The track
runs in an oval with most of the heavy industry in the southern and western parts. There are lots of
empty spaces on the eastern side where disused buildings have been demolished over the years.
Indeed since our last visit most of Dawes Lane Coke Ovens had been demolished; just a small part and
the chimney remained to be dealt with. (Closed 8 Mar 2016, the last train was our 29 Mar 2016 tour.)

We passed under the Foreign Ore Branch, visited by a few railtours over the years; it receives 50,000
tonnes of Iron Ore from Immingham a week by rail and was operating this Sunday. Arriving at Mills
Exchange Sidings there was a mixture of main line and internal wagons but we did four through roads
and two of the long sidings. We also headed into the headshunt beyond Points 482. I didn't bring my
track map with me but was sure this was new to me (it was) and I was encouraged by excited chatter
from the Scunthorpe regulars opposite me. The line was pleasingly done up to some bushes. It used to
be a through line next to the Billet Mill Approach Road to Points 329 (now the P'way Yard headshunt).

We then visited both lines beyond Points 407 to the Medium Section Mill before continuing south,
passing a lovely selection of functional 1970s style buildings also popular at ex-National Coal Board
establishments. Next we reversed in the Welfare Loop both ways (one of the many requests actioned)
- I must submit mine next time! A quick run was made up the siding from Points 312 before heading
past the massive BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking) Plant through to the South Melting Shop running
road. A couple of reversals followed to arrive at the AFRPS (depot) Appleby platform just after 13.30.

A Class 144 and some Mk3 coaches were new. I was first off the train by chance and had a nice lunch
of a beef and onion sandwich, lemon cake and a cup of tea in the Mk1 coach used as a buffet. You are
always given a hot drink at Scunthorpe! By coincidence I and many others on this tour also had a lunch
break in Appleby on Pathfinders' Cumbrian Freighter the following day, but there the similarity ends!

Refreshed from our 'PNB', the 50 participants set off promptly for Part 2 at 14.30. First on the agenda
was the Torpedo Repair Bay. These massive hot metal carrying wagons have their own maintenance
area. We passed some during the afternoon and the warmth can be felt from a distance, welcome in
winter. In the area, we visited Line 1 to the building entrance and all of the siding beyond Points 106.

Heading to, and reversing from, the quadruple track junction before Bridge 44 where lines converge,
our tour went off into the blast furnace area where the Four Queens of Ironmaking (so the notice
board proudly acclaims) can be found. (From this south end north they are Victoria, Anne, Bess and
Mary.) In Aug 2020 only one queen was operating at half power but this time there was much more
activity. I don't pretend to understand the steel making process, but it's always impressive to get so
close to such areas. We did all the track, including some I (and everyone else) needed, in the Queen
Victoria West Road area, a very thorough visit leaving via the Bottom Loop. We even shunted a
wagon out the way for further coverage. Beyond this, under Queen Victoria's bottom, lies track that
will never trouble my red pen as you have to wear a hot metal suit and other gear to go near it…
During a wait here there was an interesting demonstration of the crane operator's skill in hooking up,
lifting and positioning the large heavy lids on the torpedoes after they had been filled with hot metal.

As it was a windy day it was also dusty and while this enhanced the atmosphere it was a relief to then
make our way to the other side of the site where we visited the Concast building area. Progressing as
far along Caster 5 Loop as we could, via a couple of reversals, we then took Siding 1 from Points 357
almost to the end. Piles of still shimmering hot steel billets awaited collection in this area as we visited
several more lines before reversing again at Points 343 and then ran north as far as possible.

This headshunt was once a through line to the earlier visited Mills Exchange Sidings headshunt (from
Points 482). It gave our tour access to the P'Way Yard. Only one track remained in situ and a new line
was under construction directly to the Former Soakers building (black dashed line on the latest track
plan). This seems be to allow removal of the line from Points 326 to 329 and 333 with the headshunt
giving more space for stocking and to run longer trains. The P'way Depot will presumably be resited?
One to do in Jan hopefully. Martyn was carefully noting the new alignments - it is surprising what
changes. On leaving the area we were sure to run via Points 327 and 345, confirmed by a participant
with his GPS technology for route recording. (All the point numbers are on the plan with e-BLN.)

Our gutsy engine had a good run up Plate Pit Hill past Northants Bridge via Coke Oven Weighbridge
Loop to Anchor Exchange Sidings, which we couldn't visit in the morning as a main line train was in
the area. We visited Lines 5, 14 and 15 to the NR boundary and Line 2 to Points 468.

The first six photos are by Ian Mortimer during our Sun 29 Aug 2021 Scuntho

orpe Steelworks railtour. BELOW: Martyn Brailsford is far left (with glasses).

BELOW: Passing the Torpedo Repair Bay Yard, with the Bar Mill behind; the

tour itself is on the South Melting Shop Running Road line (map with e-BLN).

BELOW: Approaching the blast furnaces from the south - Queen Victoria

a is first in line. NEXT: Closer in, hot metal runs out of Queen Victoria!









PREVIOUS: Looking away from the blast furnaces, a hot metal train leaves for
Participants were entertained by the blue crane (right) attaching tops to the t

r the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) Plant, the rear locos are not coupled.
torpedoes. BELOW: Martyn again (left), Anchor Exchange Sidings, BSC limit.









BELOW: The tops of the blast furnaces from the north end. NEXT: The b

blue bridge carries the High line (the blast furnaces are off to the right).

















[BLN 1385]
PREVIOUS: Approaching the end of the branch from Points 482
(from the southwest side of Mills Exchange Sidings) - this was once a through line to Points 329.

ABOVE: A nodal point (a change of direction and conveyor belts) in the belt system between the Coal
Handling Plant (Up side of the main line) and the steelworks, a pile of 'escaped' coal is bottom right.

NEXT/OPPOSITE: The double track bridge beneath the Foreign Ore Branch.

(All the rest of these pictures are by Phil Barber during our Sun 29 Aug 2021 railtour.)







PREVIOUS: A distant view of the steelworks from Anchor Exchang

ge Sidings, part of the extensive coal conveyor system is above.













PREVIOUS: The northern dead end branch from Points 114 to the blast furnac

ces is left. BELOW: Torpedo Repair Bay Line 3 - there is a clue (from Line 2).

BELOW: South of Mills Exchange Sidings our tour polished an extremely rusty section of track from
Points 422 to 411 (map with e-BLN). Here it is propelling back via Points 410 and (ahead) 428.



BELOW: On Basic Hill - Scunthorpe Steelworks Nature Reserve (?), alongside the Heavy Repair Bay yard.