1396

BELOW: This vertical boilered steam crane was steamed especially for the p

party; it appears that one of them is about to have the (vertical) 'haulage'…

BELOW: At Minnivey Colliery (closed in 1975, leaving Pennyvenie as the only

deep mine in the Doon Valley) there was another vertical boiled steam crane.

BELOW: Pete Chilton (left) and Paul Stewart (right, with trusty map)

) make a closer inspection of this steam crane, as you could in 1978.

BELOW: At the National Coal Board stop board (good overlap with later tour

rs/cab rides), with trap points ahead, looking towards Dalrymple Jn and Ayr.





673] East Linton: (BLN 1385.2542) Work has started on construction of the new station at 23m 10ch
between Drem and Dunbar (so will be services by ScotRail). It is on the new TRACKmaps 1 p12B 2021.

674] Reston: (BLN 1387.2786) The first passenger train called at this new station on Sun 6 Feb. It was a
9-car Azuma ECS, 15.35 from Craigentinny Depot to Berwick-upon-Tweed P2 (18.31) and 18.38 return.
At Reston, a team checked stepping distances for all 18 passenger doors and confirmed that other
access and sighting requirements have been satisfied from a customer, driver and onboard
perspective. Only 15 min was allowed before the train had to depart each way due to the busy ECML.

675] Women Only? SNP ministers will consider female only carriages on ScotRail [even 2-car DMUs?]
after they vowed to use their control of the network to improve women's safety. Some suggest that
segregation would make the problem worse and be insulting to women. However, the move would
offer choice. Female train or metro carriages are used in India, Japan and Dubai, among others.

676] Shieldmuir - Willesden: Royal Mail is running extra services with three of their 15 Class 325
EMUs, operated by DBC who have now won the long term contract worked by ROG before Christmas.

677] Inverness: (BLN 1394.383) The requirement for the Far North Line train listed to use P7 applied
when the 'Highland Chieftain' was an HST. The fuelling point needed modification for Azumas and
the members of Scotland's Railway partnership - Transport Scotland, NR, ScotRail and HITRANS - all
agreed that it should be moved to Millburn Yard. This follows the principle north of the border that
like for like replacements should only take place after a study that it is the right thing to do for today's,
and tomorrow's, railway. Unfortunately, that is not the policy in Whitehall. The DfT said that it would
only contribute to the upgrade to the fuelling point if it were in the same place! If it were to be moved,
Scotland was on its own, so it had to be left where it was, hence that evening train that turns back 'in
the car park'. [P7 Gricers should probably be grateful to the DfT.] If the Inverness Masterplan came to
fruition, with P5-7 replaced by three new through platforms, the fuelling point would have to move.

Some well known Society stewards travelled out to Tain on the 21.06 from Inverness on Sat 26 Feb to
do P7. They were worried that this move might not happen because the inward working was late with
Azuma fuelling possibly completed. However, station staff indicated that P7 was very likely as other
units stabled in P5 & 6 meant that another unit using them would have only one door on the platform.

678] Leuchars: From 28 Feb the Dundee end trailing crossover migrated north to 51m 04ch (Down
Fife) to 51m 07ch (Up Fife) - a redo is required. There has been S&C and signalling renewal with LEDs.

679] Argyle Line: (BLN 1391.3128) A reminder of the passenger closure between Rutherglen Central
Jn and Exhibition Centre (actually Finnieston Jns) from 13 Mar until 8 May for £32M of works.
The original concrete slab track - over 42 years old - will be replaced; there are also repairs to tunnels
and bridges. Anderston station will be modernised and installation of a new lift shaft will begin. Many
services, normally via Central Low Level, operate to Central High Level or Queen Street Low Level.
Argyle Line stations have replacement buses as do some other stations partially. Of particular note on
Sundays during the closure, there is an unusual all day hourly Milngavie to Balloch through passenger
service in both directions via the single track Hyndland North Jn to Hyndland West Jn curve.

….. 1396 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]
680] Barmouth Via-Bridge: (BLN 1392.146 & Item 688) Following completion of repairs, the walkway
reopened Fri 18 Feb, just in time for Storm Eunice half term. Thanks to the storms, only two days later
it was, for a time, the only part of the present Cambrian system open to the public. Further overnight
closures of it are planned in coming weeks to complete minor work postponed by the weather.

681] Llandudno Jn - Penmaenmawr: The Up main was under possession from 08.25 Sun 27 Feb until
01.50 Mon 28th (also 6-7 Mar) Up trains used the Down Main with Single Line Working. A pilotperson
joined at Penmaenmawr and authorised the driver to pass the signal at red onto the Down Main via
the facing crossover. The Up main was regained at the first Llandudno Jn crossover (223m 65ch).

682] Panteg Up Goods Loop: (BLN 1384.2410) (TRACKmaps 3 p30D 2018) Between 2024-29 NR plans
to remove the former steelworks connections, retaining a shortened siding for tamper stabling etc.

683] Llandeilo Jn: (BLN 1387.2804) As the latest contribution to Port Talbot West Phase 2 Resignalling,
half a new facing crossover (points 9710B) was to be installed in the Up Main (at about 223m 40ch or
9ch east of the junction) by 04.00 on 28 Feb. Thankfully the points were to be secured OOU until later
commissioning. The 'other half' (points 9710A) is to be installed OOU in the Down Main from 7 Mar.

684] Pontrilas: (BLN 1395.540) The timber flow started in Jan 1997, a product of the 'Enterprise'
wagonload network. Initially timber was collected from various loading points in Scotland and moved
to Newport Alexandra Dock Jn on an Enterprise trunk service. It was then tripped to Pontrilas Up
siding. This was only long enough for five OTA timber wagons but the flow was so successful that it
was extended to take eight. The trip was reported to run to Abergavenny and Hereford as required
(possibly if exceeding eight wagons or for other traffic?). Our member has seen plenty of photos of it
unloading at Pontrilas but not at Abergavenny or Hereford, so deduces that the main flow was to
Pontrilas. He states that the working ended in Nov 2001; others suggest 2004. Pontrilas sawmills has
had its own road transport fleet available for rail transhipment as well as long haul for many years.

In his booklet 'Railway Freight Operations' (Ian Allan 1999), Paul Shannon advises that the traffic was
part of a major resurgence in raw timber traffic which saw over 20 loading points restored to use
between 1994 and late 1998. A willingness to think creatively led EWS to adapt the Up Refuge siding at
Pontrilas into a low cost timber transhipment terminal. The trip gained considerable interest from the
haulage enthusiast fraternity because it often used a Rail Express Systems (RES) Class 47 on a fill in
turn between trunk parcels/mail workings, an example of good loco utilisation. A member indirectly
involved with this traffic as an EWS employee at the time can vividly recall the animated debates at
EWS team meetings between the Sales guy responsible for the Pontrilas timber (who naturally wanted
to maximise the number of wagons loaded to Pontrilas) and his Resources/Train Planning colleagues
(who had to deal with the result). In the jargon of the day, this was called 'creative tension', not
helped by the physical constraints there, a certain tardiness in unloading and the finite number of
suitable wagons available. The demise of Enterprise a few years later made all of this history…

The then EWS Resources Manager is also a Society member: Yes, Pontrilas I remember it well. Siding
off the UGL which Enterprise served one way only on a Newport [Alexandra Dock Jn] to Bescot trip
that also served Hereford. This rather odd arrangement was the result of the need to get a RES Class
47 from South Wales to the West Midlands, which would otherwise be a light engine movement.
One of the few freight workings to traverse the Hereford to Worcester line in recent history but later
diverted via [Shrewsbury] Abbey Foregate Curve… I have dug out my Jan 2000 Enterprise timetable
and the details were: 6M90 11.30 SX Newport AD Jn to Bescot DS (16.44). Traffic stops Pontrilas
12.59/13.14 and Hereford Barrs Court. [Slow turnarounds were down to] tardy unloading and the
inability to shunt traffic; you could either deposit wagons or pick up but not both.

For the 19 Jan 2022 trial, NR strengthened a road bridge for 44 tonne lorries to access Newton Abbot
Hackney Yard. Improvements to Abergavenny sidings and road access will be necessary for viability.

685] Cardiff Bay: (1376.1334) Recently added to TfW's website are proposals for a South Wales Metro
south to east chord: A new connection from the south side of Cardiff Central across Callaghan Square
will... be introduced to connect with the Bay Line, serving the Butetown community, employment at
Capital Quarter, and the new Atlantic Wharf development, with a new interchange at Pierhead Street.

686] Ebbw Vale: (BLN 1393.268) With the partial redoubling project, a major track upgrade in the
Llanhilleth area results in Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale services replaced by buses 15-18 Apr inclusive.
Whether this also applies to Newport to Crosskeys services, should their Covid suspension have ended
by then, is unknown. Devegetation, dropping off materials and tracklaying along the line continue.

687] Aberthaw Cement Works: (BLN 1373.917) Passing on the 5 Feb Cwmbargoed Collier railtour, the
PCA wagons formerly used to transport cement were still in the sidings awaiting their fate (scrapping).
Vegetation was taking hold on the interesting very rusty single track connection between Aberthaw
Cement Ground Frame (5m 27ch) and DB Cargo Aberthaw Reception Sidings (5m 19ch). On the Barry
Dock Low Level Line, the tour reached the NR boundary at 6m 66ch, before Barry Docks station.

BELOW: (Item 688) We don't want to drone on about it but this is some of t

the flood damage affecting the loop south of Welshpool. (NR, 23 Feb 2022.)

688] Keeping you in the Stormy Loop: NR and the train operators jointly decided on 17 Feb with the
safety of passengers and railway staff paramount to close the entire Wales network the following day
from start of service as the worst storm for 10, 32 or 35 years (depending on source) was forecast with
South Wales on red alert. TfW cancelled ALL its services, including those in England. 766 cancellations
were listed on its website on the evening of the 17th. No replacement buses were provided as road
conditions were expected to be as difficult and hazardous. GWR services to/from Portsmouth Harbour,
Paddington and Taunton and the diminishing CrossCountry services to/from Nottingham were all
cancelled throughout (not just in Wales), as were Avanti Holyhead to Crewe/Euston and all freight.

There were also many cancellations (but very few passengers travelling) on Sat 19 Feb; the Central
Wales, Conwy Valley, the Cambrian west of Machynlleth, Tenby - Pembroke Dock, Cardiff Bay and
Wrexham - Bidston lines remained closed. The last two ROP on Sun 20th but Newtown - Machynlleth
then closed because of extensive flooding at Caersws after the Severn burst its banks. Sutton Bridge
Jn - Newtown followed mid-afternoon due to at least 15 major washouts on the 'dynamic loop' double
track section south of Welshpool which is now expected to be closed until Sat 6 Mar for repairs with
buses running between Shrewsbury, Welshpool and Newton. There were several partial closures for
relatively short periods, eg Shrewsbury - Wrexham General with the underline siphon south of
Gobowen (BLN 1331.1667) overflowing again. Tenby - Pembroke Dock ROP 21 Feb, Machynlleth -
Aberystwyth & Pwllheli and the Conwy Valley Line ROP Tue 22 Feb and Newtown - Machynlleth on
23rd. A Shrewsbury - Llanwrtyd proving run on 23 Feb took 5hr 13min; the return only took the
scheduled 2hr 9min. Trains resumed over the whole line from about 09.30 on Thur 24 Feb but SSuX
the first trains each way continued to be replaced by buses, presumably due to Covid still.

By 22 Feb 04.50, after three named storms in quick succession, Shrewsbury water levels were peaking
with only the Chester and Crewe lines open, using P4 and P7 due to the river level at the Severn
Viaduct beneath the station's south end. If water rises above a marker, trains have to stop until the
foundations are checked for scour damage. The Wolverhampton line ROP by 10.00; the Hereford line
briefly followed suit by 11.55 then, at 13.12, the Marsh Brook signaller reported an embankment slip
beneath the Up line at 13m 65ch, a mile south of Church Stretton. Single line working started on the
Dorrington - Craven Arms Down line from 21.01. As well as a pilotman, this required a hand signalman
at Dorrington as the crossover is unsignalled (normal use is during possessions by engineering trains).

Craven Arms north trailing crossover was used with Up trains double shunting as it is a signalled move.
The facing crossover at Craven Arms South Jn is only signalled in the Down direction (trains on to the
Central Wales Line) but use by Up trains would need another hand signaller and a Pilotman was also
required anyway. One has to feel sorry for passengers in Down trains who experienced delays without
even doing any rare track. The Up Main reopened 20.12 on 23 Feb with a 20mph restriction for 40yd
on both lines. It was less of a problem in 1977 when your Regional Ed did Dorrington - Marsh Brook
(crossover since removed) 'wrong line' for Sunday engineering work with GWR 6000 'King George V'!

689] Blaenau Ffestiniog: (BLN 1395.543) A 3-car Class 197 DMU made two round trips on Thur 10 Feb,
ECS; no doubt a test working, crew training on the new traction and line proving for ROP Mon 14 Feb.

690] Class 231: (BLN 1391.3303) These new DEMUs may not be confined to Maesteg/Ebbw Vale/
Cheltenham services. 231002 made a 23.00 ECS Cardiff Central to Rhymney and 00.15 return test and
platform gauging run on the night of 14-15 Jan (Cardiff & Avonside Rly Soc). They are also cleared for
test runs to Swansea and Bristol Temple Meads (BTM). They are, however, barred from ●Swansea
Loop West Jn - Llandeilo Jn, ●Briton Ferry East Jn - Court Sart Jn, ●BTM P3 & 4 and ●Bridgend P3 due
to a 'barrow crossing issue', despite it supposedly being removed in 2020 (BLN 1364.3265). It 'virtually'
went from the online Sectional Appendix from 24 Oct 2020. This is odd as P3 is the now little used Up
country end bay once for Maesteg shuttles without a barrow crossing (it went from P1 to P2)! Could a
member advise please? As these are all NR assessments, they do not include the Core Valley Lines!

691] Clarbeston Road - Fishguard Harbour: Irrespective of any storms, this was closed for half term
engineering work from Sat 19 Feb until 12.00 on Sun 27 Feb. Trains were diverted to Haverfordwest
(the extra trains resulted in rare passenger use of P2) and a bus link ran to/from Fishguard Harbour.

1396 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
Any post to: 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Road, Reading, RG30 2DQ.

MR37] Work has started on the 34th edition (2022) of Minor Railways for distribution for Easter.
If any members have updates or corrections, do please send them to Compiler, Peter Scott (above)
ASAP. Please could members check out their local railways, especially the smaller ones? It would be
good to know for certain if they have survived through the vagaries of the Pandemic. Thank you.

MR38] Dean Forest Railway, Gloucestershire (MR P6): In early December 2021 the railway was used
by the BBC as a film location. This brought some very unusual stock to the line (and useful income).
On 3 December Heathrow Connect EMU 360201 was noted passing Whitecroft at 13.30 propelled by
37510 - later returning at 14.30 towards Lydney Junction. On 5 December, having visited Parkend
(renamed 'Copbury' for the filming), 360201 and 37510 were both present at Lydney Junction station.

A return move to MoD Bicester (10.00 ex-Lydney Up Goods Loop) the day before had been cancelled.
37510 returned north light engine on 8 December as 0Z37 14.28 Lydney Junction to Derby Railway
Technical Centre - passing Gloucester 4 minutes early at 15.01. (Cardiff & Avonside Railway Society.)

MR39] Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Derbyshire (MR p8) (BLN 1335.MR164): At Shottle station, where
a passing loop and second platform have been installed, new semaphore signalling is being erected.
This will allow the passing loop and second platform to be used regularly. After four years in storage,
installation of the gate box, from Oddingley Crossing (just north of Worcestershire Parkway and
decommissioned 25 October2016) began in summer 2020. A new steel frame was erected, to raise the
former ground level box to standard height. The base was boarded out with weatherboard cladding
last August. The new signal box for Wirksworth is another Midland structure from Sneinton Junction
east of Nottingham. The former signal box was reduced to a crossing box to control a barrier level
crossing over Meadow Lane there, which closed to vehicles in 1992. It was stored at Network Rail's
Tuxford Rail Innovation and Development Centre then delivered to Wirksworth on 27 January 2022.

Only the upper section of this structure will be used at Wirksworth - the locking room underneath will
be new, using a similar method to that at Shottle. It will be sited at the south end of Wirksworth
station and, once operational, will control the station itself and the approach from Gorsey Bank.

MR40] North Norfolk Railway, Norfolk (MR p8): The railway has announced plans for the 2022 season
with a range of special events that should appeal to the audience of locals, holidaymakers, families,
and enthusiasts. This year's first special event is the Steam Gala between 1 and 3 April, with up to six
locomotives in steam operating an intensive service, followed by a Mixed Traction Gala featuring
steam and diesel locomotives from 10 to 12 June. The popular Dad's Army Live event returns to
Weybourne, itself a location for the filming of the classic series, from 30 April to 2 May.

Another weekend making a comeback this year is the Beer & Cider Festival from 24-26 June. July will
be busy with a Vintage Transport Weekend on 2 & 3 July when historic road vehicles descend on the
railway to create a colourful spectacle alongside the steam trains. That is followed by Vintage Week
from 4-10 July when the line's magnificent restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages will run
alongside standard services. A Sixties Weekend from 22-24 July will feature the railway's steam and
heritage diesel trains of the era, joined by a colourful line up of classic vehicles and live bands playing
distinctive music of the times. The second Steam Gala will be held over the August Bank Holiday
weekend from 27-29 August, which is followed by 'Steam Back to the Forties' - a highlight for many on
17 & 18 September. Autumn will see another new event at Halloween with Halloween Happenings
from 27-30 October; this is followed by the Norfolk Lights Express and Santa Specials in November and
December. The Norfolk Lights Express runs most evenings from 11 November to 2 January 2023; the
illuminated train provides an immersive show for the whole family. Santa Specials run on weekends in
December with a steam train ride to meet Father Christmas followed by a present for every child and
seasonal refreshments for the whole family. Mince Pie Specials operate from 27 December until
2 January, with a ride aboard a cosy steam train complete with a mince pie and mulled local cider.

BELOW: (Item MR39) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth looking to the e

end of line, the 13.05 to Duffield with 51073/53599. (Peter Scott, 14 May 2016.)

BELOW: (Item MR40) North Norfolk Railway, Holt, looking towards the end
would have been straight on here via Melton Constable (reverse) CP from 6

d of line with E56062/51228, unfortunately not actually to Kings Lynn which
6 Apr 1964 and beyond the latter CP 2 Mar 1959 . (Peter Scott, 14 Jun 2012.)

X.78] BELOW: Stephenson Steam Railway, (MR P9) arrival at Percy Mai

in during half term running. (All three Mark Fishlock, Sun 27 Feb 2022.)

BELOW: Running round at the north end of Percy Main, the person on t

the left is operating the ground frame (surrounded by palisade fencing).

BELOW: Percy Main, with a good turnout of passengers, after running

round; unlike further south at Barrow Hill etc it was a nice sunny day.

MR41] Leighton Buzzard Railway, Bedfordshire (MR p12) (BLN 1386.MR184): The winter 2022 issue of
railway's newsletter - 'Chaloner' (No185) - notes two significant dates for the 2022 season. These are:
13 March - start of season, first passenger train under the (new) bridge on the deviation, and 30 April -
opening of Munday's Hill extension (no boarding or alighting). There is also a short report, with two
photos, of our Society's 2 October 2021 visit to the railway. It concludes by adding: We look forward to
welcoming them back in the spring to travel over the bridge diversion, and the Munday's Hill extension.
The 2022 public timetable, fares etc are now available at: http://www.buzzrail.uk/times-fares#redtt1

MR42] Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Powys (MR p30) (BLN 1382.MR137): Following completion
of the track to reinstate a passing loop at Sylfaen station, construction of the new island platform
between the realigned tracks was completed in early December 2021. Further work is required before
it can be used by passengers. This includes adding a pedestrian crossing along with a new gate and
fencing at this road side location. A shelter will also need building and a new name board erected.

MR43] Alford Valley Railway, Aberdeenshire (BLN 1375.MR66): The plan to reopen this 2ft gauge
railway (which last ran on 30 September 2017) took a major step forward when Aberdeenshire Council
approved an asset transfer request on 25 January. Alford Valley Community Railway submitted the
request in an effort to renovate and reopen the former Alford railway station and engine shed and to
lay a new narrow gauge line up to and including the small terminus at Haughton Park. The railway will
primarily run as an attraction for the benefit of the local community and visitors in conjunction with
other separate existing community facilities in the Alford station area and in Haughton Park.

The project will have four phases starting with the station, engine shed and turntable, Haughton Park
terminus and then finally the most significant phase being the 1½ miles of track' (at closure the public
ride was 68ch). In July 2021 it was one of fourteen local projects aimed at improving communities and
places across Aberdeenshire, which shared in over £2M of funding to help drive economic recovery,
improve town centres and support regeneration activity. The Scottish Government announced a £38M
capital injection into the national Place Based Investment Programme for 2021-22; Aberdeenshire's
allocation totalled £2.04M. Alford Valley Community Railway was awarded £80,000 to bring the old
railway back to life - the majority of the projected £158,000 to carry out the project is now in place
with future phases funded by grants, operational income and a community share offer.

MR44] Private Funicular Railway, Greenock, Inverclyde: 'The Herald' of Thursday 6 January reported
that a family had inherited a small funicular railway and used it to help move a piano. Owen and Ali
Atkinson bought their three bedroomed home on Lyle Road, Greenock in 2010 for £225,000. A former
owner had installed a funicular railway in the front garden due to the steep hill overlooking the
Inverclyde coast. Ali accidentally broke the motor in 2011 - the couple had just brought baby daughter
Bethany back from hospital when she left the button pressed down for too long as she moved their
belongings into the house. The quote for repairs apparently ran into thousands. The funicular had
been regularly used for transporting groceries and the buggy with oldest child Ellie, now 12, and the
family hope to repair it. Their youngest child, Joshua aged 7, has never seen it in use.

Ali Atkinson said: Its got so many steps and the view overlooks the water, it's really nice. We ended up
looking at the house and we didn't know about the railway. There is no way we would have got a piano
into the house without it. When we moved in, we used it all the time. When the baby was small we
used to put her in the pram at the bottom of the steps so she didn't wake up. As well as the motor, the
cable may need replacing, although Ali is hopeful it might cost less than they were told a decade ago.

A photo with the article shows a small car in green livery, lined out in black and white. It has the letters
'G R' on its side - for (the article states) 'Glen Rail' - the house is named The Glen. It was originally
installed by ship's pilot James Morrison who sold the house in 2001. The Atkinson's bought it from the
next owner, but heard from Mr Morrison's son, who told them his father installed it for practicality
when he began to struggle with the steps. Ali said: We would like to restore it, now it would be really
useful for doing the shopping and things. Four adults can travel in it. We've seen people saying this is
Scotland's smallest funicular railway. If somebody offered us lots of money for the house, I'd take it.



PREVIOUS, BELOW & NEXT: (Item MR44) A cirrently non-operation

nal (see report) private front garden funicular railway at Greenock.





X.79] BELOW: (BLN 1395.MR36) Mid Norfolk Railway; the top of Spooner Row

w signal box on the way to Wymondham Abbey station. (MNR, 18 Feb 2022.)

BELOW: The signal box's new home at Wym

mondham Abbey station. (MNR, 18 Feb 2022.)

X.80] BELOW: D1933 at Wymondham Abbey station heading nor

rth with new Greater Anglia stock for storage. (MNR 11 Jun 2021.)

MR454] Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society: The Society, owners of replica Llandudno &
Colwyn Bay Electric Railway No7, has launched a new appeal for 2022 as they continue to try to cover
their costs. The past couple of years saw a massive reduction in events which allowed for normal
fundraising. The new appeal https://bit.ly/35hmPKT is being publicised as Please Donate £7 a month
for Tram No7 for at least 7 months. A generous supporter has offered to match every monthly £7
raised for the first seven months of 2022 so any donations will in fact be doubled! As an added bonus,
anyone who donates 7 x £7 monthly payments before the Society AGM in September will be entered
into a free draw for one year's membership of the Society. Like many other volunteer led
organisations, the Society has been hit by a fall in donations during the pandemic, especially with the
majority of the visible events they usually attend being cancelled. Despite the fall in donations the
Society still has significant outgoings with No7 requiring maintenance, which meant it missed the one
event that did take place in December 2021, leading to the use of a replacement bus instead!

MR464] Wells Harbour Railway, Norfolk (BLN 1389.2956): The last passenger trains on this, now
lifted, 10¼" gauge line ran on 19 September 2021. The land is owned by the Holkham Estate, which
announced in early February that its replacement would be a fully electric bus - the first of its kind in
the UK (and explains why they wanted the Railway closed). It will operate from the summer on a route
from the football club car park to a set down point near the roundabout at the beach end of Beach
Road. The bus is designed to accommodate accessible needs and can be lowered to kerb height with
an access ramp. The aim is for it to be running by June, ahead of the school holidays starting in July.
Timetables and ticket details will be released by the end of May. During the busiest days of the
summer, the electric bus will be joined by a vintage open top bus. Darren Williams, general manager
at Pinewoods Holiday Park, said: Our 1951 Leyland Tiger started its life transporting visitors around the
Channel Islands. We have brought it from Jersey because we believe it will be a fun supplement to the
electric bus and certainly gives off the traditional vibes of an English coastal town.

1396 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]
692] The Castleton (2ft gauge) and Woodside (7¼") Light Railways, Sun 8 Aug 2021: By Alan Welsh.

Originally due to take place on Sat 6 Mar 2021 but put back because of Covid considerations, this visit
by the Society finally took place as indicated above. There were 21 participants leaving just over 40 on
a waiting list! Most arrived by car but four used the Esk Valley service travelling from Middlesbrough
or in one case Battersby (a required station obviously!). The 14 minute wait there before reversal
allowed inspection of the antiquated equipment still in use to control movements to and from each
line. Arrival at Castleton Moor station (1,258 passengers 2020-21 and 5,014 the year before) at 11.47
was followed by a short walk to the gates of the Railways where the rest of the party were present.

Our Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam opened proceedings informing the assembled group that a donation
of £200 had been made by the Society to Martin House Hospice in gratitude for the facilities provided.
A diesel engine spluttering into life started track explorations in earnest and took a few members on
the first trip of the day over this 2ft gauge system sitting in open coaches either constructed by Robert
Hudson of Leeds or of unknown manufacture. The locomotive was built around 1956 by the Eclipse
Peat Company of Ashcott, Somerset for use on their own system. Another interesting loco duly
appeared, built by Moës of Waremme in Belgium, numbered 10 on a freight demonstration run and
upon return performed a passenger trip to the end of the system (main line) and back by way of a loop
only completed the day before! This series of runs to the far end passed a branch on which locomotive
'Becky' (MR 7215/38) sat and remained at the buffers. This branch is closest to the Esk Valley NR line,
mention of which draws attention to the beautiful scenery easily seen from this attractive location.

A visit was then made to the stone built depot/workshop in front of which stood Alne MR7494/40
rebuilt in 1991 at BREL York. The depot contained three locos MR7333/38, Deutz 47414/51 & Irthing
MR8655/41. Upon leaving the shed it was observed that 'Alne' was being started and it eventually ran
to nearly the end of the siding and then back to the start of the system. By now members were
completing their required track and haulage, and most of the group had congregated at the entrance.

A sudden loud noise heralded the dramatic entrance of our host for the day, Jonathan Lloyd, on a
Quad Bike. He introduced himself to the organiser and the Society party then, at his bidding, we all
went up the path that led to the Woodside Light Railway (7¼" gauge) just as it started to rain slightly
but salvation was at hand as the group arrived at the tea room to enjoy tea or coffee and cakes. [The
scrumptious homemade cakes were even fresher than expected as the original batch was offered to
paramedics whose ambulance had become stuck on a neighbour's drive earlier that day!]

On to the wet 7¼" tracks and any worries about possible slippage on this system, which rises from
each end to a slight hump, were dispelled by the good performance of the two 4wPMs Gardner and
Planet both of unknown parentage and age plus a Bo-BoE (Tramstyle) built by M Lloyd in 2015. The
route itself is considerably higher up the hillside than the 2ft line and gives even more impressive
views across the lovely Esk Valley despite being slightly hemmed in by trees. The first move was west
towards the Fernwood terminus before reversal and a trip over the loop line to the Langburn east end
of the system which passes through a tunnel and ends on a traverser. Nearly all of the various lines,
loops and even the traverser itself were completed to satisfy participants. Having done so, it was felt
that it was time to leave and we said our goodbyes to our hosts after an excellent and enjoyable day.

Thanks to Jonathan for allowing us to visit, Alex Jackson (of York ROC fame, a regular face on our NE
tours) and Peter Eason for their driving, also to Society officials Kev Adlam for organising, Gary
Lonsdale for the stock lists, Peter Scott and Martyn Brailsford for maps and Mark Haggas for ticketing.

693] The Springwell Shunter, Sun 20 Feb 2022: Some 120 members bravely battled through the strong
winds and heavy rain of Storm Franklin to the sanctuary of Barrow Hill Roundhouse Museum for our
Springwell Branch trip. Welcome hot drinks and refreshments were on sale in the café (and thank you
to the volunteer ladies for coming in on a Sunday). In fact they had been there all day, keeping 18 of
our Society Stewards fed and watered during their preceding annual training day. As well as refreshing
point clipping and manual handling, the main subject had been level crossing safety and operation
(open and gated) required for some forthcoming industrial trips with 'Molly' (hint). It was interesting
on many levels, as with most railway operating matters there was far more to it than meets the eye.

Talking of Molly, the Society's riding vehicle, she was the passenger accommodation for our three trips
at 15.30, 16.00 & 16.30 (around 40 members on each). The star of the show was 08956 (usually based
at Serco Railtest/AEA Technology Derby Railway Technical Centre) on the front, built 27 Jun 1962 she
had very little, if any, recorded passenger usage and looked very smart in dark green. On the back was
03066 a Barrow Hill resident in British Rail blue - perfectly matching Molly's current livery. 'Top & tail'
the locos ran from Roundhouse Halt platform to the end of the Springwell Branch, back to the
platform then to end of line again before returning to the platform. For many there it was their first
experience of 'Molly' the mess van and, due to Covid, actually her first run since our 16 Nov 2019
'AGM Roundhouse Explorer', unsurprisingly with a name like that, also at Barrow Hill. One participant
asked if it had been expensive to transport 'Molly' to Barrow Hill for these trips. 'No, she lives there!'

Each run had 72 chains of haulage from each loco. Pleasingly £2,100 was donated to the Barrow Hill
Engine Shed Society from the fixture. Thanks to Kev Adlam and Barrow Hill for the arrangements, also
Harry Needle from Harry Needle Railroad Company for the provision of the Class 08. Special thanks to
Martyn Brailsford who, apart from his many other interests, is a Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society
Director, their P'Way Supervisor and a qualified Person In Charge. Martyn has a massive hat collection
and on this occasion was wearing his Level Crossing Attendant hat - much needed as he was absolutely
drenched standing in the torrential rain and, at times very heavy hail, for 90 minutes. (Paul Stewart.)

.Please mention BLN. 1396 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] :Details must be checked:
694] 2 and 3 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, 'Open House': After no services for 89 days for maintenance
work; 'Open House' includes signal box tours at Kidderminster and Bewdley, machining workshop and
boilershop tours at Bridgnorth, brakevan rides at Highley (reports welcomed please), diesel loco cab
visits, the SVR stonemason at work at The Engine House, Wyvern Omnibus vintage bus journeys to
Eardington Halt on the Sunday & more TBA. 4-train diesel/steam service, book online or on the day.

BELOW & TO FOLLOW: (Item 692) The Castleton Light Ra

ailway (2ft gauge), Alex Jackson from York ROC is driving.

BELOW: The 'main' line is the other side of the fence, Castleton Moor statio

on and Whitby to the left. (All Andy Davis unless specified, Sun 8 Aug 2021.)

BELOW: Our participants all appear to be enjoying themselves as a train p

passes for Whitby (which is off to the left). (John Jenkins and next photo.)