1307

ABOVE: Some young volunteers; the tour raised funds for St John Ambulance and here Jennie Adlam
of SJA and daughter Brodie stand by the cab of 37685 at Coatbridge Central. Husband/dad is of course
Kev Adlam. (Both Geoff Plumb) BELOW: WCRC 47772 'Carnforth TMD' on the rear at Coatbridge.
Special dispensation was given to take this photo as ScotRail EMU 320312 departs southbound with
the 12.21 Cumbernauld to Dalmuir.

ABOVE: St John Ambulance's volunteer Eva Szabo tries out the driver's seat at Coatbridge.

After 8 minutes the tour left the loop with 47772 leading, retracing our route to Springburn, where the
connection from Sighthill East Jn to the P3 & 4 line junction in the Down Springburn was traversed.
These few chains (a Connection of Strategic Importance) are expected to lose their passenger trains in
the December timetable change as trains to/from Bellgrove Jn will use P3 & 4 only and those at P1 & 2
will use the Stepps lines only.

The tour made for the single lead Bellgrove Jn and almost immediately turned left over the also single
lead High Street Jn to join the City of Glasgow Union Line (proposed for passenger re/opening as
another cross city line) to the complicated Shields Jn area. The Dn Ayr was taken on the now three
track section to Paisley with a 30 min observation (from Paisley DGL) of the Ayrshire EMU fleet at
work thrown in too. At Elderslie East Jn the facing crossover to Elderslie UPL was taken, where a facing
connection leads to the now rarely used WH Malcolm intermodal sidings. After a short pause the tour
regained the Dn Ayr via the trailing crossover at Elderslie West Jn. Brownhill DPL was reached early
with departure on time.

Approaching Barassie Jn a diverted Daventry to Mossend Intermodal with 66434 & 68006 was passed
and the tour paused for four minutes during a route discussion. Although booked for Barassie DPL it
had been set for the Dn Ayr which was eventually taken. Then it was past the underutilised Prestwick
Airport with its long runway and centre for Prestwick Oceanic Control for the air routes over the
Atlantic (at least aviation fuel regularly arrives by rail from Grangemouth!). Falkland DGL was taken
non-stop with the once busy Falkland Yard to the right devoid of even a single wagon. With a brief
pause at Newton-on-Ayr (the break had been moved to Dumfries), the railtour became 1Z50 and
turned left onto the now lightly used freight line to Mauchline. To the right were the derelict remains
of Ayr locomotive depot '67C', later diesel stabling sidings, which had many 4-4-0s & 'Crab' 2-6-0s in
1955 based there for passenger and heavy freight work respectively. Then, at Blackhouse Jn, the track
bed of the third side of the triangle came in on the right from Hawkhill Jn closed 5 May 1975 with the
diversion of the Stranraer - Euston sleeper via Barassie and Kilmarnock. At Annbank Jn the line to
Killoch Washery (Open Cast Disposal Point) still branches off right and even has occasional coal trains!

[BLN 1307]
Meanwhile the tour climbed to Mauchline to join the Glasgow & South Western line from Glasgow.
After Polquhap summit was Bank Jn now for the Greenburn branch, the other remaining rail served
open cast disposal point in Scotland. Taking the 10mph New Cumnock UGL, well behind P2, reminded
participants that the delightfully named Crowbandsgate Coal Terminal was one of the coal casualties -
completely clear of the black stuff and the access line blocked by large stone blocks. The last 'on the
day Adlam bonus' was Thornhill UPL which was traversed at slow speed. A 23 minute break at
Dumfries, now a shadow of the station when it was the junction for Stranraer, allowed various
takeaways to be acquired and 66618 photographed on a northbound engineer's train. It is still an
attractive station where a monthly Farmers' Market is held on the site of the two former Stranraer line
bays with their fine overall glass roof. Passenger services have become more frequent recently and
refreshment trolleys are even now provided on the DMUs. 156434 slept quietly in Leafield Road Yard.

The line back to England is level alongside the Solway Firth. After passing Gretna Green (for which
there had been no set down request for marital reasons), it was back under the wires at the single lead
Gretna Jn. The Up Goods was taken from Mossband Jn to Caldew Jn then the Up Main to Carlisle
North Jn before crossing to P1 with 57308 alongside again. An uneventful passing of Shap Summit
preceded slowing for the booked cross to the Down side (and back) via Tebay U&DGL - success (!) - the
third attempt to do this in recent years including the facing crossover before and the trailing one after.

At Carnforth, No1 DGL was traversed non-stop with its double slip in and single slip out before a last
glimpse of the sea at Hest Bank. Preston P6 rather than the booked P3 was used and, on departure,
the tour crossed to the Up Slow to Balshaw Lane Jn. After Wigan NW P1 the UG was traversed to
Bamfurlong Jn, the US to Golborne Jn and again from Winwick Jn to Warrington BQ P2. From Acton
Bridge the tour was booked UF to Crewe Coal Yard, then US, but was routed US all the way to arrive P5
35 sec late. [As we had left 33 seconds late in the morning we were only delayed 2 seconds really - Ed.]

This was some 16 hours 56 min and 2 sec after departure from the same platform after 530m 32ch;
very good value for £84, less than £5 per hour for all that entertainment. On the day there had been
the usual charity raffle ['Thank you' to all who have donated prizes for all our raffles - Ed.], sales of
window decals etc enabling the Society to donate £1,500 to St John Ambulance, some of whose
volunteers assisted on the tour, handing out information and talking to participants etc.

Crewe P5 - Crewe South Jn - Down (Dn) Siding end of line 157m 21ch (rev) - Crewe P5 - Dn Slow (158m 56ch) -
Dn Main - Hartford Jn - Dn Fast - Dn Main - Acton Grange Jn - Dn Helsby - Warrington South Jn - Warrington BQ
P3 - Dallam Jn - Up Slow - 183m 40ch - Dallam Royal Mail (RMT) P2 (Rev) - RMT P1 (Rev) - Up Slow (183m 40ch) -
Winwick Jn - Dn Main - Golborne Jn - Bamfurlong Jn - Dn Slow - Dn & Up Passenger Loop (Pass Lp)- X/O to Wigan
NW P5 - Dn Main - Balshaw Lane Jn - Dn Slow - Skew Bridge Jn - Dn Goods (Gds) - Preston Ribble Jn - Preston Up
& Dn Gds Loop (P7) - Dn Through - Dn Main - Barton & Broughton Dn Pass Loop - Dn Main - Dn Slow (Penrith P3) -
Upperby Bridge Jn - Dn Gds Loop - Upperby Jn - Carlisle P3 - Dn Main - Quintinshill Dn Pass Loop - Abington Dn
Pass Lp - Carstairs Station Jn - Dn platform (73m 25ch) (Carstairs P1 shown incorrectly as P2 on Nov 2017
TRACKmaps) - Dn Main - Law Dn Pass Lp - Dn Coatbridge - Dn Braidhurst Gds Lp - Mossend North Jn - Mossend
Yard No3 Dn Reception - Dn Departure Line - Dn Coatbridge - (95m 16ch) - Dn Gds (Coatbridge FLT) - Gartsherrie
South Jn - Gartcosh Jn - Sighthill East Jn - Up Springburn - Down Springburn (0m 04ch) - Eastfield Pass Lp (rev) -
Dn Springburn (0m 04ch) - Dn Springburn - Bellgrove Jn - High St Jn - Dn City Union - Shields Jn (2m 27ch) - Dn Ayr
- Arkleston West Jn - Dn Gds Lp - Dn Ayr - Elderslie East Jn - Up Pass Lp - Elderslie West Jn - Dn Ayr - Brownhill Dn
Pass Lp - Dn Ayr - Newton Jn - Mauchline Jn - New Cumnock Up Gds Lp - Thornhill Up Pass Lp - Up Main -Gretna Jn
- Mossband Jn - Up Avoiding/Arrival - Up Goods - Caldew Jn - Up Main - Carlisle P1 - Up Main - Tebay Up & Dn Gds
Lp - Carnforth No1 Up & Dn Gds - Up Main - Preston P6 - Up Slow - Balshaw Lane Jn - Wigan NW P1 - Up Gds -
Bamfurlong Jn - Up Slow - Up Main - Winwick Jn - Up Slow - Dallam Jn - Up Fast - Warrington BQ P2 - Up Main -
Acton Bridge - Up Slow - Up Main - Winsford South Jn - Up Slow - Crewe P5. (By Martyn Brailsford & Paul Stewart)

NEXT PAGE: Two pictures at Dumfries from Ian Mortimer, looking towards Glasgow during the break.
The former Stranraer line bays are at the other end of the station on the left.



ABOVE: BLS Steward Dan Hitchens is in charge of the St John Ambulance sales stand. BELOW: Another
young volunteer, Ruby who (or her brother, Archie) can be regularly seen on our railtours and are the
future of the Society. Resistance is futile; the only question is how many raffle tickets would you like?

[BLN 1307]
❸Epilogue: St John Ambulance (SJA) North West region were delighted with our donation which
enabled them to buy an SJA printed gazebo, a feather flag with ground spike (so that people can locate
them quickly at a venue), folding chairs, tympanic ear thermometers and, something they desperately
needed an electronic mobile hand wash sink/basin. Thank you to everyone who made this all possible.

The charity provides first aid training to over 400,000 UK people a year (250,000 for their workplace),
over half are under 18 years old. SJA campaigns to raise awareness of first aid and educate the public;
their volunteers provide first aid in their communities including first responders attending emergency
calls until an ambulance arrives. Medical cover is also provided for many varied events.

1346] Island of Ireland III Day 3; All the
way to Galway, Sat 5 May: (BLN
1306.1242) by Chris Yewlett; all pictures are
thanks to Chris too.

This was sandwiched between the previous
day, up and down the Sligo line on several
different DMUs, and the subsequent all day
railtour around the Dublin area in one 3-car
unit. In contrast travel on the Saturday was
by luxury coach, (LEFT) visiting several
places of railway interest on a journey
across Ireland.

In glorious sunshine the party set off west
out of Dublin, past the prosperous mixed
farms of eastern Ireland, into the peat bog
heartland. Incidentally in Ireland, peat is
universally referred to as 'turf' - not to be
confused with 'instant lawns' or
'accountant'! Peat has been a major fuel for
many years in Ireland, both domestically
and more recently, despite its poor calorific
value, on an industrial scale for electricity
generation. The latter became strategically
more significant in Southern Ireland after
independence in the absence of any
significant coal measures. Industrial level production is controlled by 'Bord na Móna', an important
state corporation established in 1946, which runs a very extensive narrow gauge (3ft) network [note
shown on Baker's Atlas] - one of Europe's largest industrial rail operations - in several areas, using
temporary tracks moved as different parts of a bog are extracted.

Our first call was at Lullymore Heritage Park, in the Bog of Allen, near Rathangan, County Kildare.
The park was established by a local (Sean Judge, alas now deceased) and is currently run by his son and
son-in-law. The latter gave our members a fascinating wide ranging introduction to local Celtic history,
as well as peat extraction, which involves first draining the bog, then cutting the peat, by hand and
now also mechanically. A demonstration was given and some tried it themselves with a 'sleán'… a turf
cutter and thrower. Thus the aftermath of peat extraction is lakes rather than waste tips. However, the
industry is in decline, for environmental reasons, including the general reduction in fossil fuel burning,
and also the specific problem of loss of peat bogs, which are a rare habitat in Europe west of Siberia.

NEXT PAGE: Peat cutting demonstration with a sleán, the turf is then thrown to the man on the right
who (hopefully) catches it and stacks it up on the wooden barrow. (All pictures Chris Yewlett)

[BLN 1307]

The heritage park https://goo.gl/c4TuNk aims to explain the local history and provide more general
tourist opportunities, creating employment for former peat workers. There are various buildings
expounding historical life in the bog, as well as a large café and play activities centre.

The whole operation is excellent, and is described by the Irish Tourist authorities as the only attraction
in Ireland offering a comprehensive insight into the Irish Peatlands and the people living there.
The prime BLS target was the 3ft gauge railway which has very few running days. The train was an ex-
Bord na Móna loco with a comfortable plush large windowed carriage suitable for all weathers. It gave
a 1,160yd circuit around the 'peatlands biodiversity' (nature reserve) area. Ex-Bord na Móna rolling
stock, including a decrepit railcar, was carefully shunted to the end of a long siding to allow maximum
track access, and the nose of the shed line was also covered. After a second circuit (to ensure overlap)
members walked the shed line to the doors! Alas there were no other operational locos to be seen.

The park also has a road train, much more popular with the public as included in the admission price
(the 'Peatlands Heritage Railway' is €5 adult; €2.50 child extra), which departs from the café and calls
at the railway station. Some participants took the interesting 'trackless' tour behind a Dotto p/90 (built
Castelfranco V Italy Feb 2002). One result of the peculiar pricing structure is low demand for the train;
so the railway rarely runs and the otherwise excellent website is not regularly updated with the dates.

NEXT PAGE TOP: The 'proper' 3ft gauge train at the platform.

NEXT PAGE LOWER: the 'improper' road train which gave a good view of the peat bog.



From Lullymore it was further west to the Bord na Móna's own Lough Boora Discovery Park, a 50 acre
heritage site, County Offally. This is another ex-bog peat production site still with a large Bord na Móna
narrow gauge depot and workshop adjacent, with many parked wagons and a main line to the active
workings. However there was no activity or operational locos in sight on the Saturday afternoon.
The whole public area is now a large 'country park' with walking and cycling (including hire) options.
There were various fixed ex-peat locos and sections of track remains; 'sculptures' included the famous
'Sky Train'- a former peat train arched in an improbable looking curve across the skyline. (ABOVE)

Continuing west into County Galway, our coach crossed two relatively new bridges over Bord na Móna
main lines still in use (as well as one clearly not) passing the peat fired Shannonbridge Power station.
The next 'station stop' however, was Dunsandle, once the only intermediate station on the 9 mile
Loughrea branch (CP/CA 3 Nov 1975 - but proposed for closure in 1947!). The traditional single track
branch latterly had four - the same as in 1910 - loco-hauled trains (SuX) with one or two coaches; some
were 'mixed' (both passenger and goods). They ran round at Attymon Junction and Loughrea stations.
Two return bus trips were provided in lieu and only one of our party had done the branch before
closure. Dunsandle is being converted to a dwelling with substantial expansion. Some rolling stock was
stabled on track in the former platforms - including a mainline diesel loco (E428) which had served in
preservation but probably never again. The branch track bed is severed by the M6 Galway motorway.

NEXT PAGE TOP: Dunsandle station, looking north towards Loughrea, 32 day returns please (if only)…

NEXT PAGE LOWER: Dunsandle station looking north towards Attymon Junction (open as Attymon).



ABOVE: Leisureland Express (2ft gauge) with the beautiful Galway bay as a backdrop.

Pressing on ever west to Galway itself, the coach struggled through the city traffic past the station to
Salthill Leisureland seaside amusement park, where the prime attraction was a 2ft gauge railway.
Set on a very scenic bay this is a continuous loop, with a couple of knocked together containers on the
back run doubling as a 'tunnel' and storage shed. Motive power was an American steam outline loco
powered by a tender-concealed diesel engine! Three laps were enjoyed to the surprise of the locals.

However, as time was pressing, participants did not sample the other rides here (at least one was on
rails…) but set off for the final destination, Glenlo Abbey Hotel, after dropping some participants at
Galway station for the last train to Dublin. Glenlo has acquired an original 'Orient Express' Pullman car,
(used in the famous Sean Connery and Co 'Murder' film!) and a TSO. The dismounted coaches are now
on a solid base and are used for a 'fine dining' experience - it was too, and we were to round off our
first three days there. The interiors were excellent with a superb attractive view out over the golf
course and route of the former 48 mile long, 5' 3" gauge, Galway to Clifden branch (a light railway) -
the last train ran on 23 Apr 1935. The chef could not be faulted on 'quality', but 'quantity' seemed
lightly loaded as is the norm with fine dining, while the service, impeccably formal, was more 'branch
line' than 'express' (well, we are the BLS…) It was an enjoyable experience, a great social occasion.

After dinner and acquiring a relief coach driver, as the day was so long, despite leaving 45 mins late
(21.15), an express run made Dublin within our booked arrival time of 23.55 in time for our 07.30 tour
on Sunday! (2hr 40min non-stop largely on motorway compared with 2½ hrs by train with 8/9 stops.)

NEXT PAGE TOP: Dusk at Glenlo Abbey Hotel luxury dining, the Clifden branch went across behind the
trees. LOWER: Inside, we were honoured to be joined by our esteemed BLNI Editor (on the right).



ABOVE: (Quail Vol 6 p10 D - Feb
2004) Galway station (the main
platform for Dublin services is off
left) showing the short platform
(bottom left corner) now used by
Western Corridor Limerick trains.
The siding far right is the start of
the Clifden branch, which ran
beneath the underbridge seen.
This bridge can still be seen from
the end of the station platform
now. The disused bricked up loco
shed is top left with the turntable
right of the water crane. (Angus
McDougall 3 Sep 2003)

LEFT: Taken from that first bridge
showing the remains of the
Clifden branch looking towards
Dublin. The former Galway signal
cabin is top left with the station
platforms right and the 'bay' (as
in sea) in the background. (Angus
McDougall 3 Sep 2003)

NEXT PAGE BELOW: 48 miles west
of Galway the single platform
Clifden terminus is now a hotel.
(Press Release)

Details must be checked 1307 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

X.91] Princes Risborough North Signal Box, Sat 7 Jul, 10.00-16.00: https://goo.gl/U6htjw FREE Public
opening, from P3 (over the footbridge) via the external staircase, no access (yet) for wheelchair users.

X.92] Virgin Online Ticket Sale: https://goo.gl/y98oVL finished midnight 8 Jul, travel 30 Jul - 31 Aug.

X.93] The Tyne & Wear Explorer, 14 Jul: The tour https://goo.gl/7nj8ni is reliably expected to use the
Worcester Goods Lines due to trains at Shrub Hill station. As always check if travelling specially.

1347] Ribble Steam Railway, Sentinel weekend 21/22 Jul: Check https://goo.gl/nMrGCr for details or
01772 728800. Celebrates 50 years since the three Rolls Royce Sentinels arrived at Preston Dock.
Our industrial railway expert John Cowburn may be presenting a relevant slide show both afternoons.

1348] CrossCountry Ticket Offer, until 23 Jul: Travel 22 Jul to 2 Sep, 15% off CrossCountry advance
singles e-tickets only from their website (promotion code 'JULY'). This is extra to any railcard discounts.

1349] Richmond Light Railway, Sat 18 Aug, 11.00-16.30 Annual Charity
Steam Fair: (MR P19) (TQ 809 462). For Riding for the Disabled. Four steam
engines plus a surprise visitor, steam traction engines, vintage tractors,
children's games; station café with homemade food, drink and local award
winning BEARDspoon cider. £10 adult; £5 child in advance only, no pay on
the day, cheque payee 'J Martin' with SAE to: (RLR), Richmond Farm, New
Barn Road, Hawkenbury, Kent, TN12 0EE. Queries [email protected]
There is now a significant extra branch with a bridge over a pond opened
in 2014 to 'New Barn Halt' at this interesting 730yd long 2ft gauge railway.

X.94] ABOVE: Guess the Location: Clue: not Hull Botanic Garden Depot or Kew Gardens! (David Guy)

1350] Class 40 Preservation Society, Fri 14 Sep: Carnforth 12.30 - Preston 13.00 - Stalybridge (rev) -
Baguley Fold Jn - Philips Park - Ashburys - Romiley - Peak Forest - Buxton XYZ (rev) - Hindlow -
Buxton - Peak Forest - Hazel Grove - Northenden - Northwich - Warrington Latchford (rev) -
Fiddlers Ferry - Edge Hill (rev) - Manchester Vic 19.30 - Castleton (rev) - Bury Bolton Street East
Lancashire Railway (ELR) 20.15 - times approx. Top & Tail Class 40/37. Adult £59 (£54 until 8 Jul);
Junior £44/£49 First Class +£5, Book https://goo.gl/MsFSs4 (BACS only) or print and post a cheque.

1351] Class 40 Preservation Society & ELR, Bury* (07.15/20.30) - Holyhead, Sat 15 Sep: With
'60103' 'Flying Scotsman', from £142 Adult, £105 Junior https://goo.gl/9GfZNJ has all the details
(*and certain intermediate stations), Book online with BSCS/Cards or 0333 320 2830 Option 2.

1352] Class 40 Preservation Society, Sun 16 Sep: Top & Tail Class 40/37. Bury Bolton Street (07.45)
- Rochdale (09.00) - Bradford Interchange (rev) - Wakefield Kirkgate - Leeds - Ilkley - Bradford FS
(rev) - Skipton (rev) - Grassington (rev) - Hellifield (rev) - Blackburn - Preston (16.00) - Carnforth
(17.00). Adult £59 (£54 to 8 Jul); Junior £44/£49 First Class add £5 see: https://goo.gl/e6arGR

1353] Brookside Miniature Railway: Brookside Garden Centre, London Rd North, Poynton, SK12 1BY
(SJ 925 854) (MR p13) The railway operator has been given notice to quit - the final day is Sun 2 Sep.
1½ miles walk from Hazel Grove station; 2½ miles from Poynton. An 850yd long 7¼" line that began in
1980 and now includes four tunnels and four crossings of the Brook. Runs from 11.00 every weekend
(weather permitting), all Weds and daily in local school holidays generally to 15.30/45 in the summer.
There is a small station museum and shop with many railway artefacts around the line. Over 2s £2 per
ride or 10 for £14. The garden centre intends to refurbish the railway and let it to a new operator.

[BLN 1307]

1354] Switzerland Snowdon, Sat 1 - Sun 30 Sep (daily), Snowdon Mountain Railway: (SH 582597)
Llanberis station, A4086 road, LL55 4TY, (MR p30). Details awaited. An 'unrepeatable' opportunity with
FREE TRAVEL between Llanberis and Waterfall Halt (0m 41ch) for the general public on an 1891 Swiss
heritage coal fired steam train visiting for the month from the Brienz Rothorn Bahn. It uses the same
rack system as the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Waterfall Halt is interesting; it has been 'closed' in the
past (we wouldn't dare go into details) and once consisted of just a grassy hump but a new platform
was built each side of the single track in late 2016 - could these be arrivals and departures platforms‽

1355] A Bridge too far? Travelling on the 08.22 Leeds to Southport service (to pick join our 'Nosey
Peaker' raitour at Manchester Victoria), a member noticed it called at five stations ending in Bridge.
He asks is this a record for one passenger service? (Sowerby, Hebden, Smithy, Appley & Burscough.)

1356] Herefordshire & Worcestershire Evening Returns: 'Super Off Peak' after 18.00 still only £3.80
(Railcard £2.50) such as Moreton-in-Marsh to/from Hereford, Stourbridge Town or Bromsgrove.

1357] Manx Electric Railway (MER) 125th Anniversary, 1-8 Sep: Eight days of enthusiast and family
orientated special events celebrating the 125th anniversary of the line opening (Douglas to Groudle
Glen) on 7 Sep 1893. https://goo.gl/C2akeW has details, conditiond timetables, contacts and prices.

Sat 1 Sep MER Motorman lessons: Drive Winter Saloon No22 between Laxey (10.50/12.50/14.50)
and Lewaigue, along the cliff tops 588ft above the sea at Bulgham Bay. £25 return age 21 to 75 only!

Oldest and Newest Trams in service: Cars No1 & No2 built in 1893 and Cars 32 & 33 built in 1906.
Parallel running Derby Castle - to Groudle Glen using Cars 1 & 2: Limited availability.

Sun 2 Sep 125th Birthday Party, Laxey, 10:00 to 16:00: MER Car 1, Snaefell Car 1 and Douglas Bay
Horse Tram 1, Vintage road vehicles & Travelling Post Office with first day covers. Family fun day.

Laxey Car Shed guided tours: (5, each for 10 people); unusual trams and trailers not used in service.
Illustrated Talk/Social Evening, 19.30 for 20.00: MER historian Andrew Scarffe at the Laxey Working
Men's Institute; presentation on the 125 years MER history. - includes some previously unseen photos.

Mon 3 Sep Ratchet Car No14, Derby Castle: 09.00 official launch after a three year restoration 40
years after it last ran. Public runs Derby Castle - Groudle Glen 13.25, 14.25 & 15.25; limited space.

Goods Service: Tunnel Car 6 hauling two recently restored open wagons, No8 & No10 to Ramsey and
return, re-enacting a typical MER Edwardian era goods service. Derby Castle 09.20; returning by 12.25.

Evening Parallel Run: Cars 1 & 2, Ramsey 18.00 - Derby Castle by 20.00 with photo stops.

Tue 4 Sep Tram with Two Trailers: Derby Castle 09.00; Car 33 up to Dhoon Quarry and return.
1970s Mail Tram: Ramsey 13.50 commemorating the MER's long-lived mail service, operating for the

first time since 1975, side post boxes. IOM Postman, MER staff in period uniform, photo stops.
Crossbench Photo Evening: Derby Castle 16.20 & 16.50 to Laxey to see Crossbench Cars, Nos 14, 16,

32 & 33, with parallel runs towards Minorca and South Cape using different combinations of trams.

Wed 5 Sep Groudle Day: Derby Castle 09.25-16.25 regular departures, reenactment of the 1893
tram service using Cars 1 & 2 with a special appearance of long lost Car 3! Tunnel Vision: 1894-built
'Tunnel Cars' 5, 6, 7 & 9 timetabled throughout the day. Tram & Three Wagons: Derby Castle 12.55
to Ramsey, return by 16.15. Open Crossbench Car 32, wagons No 8 & 10 and Mail Van 16.

Crossbench Evening Special: Derby Castle Crossbench Cars 14 (17.10) & 16 (17.25) to Ramsey
returning in parallel from Ramsey (19.00) to Laxey, with photo stops en route.

Thur 6 Sep Summer 1975 Timetable: The last year of the traditional timetable, little changed for
many decades. Derby Castle 07.00, 10-15 minute frequency, 1975 style timetable leaflet (see website).

Goods Wagons in Use: Open Wagons 8 & 10, and Mail Vans 4 & 16, on timetabled services all day.

Fri 7 Sep ANNIVERSARY DAY, Commemorative Plaque Unveiling: Derby Castle 10.00. 125th
Anniversary Cavalcade: Laxey 14.00 all operational trams with trailers in numerical order and some
engineering stock. Intensive Timetable: Every serviceable MER vehicle runs! Illuminated Tram &
Trailer: Derby Castle 19.10 evening service, illuminated Car 9 and newly illuminated Winter Trailer 58.

Sun 8 Sep Edwardian Goods Service; Photo Special: Derby Castle 09.20, return by 12.15, Car 19,
Open Wagon 10 & Mail Van 4, WWI goods workings. Colourful Combination; Photo Special: Derby
Castle 13.20, back by 17.15 green Winter Saloon 21 and 'umbrella' trailer 51, now in pre-WWI livery.

Unusual Combinations: On timetabled services Car 5 & Trailer 57; 6 & 60; 2 & 42 and 22 & 61.
Horse Tram Cavalcade: From Derby Castle 18.30 after arrival of the last MER tram.

1358] Scottish Railway Preservation Society, Sun 14 Oct: Steam hauled by Tornado, Linlithgow (am
train)/Dalmeny or Inverkeithing (pm train), Forth Bridge, Fife Coast and round the Fife Circle then
Culross, Kincardine & Alloa to Stirling. Watch website for opening of bookings or 0131 202 1033.

1359] Campaign for Better Transport, Passenger Railway Challenge: Aims to obtain the best from the
Government, railway industry and train operating companies for passengers. Join the thousands of
subscribers to receive monthly emails https://goo.gl/Un317a (for previous editions and to sign up).

PLEASE SAVE THIS AND USE THESE EMAIL ADRESSES FOR BLS CONTACT

Position Correspondent BLS email address

Membership Alan Welsh [email protected] .

Fixtures Secretary Kev Adlam [email protected]

Bookings Officer Jill Everitt [email protected]

Sales Officer Mark Gomm [email protected]

General Secretary Tim Wallis [email protected]

Chairman John Williamson [email protected]

Treasurer Ian Mortimer [email protected]

Committee member John Cameron [email protected]

Committee member Helen Cromarty [email protected]

Committee member William Graveson . [email protected]

Committee member Graeme Jolley [email protected]

Committee member Dave Monger [email protected]

Publications Officer. Martyn Brailsford [email protected]

Publicity Officer David Clark [email protected]

Webmaster* Phil Wieland [email protected]

Website Officer** Ian Delgado [email protected]

BLN Editor Paul Stewart [email protected]

BLN International Paul Griffin [email protected]

BLN Pictorial*** Phil Logie [email protected]

BLN/MailChimp‡ Nick Garnham [email protected]

BLN Diary Lee Nash [email protected]

PSUL queries Richard Maund [email protected]

Unusual Track Ian Delgado [email protected]

Railway Rights of Way.. Dave Cromarty [email protected]

All other or general queries .. Tim Wallis [email protected]

*Website access problems and any support issues. ‡ Paper BLN distribution, e-BLN message/MailChimp
**Website comments. problems. (For PAPER BLN problems you can also
***BLN Pictorial contributions and queries. text /ring, the BLN Editor, or write to Dave Monger.)

●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT.
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime).
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. Text or ring Editor.
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351.

NEWS TEAM: (email addresses are, as usual, at the beginning of each individual section)
●East Midlands: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN.
●London: Geoff Brockett, 155 Onslow Gardens, South Woodford, LONDON, E18 1NA.
●North East/ex-NER: Geoff Blyth, 26 Trafalgar Way, Queens Park, BILLERICAY, CM12 0UT.
●North West: John Cameron, any postal submissions to the BLN Editor please. 07581178759 (or for texts).
●Yorkshire except NER; & IOM: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN.
●South East England, East Anglia: Julian James, 58 Nelson Road, WORTHING, BN12 6EN.
●South West: Darren Garnon, 3 Reader Drive, Marden, TONBRIDGE, TN12 9FD.
●West Midlands: Brian Schindler, 15 Sudeley, Dosthill, TAMWORTH, B77 1JR.
●Ireland: Martin Baumann, 42 Northland Road, LONDONDERRY, BT48 7ND.
●Scotland: Mike McCabe, Lawrenceholme Barn, Oulton, WIGTON, CA7 0PH.
●Wales: Chris Parker, 7 Three Trees, Station Road, Whittington, OSWESTRY, SY11 4DE.
●Minor Railways: Peter Scott, 93 Josephine Court, Southcote Rd, READING, RG30 2DQ.

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

X.95] BELOW, Postscript… Eastleigh Works: (BLN 1306.1243) Open day shuttle 17 Jun 1989. (Ian Mortimer)