At the other (north) end of Torpantau station, the line curved sharply around into the 666yd long Torpantau Tunnel (also known as Beacons or Beacon Summit Tunnel). At 1,313 ft above sea level, it was the highest railway tunnel on the UK standard gauge network. It was reached by a three-mile climb from the south at 1:47 and 1:55; trains passed through it curving sharply to the right on a radius of around 20ch, before emerging on the notorious Seven Mile Bank, a falling gradient of 1:37 towards Brecon. The tunnel opened in 1863, although construction work finished the previous year. The tunnel mouth is not far from the Brecon Mountain Railway Torpantau terminus which is built on the level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2b_ExyYT-U is a 5min video about and inside the tunnel. A stream now runs through it and the tunnel is very muddy at the best of times if not flooded. In 1962, a building with a water tank could be heated on cold days to prevent the water freezing as it was essential to have water available at the top of the 7-mile bank from the north. The signal box had a slate-hung end. Behind it, the former signalman's house was a holiday let in 1962. The RAF had a weather station nearby with a Standard pickup truck parked at the station used to access it. 905] Whitland Jn - Pembroke Dock: (BLN 1443.659) NR advise that the plan for the 18 to 27 Mar blockade was drainage work between Kilgetty and Narberth and replacing 200m of track and ballast 'close to Pembroke station'. This will still leave this 27¼ mile branch with a fair amount of jointed track. 906] Cwmbargoed: (BLNs 1439.117 & 1444.785) Likely to be the last revenue train on the branch, Pathfinder's 'Cwm & Glo' tour duly paid its last respects on Sat 9 Mar following its visit to Uskmouth (BLN 1444.786). It had been due to reach the now usual reversing point of 19m 35ch just short of the NR boundary - thought to be the underbridge at grid ref SO 092 052 at the corner of the solar farm. A member (who arrived by car) walked down there and encountered the Mobile Operations Manager (MOM) who confirmed the tour was due to reach there. However, he was walking further down with a red flag to stop the train before it met four sheep on the line! Ironically, by the time the train arrived, the sheep seemed to have disappeared but the MOM's red flag had not, so the lead loco stopped at about SO 094 047 or 19m 10ch meant that some participants may have felt fleeced. [Others sheepishly admitted they had been through to Dowlais Cae Harris.] It remained there for an extended period in preference to an hour pathing stop at the rather less scenic Ystrad Mynach South (YMS). An earlier highlight on the western approach to Cardiff Central was crossing the layout from Line 'C' (the former Up Main) to P6 and, later, traversal of the very rusty Down Rhymney Loop on departure from YMS. The hiatus in clearing the coal stockpile at Cwmbargoed between the 19 Jan and 14 Feb trains was because the HTA wagons were required for the Cardiff Tidal Sidings to Margam short term emergency coke workings. Other stored wagons were inspected but found to be beyond recall to running order, while the only other survivors of the former fleet of nearly 1,800 have been converted for stone use. 907] Landore: (TRACKmaps 3 p23A 2023) NR plans a possession from 01.00 Mon 4 Nov until 01.45 on Fri 8 Nov 2024 to renew four 'life expired' point ends at Landore East Jn. The trailing crossover in the main line and the depot access on the avoiding line are included; the cost is £4.8M. A fringe benefit is that the speed restriction at that end of the Swansea Avoiding Line and over the crossover can then be eased from 15 to 20mph. Diversions via the Swansea District Line can be expected during the closure. 908] Severn Tunnel Jn (STJ): (TRACKmaps 3 p19B & C 2023) At about 23.00 Sun 10 Mar, a significant crack was found in the nose of the points of the Up to Down Main trailing crossover at Down end of STJ station. Traffic from the Gloucester line mostly diverted at Caldicot via the Down Relief instead, to avoid passing over the crack. Therefore, Down passenger trains could not call at STJ P1 but regained the Down Main at Magor crossover (151m 05ch). A replacement was needed and the 'nose job' was completed for start of service Sun 17 Mar - when it was 'running' again - certainly not to be sniffed at. 909] South Wales Metro: ❶By 9 Mar OHLE masts had been erected throughout from Heath High Level station to the limit of electrification at Lisvane & Thornhill but not as far south as shown in TRACKmaps 3 p26B 2023. ❷On the same day, from a train passing Queen Street South Jn, redoubling of the Cardiff Bay line appeared complete as far as the eye could see - which, because of the curve, unfortunately isn't very far! Evidently the Down line stub laid the weekend before (BLN 1442.520.2) was of sufficient length to connect with the isolated length laid during 2023 (BLN 1433.2281.2).
BELOW: (Item 904) Collet Goods 0-6-0 3201 leaves Torpantau with the and 'PIN DOWN BRAKES' notice. It's an area where sheep heavily outnum
2.05pm Brecon to Newport train past the water crane, starting signal mber people! (All taken by our member Mike Roach on Sat 8 Sep 1962.)
BELOW: At the north (Brecon) end of Torpantau station the linTorpantau Tunnel which had the distinction of being the h
ne curved sharply around, on a 20ch radius, into the 666-yard ighest standard gauge UK railway tunnel above sea level.
BELOW: Looking south towards Newport, far right is the building wdays to prevent the water freezing as it was essential to have wa
which housed a water tank. The building could be heated on cold ater available at the top of the seven mile bank from the north.
[BLN 1BELOW: View south (Newport left, Brecon right) of the very remote T
1445] orpantau main station buildings but where is the First Class Lounge?
BELOW: Looking north towards the tunnel, note the slate-hung end of the sThe Standard pickup truck belonged to the RAF which had a weather station ne
signal box. Behind it is the former signalman's house, a holiday let in 1962. earby. The Brecon Mountain Railway station is now behind the photographer.
BELOW: 1959 map; the arrow is the site of the present Brecon Mountain Ra
ailway Torpantau station, Brecon is off top right and Newport bottom left.
BELOW: If only there had been this many passengers at Torpantau in 1962!
The Brecon Mountain Railway. (Angus McDougall, 18 Jun 2015 and next.)
[BLN 1BELOW: Looking north, the station is higher up than th(The narrow gauge track here in the stat
1445] e original trackbed which was a little to the left here. tion had to be level for running round.)
BELOW: Torpantau station is arrowed; Brecon is top left and Newport bottom right (By Afterbrunel.) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en
910] Port Talbot Steelworks: The coke ovens, the last in the UK (there were once many), closed on 20 Mar, three months earlier than expected due to 'operational stability' concerns. RIP. Despite best efforts, their condition and performance had deteriorated. Coke will be imported from 'elsewhere' (presumably China, as at Scunthorpe, with zero Carbon Tax), until the blast furnaces close. If this is by sea, it will require the long out of use Port Talbot Dock cranes to be refettled! They may also be required later for steel billet imports to be milled here. The unions have accepted this closure as it is on genuine safety grounds but industrial action is threatened over closure of the blast furnaces. 911] Marches footbridges: (BLN 1444.791) It's still just about the right month for these. The white metal paling fences in the e-BLN 1444 photo are new and appear permanent, blocking the north ends of both platforms with normally locked gates included - all indicating that no extensions are planned! Also, NR's report of the local MP's visit to view progress on 15 Mar only refers to the new footbridge. On 9 Mar there was still no sign of Pontypool & New Inn Park & Ride facility opening - we did say six months (BLN 1439.123). The new lift (singular) at Ludlow (BLN 1432.2171) had made steady progress. 1445 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected] MR54] Dean Forest Railway, Gloucestershire (MR p6): The Dean Forest Diesel Association (DFDA), based at Lydney Junction, has been wound up. All stock has been sold and moved away and the two sidings (at 8m 20ch) behind the signal box at Lydney Junction have been emptied. However, remaining on the Dean Forest Railway are: ●D3937/08769 which has been purchased by Valley Rail Preservation. A long term contract has been signed with the new owners and it will remain at the railway for the foreseeable future. ●BR B 889014 Motor Car Van built 1958, which acted as a messroom/stores for the DFDA, has moved to Norchard to be used by the Railway locomotive department. MR55] Epping Ongar Railway, Essex (MR p8): On Sunday 25 February a member went to Epping then North Weald for the Railway's Winter Country Bus running day. He was in North Weald long enough to see their two train service - one comprising DMU 51384 with driving trailer 56287. The other train was 'top & tailed' by L150 (GWR prairie 5521, Ongar end, on long term loan) and their Class 47. It was a five coach set led by 21059 (in maroon livery, new into traffic, and converted - outside - to a BSK, with the van area upgraded for wheelchair passengers) with 4809, 4925, 5181 & 5136. Also noted were 45132 (D22), D6729, D2170, D8001 and ex-Anglia buffet coach 1214, used as a stationary refreshment facility. MR56] Bowes Railway, Tyne & Wear: The railway is relaunching its popular guided heritage walk around the Springwell area, which includes a visit to the historic Blackham's Hill Hauler House. Originally built to house the stationary engines that wound the ropes for the two inclines of Bowes Railway, Blackham's offers a unique insight into the workings of George Stephenson's rope haulage system. The fascinating 2-hour walk explores the two very old colliery railways, both operated by rope haulage systems. The highlight of the walk will be a rare opportunity to look around the inside of the hauler house to see the preserved machinery, which moved the wagons up and down the inclines. These walks start and finish at Bowes Railway Museum, Springwell, on the first Friday of each month. The price is £3; to book please text 07850 916484 or email: [email protected] MR57] Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Cornwall (MR p14) (BLN 1434.MR197): The 'St Austell Voice' of 21 February reported that the new loco built by Alan Keef Ltd had been named 'City of Truro' as part of the railway's 50th Anniversary (it opened on 16 June 1974). The railway's website news item was dated 12 February 2024, so presumably the naming was undertaken on that date or close to it. The Railway had appealed for suggestions for names for the new diesel loco and it was three siblings Henry, Edward and Poppy who suggested 'City of Truro'. The name was unveiled in dramatic fashion at a special event, with the loco roaring out of the 'new' (partly rebuilt) tunnel after being signalled with a whistle and green flag by the three children. It was then blessed by Canon Chris McQuillen-Wright from the Benefice of Towan Blystra, which includes nearby St Newlyn East Church. The name was chosen as the railway owners are extremely proud of their Cornish DNA and the name reflects our passion for the county we call home. Representatives of Alan Keef attended. The accompanying new coaches feature low floor access, significantly increasing the number of wheelchair users able to ride each journey.
X.55] PREVIOUS: The unusual 9½'' gauge Lakeshore Railroad, South Shields (MBELOW: (Item MR58) Waterford & Suir Valley Railway; Kilmeadan station loo
MR p25); the impressive lines of 3440 'Mountaineer'. (Peter Scott, 8 Jun 2023.) oking west to the shed and end of line with HE9904. (Peter Scott, 29 Jul 2011.)
BELOW: (Item MR59) The magnificent Magnus Volk's Electric Railway; Blackroc
ck station looking west back along the line with Car 9. (Peter Scott, 9 Jun 2012.)
BELOW: (Item MR60) Swanage Railway; Bulleid locomotive 34028 'EddystoNEXT: Mother's Day Prosecco Cream Tea hamper. [Correction: E-BLN 1444.MR
one' running round at Swanage. (Stuart Hicks and next, Sun 10 Mar 2024.) R48 second photo caption 'Arlesford ' should have been 'Alresford', of course.]
…. X.56] NEXT: (BLN 1436.MR223) Bala Lake Railway; pre-planning application pub
blic notice (R Maund).
MR58] Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, County Waterford (MR p27) (BLN 1403.1600): The 3ft gauge
0-4-0ST 'Kettering Furnaces No 3' built by Black, Hawthorn & Co Ltd of Gateshead in 1885 is moving to the Railway - its first steam loco. N o 3 spent its working life at Warren Hill,Kettering,last steaming in the early 1960s. Kettering Furnaces closed in 1959 but the railway continued to operate until 1962. The loco then went to Penrhyn Castle Railway Museum, preserved indoors by the National Trust. It is now being donated to the railway - which plans to restore it and return it to operation. The railway's voluntary director and company secretary, Alan Moore, said: We are so grateful to the National Trust for transferring ownership of the Kettering Furnaces No 3 loco to us. We hope to do them proud as we endeavour to restore this beautiful locomotive to its former glory and to put it back into operation. The loco will require considerable work to bring it back to full operating condition and will be stripped down and fully assessed. The restoration will be carried out in several phases, with total restoration estimated to cost €250k. With ambitions to see it hauling trains, infrastructure changes at Kilmeadan station will be required. Maria Kyte, Railway General Manager, said: Several companies who specialise in the restoration of heritage locomotives were invited to tender for the restoration of Kettering Furnaces No 3. The successful tender was submitted by a company in England which has extensive experience in the manufacture of new build locomotives as well as the restoration of steam locomotives similar to the Kettering Furnaces No 3 locomotive. The board is satisfied that it will be in very safe hands. MR59] Volk's Electric Railway, East Sussex (MR p16) (BLN 1422.MR65): Southern Water has been criticised for failing to maintain Black Rock station, which it owns and maintains. The station is at the eastern end of the 2' 8½'' gauge, one mile railway, which recently won the 'Railway of the Year 2024' award from the Heritage Railway Association. An enthusiast visiting the railway because of its recent award said: I travelled to the end station at Black Rock where I had to disembark and re-embark to continue my journey back towards Brighton. There is only a booking office which unfortunately has a leak in the roof directly over your head so you get wet having your ticket inspected. There are no facilities whatsoever at the station, the toilets having apparently closed some time ago. The car park is a building site and the state of the overall building is appalling with rusted iron, peeling paint, broken drain pipes, the aforementioned leaky roofs and a smell of sewage. I asked the railway staff why this station was such a contrast to the stations along the rest of the line and they told me this was because this station was 'maintained' by Southern Water. Brighton & Hove City Council owns and operates the Railway but said Black Rock station building is owned by Southern Water, which is responsible for its maintenance. Southern Water stated maintenance works are scheduled for the station but did not confirm when. Councillor Alan Robins, Chairman of the Council's Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Economic Development Committee,said: Our regeneration work at Black Rock has nearly finished now. We've sorry this has meant the car park at the Black Rock station has looked a bit of a mess. MR60] Swanage Railway, Dorset (MR p6): A member and his wife were booked on a Mother's Day Prosecco Cream Tea by his son on Sunday 10 March. This was served on the 14.00 departure from Swanage (with a second sitting on the 15.20 departure). Tea is served in one their restored Maunsell TSO coaches attached (as coach 'B') within their five coach rake (one train service) for the day. To our members' delight, Bulleid 34028 'Eddystone' was the motive power, with formation 4945, S1346 (tea), 9015 (BSO with mini-buffet), 4983 & S1381. Weather on the Sunday in Purbeck was better than expected with no rain, some sunshine although a moderate cool breeze. The Prosecco Cream Tea included a small bottle of Prosecco, two scones with butter, jam, a carton of clotted cream and the return train ride. No tea or coffee was included, which it was thought was a shortcoming. In some ways it was great - but the start was much less so and a salutary lesson to other railways offering dining services. Our reporter's tickets had seat numbers on but the coach interior did not! Worse still, the person who should have been there with their chart to check people off was not, so people had started to board when he did arrive. Result: pandemonium, a group of six not getting the four plus two the other side that they had expected and indeed seemingly not enough seats set up for the customers. S1346 has seven bays of seats (2+2 at tables) - our reporter's were in 21F/B & 22F so towards one end, which turned out to be the end nearest the hampers, piled on the tables and seats in the last two bays. It would not be difficult to number the seats inside the vehicle and, furthermore, for
the paper table reservation labels (at each table) to have the names of the people who had booked those seats (and indeed, their menu choices for those meals where there is a choice, which the catering staff can see - suggestion to note). The North Yorkshire Moors Railway does exactly this. Then, most people armed with their reservations and some common sense, can find their way to their seats (from either end even) while the catering staff could be (and were) there to assist those needing help. On departure (indeed starting just before) the small hampers were distributed to everyone (and everyone then had a seat!). This was an attractive way of handing out a cold meal (and indeed no doubt loading them onto the train). Each contained the bottle of Botter (Italian) Prosecco, with a small plastic flute (not very stable) and a cardboard plate with the two plain scones, attractively heart shaped, a small metal knife (good idea), sachets of margarine and butter and Rodda's clotted cream (all wrapped in thin plastic to keep it together). For most of the coach, all was eaten and drunk by the time Norden was reached and some coffee (perhaps loaded there) on the return would have been very welcome. Shame that they wanted the small hampers back! Overall, though, a pleasant day out. 1445 FIXTURE REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] 912] Thunderbirds Are Go! Thur 7 Mar 2024: By Andy Overton. Bookending our 'Because We Can Two' Scottish 3-day tour, the stock moves to and from the tour were run as passenger moves. 'Thunderbirds Are Go!' was the outward stock move from Burton-on-Trent to Bo'ness, carrying passengers between Derby and Linlithgow. Booked for a Class 57, rare track was thrown in to entice the track bashers - of which I am not one. I was there for the traction - and at the very reasonable price of £69 for over 300 miles of haulage, a civilised start and finish time, I was tempted to book immediately it was advertised. 57303 had been announced a few days prior to the tour (subject to the usual caveats) and this duly produced on the day. As this was a winner for haulage my decision to book was already well rewarded. I joined the train at Derby to maximise mileage and I gave myself a good hour to be in position before departure to allow for any number of the all-too-usual farces which are now a daily occurrence on our broken railway. Having elected to photograph the stock arriving into Derby P2 from P4, the day got off to a bad start when my photo was completely prevented by a Birmingham unit departing at exactly the same time. Oh,how I laughed! So, a quick dash over to get on board and we departed bang on time in comfortable 1 st Class Mk2 Riviera Trains stock in British Rail Corporate Blue and Minerva Grey livery. At Clay Cross North Jn we crossed over to the Down Erewash and, after waiting for a late CrossCountry service to pass at Chesterfield South Jn, we crossed back to the Down Main for our pickup stop in Chesterfield P1. Then, in true BLS fashion, we were crossing over again onto the Down Barrow Hill at Chesterfield North Jn to take the 'Old Road' throughout. The section north of Beighton Jn was new track for me and, as someone who has lived in South Yorkshire all my life, most interesting to do. We were just a few minutes down running out onto the Main line at Masborough Station North Jn but then had quite a stagger along the Swinton & Knottingley Joint line behind a late running all shacks unit which preceded us from Aldwarke. We headed down onto the West Riding & Grimsby Joint line at South Kirkby Jn and via Hemsworth Down Doncaster Passenger Loop nonstop. The slow meander allowed the unit to pull away as we took a right at Hare Park Jn. This took me onto my next section of new route to Crofton West Jn and we went right again at Calder Bridge Jn to Turners Lane Jn, to stand for a short while waiting for a Lincoln to Leeds unit to precede. We should have been in front of it but, as we were now 8 min late,had lost our path. Once out onto the Down Normanton line, the unit having turned off in front of us at Altofts Jn, we sped up and were soon storming along through Castleford, Milford and through Church Fenton, where we were back on schedule reaching York P5 two min early. We were booked to stand at York for 13 min, so this gave people chance to stretch their legs and leave the train to take some photos. Very appropriately, 66190 'Martin House Hospice' had been positioned alongside in bay P6 and made a nice photo with 91119 on 1Y84 1202 York to King's Cross in the adjacent bay P7. I made my way over the bridge to P3 to take a better photo of our train where there were enthusiasts with the same idea. With everyone back on board, we made a right time departure.
A high speed run ensued along the 'racing stretch' of the ECML to our next diversion into Darlington South Down Passenger Loop. We had to dwell here for half an hour while four passenger services passed by before making our next booked pickup in P4. After a very brief stop, we were away again for another high speed run, through Durham nonstop on the Down Fast, and staying on the Main / Fast line into Newcastle P2, our final pick-up stop. Further high-speed running saw us passing Tweedmouth seven minutes up on the timings and then a slow entry to the much sought-after Down Goods Loop (the reason many had booked) at Berwick-upon-Tweed to stand again for around half an hour for three more services to precede us. Away a minute early and a beautiful run along the coast brought us into Drem Down Passenger Loop for one train to pass, then on to Edinburgh Waverley. An on time arrival was achieved via the scissors crossover from P7 to P10, which were not cut out of the route. Derby P2 - Down Fast - Clay Cross North Jn - Down Erewash - Chesterfield South Jn - Chesterfield P1 - Down Barrow Hill - Swinton P1 - Moorthorpe Jn - South Kirkby Jn - Hemsworth Down Passenger Loop - Hare Park Jn - Crofton West Jn - Calder Bridge Jn - Turners Lane Jn - Castleford P1 - Church Fenton P2 - Colton North Ladder - Down Main - York P5 - Down Fast - Darlington Down Loop - Darlington P4B - (Durham) Down Fast - Down Main - Down Fast - Newcastle P2 - Down Main - Berwick-upon-Tweed Down Goods Loop - Drem Down Passenger Loop - Edinburgh Waverley P7 - P10 - Line 'W' - Down North - Haymarket Central Jn - Down South - Linlithgow P2 [calls underlined]. A considerable number of participants left the train at Edinburgh but those carrying on to the bitter end were treated to more unusual track. Departure from Waverley P10 three min down via Line 'W' brought us to Princes Street Gardens, where we crossed over to the Down North, through Haymarket then back to the Down South at Haymarket Central Jn. At Newbridge it was into the Down Passenger Loop, again for three trains to pass us, leaving a couple of minutes late after a slightly slow signal clearance to exit after the last of these. And so to journey's end at Linlithgow, after 312¼ miles, a mere two minutes late arriving, which surely has to be a credit to all the operators on the day, as well as the scheduling team. Participants soon alighted and after only a few minutes the ECS was away to Bo'ness. All that remained for me to do was head to Edinburgh. When I booked, the finish time should have allowed a return to Doncaster on 1E27, the 18.30 to King's Cross off Waverley but due to shortage of Hitachi IETs - yes, those IETs which were going to have a robust availability regime applied to them (it happens on GWR too with Turbos and Electrostars substituting) - this train had been removed from the timetable for several days, leaving the 19.36 the only option. As a result, I did the only sensible thing on the way back to Edinburgh and baled at Haymarket for 1.2 miles of HST haulage on an Inter7City set from Aberdeen. Then it was three hours or so of buttock numbing DfT procured travel later and I was back where I started that morning in Doncaster - anyone for an all-day Azuma tour? :Details must be checked: 1445 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN . 913] Epping Signalling Museum, Sats 10.00-16.30: A new railway museum with plenty of memorabilia, in a restored LU signal cabin with a signalling frame and 'L11' tube loco. Free of charge but donations welcome. At Epping LU station, head for the far end of the car park and press the button for admission. 914] Sat 30 Mar; Northampton & Lamport Railway: (MRp7) (BLN 1441.MR21) Public services on the southern extension start at 12.00 but the Ironstone Train will not run due to a brakevan needing repairs. However, the other available brakevan will give rides, by donation, in between passenger services via the new run round loop line at Boughton to the southern end of the main platform. 915] Guildford, Farncombe, Haslemere & Petersfield Signal Box Visits: These are expected to be in the second half of Apr. Please apply per BLN 1444.795 (details) mentioning when you are able to go. Derby P2 Edinburgh Waverley Plat 7 293m 57ch Chesterfield P1 269m 46ch Swinton P1 248m 74ch York P5 204m 31ch Darlington P4B 160m 16ch Newcastle P2 124m 14ch Derby P2 Linlithgow Plat 2 311m 41ch Chesterfield P1 287m 30ch Swinton P1 266m 58ch York P5 222m 15ch Darlington P4B 178m 00ch Newcastle P2 141m 78ch
BELOW & NEXT: (Item 912) Our Thunderbirds Are Go! Thur 7 Mar 20
024 Derby to Linlithgow railtour at York P5. (Both ©Andy Overton.)
916] Mail Rail Tunnel Walks: (MR p17) BLN 1400.MR82 of 7 May 2022 had a report with a plan and photos. A few tickets may remain see: https://tinyurl.com/3eeeyn66 for details/to book. Mail Rail train rides (green lines on TRACKmaps 5 p38A 2019), Wed-Sun 10.00-15.30 : https://tinyurl.com/4zmwzdcv 917] Sun 19 May, 10.00-16.00; Manchester Liverpool Road - The Station Agent's House: Open to the public for the first time since restoration, free entry, book a half hour slot. This is not essential but gives priority on the day - there may be a queue. https://tinyurl.com/3upveay9 has details/to book. 918] Sun 4 Aug, 13.00-17.00; Fifield Railway: (MR p7) 'Deep Meadows', Ledger Rd, Fifield, SL6 2NX, (SU 907 766) between Windsor and Maidenhead (4 miles west of Windsor off the B3024). Annual public running for Fifield charity Funday at this standard gauge railway - details to follow - worth a visit if you have never been. http://www.minorrailways.co.uk/trackplans/davidbuck.pdf is the track plan. 919] Sat 10 Aug, 11.00-16.30; Richmond Light Railway: (MR p19) (BLN 1314.MR197) Richmond Farm, Hawkenbury, TN12 0EE, (TQ 809 462) free parking. Tickets are now on sale for the annual public rides and charity ('Riding for the Disabled') steam fair at this 2ft gauge 730yd long line. At least five steam locos with Bagnall 'Pixie' plus various internal combustion engines. Intensive service all day with extra loco movements, combinations, stock variations and an end of day locomotive cavalcade. In addition, steam traction engines, portables and vintage tractors will be in operation in the demonstration field, weather permitting. The station café will serve a selection of homemade food and drink, including local award winning BEARDspoon cider! Search 'TicketSource Richmond Charity Steam fair 2024' (no pay on the day); Adult (16+) £10; Child (5-15) £15 plus booking fee; U5 Free, ticket numbers are limited. 920] Along Different Lines, 70 Real Life Railway Stories: By Geoff Body & Bill Parker. Published by The History Press, 216 pages 19.8cm x 12.9cm; 34 B&W photos. NEW 2024 paperback edition; RRP £12.99 or less. This charming book is a wonderful medley of anecdotes from railway employees of the past across many different roles, recounting notable and unusual incidents as part of their careers. It is sure to appeal to our members who enjoy reading Railway Memories in BLN. The accounts range from the bizarre and amusing to the more serious business of running a railway. The recollections include unbelievably complex red tape bureaucracy to permanently closing a level crossing, a newly appointed stationmaster who was afraid to use a railway issued antiquated motorcycle to visit some outlying rural stations, a chief clerk who was elevated to almost sovereign status, PR stunts that were planned with meticulous precision, a fascinating account of horse drawn drays making local freight deliveries and a rather rough shunting move resulting in shattered chinaware in a restaurant car. Some of the contributors are well known names and/or established railway authors, including Cedric Spiller, David Maidment, the Hon Sir William McAlpine, Jim Gibbons and Theo Steel. Each recollection is a short read and that makes the book ideal, being able to pick it for half-an-hour slots and read one or two memories. In summary, it is an entertaining, insightful and excellent informative collection of events from across the railway, when there were some real characters - with a strong focus on just getting the job done. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book, that reminded our member of snippets of From our own Correspondent on BBC Radio 4, presented by Kate Adie on Saturday mornings, where different correspondents describe life and situations in other countries. Highly recommended. (Simon Wragg, member 5336.) CONTACT DETAILS: On website Contacts page; an updated BLN & Committee Directory was with BLN 1437 ●Editor: Paul Stewart [email protected] 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX 01684 562862 07790 652351. ●Sales: Darren Garnon [email protected] 3 Reader Drive, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9FD. ●MAPS: By permission of National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html ●Printed by Willow Printing & Design Ltd [email protected] 75/79 Back Cross Lane, NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS, WA12 9YE 222449. ●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, STOKE GIFFORD, BS34 8NP.