1268

BLN 1268.MR222] Snibston Colliery Railway, Leicestershire: (BLN 1257.990) On 18 September, it was
noticed that while the track around the Colliery Headstocks and line to Belvoir Road Halt were
untouched but rusty, a buffer stop had been installed at the end of the Snibston Central platform
ramp and with a secure fence over the track. All the track past the level crossing on Chiswell Drive to
the Elk Statues has been lifted. This was part of the former REXCO plant and 'forgotten about' when
Snibston Museum first started its passenger rides on 27 May 2001 (BLN 899.MR111).

MR223] Heaton Park Tramway, Greater Manchester (MR p32) (BLN 11265.1819): Our roving reporter
visited on Sunday 4 September for a Transport Show being held in the park. Trams operating were:
Hull 96, Manchester 765 and Blackpool 619. In the workshop was Stockport 5. In the new shed at
Lakeside were Blackpool 603 & 702, and the works car. Outside were Oldham 43 and Manchester 173.

MR224] Treetops Railway, Buckinghamshire (BLN 1260.MR126): Each year the village of Halton has a
festival, and the private 5"/7¼" gauge Treetops Railway has an open day in alternate years. At least
nine BLS members were observed on Sunday 11 September riding the system in glorious sunshine.
Initially, 20 118 4w-4wBE topped and tailed 0-6-0ST DS2 'Chibley' with three sit-astride coaches. Later,
20 118 was replaced by LMSR 4-6-0 6159 'The Royal Air Force'. The village festival was on the other
side of the public road, which crosses the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Much of the
adjacent land is occupied by the MoD RAF Halton Depot. Extension to form a circuit is planned.

MR225] Kirklees Light Railway, West Yorkshire (MR p25) (BLN 1191.MR159): In early September this
15" gauge railway submitted plans for a £100,000 improvement to its facilities. They are seeking
planning permission to extend the existing 16-seat café at Shelley station to accommodate up to
50 people. The Railway also wants to improve toilets and build a workshop at the same location. Plans
submitted to Kirklees Council state that the tearoom will be single storey and that the existing kiosk
and marquees will be demolished. It is hoped to boost annual visitor numbers from around 62,000 to
100,000. General Manager Stuart Ross said that the development represented an investment of
around £100,000 and could create 10 part-time jobs. We are very conscious of how unspoilt that part
of Shelley is and are keen to make sure the building doesn't spoil the environment. Public consultation
on the plans ended on 20 September. The Railway is owned by Stately-Albion, a family-owned
company headed by railway enthusiast David Hurd, based in Newport, South Wales.

Please mention the BLS when booking or enquiring.……..1268 CONNECTIONS……….Details must be checked with the organisers.

2200] Manchester Metrolink Travelcards: Unlimited tram only ONE DAY: Peak (all day SSuX) £7 adult,
£2.90 child 5 to16 (proof of age required if over 11). Off-Peak after 09.30 SSuX, all weekend & Bank
Holidays £5 adult, £2 child, £6.20 family (up to two adults and three children - minimum one adult plus
one child). ALL WEEKEND (18.00 Friday to end of Sunday service) £5.80 adult, £2.70 child, £8 family.
Bus & Tram anywhere in Greater Manchester: Off peak £6.70 adult (valid until 03.59 next day). ONE
DAY Train & Tram £8 adult; Bus, Train & Tram: £8.70 adult (both not available on Northern Routes, all
operators, 16.01 to 18.29 in both directions SSuX). Of note, a combined rail ticket can be purchased
from 'anywhere in the country' to 'any Metrolink stop' - the advice is to ask when buying the rail ticket.

2201] Southend Pier Railway: (MR p17) (BLN 1267.2014) This 3ft gauge 1¼ mile line on the world's
longest pleasure pier opens 09.15 to 17.00 MTX until March 2017 and all school and public holidays
except Christmas Day. Last entry one hour before closing. Trains leave the shore end on the hour and
half hour (until one hour before closing) and the pier end at quarter to and quarter past the hour until
15 minutes before closing (sic). £4.50 return, £2.50 (senior, disabled & carer/student with ID); £11.50
family (2A&2C) all day: £6.50/£3.30/£16 respectively. Discounts apply for walking one or both ways!

2202] Croydon Tramlink Tour, Sun 26 Feb: (BLN 1266.2003) Details/booking form are in the autumn
Friends News, only open to London Transport Museum Friends includes all the 28km/39-stop network.

2203] Wanted! London Area Mandatory Freight Working Timetable/s for any year from 1982 to
1987 inclusive please. Contact Steve Chandler at [email protected] or 0776778764

2204] GWR up to 60% off for Over 60s: Proof of age required, does not have to be a railcard but
Senior, Disabled or Two Together railcards give a further 20% discount (standard) or 10% (first class).
Book up to 2 Dec, travel up to 16 Dec. On line with free second class postal delivery; £6 for next day
delivery or on the day from any staffed ticket office. Not available to buy or collect from machines. £15
off peak Standard Class per zone, £30 First Class. ZONES: East: Paddington to Banbury/Oxford/Didcot
/Bedwyn /Basingstoke North Downs line; Central: west of Oxford, Didcot, Bedwyn up to and including
Taunton, Carmarthen and Hereford. West: all stations west of Taunton. Travel not permitted arriving
Paddington between 05.30 and 09.38 inclusive or departing between 16.01 and 19.16 inclusive SSuX.
For value can anyone better Brighton to Great Malvern (or vice versa) return for £15 (£12 railcard)
even with a daily through GWR each way SSuX all within the 'Central' zone?
2205] For Sale: Ken Strachan is selling steam-era railway books, by distinguished authors as E S Cox, C
Hamilton Ellis, and H A V Bulleid. [email protected] or SAE to 2 Skye Close, CV10 7LW, for a list.
X.174] Guess the (Specific) Location e-BLN 1268: Below by Ian Mortimer - answer in e-BLN 1269:

X.175: On the Level, an Appeal: The Institute of Railway Signal Engineers, Minor Railway Section is
embarking on a project 'Training Requirements for Powered Level Crossings in the Minor Railway
Sector'.They are constructing a matrix of the types, location and numbers of powered minor railway
crossings. They would welcome contributions from anyone with specific knowledge of the locations of
minor railway powered crossings to pass this information on to [email protected] Major Ian
Hughes the compiler. It would be helpful to know the name of the railway, the location and type of
crossing and the type of circuits involved but any details would be appreciated. Thank you in advance

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