1301

ABOVE: At the exchange sidings, looking east (the BR line is behind the photographer).
BELOW: The east end of the GCG line Oct 1987, the buffer stops are in the distance left of the loco.

ABOVE: The former passenger terminus at Gwaun-cae-Gurwen as it was in Apr 1974,
(passenger services ran from 1 Jan 1908 until closure during the General Strike in June 1926.)

[BLN 1301]
PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: A railtour at Abernant, looking north: the end of the ballast marks the BR
limit (the back of the wooden stop board can be seen left of the line). Right are exchange sidings which
the NCB worked in to and far right is a coal stocking site.

Then the day became a whole lot better; three miles down the road
was Abernant Colliery. This was one of the NCB's new 'super pits'
where mining began in 1956 (but ended in 1988). Here the quite
good quality (for a colliery branch) BR line suddenly became an NCB
line with the hallmark poor track, usually with running water and no
ballast! This was to have been a through line, part of the GWR's
'Swansea District Scheme' - paused well before WWII and never
completed (note for 2018: beware of projects being 'paused').

Our explorers found the NCB loco which wasn't doing much as
there was a wagon off the rails. The friendly driver, with nothing to
do, gave an excellent and efficient comprehensive tour of the whole
system light engine (the best sort of tour) including the low level
empty wagon sidings (those sidings were empty too!) touching the
buffers of the extreme south end headshunt (SN 7000 0859) where
GWR expansion on to Pontardawe stopped dead in its tracks. (LEFT:
at bottom of map - the NCB lines are not shown as they were more
recent than this 1954 survey. The dark spots show the limits of the
internal tour.) A trip north over the minor road level crossing gave
overlap with the traditional mainline railtour reversal point. Then it
was the inward loaded wagons sidings to the NCB north end
headshunt extremity and over the high level (inward) line to the
east. This avoided the screens and, after reversal, our pair ended as
is traditional, inside the shed. With darkness it was time to return
home to Cardiff for much needed sustenance and to plan day two.

652] Cardiff Rugby Conversions: On Mon 12 Mar after the Wales v Italy rugby (Wales won 34-18),
Short Term planning changes 'converted' a member to 'try' to 'score' some unusual track early before
work. The 05.47 Treherbert to Penarth, 6 cars (150+143+143), approaching Cardiff Central went from
the Down to the Up Llandaf to P6, once the 06.46 to Bargoed had cleared. The 06.51 from Coryton and
06.56 from Merthyr Tydfil ran into P7, for the 6 cars to split for Penarth and Treherbert services.

653] Cardiff: From 26 May: ●07.45 SO Rhymney to Cardiff Central terminates Cardiff Central P4. SO
departures from P4: ●06.26 Merthyr; ●06.34 Ebbw Vale; ●09.14 Swansea and ●09.16 Rhymney.

654] Long Rodding for Rhyl? Overnight Sat 17 Mar, as part of the North Wales Re-Signalling Project, all
five sets of points at Rhyl were to be clipped out of use (OOU) for conversion to machine operation
recontrolled from Cardiff (otherwise it would be 170+ mile long point rods!). This left just an Up and
Down route serving the platforms available. The crossover, Down Main and Engineers Sidings are all
temporarily OOU. They will be recommissioned 26 Mar 2018 when Shotton Low Level to Llysfaen is
re-signalled with control transferring to the new Rhyl Workstation at Cardiff Signalling Centre, with
train detection by axle counters. Rockcliffe Hall, Holywell Junction, Talacre, Prestatyn, Rhyl and
Abergele & Pensarn signal boxes close. Flint Jn to Rhyl East with have bidirectional signalling on both
lines. Tyn-y-Morfa User Worked Crossing (202m 65ch) becomes CCTV supervised by Rhyl workstation.

X.41] Guess the location BLN 1301: NEXT PAGE UPPER: The first station in Wales on a rural branch.
(Rowland Pittard).

1301 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected]
. From this BLN forward, the Minor Railways page numbers refer to the NEW 30th (2018) edition .

ABOVE: 1956 map; Midsomer Norton (south) station is, as one would expect, the lower one at the
town on the B3355. The revived S&D main line runs southwest ¾ mile towards Chilcompton (bottom
left), approaching the filled in cutting and 'tunnel' (under the minor road shown). Bottom right the
station is Mells Road on the former GWR Frome - Radstock - Bristol line.

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Somerset & Dorset Railway
Heritage Trust - LMSR 3F 47406 prepares to haul
another brake van ride from the 'rare' Up platform at
Midsomer Norton (south) station. Looking northeast
towards the end of line (and Bath!). (Peter Scott
11 March 2018) LEFT: The very inviting new extension
beckons, note the width for double track. (S&DRHT.)

MR49] Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust,
Midsomer Norton (MR p6): The Trust operates trains
from the fully restored Midsomer Norton South station
over the ex-Somerset & Dorset Railway main line
towards Chilcompton. It held a Spring Gala on the
weekend of 10/11 March. The event saw the opening of
an extension, bringing the line closer to the infilled
approach to Chilcompton Tunnel. This new section,
opened on Saturday 10 March, extends the line from
the previous passenger limit at 12m 42ch to a stop
board at 12m 60ch. The track now ends at 12m 62ch,
but work continues towards Chilcompton Tunnel.

At least five BLS members visited on the Sunday, including an ex-Chairman! The 11.30 departure from
the Down platform was formed of 4wBVT 'Joyce' (S7109/1927) hauling two BR MK1 coaches (SK
M26049 & BSO W9267) to the passenger limit at 12m 60ch and propelling back.

Brake van rides were available from the Up platform, initially hauled by LMSR 0-6-0 3F 47406 visiting
from the Great Central Railway. These were formed of 'Queen Mary' brake van ADS56286 and open
shock wagon DB12569, and ran to 12m 20ch on the Up line. By the 12.30 departure, the locos had
swapped over. Stabled in the yard were Class 08 D4095 and DMU centre car M59664, while 0-6-0DH
D1120 'David J Cook' was stabled at the far end of the line. The whole railway has been nicely laid out
with authentic lineside 'furniture' and full signalling controlled from a new construction authentic
replica signal box. Its 26 lever from came from Branksome (the original box demolished signal only had
16 levers and was inadequate at the time); the station area is also being track circuited. Refreshments,
including hot food, are available from a BR MK3 coach in the yard and there is an excellent museum.
Bus rides were also on offer on a single decker half-cab bus. An adult all-day ticket was £6 - excellent
value for what was available: a new extension and rare track on a brake van! A site with a great
atmosphere and well-worth a visit for the discerning enthusiast with time for a good look round.

MR50] Severn Valley Railway, Shropshire (MR p7): The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the
Railway a grant for the restoration of Falling Sands viaduct at Kidderminster. The grant of £72,000 will
help develop plans to restore the viaduct, built in 1877 over the River Stour and the Staffordshire and
Worcestershire Canal. It needs urgent attention as the bricks have started to erode from water
damage. The repairs of the structure are estimated to cost at least £1million - there is already a 20mph
speed restriction on trains crossing it. Staff at the railway fear that the damage will worsen if nothing is
done and sever the Railway. They hope to apply for a full grant of £1million in September this year.

MR51] Lynton & Barnstaple Railway,
Devon (MR p15) (BLN 1297.MR14): Exmoor
National Park Authority met at Lynton
Town Hall at 10.00 on 6 March to discuss
the extension of the railway, which will run
from Killington Lane to the north of
Parracombe to Blackmoor Gate and under
the A399 and then outside the Exmoor
National Park towards Wistlandpound
Reservoir (the section outside the National
Park has already been approved by North
Devon District Council). Four out of the five
applications were approved - but the final
application to replace a bungalow 'The
Halt' (which would be demolished) in
Parracombe was refused. It was for two
semi-detached houses, one for railway
staff and another 'affordable'. The railway
can still demolish the bungalow to rebuild
the railway though.

ABOVE: Phase 1 of the south extension (railway shown in red) from public planning documents -
the present temporary Killington Lane terminus is top right.

The house where 'Lorna Doone' was written is now lived in by Louise Grob, and her dad Douglas May.
Louise was among 20 members of the public who had asked to speak at the meeting, she said: I would
urge members to take a step back and ask does the Exmoor National Park need this scheme? If the
answer is no this application should be refused. Do we need extra visitors?

[BLN 1301]
The park already brings in two million visitors a year. Does it need an extended railway with no
transport benefit? The railway is not relevant to the park, it is alien to it. It will be a dead attraction
taking people from one car park to another car park, what is this doing for Exmoor? Supporting this is
not of benefit to anyone apart from rail enthusiasts and I say to them, 'the national park is not a train
set'. It's environmental vandalism and we will fight this at every stage and we will win, meanwhile we
will drag the Exmoor National Park, and its members, through the mud.

An economic impact statement submitted with the application says that the proposals are expected to
increase passenger numbers to 70,000 a year and will have a direct economic benefit of £10 million
per year over the next 10 years. The report adds that the net economic benefits, when the account of
construction cost is added, is approximately £62 million and that it will create at least 24 full time jobs.
Bernard Lane, an expert on tourism who writes for the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, spoke in favour
of the application: The application will help conserve the late Victorian heritage of Exmoor, a crucial
period for the moor. This is Devon's Eden Project on a smaller scale. The extension plans state that the
Railway would continue to operate for 12 months of the year and would provide rolling stock that
would comprise twelve carriages to provide capacity for 70,000 passengers a year.

Dr John Prideaux from Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways told planners that, despite initial
opposition, the F&WHR now has a turnover of £5.4 million a year, has created 132 jobs and indirectly a
further 300 jobs in the community. Lynton B&B owner John Tuck spoke about the benefit the rail link
could have on the local economy: I support the application, it will be a much needed boost to tourism
in this area. We look forward to the railway restoring the visitor numbers of previous years. Many B&Bs
have closed in recent years and the guests we do have do not stay as long as they once did.

PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: Lynton & Barnstaple Railway - 'Axe' runs round a train at Woody Bay
sporting an iconic wreath of bronze Chrysanthemums. Planning permission has now been obtained to
extend the railway; note that this will result in significant realignment at the 'temporary' Killington
Lane station if anyone has not been to that station. (Peter Scott 26 September 2009).

After a break for lunch the National Park Authority members recommended approval of four out of the
five applications. Members were also reminded the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that
major developments on National Park land should not be granted unless there are exceptional
circumstances and are in the public interest.

County Councillor and Park authority member Richard Edgell brought up the issue of pollution: This is
a coal fired system, you can say we're out in the countryside in area with high winds, but it is still a coal
system which is dirty and out of date. There will be a degree of pollution. Authority member Vivian
White said: This is not a simple or easy decision to make. We must come down one way or another.
Based on the officers' report and the speakers I was struck by two things; one person said the link
would be 'environmental vandalism' and another said, and I have to agree, 'it would be a useful future
for the past'. The first four applications were approved 15 to 0 in favour and Richard Edgell abstained.

MR52] Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Lincolnshire (MR p20) (BLN 1300.MR40): The railway closed
over the 2/3 March weekend due to concerns over predicted snow fall, which didn't actually happen.
The staff were worried that it would endanger the public. Normal operations resumed on the weekend
of 10/11 March. The level crossing adjacent to Discovery Halt station (out of use since 2016 and now
considered officially closed) has been temporarily closed for repairs and modification. Despite it being
well signed and barriered, some trespass onto the running line was noted and reported to the railway
staff with cautionary speed observed through it on 24 February and on all future runs.

MR53] Evergreens Miniature Railway, Lincolnshire (BLN 1287.MR149): Having had to leave their
previous Stickney site near Boston, this 7¼" gauge railway is moving to a new site at East Keal (about
3 miles north of the old site). It is hoped to have a simple circuit running before the end of 2018.

MR54] Springfields Miniature Railway, Lincolnshire (MR p20) (BLN 1232.MR56): Currently this 7¼"
gauge railway is not open, due to major works in the adjoining area of the Springfields Shopping Outlet
village. Management will not offer a reopening date, or even if there is a future for the line.

MR55] Bog Train, County Mayo (MR p27) (BLN 1145.MR164): This 3ft gauge railway runs on special
occasions (Annual 'Field Day', Easter, Halloween and Christmas) at the Mayo North Heritage Centre at
Enniscoe near Crossmolina. It is operated by the Mayo North Old Engine & Tractor Club. A recent
request for this year's operating dates brought the reply that the locomotive is currently out of action
with faulty injectors. Spare parts were said to be 'always an issue'.

MR56] Churnet Valley Railway, Staffordshire (MR p8): On 24 February, 'The Sentinel' website reported
that a planning application had been submitted to reinstate the railway into Leek. The plan involves a
single track line and replacement footpath between Cornhill, Leek and Leekbrook Junction. Leader of
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Sybil Ralphs, with responsibility for regeneration on the
authority, said: One of my administration's top priorities is to bring the railway back to Leek. Working
with Churnet Valley Railway that is now fast becoming a reality. Had it not been for the recession, and
the resultant lack of funding opportunities, we would have been further down the line on this project.
Following discussions between the Railway and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) in
February 2017, the Railway has agreed to lease land in Council ownership, which is the disused
trackbed and reinstate the track to connect it to the existing railway at Leekbrook Junction.

This offer is subject to SMDC securing planning permission to extend. It is proposed to reinstate a
single track railway on the west side of the original, double-track formation, with room for a walkway/
cycle route. It will not run north of Cornhill/Barnfields Road, Leek. (The extension will not reach the
original Leek station site which is now a Morrisons store). A decision is expected within eight weeks.

ABOVE: The appropriately named Springfields Miniature Railway (Item MR54) - 'Fly' hauls a train
through attractive flower beds. The railway is reportedly currently out of use. (Peter Scott 6 April 2015)

MR57] West Clare Railway, County Clare (BLN 1298.MR24): The Irish Railway Record Society (IRRS) has
arranged a visit to this railway on Saturday 19 May. IRRS members are to travel by train to Limerick
and then by coach on to Moyasta. Of significance is the fact non-IRRS members are required to pay a
temporary membership fee of €3.00/£2.50 - supporting the assertion that only pre-booked group visits
are permitted on the railway now, and not ordinary passengers.

X.42] ABOVE: (BLN 1300.526) As previously mentioned, the landscaped Dunston Staiths area was the
location of Gateshead Garden Festival (18 May - 21 Oct 1990). Here is the 15" gauge steam line with
the distinctive wooden staiths behind. LOWER: The standard gauge line. (Both Ian Mortimer Jul 1990.)

Details must be checked 1301 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN
655] 20% Off Family & Friends Railcard: Until 30 Mar enter code 'ESTR20AR' at https://goo.gl/VNkLWn

656] Mountsorrel Branch Steam Trains, 24 & 25 Mar: For the first time since 24/25 Oct 2015, Adult
return £6 return, day rover £8; Child £4/£6; in advance online (advised) or cash on the day. Nunckley
Hill station (Heritage Centre, Swithland Lane): 10.30, 11.10, 11.50, 13.00, 13.40, 14.20. 15.00 & 15.55
(last round trip) or Mountsorrel (Bond Lane) 10 minutes later, last round trip 15.10. All trips are on the
branch only. Standard gauge shunting demonstrations. The 45mm gauge garden railway is running.

657] Translink 50th Anniversary Steam Special, Sun 1 Apr - no fooling: https://goo.gl/nAtsTa is about
Northern Ireland Railway's 50th anniversary; past present and future with pictures. A steam special is
running with the RPSI: Great Victoria Street 10.55, Belfast Central 11.07 to Whitehead 11.40. Adult
£6.40; Child £3.20 return (by any service train) book https://goo.gl/KGDE85 (until 14.00 Tue 27 Mar).

658] Gartell Light Railway: (MR p23) Common Lane, Yenston, BA8 0NB, (ST 718 218) free parking or
1¼ mile walk from Templecombe station. A 1,359yd - extended by 550yd in May 2012 - intensively
worked (20 minute frequency) 2ft gauge steam and diesel railway with full sized working main line
signalling, partly on the trackbed of the ex-Somerset & Dorset Railway main line. Public running: 2*
Apr, 7* & 28 May, 24 Jun, 29 Jul, 27 Aug, 30 Sep & 28 Oct 10.30 to 16.30. Day rover: Adult £8; Senior
£7; Child £5; Family (2A & 2C) £22 Café and railway shop. [*Midsomer Norton also runs these days.]

659] DRS Gresty Bridge Depot Charity Family Open Day, Sat 21 Jul 10.00-16.00: Gresty Rd, Crewe,
CW2 AA. £5 on the gate or via website. One mile walk from the station, no parking: use Crewe Station
Car Park, Pedley St, CW2 7AA or Crewe Alexandra Football Club Car Park, Gresty Rd, CW2 6EB.

660] The Sally Forth, Sat 18 Aug: Edinburgh 11.00/16.00 - Stirling - Alloa - Longannet (rarer direction) -
Townhill Loop (rev) - Inverkeithing North Jn - Inverkeithing East Jn - Kirkcaldy - Dunfermline - Forth
Bridge. All First Class with a four course lunch, £140 (not £160) on UKRT website or 01438 715050.

661] SRPS, Overnight Routes & Branches, Fri 1 Jun: Class 86/87 + 7x Mark 1 + 37025; the 86/87 leading
from Bo'ness, piloted by 37703 to Manuel. Bo'ness (18.30) - Manuel - Linlithgow (20.10 PU) - Edinburgh
Waverley (20.45 PU) - Falkirk High - Lenzie - Glasgow Queen St (22.05 PU) - Eastfield - Cadder Down Loop
(rev) - Springburn (rev) - Glasgow Queen St (rev) - Springburn - Stepps - Coatbridge Central - Carmyle -
Larkfield Jn - Shields Jn - Kilwinning - Ayr (23.30 rev) - Byrehill Jn - Dubbs Jn - Ardrossan Harbour -
Ardrossan South Beach (rev) - Largs - Paisley GS - Shields Jn - Up Through Terminus Line ('Burma Road') -
Terminus Jn - Muirhouse Central Jn - Maxwell Park - Newton - Blantyre - Larkhall - Blantyre - Newton -
Rutherglen - Glasgow Central LL - Anniesland - Singer - Dumbarton Central (Cen) - Balloch - Dumbarton Cen
(rev) - Helensburgh Cen - Dumbarton Cen - Yoker - Glasgow Queen St LL - Bathgate - Edinburgh (by 08.00).

Routes & Branches, Sat 2 Jun: Formation as above to Millerhill, where a class 73/9 replaces the 86/87.
Edinburgh (08.00 PU) - North Berwick - Millerhill - Portobello Jn - Edinburgh - Gorgie Jn - Craiglockhart Jn -
Niddrie West Jn - Portobello South Jn - Leith Docks (rev) - Portobello Jn - Niddrie West Jn - Craiglockhart Jn
- Dalmeny - Townhill Down Loop (rev) - Inverkeithing North Curve - Kirkcaldy - Cowdenbeath - Longannet -
Stirling - Cumbernauld - Springburn - Kelvindale - Anniesland connection - Yoker (rev) - Glasgow Queen St
LL - Sunnyside Jn - Whifflet South Jn - Mossend Up Reception (detach 3 x Mk 1s & 73/9; rev) - Whifflet -
Carmyle - Glasgow Central (rev, attach loco TBC to rear) - Queens Park - Neilston Reversing Siding - Kings
Park - Newton - Hamilton Central - Motherwell (20.45 SD) - Mossend Up Reception (Detach loco TBC; Class
73/9 & 3 x Mk 1s re-attach to rear) - Cumbernauld - Polmont (22.15 SD) - Manuel GF (rev) - Manuel -
Bo'ness (23.15 SD). There is a 4-coach limit to Neilston; timings/route to be confirmed. Write with SAE to
SRPS Railtours, 82 Busby Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow, G76 9BJ, 0131 2021033 or https://goo.gl/7isWkX

662] Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, FREE OPEN DAY, Sat 2 Jun 10.00-15.00: Just turn up at
Chinnor station (OX39 4ER) for 'behind the scenes' visits to the yard and signal box etc. FREE DMU
trips on the line. Like the BLS, the railway is 100% volunteer run with no paid staff, meet some and
see the many different ways you can be involved in the friendly branch line. Tea Room & Gift Shop.

663] Ride Cornwall: See item 542 also. Excellent value at £13 adult, £10.75 (railcard; two-together only
available after 09.30 SSuX); Child £9.75; Family £26 (2A & 3C). One day ranger, unlimited travel after
09.00 SSuX, (also 08.14 Plymouth - Penzance, 08.40 Plymouth - Gunnislake and 08.33 Liskeard - Looe)
anytime weekends & Bank Holidays. Validity: Plymouth to Penzance, Gunnislake, Looe, Newquay,
Falmouth and St Ives also: Bus routes operated by First and CityBus Go Cornwall. Bus destinations
within the area of validity include: Lands End, The Eden Project, Lizard Point, Perranporth, Boscastle
and Bude. Available to/from Plymouth for direct bus services to/from Cornwall only and for journeys
originating/terminating in Cornwall (not available for local bus journeys within the Plymouth area).

X.43 Guess the Location (BLN 1300.X35): ABOVE: The green food hygiene rating sign suggests the UK.
The sign 'We accept both Euro notes and coins' with the Golden Arrow might point to Dover. In fact
our member Greg Beecroft took this picture at the Golden Arrow Café in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland!

●MAPS: By permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/index.html
●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT. [email protected]
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Iain Scotchman (Finland railtour) 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD, CM15 9AJ. [email protected]
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime). [email protected]
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor
●Editor/Head Lines: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351 [email protected]

Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, STOKE GIFFORD, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-47.