2878] Sizewell: ❶(BLN 1351.1301) A 'Community Newsletter, East Suffolk Special Edition', seemingly
issued by French state owned EDF (Électricité de France), was distributed in mid September to a wide
area of Suffolk to provide an update on our plans for Sizewell C. Planning consent for the new nuclear
power station has been applied for and, if granted, it will take 9 to 12 years to build. Of the eleven
pledges to the local community listed, two may be of interest to members. Pledge 4 is to transport at
least 40% of construction materials by rail and sea. Pledge 7 is to remove ... the rail extension of the …
Leiston branch line and the freight management facility following construction and restore the land.
So, rail traffic is indeed in prospect, but it is not clear whether the extension implies revival of the
existing alignment; a significant new railtour target is also in prospect but only for so long!
❷Also on the Sizewell branch on Mon 5 and Tue 6 Aug TPE liveried 68026 worked top & tail on the
branch with 66422 and a train of empty wagons. Noise and vibration measurements were made to
reassure the locals ahead of increased traffic on the line for Sizewell 'C' Power Station construction.
Strangely the road haulage industry doesn't seem to do this for road traffic - the unlevel playing field.
2879] Brampton (Suffolk): Track relaying over 3km will require a half term line closure from 24 Oct to
1 Nov. Resurfacing of the single platform at Brampton station is planned at the same time. Station Rd
Level Crossing in Brampton will also receive an improved deck for road vehicles as well as additional
works to install tactile paving, handrails, fencing and signage for pedestrians. Three local pedestrian
foot crossings will also receive new decks and upgrade works to improve the surface for those crossing
the railway. Services on the East Suffolk line will be suspended between Saxmundham and Lowestoft.
2880] Clacton-on-Sea: (BLN 1351.2732) (TRACKmaps 2 p6A) As a prelude to resignalling, the trailing
engine release crossover, part way along P4 track to the run round line and its ground frame were to
be taken OOU on 27 Sep, the points being secured with padlock keys being kept in Clacton signal box.
2881] Essex branches: Essex County Council, with Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership,
have devised walking routes around the local coastline easily accessible by train. The routes, available
in four mini-guides each point visitors to a different part of the coast via one of Greater Anglia's branch
lines, and are linked to a wider Essex coast strategy. Funded by the government's Coastal Communities
Fund, the aim is to map the way to the coast, encourage people to travel there sustainably, boost
economic regeneration and change people's perceptions. Each guide includes a map of the best line to
take to access four different parts of the coast; Shenfield - Southend, Wickford - Southminster,
Manningtree - Harwich and (in one guide) Colchester - Clacton-on-Sea & Walton-on-the-Naze.
2882] Felixstowe: Congestion at the port of Felixstowe has led to neither Maersk nor CMA CGM
accepting returned containers, requesting that they be taken to Tilbury/London Gateway instead.
The cause is a sharp spike [sounds painful] in import volumes (popular term these days - Regional Ed)!
2884] Wickford: (BLN 1354.1741) NR is to extend the Down side bay P1 by 18.3m (new track to do) to
accommodate 5 car trains. The work will be at the buffer stop end with a new hydraulic buffer.
2885] Ipswich - Stowmarket: NR wishes to reduce the permissible speed through the electrified
Claydon Down Goods Loop from 40mph to 15mph, an unattainable speed as the entry and exit points
are restricted to 15mph! It is 294yd long and booked use is described as two moves a week. Unlike the
nearby, also electrified, Stowmarket Up & Down Goods Loop, as the names confirm, Claydon is only
signalled for use in the Down direction. Both have crossovers, trailing and facing, and Stowmarket
loop sees considerable use; it is 588yd long and authorised for permissive working by freight trains.
2886] Haddenham & Thame Parkway: (BLN 1361.2733) Another member present at the opening of
this resited station can add a few details. The official opening of the £430k station (=£1.22M now, an
absolute bargain, but it was British Rail of course) and its 220 vehicle car park was, as stated, at 11.30
on the morning of Sat 3 Oct 1987. The ribbon was cut outside the ground level booking office at 11.55
by 91 year old Haddenham resident Elsie Rose, who had travelled on the first train from the village's
original station on 2 Apr 1906, and had watched the last train leave it in Jan 1963. Scheduled trains ran
non-stop through the new station on 3 Oct until mid-afternoon except for the 10.38 Marylebone to
Banbury which was formed, unusually, of 2x3-car class 117 DMUs (L421 + L424 in the new Network
South East livery). Borrowed from the Western Region for the day, they slowed on approach to the
station, as Miss Rose was escorted down to the platform, to see them 'burst' through a station
opening banner which had been stretched across the single track. Half an hour later the second train
to call was the 'Haddenham & Thame Pioneer' special train with A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley hauling
13 coaches with 300 pre-booked passengers to an afternoon in London (£5.50 return, the normal fare).
After a formal buffet lunch in a marquee on the station car park, the celebrations carried on later in
the day with a disco and a memorable 30 minutes firework display. Service trains continued to call at
the new station on Saturday afternoon and Sunday but, somewhat disconcertingly, some drivers
claimed that they had been told not to stop there until the timetable change on Monday 5 Oct! It thus
became necessary for the remainder of Saturday and on Sunday to treat Haddenham & Thame
Parkway as a request stop and to confer with drivers on their stopping intentions before boarding
trains. Thus de facto the BLN 576 date of OP Sat 3 Oct 1987 is correct rather than Michael Quick's Mon
5 Oct. After 20 years of growth, the wisdom of opening this station is evident by it having two tracks,
two platforms, over 800 parking spaces, and over half a million passengers per year (pre-lockdown).
2887] Didcot Parkway: Island P2 & 3 waiting room has been reopened, but with a restricted capacity.
1362 SOUTH EAST - SOUTH (Julian James) [email protected]
2888] Southampton: (BLN 1323.444) The Freight Train Lengthening Project includes track renewal,
signal changes with enhancement and line speed increases for operation of 775m freight trains. NR is
consulting on works between Southampton Central and Redbridge originally put forward in Aug 2018
but deferred in Feb 2019. There will still be a new scissors crossover at the west end of the Maritime
Freightliner Terminal in a location now dubbed Maritime junction (note lower case 'j' - possibly an
error) and other new points, hand worked. Redbridge Ground Frame will be replaced by a ground
switch panel 76yd west. The various speed increases are from 15 and 20mph to 25 and 30mph over
diverging routes and non-passenger lines. Enabling works began in Aug; handover is due 19 Feb 2021.
2889] South Eastern: Radio Frequency Identification tags are to be provided at 264 locations in the SE
suburban area for correct door release of Class 707 trains. The tags are passive equipment so need no
power supply; they are energised by the on train reader passing. They produce no electromagnetic or
mechanical interference. The 10cm wide yellow tags go on top of sleepers along their length across
the four foot way, secured under the rail clips, or shorter versions are attached to the concrete.
Planned installation by Jun 2021: Charing Cross and Cannon Street - Strood (all routes); Hither
Green - Sevenoaks; Lewisham - Hayes and St Mary Cray - Swanley. Later but to an unconfirmed
timescale: Victoria - Orpington Blackfriars - Sevenoaks (via Catford Loop) Swanley - Gillingham.
2890] Ryde - Shanklin: (BLN 1360.2603) As for many, a member's holiday plans collapsed this year, so
instead he recently spent a few pleasant days in Shanklin. Wightlink suspended their passenger ferries
when the lockdown started; however, Portsmouth - Ryde is now running hourly, without Portsmouth
departures at 12.15 & 14.15 or from Ryde at 12.47 & 14.47. Throughout his stay there was only one
serviceable Island Line set, as is becoming increasingly common, so an hourly service. He understands
that 2tph have run subsequently. The guards travel at the inner end of the Ryde end car and the seats
between there and the first set of double doors are taped off, reducing the capacity even more.
On this stock, guards and drivers enter and vacate the cab only via the saloon door and this obviates
the need to ask passengers to leave for social distancing.
On his outward journey on Sat 5 Sep, our member caught the 13.15 ferry from Portsmouth Harbour.
With a two hour gap, it was well loaded with holidaymakers and day trippers; a good number caught
the connecting 13.49 train. At Ryde Esplanade far more joined than alighted, with even more at Ryde
St John's Road. It left with the odd seat empty, but passengers jammed into all the door areas.
All in all it was quite reminiscent of the Northern Line in the rush hour and the most crowded train he
has been on since the pandemic started! After leaving St John's Road late due to heavy loadings, there
was no custom at Smallbrook Junction, then speed increased and the ride was decidedly lively! It's no
wonder it is difficult to keep these trains in service, they must be shaken to bits by the poor track.
ABOVE: A busy scene with ex-London Underground 1923 stock at Ryde Esplanade on Sun 3 Aug 1980,
during a Southern Region Rover. Both trains have 7 coaches! Currently one or, on a good day,
two trains of 2-car Class 483, 1938 ex-LUL stock is the best that can be managed. (Ian Mortimer.)
2891] Christ's Hospital: West Sussex County Council and Christ's Hospital School representatives
gathered on 11 Sep for a photo shoot to mark the opening of a previously disused section of the
Downs Link on the former Guildford line behind Christ's Hospital station. An official opening ceremony
was not possible, but it is hoped that a celebration will take place at some point. The upgrade is a long
term collaborative project between the School and the County Council providing a safe off-road link
between Mill Lane and the station, replacing one on the road. The works to the 1.4km 'missing link' of
the Downs Link included repairing two bridges, devegetation, surfacing, drainage and platform repairs.
Funding was by the School and Council, supported by the local community and organisations. In 2011,
Christ's Hospital School purchased 1.6km of the former Guildford line from Christ's Hospital station to
the A264 Five Oaks Rd near Slinfold. This was the start of securing the new route.
2892] Westgate-on-Sea: NR has completed an £800k footbridge replacement with stepped access
between the two platforms. Works were staged, with minimal disruption to the station users.
2893] Reading - Redhill: GWR has started to introduce a third hourly train service on the North Downs
line, realising ambitions held for more than a decade. From 14 Sep new services run from Reading to
Redhill at 09.36, 11.26, 12.36 & 13.36 returning at 11.14, 13.15, 14.15 & 15.14. As well as the extra
weekday trains, which increase seat capacity by 11%, from 19 Sep the Saturday service became hourly
all day, except at the start and end of service. This increases seat capacity by over 33% on Saturdays.
2894] Newhaven Marine: (BLN 1356.2048) In a notice dated 24 Sep the Office of Rail and Road has
ratified a request of 22 Jul by DfT in relation to a proposal to close the station. The ORR considers that
there has been no failure or defect in the consultation and does not consider it appropriate to impose
any requirements under s33(2) of the Railways Act 2005. Under s32(9)(b) of the act, the ORR notice
has to be displayed by the station operators for four weeks as well at stations in the area affected by
the closure. These are Brighton, Lewes, London Victoria, Newhaven Harbour & Newhaven Town; the
latter two presumably for our members' benefit, as the only people likely to make such a journey.
2895] Barnham - Chichester: (BLN 1356.2044) (TRACKmaps 5 p23C Aug 2019) On the 26 & 27 Sep the
trailing access in the Up Main to the former Drayton sand pits, and the crossover between the Mains,
was to be removed along with Portfield Down Ground Frame ¾ mile further west. This controlled
access to the former oil terminal siding. It did not have a crossover and the siding points have been
partially dismantled for a long time. Plain line was substituted. Unlike the Bartholomew Agri-foods
siding, recently removed completely (BLN 1347.715), partial remains of the other two sidings almost
certainly exist under the vegetation. They may interest archeologists in a few thousand year's time.
2896] Epsom - Leatherhead: Relaying of the Up track through Ashtead station over 5 & 6 Sep included
track lowering through the platform area to reduce the step distance. The immediately adjacent
Ashtead Level Crossing is the only road access to extensive housing and was kept available for use
during the work by a removable deck. The Down track had been renewed previously.
2897] Hoo Jn - Grain: After a track recording train traversed the Grain branch on 16 Sep, a 30 mph
emergency speed restriction was imposed on the 12 mile branch due to seven individual cyclic top
faults*. A rectification plan is pending. (*This means vertical alignment variation along the line of the
track exceeding permitted limits and is probably only an indicator of more extensive deterioration.)
2898] Micheldever: 2020 marks 180 years since the opening of the London & Southampton Railway.
A celebration was to have been held at the station in May. However, this was postponed, hopefully
only until next year. A 40 page illustrated booklet has been produced by Peter L Clarke about the first
180 years of the railway at Micheldever. This has the intriguing title 'Parson & Prawns' (referring to a
disparaging remark about the potential traffic on the line by an early opponent). It is available at
various local businesses, pubs, stores, the post office and (06.20-09.05 SSuX) the station. Alternatively
email [email protected] (£10 including UK P&P). https://bit.ly/342ylW2 is a related article.
1362 SOUTH WEST (Darren Garnon) [email protected]
2899] Bridport: 90 years ago, from Mon 22 Sep 1930, the passenger train service was quietly and
permanently withdrawn on the two mile branch from Bridport to Bridport West Bay (including at the
intermediate station of Bridport East Street half a mile south of Bridport). Our esteemed Founder,
John Ling, must be one of few people now who did it in passenger days (see BLN 1332.1714) - on a
summer holiday in 1929. Goods trains continued, but eventually declined to one train a week and
south of Bridport to West Bay closed to freight traffic from 3 Dec 1962 - the rails were lifted in 1965.
2900] Heywood Road Jn: On 3 & 4 Oct all trains between Trowbridge and Castle Cary (both directions)
are booked to reverse here via the trailing crossover at 94m 41ch as did our 3 Feb 2019 'Looe Brush'.
2901] Tidenham: (BLN 1359.2357) https://bit.ly/3iKIo8l is a video of work in progress to convert this
tunnel in Gloucestershire into a section of the Wye Valley Greenway. It also explains how the tunnel
was extended from its original length, which could account for the uncertainty as to its actual length!
2902] Severn Beach hits a six! 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Friends of Severn
Beach Railway (now Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways - FOSBR). In 1995 the branch faced possible
closure; campaigning by Friends' members and others helped prevent this. Since then, the line has
gone from strength to strength with over 1M passengers a year, helped by persistent pressure from
friends of the line. Stations have been transformed with the help of volunteers and the Severnside
Community Rail Partnership. The service is now more reliable and frequent despite the single track.
Its success has facilitated plans to significantly improve the Bristol suburban lines (MetroWest).
The pandemic precludes get-togethers of more than six to celebrate this but to reinforce that trains
(and buses) continue to play a vital role in the economy, the group has decided to hold some small
celebrations, no more than six, near stations along the line - the 'FOSBR Sixes' (their version of the
'Famous Five')! These groups will meet at a café or pub, maybe have a meal or snack and celebrate the
25 years, reminisce about the achievements and discuss the future of Bristol's railways. Events on
Fri 25 & Sat 26 Sept were at Shirley's café, Severn Beach and The Lamplighters pub Shirehampton on
the 26th. A commemorative FoSBR T-shirt was on sale (£10); other exciting activities are being planned.
[BLN 1362]
ABOVE: Severn Beach on 15 Feb 1982, an experimental railbus was on trial in service. (Ian Mortimer.)
2903] Bristol Old Station: NR has bought the Grade I listed station designed by IK Brunel in the
19th Century. The acquisition of 'Bristol's Old Station' from the City Council brings it back into railway
ownership for the first time since privatisation in the mid-1990s. The announcement came on the
161st anniversary of Brunel's death (15 Sep 1859). The building, now home to business incubator
'Engine Shed' and events space 'Passenger Shed', was Bristol's first railway station on opening in 1840,
the western terminus of the GWR from Paddington. NR plans to maintain current commercial uses in
the building, while implementing a programme to restore the Grade I listed facilities.
2904] Falmouth: A Highway sign was recently noticed by a member pointing to Penryn station. It has
the iconic BR white on red double arrow motif that first appeared in 1964 and a brown tourist sign
with 'Falmouth Branch Line' in white lettering and the usual steam engine silhouette. This generic sign
indicates a railway tourist attraction not necessarily a preserved or heritage line. Similarly the steam
engine doesn't mean steam traction in the same way as the zoo or safari park symbol is an elephant
even if they don't have any! Years ago someone had the bright idea of putting just 'Tourist Railway'
(or some vague wording) and the steam engine symbol on them without specifying the name.
Advertising by public funded sign was banned. The same applied to pubs and hotels, so if there were
two to be pointed out, the traveller couldn't tell which one he would arrive at - wonderful! The Severn
Valley Railway was thus afflicted for a while. Fortunately common sense prevailed and the names were
restored (but the attraction has to pay for them) so that people didn't turn up at the wrong railway!
2905] Weymouth Quay: https://bit.ly/3kRJTCC is an interesting illustrated article about the line.
Track removal on Commercial Rd and Kings St is due to start on 5 Oct requiring a series of road
closures and diversions as it is laid pretty much down the middle. The work includes drainage repairs
and resurfacing. Phase 2 in early 2021 involves removing rails along Custom House Quay.
BELOW: (Item 2899) West Bay terminus 86 years after passenger closure,
now with an award winning restaurant car… (Ian Mortimer, 17 Oct 2016.)
X.188] BELOW: Tue 29 Sep 2020; 1Q38, 07.46 Derby RTC to Swansea (20.14
IET, looking towards Hereford. It has deliberately run to the end of line (p
SECOND: Departing east; Henwick (CP 3 Apr 1965) was ahead this side of t
THIRD PICTURE: (Item 2913) The media has widely reported the 'maiden' t
This was inaccurate - it ran on the mainline for the first time on Mon 21
Evesham; Fri 25 Sep on 12.14 Evesham West Jn to Long Marston. The North
4) with 37025 & 37116, in Henwick Turnback Siding which can take a 10-car
perhaps the driver needed it or they wanted to examine the whole line?).
the box with a goods yard right. (Both Dave Gommersall, Tue 29 Sep 2020.)
trip of Hydrogen powered Class 799, 799001 Trimode unit as Wed 30 Sep.
Sep between Long Marston and Evesham and subsequently. Here it is at
h Cotswold line is not yet OHLE or third rail electrified! (Dave Gommersall.)
X.189] BELOW: 37418 on 6Z37 10.52 Coleham to Gloucester Horton R
It is passing Churcham Farm bridge not far before Gloucester on the line
Road with (empty) Rail Head Treatment Train tanks for local workings.
from Newport, Maindee North Jn. (Dave Gommersall, Tue 22 Sep 2020.)
2906] Dawlish: (BLN 1359.2333) Teignbridge District Council has granted NR planning permission for
the 415m second section of new seawall between Coastguards and Colonnade breakwaters to
conclude the £80M government-funded project. The first section at Marine Parade was finished in Jul.
NR hopes to begin work, lasting two years, later this year. There will be a higher, wider, promenade,
ramped pedestrian beach access, a footbridge linking the two parts of the seawall and an accessible
footbridge with lifts for Dawlish station. Rebuilding the timber seaward Down P1 will make it easier to
join and alight from trains at the Grade II listed station, used by over half a million people each year.
1362 WEST MIDLANDS (Brian Schindler) [email protected]
2907] Kidderminster: On Sat 26 Sep, due to a major signalling failure between Lye and Smethwick
Galton Bridge (HL), a passenger shuttle ran between Worcester and Kidderminster from 08.00-16.30.
It turned back in Kidderminster P1, doing the trailing crossover in service on departure for Worcester.
This has been a signalled passenger move since the 28 Aug 2012 resignalling, but this is thought to be
the first time it has been used as such. The crossover has been done by tours and is used by ECS.
The facing crossover is done by trains from the Stourbridge direction onto the Severn Valley Railway.
2908] Caverswall: (TRACKmaps 4 p26B Dec 2018) On the Derby to Stoke-on-Trent line, a mile west of
Blythe Bridge, the Up Goods Loop here is blocked by old concrete sleepers dumped on it (presumably
from relaying work). It was covered by our Sat 27 Feb 2016 North Midlands Tracker railtour. The Down
Goods Loop has significant bushes growing out of it and has also clearly not been used for a long time.
2909] HS2: (BLN 1361.2746) A 5.7km tunnel will be built from the east end of the new HS2 depot site.
The west portal will be just before Bromford Lane and the east beyond Chester Rd, Castle Bromwich.
2910] Washwood Heath: (BLN 1361.2746) Online train trackers agree with Realtime Trains that the
new GBRf Dowlow Hindlow stone trains are using the Down sidings. This makes sense as the new Up
side terminal is a DB Cargo facility and HS2 construction is on the Down side here rather than the Up.
2911] West Midlands Metro: On 19 Sep the new tram track in Broad St was connected to the existing
terminus at Library. Concrete laying began on 24th. Over 950m of double track is now in place between
Broad St and Five Ways at various locations with 120m remaining. The extension from Library to
Edgbaston Hagley Road is due to open next year (Library scissors crossover may be cut out then).
2912] Wolverhampton: Demolition of the previous station building was completed by 15 Sep in just
over a month. Ground works are in progress for Phase 2 of the new station for piling to start this
month. Completion is expected in early 2021 allowing the Metro extension to be finished.
2913] Hydrogen train flexes its muscles: On Mon 21 Sep trimode Flex Train, 799001, made a return
run on Hydrogen power between Long Marston and Evesham; standby loco 37884 was not needed.
1362 IRELAND (Martin Baumann) [email protected]
2914] A one-track mind: Single Line Working operated over the Up Line between Ballybrophy facing
crossover, south of the station, and Lisduff trailing crossover (72m 35ch) on Sat 26 Sep 2020.
2915] Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway: https://imdb.to/2S0VClL (15 mins) is a fascinating blend
of grainy movie and stills. Brian Baker's trip down memory lane with people and places he knew since
childhood. The footage, shot during 1958, 1959 & 1961, includes horse power. (Thanks to the RPSI.)
2916] Kingscourt: (Quail 6 p20C Feb 2004) With the cooperation of Córas Iompair Éireann Property,
the 19m 54ch Tara Jn to Kingscourt branch is to be converted to a cycle and walkway. Kingscourt
CP 27 Jan 1947. The 28 Jul 1990 'Cavan Coup' was the final railtour from Belfast Central, with Northern
Ireland Railway's RB3 railbus. http://bit.ly/2PWEUEd is a fascinating 53min video featuring the last
revenue earning Gypsum train (30 Oct 2001 but a different world) from Kingscourt, detonators and full
power! Tara Mines (Lead-Zinc Ore), cement, beet and passenger trains are included. The final train of
all to Kingscourt was a 'proper' http://bit.ly/33sDDsH (5 min) loco hauled weed-spraying train, on
7 Jun 2002. Tara Jn (30m 71ch) was then disconnected - the track still mostly remains in situ. Some
high quality pictures: http://bit.ly/36GmjSU (best in full screen as a slide show; dates are unreliable).
1362 ISLE OF MAN (Graeme Jolley) [email protected]
2917] Groudle Glen Railway: (MR p12) On Sun 20 Sep this delightful 2ft gauge 1,000yd railway held a
steam gala and, of course, the Society was represented. All three of the currently serviceable steam
engines were operating in the morning, with two trains running. 'Polar Bear' took the first public train
to Sea Lion Rocks, with 'Otter' working the return journey. 'Brown Bear' took the second train out of
Lhen Coan, and engines were then exchanged for each trip. 'Annie' was in steam, being worked on and
was seen to make a trip later in the day. https://bit.ly/366Esvj has some nice videos. It is believed that
the steam outline diesel 'Maltby' also made a cheeky appearance at the end of the day. Three of our
four IOM resident members were in attendance in the morning, two riding (one photographing - thank
you, Jenny) and one volunteering. This item reminded your BLN Editor of a two week family holiday to
the IOM in Jul 1964 - amongst many other things an evening ride on the Manx Electric Railway was
taken to Groudle Glen. Admission to the privately owned Glen required payment, as quite a few did
then, which did not please your Editor's father but he paid up for the family. It was, like all the IOM
glens, an enjoyable and pleasant evening walk in the trees. We were very surprised to find railway
remains - odd bits of sleeper, fastenings and rail and, even more so the zoo remains by the sea.
In 1964 the prospect of rebuilding was a very unlikley possibility. The original railway was longer than
now; there are still signs of the closed section around Sea Lion Rocks but not many remain of the zoo.
2918] MER & IOMSR: (BLN 1361.2766) In Oct Steam trains and electric trams are now to run every
weekend and are even allowed to carry non-dining passengers! In half term trains also run 29 & 30 Oct
plus 1 Nov; trams 26 & 27 Oct plus 1 Nov. There are also many dining trains which have been doing well.
2919] On the level: At 15.35 on Sun 20 Sep a car collided with Manx Electric Railway Winter Saloon
No19 (the local press had this the other way round, as usual) on Cornaa Crossing (13m 20ch) on the
Laxey to Ramsey section. Two adults and two children in the car were lucky to escape injury and no
one on the tram was injured. The tram won, sustaining only minor damage. Its front steps were bent
during the incident, it returned to depot where 'steps were taken' to remove the damaged section.
NEXT, FIRST PHOTO: Groudle Glen Railway (item 2917) Lhen Coan terminus during the steamm gala.
SECOND PHOTO: Passing at Headland Loop (both tracks are used even if only one train is running).
THIRD PHOTO: An abandoned trolley on the MER at Eskadale with shovels on the track beyond!
(All three by Jenny Williamson, Sun 20 Sep 2020.)
1362 SCOTLAND (Mike McCabe) [email protected]
2920] PS Waverley PPPS: (BLN 1361.2779) She sailed from Greenock, Custom House Quay (as usual)
on 3 Sep, not Gourock. (Our member knows, he was on board!) It was a condition of the transfer from
Caledonian MacBrayne in 1974 that Waverley doesn't compete with their services, which is most easily
complied with by not calling at Gourock, Wemyss Bay or Ardrossan. She only calls at these places very
rarely - most recently a special sailing from Ardrossan on 8 Aug 2014, which did not go to Arran. Largs
is not a problem, as CalMac sail to Cumbrae Slip, where it would be impossible for Waverley to call.
2921] Stories that can now be told (17): Following the Stag Night (Wed 28 Jul 1971) of a mutual friend
in the former Royal Hotel, Hamilton, accompanied by our late lamented member Willie McKnight, your
correspondent had a 'lift' back to Glasgow (having become aware of the working during his two years
in Glasgow Control). He also did three sections of rare track in the process [does it count if you are
under the influence?]. This was on 00+40 DE (diesel empties, EMCAR in code; booked for three triple
sets) from Hamilton Diesel Depot to Bellahouston Carriage Sidings. The former was on the Down side,
immediately north of Hamilton West station (EG Steele Wagon Repair Works is there now) and the
latter on the north side of the Paisley Canal line between Shields Jn and Corkerhill Depot. The third
(a proper PSUL) was the Down Clydesdale Line between Larkfield Jn and Shields Jn via Terminus Jn.
As often in these stories, it's not what you know, it's who you know, and the best things in life are free.
1362 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]
2922] Uskmouth: (BLN 1321.136) The conversion of Fifoots Point Uskmouth 'B' power station to burn
waste fuel pellets has slipped somewhat but plans for the necessary work have now been submitted to
Newport City Council. This includes erecting silos for pellet storage, conveyors, a de-dusting plant and
an extension to the rail unloading shed. The silos will be constructed on part of the former coal storage
area with the remainder being 'revegetated'. The external appearance of the site will otherwise be
unchanged. As many as four daily rail deliveries each of up to 1,000 tonnes of pellets are proposed,
although enthusiasts have greeted these quantities with some degree of scepticism.
2923] Conwy Valley line: (BLN 1361.2792) A Mon 21 Sep Regional Editorial visit to Dolgarrog found
everything within sight and on site well prepared for ROP a week later. Since his Railway Rambling
colleague's visit in April (BLN 1351.1361), the station has gained a waiting shelter, a full lighting system
which dims on those rare occasions when there's no one about (!) and a vintage platform seat bearing
the station name, which is now the running in board as the original one has been removed.
A notice warned of test and engineering trains from Sun 13 Sep, the date on which a driver refresher
working was scheduled (and ran from Llandudno Jn to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back, about 200 mins
late throughout, with a later working from/to Chester cancelled!). The track was certainly polished.
However Dolgarrog would have a better chance of losing its pre-TCP closure title as Wales' least used
passenger station (826 passengers 2018-19) if the water authority stopped discouraging, but not
preventing, people from crossing the river footbridge linking it to the village. It has signs at either end
warning of work in progress, which it wasn't this day, and temporary barriers which can be easily
circumvented. Nothing specifically forbids or warns against crossing the bridge, which once carried a
standard gauge long siding used by passenger trains for aluminium works employees until 1932 and
freight until about 1960. It was lifted apart from some rails on the bridge by Jun 1963 - see BLNs 95
(Aug 1963) p186 & 810.761, still carries a water pipe and appears in good condition. The deck has been
renewed since track removal. Detours of about 6 miles via Tal-y-Cafn or Llanrwst are the options and
are of course necessary for motor vehicles in any case. BLN 810 describes similar restrictions in 1997.
The total cost of the repairs and improved defences previously described in BLN is put at £2.2M. It is
considered well spent as Storm Francis at the end of Aug caused further significant flooding but the
line was undamaged; https://bit.ly/3hUPPJc has pictures. From Mon 28 Sep buses operate the first
and last daily round trips. The first train was 10.08 from Llandudno and 11.36 from Blaenau Ffestiniog.
2924] Wrexham - Bidston: As part of its network-wide Station Improvement Vision announced at its
initial launch in 2018, despite Covid restrictions TfW has made improvements at 13 of the 14 stations
between Wrexham Central and Upton since Oct 2019. The exception is presumably Wrexham General
P4 or Hawarden Bridge. It has included, as applicable, rebranding of shelters and station furniture,
relining car park bays, repainting and renewing steps and cutting back vegetation. This is only the first
phase; future improvements include new CCTV cameras, improved customer information screens,
additional seating and refurbished waiting rooms. However there is still no mention of the platform
extensions required at some stations to fully accommodate the 3-car Class 230 Vivarail units!
2925] Fords Junction (17m 78ch) - Ford Motor Co Bridgend (NR boundary, 1m 18ch): (BLN 1360.2645)
The engine plant closed on Fri 25 Sep. NR intends the work required to close the branch to take place
within a month of the network change being established which happened on 17 Sep. This will save the
cost of inspections and maintenance. Waterton Locally Monitored Automatic A48 Open Level Crossing
at 1m 13ch will be decommissioned. Even though this branch has been disused since the last train left
on 24 Jun 2019, it will reduce the overall fatality weighted index risk associated with level crossings!
NEXT: Despite this sign at Dolgarrog passenger carrying trains did not appear until 28 Sep, and then
only a few. TO FOLLOW: Pictures taken by your Regional Editor on Mon 21 Sep 2020 at Dolgarrog
request stop. The bench was the only nameboard on the platform at that time. (All Chris Parker.)
BELOW: Looking north towards Llandudno Junction. NEXT: Ju
ust to be different … looking south towards Blaenau Ffestiniog.
2926] Minera: The 25 Aug explorations included part of this former branch (CP 1 Jan 1931; CA exactly
41 years later), but little remains. At Coed Poeth (long since spelt as one word by all except the
railway), the station and trackbed appear to have totally vanished under redevelopment. Metal
crossing gates are extent at the site of Pentresaeson (one word) Halt but the trackbed is fast receding
into agriculture. However, the adjacent Pentre Saeson (two words) Colliery buildings, including a large
tapered brick chimney, appear to have become a farm or dwelling - a curious repurposing!
2927] Cardigan: A member and his wife made a 'pullover' to have
a look at the old station site during a short break in the area in
early Sep. It is just off the end of the Teifi River Bridge on the out-
of-town side LEFT. Like many others, the station is now an
industrial or trading estate, but the stone-built goods shed and
goods platforms survive in commercial use (as do some other
stone walls). There is also a one storey 'Terrapin' prefabricated
warehouse, as built in early British Railways days at quite a few
stations. In a newer unit the former use of the site is remembered
by The Station Café (not sampled), so there was more to see than
expected as the line CA 27 May 1963 (CP 10 Sep 1962). The
trackbed from here to Cilgerran (railway spelling Kilgerran, about
3 miles) is a permissive foot and cycle path part of National Cycle
Network Route 82. They intended to visit the Teifi Valley Railway
but that week it had unfortunately reduced its operating days
from FX to WSuO but their stay was from Thu to Sat!
2928] Cym(m)er Afan: (BLN 1361.2793) There was indeed a major accident involving an unadvertised
colliers' service here. However, while accounts differ as to the exact location, these trains did not cross
Cymmer Viaduct. Vol 12 p194 of the David & Charles Regional History of Railways of Great Britain
(1980) by DSM Barrie (late BLS member 920) has: On 18 Apr 1946 the 5.47am workmen's train from
Treherbert to Duffryn Rhondda, consisting of 0-6-2T No356 (ex-Taff Vale Railway) and four coaches
became derailed 340ft from the Blaengwynfi end of Cymmer Viaduct [on the Rhondda & Swansea Bay
(R&SBR) line 340ft east of where it passed under the viaduct, very misleading], the locomotive and
leading coach falling over the embankment; mercifully none of the 85 passengers was seriously hurt.
A current member with local family connections advises that there is also an account of the accident in
'Fifty Years within Station Limits' by John Morgan https://amzn.to/3bYbTAY published by Y Lolfa,
(2014); which gives the departure time as 5.45am, the loco as No365 and the location as Groeserw
Viaduct on the R&SBR line (9m 34ch), just east of Cymmer. Morgan states that the loco and first
carriage crashed almost 100ft to the river below. Incredibly, the most serious injury was a broken leg
suffered by the driver. The cause was variously attributed to a track fault and to excessive speed.
Loco 365 was recovered and returned to service, not being withdrawn until 17 Oct 1955 (see below).
Unfortunately, there have been two more serious accidents, each with two fatalities, a few miles from
Cymmer. Both were head on collisions on single track, respectively in Gyfylchi Tunnel on the South
Wales Mineral Railway on 16 Aug 1902 and near Pontrhydyfen on the R&SBR line on 24 Nov 1960.
The latter involved a runaway coal train and the 4.55pm DMU from Swansea. Details of both of these,
but not the 1946 accident, are at https://bit.ly/2FqTy3U (the Railways Archive website).
BLN 1360.2651 incorrectly stated that Cymmer Corrwg was served by miners' trains until Nov 1964.
Some years prior to that date the service was curtailed to run only between Glyncorrwg and North
Rhondda Halt. It was further cut back to South Pit Halt in 1963 as previously stated. Our member has
provided a WR Working Timetable summer 1962 extract showing no trains booked between Cymmer
Corrwg and Glyncorrwg; PSULs for 1963-64 are also consistent with this. The ruling gradient between
Glyncorrwg and South Pit Halt was 1:28, then 1:22 to North Rhonda Halt; adhesion worked, of course.
BELOW: Summer 1962 Working Timetable, the passengers need to be quick! (Robert Darlaston.)
Our once local member has also sent in some photos. ABOVE: Cymmer Afan 12 Sep 1960 looking west,
13 weeks after the layout had been revised. Right, the lifted R&SBR Up (eastbound) line, leaving
'The Refresh' (The Refreshment Rooms) in splendid isolation, but it is still open there now, 60 years on.
The old R&SBR Down platform (left) had been widened to form an island with the former Down line
changed to serve Up trains, such as the 4.25pm Aberavon Town to Treherbert, arriving behind '8407'.
A new face to the platform (far left) serves Down R&SBR trains and also Llynfi (GWR) line trains to and
from Bridgend and Abergwynfi (on which Up and Down directions were the reverse!). The old GWR
signal box still stands on the left while the replacement box is largely obscured by 8407's smoke.
The now redundant GWR platform is out of shot further left; the GWR line curves round to the left
beside the coal wagons in the distance while Cymmer Viaduct is just out of sight to the right of them
NEXT PAGE TOP: 13 Apr 1965, the by then disused R&SB Groeserw Viaduct, site of the 1946 accident,
with the 1960 spur to the GWR Abergwynfi line which bypassed it in the foreground. The photo is
looking westwards towards Cymmer Afan with the station hidden by the bluff at the left.
NEXT PAGE LOWER: The same place in the opposite direction across the trackless viaduct as featured
on the front cover of our Society's 1975 publication 'Guide to Closed Railways in Britain 1948-75'.
Cymmer Afan, looking towards Blaengwynfi. The Rhondda & Swansea Bay Railway trackbed is on the
left and the new connection to GWR Abergwynfi branch is right. (Angus MacDougall, 18 Aug 1962.)
THIRD PICTURE (PAGE AFTER): A mile further east up the valley from Cymmer where the two lines ran
parallel. Survivor of the 1946 Groeserw derailment, '365' is on a return Aug 1955 Bank Holiday
excursion from Aberavon Seaside to the Rhondda Valley on the R&SBR line, abandoned 13 Jun 1960
when all traffic was diverted on to the GWR line nearer the camera. Our member suspects that the six
crowded carriages was over the limit for the ex-Taff Valley Railway loco which he well remembers was
struggling at about 15mph up the 1:46 gradient towards Blaengwynfi. (These other three photos with
this item are thanks to our member Robert Darlaston.)
2929] Conwy: (BLN 1356.2090) Request calls by selected trains resumed on Sat 12 Sep but only by
those of one or two coaches. Platform curvature may be as much a factor as their officially blamed
length, but at Earlestown (BLN 1361.2790) there is no such restriction despite the sharper curve.
2930] Llanbradach: (BLN 1356.2082) Given the 12-16 months time scale of a permanent replacement
for Ty'n-y-Graig footbridge, TfW plans to instal a temporary structure by this Christmas. It will replace
a pedestrian diversion along Colliery Road which has required protective temporary traffic lights.
2931] Survey: https://bit.ly/33SwW4w is YOUR chance to have YOUR say on TfW public transport
in the light of the pandemic. It is well known that our members are all experts on how to run a
railway so don't hold back with your comments/suggestions (special offers and fares might help...)
2932] Central Wales & Swansea District Lines: (BLNs 1359.2516 & 1361.2783) NR now expects Craven
Arms South Jn - Llandrindod to ROP in Nov, with TfW's website specifying 02.00 on Sun 1 Nov!
Whether this will extend to Llanwrtyd as during the Pontarddulais bridge repair (BLN 1358.2248) is
unspecified; as before, crew requirements and route knowledge preclude the otherwise possible
further ROP to Llandeilo. A video https://bit.ly/2Ecrz7x shows that about half a mile of track at the
eastern approach to Llangynllo Tunnel was damaged in the storm and three major landslips occurred.
https://bit.ly/2FOV5jW has downloadable pictures. Repairs includes devegetation and clearance of
long stretches of debris, reinstatement and stabilisation of track and earthworks, new culverts and
other drainage enhancements and CCTV to improve monitoring of water levels in future storms.
However the lines affected by the Morlais Jn derailment are not expected to ROA until 4 Jan 2021.
Apart from the severity of the damage to track and formation, NR has had to work with Natural
Resources Wales to deal with contamination caused by the diesel spillage at this environmentally
sensitive location. https://bit.ly/3muD4Zb has pictures of the oil tank wagon removals which were
completed during week commencing 30 Aug. Infrastructure restoration had begun by 7 Sep.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch's preliminary report indicates that during the journey from
Robeston Oil Refinery the brakes on all wheels of the train's third wagon had become applied and
remained so until the derailment. Three of the four axles continued to turn, with dragging brakes, but
the leading axle locked. A flat spot around 23cm (9") long developed on both its wheels with a
substantial 'false flange' (a raised lip on the outer side of the wheel tread - see below). When the train
reached Morlais Jn crossover, at about 30mph, the false flange on the right wheel caught on the
converging stock rail (this is the continuous plain rail all the way through the set of points) and
distorted the track, leading to derailment of both wheels. 100m further on, the partly derailed wagon
encountered the facing points set for the Swansea District Line. The loco and two leading wagons went
to the right as intended but the derailed third wagon went straight ahead, fell onto its right side and
became detached from the wagon in front. This destroyed the points and the track beyond. The brake
pipes parting quickly halted the train but not before the next nine wagons had become derailed.
Development of false flanges is avoided in normal running by 'give' as opposed to 'rigidity', allowing
the wheelset to 'wander' somewhat around the track from left to right. This evens out the wear across
the whole width of the wheel tyre all around the wheel. A locked wheel set that isn't turning at all
wears away rapidly (and can become hot, hence the fire) at one place on the part that bears on the rail
head. The part of the tyre wearing away rapidly isn't the whole tyre width as it is wider than the
railhead, so this wear is only where the wheel set happens to bear on the rail head, 'the bearing point'.
A locked wheel that turns sporadically or just slowly can form this second flange all the way round.
When a wheelset with a second flange approaches a trailing set of points, and if the second flange is all
the way round or happens to be at the bottom as the wheel rotates, it partially fills the gap between
switch rail and stock rail forcing the switch away from the stock. The tie bars across the track and the
locking part of the switch drive are forced, suddenly fracture, and lose electrical detection of the
switch position. The vehicle concerned may well stay on itself, but a later wheelset is likely to climb off.
Any subsequent train making a facing move will certainly derail as the first wheelset arrives, but as the
switch detection has failed, the approach signal won't be able to clear for it.
2933] Rhymney - Rhymney Bridge: (CA 21 Sep 1953) On 14 Sep a member visited the site of the
unadvertised Cemetery Road Halt (CP by Sep 1928) on this former Rhymney Railway (RR) & LNWR
Joint line. The A469 road now occupies nearly the full trackbed length but ironically a railway goods
van body in good condition survives in a field adjacent to the halt site. At Rhymney, the stone built RR
station building is extant and in good condition but wholly for 'staff use only'. 769002, a Class 769
bimode ex-EMU conversion was stabled in the sidings. Outside, the offices of the former Rhymney Iron
Co may still be seen, alas boarded up. They are prominently lettered 'R.I.Co' and dated 1913. North
from there, perhaps ½ mile of the R.I.Co's trackbed is a public footpath/open space. The giveaway is
that it passes a new build Tŷ Rheilffordd (= railway house); someone there knows their local history!
2934] Lonlas/Llandarcy Private Platform: (BLN 1360.2654) National Archives file T6/2565/6 contains
the following letters: ❶23 Jun 1919: Application received from Anglo-Persian Oil Co for a special
workmen's service of one train per day in each direction between Swansea East Dock and their sidings
near Lonlas Jn. The firm has constructed a platform against the upper of the three sidings.
❷2 Jul 1919 Arrangements are being made to bring into operation next Monday the workmen's
service which thus confirms the OP date as 7 Jul 1919 - but note it was for construction workers, as the
refinery didn't come into use until a couple of years later. At that time the company's sidings had an
east-facing junction with the Swansea District line at the then Lonlas South box (renamed Llandarcy
from 1 May 1923); the west-facing access had yet to be added. The later Llandarcy Platform (quite
separate), available to the public (OP 22 Sep 1924, CP 4 Oct 1947), was on the running lines about a
mile to the east, just west of the Penyrheol Road bridge, itself just west of Jersey Marine Jn North.
2935] Machen (final answer): (BLN 1361.2791) Although NR announced on 8 Sep that repairs to the
collapsed retaining wall were complete and the branch had reopened, they didn't actually state a date.
The first stone train of the year ran on Sat 15 Aug; 66420 on 07.51 Stoke Gifford to Machen and 14.10
return. It went on to Acton the next evening and was unloaded at Allington stone terminal (between
Maidstone Barracks and Aylesford) on the Mon morning. Another train left Machen on Sat 26 Sep.
More Saturday trains are expected, subject to the effect of the pandemic on demand for aggregate.