1334

ABOVE: The bridge that carried the Conon Bridge to Dingwall Road (now the B9163) over the railway
cutting at Cullicudden (NH 659 646) is the most westerly. It is the only overbridge. The cutting has
been filled in. BELOW: One of the few sections of trackbed that can be seen passing through farmland
is east of Cullicudden bridge. (All photos are by Greg Beecroft on Tue 23 Jul 2019 - a fine sunny day.)

ABOVE: This skew bridge would have carried the railway over a burn at Resolis (NH 673 648).
BELOW: The deck of the bridge at Resolis, looking towards Conon Bridge. The railway would have
crossed it from bottom left to top right. There is no sign now of the trackbed crossing the fields.

[E-BLN 1334]

ABOVE: The bridge over the Gean Burn near Poyntzfield. Reinforced concrete was adequate for this
short span and the bridge is noteworthy for having stone parapets either side. It is adjacent to the
main road (NH 706 650).

NEXT PAGE UPPER: This bridge is over a burn behind Jemimaville petrol station (NH 721 652). The
railway would have run along the shore of Cromarty Bay and Invergordon can be seen in the distance
on the other side of the Cromarty Firth.

NEXT PAGE LOWER: Red Burn bridge, near Cromarty (NH 776 669).

In addition to the structures illustrated here there is reported to be a bridge over the Newhall Burn,
but this is inaccessible through farmland and thickets. A small culvert can be glimpsed through
vegetation at Farness (NH 733 652). A reported bridge at Shore Mill is inaccessible behind private
houses. With acknowledgement to Eric H Malcolm's booklet 'The Cromarty & Dingwall Light Railway',
published by Cromarty Courthouse in 1993.



ABOVE: Cromarty station was to have been adjacent to the West Church,
where these bungalows now stand at Townlands Park.

2102] Changing sleep patterns: The Caledonian Sleeper between Fort William and Edinburgh did not
run on Sundays 28 Jul, 4 & 11 Aug. There was engineering work near Bowling on 28 Jul and between
Dumbarton and Helensburgh on the other days, plus 10 Aug (when the West Highland itself was
closed south of Crianlarich due to flood damage anyway). Instead it started from Kingussie where it
had been diverted to terminate the previous day, running separately from the Inverness sleeper.

The ECS ran to/from Polmadie via a reversal at Aviemore. It is not known why it could not run empty
from Fort William to Polmadie on the relevant Saturdays. A connecting bus between Kingussie and
Fort William called at Tulloch, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge all on the direct A86 road, but there was
no provision for sleeper passengers at other West Highland stations. As usual when the West Highland
is affected by engineering work, ScotRail provided non-stop and stopping buses between Glasgow and
Crianlarich to connect with trains to/from Oban (except 4 Aug - line closed) and Mallaig. A member
points out that if they ran trains as far south as Arrochar & Tarbet, they would avoid use of the narrow
and winding, very slow, section of the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan (north of Ardlui). It may be
that Crianlarich is used because there is not much at Arrochar station other than a small waiting room.
[As trains join/split at Crianlarich it is probably easier to maintain the normal timetable; extending to
Arrochar & Tarbet would involve some very length waits there or radically revised timetables/rosters.]

2103] Glasgow Queen St: P2 & P3 were fully recommissioned on 29 Jul with associated changes to the
OHLE, signage and signalling etc after lengthening at the buffer stop ends. P2 is now 171m (7-car) and
P3 is 196m (8-car); new friction buffer stops have been installed. Frangible† decking has been installed
above the track behind the buffer stops to increase the circulating space. [†Breaks up in the event of a
train overrun - the lengthy risk assessment is an interesting read!] P4 & 5 will be extended between
mid-Sep and mid-Oct after the Edinburgh Festival. Meanwhile trains on the hour (so every fourth train)
from Glasgow and Edinburgh are 8-car Class 385 EMUs with 546 seats. Local reaction to the increased
concourse space and longer platforms has been positive - even, unusually, from the Glasgow Herald!

ABOVE: 8-car EMU in the extended Queen Street P3. BELOW: The impressive new concourse.

ABOVE: Extended P2 & P3 compared with the higher numbered platforms on the right. The frangible
decking seen increases the circulating area behind the buffers stops but breaks up if there is a collision.

[BLN 1334]
ABOVE: The new front of the station concourse, still work in progress. (All Nick Jones 30/31 Jul 2019.)

2104] Edinburgh Trams: After the success of last year's all night trams on Saturdays during the Festival
they run again in 2019 and additionally on Friday nights! A 20 minute frequency operated from 00.00
until 05.30 with parking restrictions at Ingliston Park & Ride relaxed. This is every Friday and Saturday
from 3 until 25 Aug. Night tram fares are the same as in the day; an adult City Zone return is £3.20.

Meanwhile on Sun 28 Jul over 38,000 tram journeys were recorded, making it the busiest Sunday since
the line opened in May 2014. There was a sellout football match at BT Murrayfield between Liverpool
and Napoli with over 66,000 tickets sold. As many as 20 trams were in service at once, allowing a three
minute frequency at times - said to be the maximum capacity of the current Edinburgh Tramway.

2105] Ayr: (BLN 1326.901) NR is taking legal action against businessman Eng Huat Ung, the owner of
the Station Hotel, to obtain compensation for the costs it has incurred. Usually, parties to commercial
litigation are only too keen to keep details out of the press. It seems that NR wants this information
published - presumably to demonstrate that action is being taken. Normally lawyers will advise not to
take action against a foreign entity, unless that party has assets in the UK that cannot readily be
moved outwith the jurisdiction or wishes to continue conducting business in the UK. You may win an
action against them, but have little chance of being able to recover anything. Informally, it is
understood that the hotel owner is seeking an unrealistic sum of money to sell the building and that
the legal action is to bring about a more reasonable settlement. It would not be surprising if the
outcome was that NR drops its claims in return for a free of charge conveyance of the property.

NR has had to pay compensation to 'various train and freight operators'. Interestingly there is currently
no freight south of Ayr, though conceivably there could have been loss of one or two potential charter
trains, but that would be hard to prove. The Leader of South Ayrshire Council refers to the opportunity
to have a modern railway facility in Ayr, implying he does not expect the old building to be used.
A structural report on the hotel is due in Sep. Meanwhile reportedly the owner wants to make his own
assessment and is challenging and refusing to pay invoices in respect of emergency repairs etc.
The building is classed as 'dangerous' so access is controlled by the Council's building standards team.

2106] CairnGorm Mountain Railway: (BLN 1332.1699) Repairs (needed to almost half the piers) will be
cheaper than demolition and removal. There is a chance it may be running by the end of next year.

2107] Dyce: (BLNs 1327.1073 & 1332.1833) No offers were received to buy the signal box by the
deadline of 31 Jul. As is often the case it is situated very close to the operational track, so the ground
floor was unusable and the stairs to the upper floor would have need relocating. Annual maintenance
costs were estimated to be £15,000, with removal for re-erection costing in the region of £120,000.
As NR had no operational use for it, demolition took place on 12 Aug during the recent line closure.

In connection with this and other proposed demolitions, there was a national review of signal boxes in
2013/14, involving NR, Railway Heritage Trust, Signalling Record Society, Historic Scotland (as it then
was), English Heritage and Cadw‡. The report on the Scottish boxes is an extra item with e-BLN.
That was done expecting many boxes to become redundant, with listing previously been random.
Additional boxes were also listed; some had little architectural merit but were of technical interest.
When listing boxes, the practicability of preservation and reuse following closure was also considered.

BELOW: Dyce; a departure for Aberdeen on the box's last day of operation, Fri 9 Aug 2019.

A keen member visited Dyce on the signal box's last day of operation, Fri 9 Aug 2019. Trains arrived
and departed from/to Aberdeen (only) at Up P2 as P1 was under possession. These arrangements had
been in place since 4 May with the line to Inverurie closed for redoubling. The last arrival signalled by
the box was from Aberdeen (arriving 22.59). Up platform starting signal DY7214 was cleared for the
last time, and the final train from Dyce to Aberdeen departed right time at 23.32. Very soon after this,
66561 ran into P1 from Raith's Farm (within the possession) with ballast wagons. The driver said that
the train would continue south (presumably once those lines had been taken into the possession) but
didn't know at what time. On the morning of Sun 11 Aug, work on the track was well underway both
north and south of the station.

[‡A Welsh verbal noun meaning keeping/preserving.]

BELOW: The Aberdeen (south) end of Dyce on Fri 9 Aug; note possession boards on P1 to the right.



PREVIOUS BOTH: Sun 11 Aug, looking north from the end of the station. It is plain to see what is going
on and we hope that you didn't need that pointwork that is being removed! Beyond the bridge on the
left are the points for Raith's Farm Freight Terminal. LOWER: Now are you sure that we have removed
the right set of points, that guy from BLN over there is watching and photographing our every move...?

ABOVE: The view south from Dyce station on Sun 11 Aug. (All pictures Nick Jones unless specified.)
BELOW: The demolition of the 138 year old box on 12 Aug took less than 90 mins. (Press Release.)
NEXT PAGE: Fri 9 Aug again, ballast wagons at P1 - the lights are on in the box but not for long...

2108] Pitfodels: As Dyce signal box didn't seem to appeal to members, perhaps Pitfodels station will.
Four miles west of Aberdeen on the former Ballater branch, it became a halt in 1926 and closed from
5 Apr 1937. The 4 bedroom, 2 reception room, 3 bathroom Grade 'C' extended station building is for
sale at offers over £450,000. Details and pictures: http://bit.ly/31OFg2m or 01224 589589 (agent).

BELOW: Pitfodels station building from the former platform side showing the 'Deeside Way', much of
which is on the former Aberdeen to Ballater branch. NEXT PAGE TOP: The station entrance side.

2109] Springburn: (BLN 1326. 904) Gemini Rail Services Works closed on 26 Jul; the run down was
announced last Dec. The site with its rail connection has been mothballed pending future work/use
and the 200 workers have been made redundant. The site lease is reported to expire in Mar 2020.

1334 WALES & THE MARCHES (Chris Parker) [email protected]

2110] Aberthaw 'B' PS frozen out: (BLN 1302.906), German owner RWE (Rheinisch-Westfälisches
Elektrizitätswerk AG) has announced that it proposes to close this, Wales' last coal-fired power station
with 3 x 520MW units, on 31 Mar 2020. This is at least two years earlier than previously expected, as it
faces 'challenging market conditions'. After the latest closures the only coal fired power stations in the
UK will be Kilroot (2 x 300MW units) in Northern Ireland, Drax (2 x 660MW units of the six remain coal
fired and are due to convert to gas), West Burton 'A' (4 x 500MW) and Ratcliffe-on-Soar (4 x 500MW).

2111] Electrification: (BLN 1332.1847) The OHLE is due to be energised from the present limit at
Patchway Jn (5m 69ch) and the Up and Down Bristol Lines (5m 40ch) - shown as Up and Down South
Wales Lines on Jun 2018 TRACKmaps. This is to St Brides Feeder Station (162m 01ch) - the Green Lane
compound of BLN 1330.1515 - west of Newport from 11.00 Sat 14 Sep. Patchway, Pilning, Severn
Tunnel Junction & Newport stations are included as are the Up and Down Pilning Loops, the Up/Down
Goods Loop (Ebbw Jn) and the overruns referred to in BLN 1330 but not indicated in TRACKmaps.
Inclusion of the Severn Tunnel (BLN 1331.1648) is not specified but is implied - any ideas please?

2112] Cardiff Bay: (BLN 1333.1977) The station has been a turnback on a number of occasions during
Cardiff Central electrification work. The 27 Jul diversions appear to have been a somewhat excessive
means of freeing up platform space there to allow trains to and from the west to run via Leckwith Jn.
GWR services used Central's P4 but TfW's used P6. The main line was blocked from Cardiff West to
Bristol Parkway. The Coryton - Radyr 'City Line', Ebbw Vale and TfW Cheltenham services were
cancelled; CrossCountry services turned back at Chepstow and Marches Line services at Cwmbran.

2113] Proper trains: (BLN 1333.1973) A member has noted flaws in the proposed SSuX Dec timetable.
To name but two, the 07.21 ex-Cardiff is shown non-stop Shrewsbury to Wrexham; with no stopping
service yet shown. Similarly the 16.51 Holyhead to Cardiff is nonstop Llandudno Junction to Chester
leaving a long gap (17.17 to 18.39) between stopping trains. However, as viewed via Realtime Trains,
the timetable still appears to be under development. A later noteworthy additional train is a 05.59
Shrewsbury to Liverpool Lime Street through service via Frodsham, journey time 1hr 57mins.

2114] Landore: (BLN 1319.2820) Chrysalis Rail has refurbished and reopened the depot for rolling
stock maintenance and overhaul, including interior and exterior train refurbishment and repainting,
also modifications such as at seat power, accessible toilets and LED lighting. The first train to arrive
was a ScotRail 2-car DMU, 156509 from Corkerhill, making an unusual sight on the South Wales Main
Line. Chrysalis Rail's similar pre-existing Long Marston and Holbeck facilities will continue to operate
as normal. Landore had previously closed after the last HST left the depot at 10.30 on 18 Nov 2018.

2115] Briton Ferry: (BLN 1333.1970) Westbound trains to the Swansea District Line can call at the
station as Court Sart (Down) Jn is west of Briton Ferry Down P1. However, the grade separated Briton
Ferry Up Flying Loop Jn underpass runs behind Up P2 before trailing in. This is why the annual Royal
Welsh Show specials from Cardiff Central to Builth Road run nonstop Port Talbot to Pontarddulais
(although they could call at the new Park & Ride if built!). The Swansea District route distances are
virtually the same as via the Landore triangle. Operationally, the District line is less challenging and
was especially so in steam days - the key saving (about 15 minutes) would be by eliminating the
Swansea reversal. However, our member feels that cutting out Swansea would go down like a lead
balloon locally; especially as Neath services can't use the District line (but could run via Landore). The
main point is the District line is very underutilised and seen as a way of improving West Wales services.

2116] Conwy Valley: (BLN 1333.1972) Realtime Trains
http://bit.ly/2Nagkyf suggests that the extra Eisteddfod
services did not require splitting or joining of units at North
Llanrwst and indeed it is unlikely that the signalling there
would permit it. The additional services were exclusively
worked by 2-car DMU 150285 which stabled overnight at
Holyhead where it could be fuelled and cleaned.

2117] Rhymney: (BLN 1331.1675) The second Class 37
hauled service commenced on 12 Aug.

2118] Prestatyn - Dyserth: (BLN 1332.1853) A local member
has kindly sent in a recent comparison photo (LEFT - Kevin
Driscoll) of the refurbished Meliden loading gauge. It looks
new with possibly very little of the original now remaining.

2119] Barry Island: (BLN 1333.1884; TRACKmaps 3 p28B Jun
2018) Barry Island Colas Rail is a traffic location name rather
that a specific line (there is only the one connection to Barry
Tourist Railway). This is quite a common convention for
freight locations, for example Aberthaw Power Station has
'EWS', 'National Power Oil Siding', 'FHH' and 'Colas Rail'
traffic locations and even a FHH Cripple Siding.

A member confirms that the empty wagon working from
here to Crewe Basford Hall on 2 Aug was to remove a couple of disused Freightliner Heavy Haul HXA
coal hopper wagons from the Tourist Railway; seven others remained. There are also 20 ex-Colas HAAs
for conversion to single door hopper release for HS2 work. On 13 Aug wagons stored by Colas near the
Heritage Skills Centre still included 24 of the ex-Fords Bridgend IVAs.

This indicates that the other 23 went to Ellesmere Port (BLN 1332.1849) where they are to remain
stored on Manisty Wharf sidings for up to a year in case further use for them can be found; possible
scrapping by the adjacent Eastham Metals is deferred accordingly.

2120] Shrewsbury: (BLN 1316.2415) The station upgrade continues with repairs to P4-7 canopies due
to be completed during Aug, part funded by the Railway Heritage Trust. Work to strengthen/refurbish
the listed Dana footbridge, begun in Dec 2018, continues. This includes extensive steel work, brick and
timber repairs and replacements; window renewal and replacement of the walkway with an anti-slip
surface. It will be deep cleaned, surfaces grit blasted and repainted. Completion is due by Nov 2019.

2121] First Trenitalia: The most improbable feature of the new West Coast 'Partnership' (rather than
'Franchise') is its response to local political pressure to close the gap between the existing Euston -
Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury and Euston - Chester - Wrexham services. It will extend the latter south
from Dec 2022 but only to Gobowen so possible use of the crossover there! We are also promised a
summer only Euston to Llandudno service from 2021, a later last train between Euston and Holyhead,
and early refurbishment of the 21 Super Voyagers. They will be replaced in 2022 by 13 Bimodes and an
additional 10 EMUs (263 extra services per week are planned overall from Dec 2022).

MR150] 1334 MINOR RAILWAYS (Peter Scott) [email protected] MR86]

MINOR RAILWAYS - 31st EDITION - 2019
SUPPLEMENT No.2

NEW ENTRIES

16 ESSEX

Marsh Farm Railway, Animal Adventure Park, South Woodham Ferrers

10¼" O 300yds TQ812960 ♠ 01245 321552

(New line opened 06/2019)

17 GREATER LONDON

Royal Arsenal Narrow Gauge Railway, Crossness Engines, Abbey Wood

2' E 120yds TQ483811 ♣ 020 8311 3711

(New line opened 23/06/19)

20 LINCOLNSHIRE

Evergreens Miniature Railway, Dawn Bank, Keal Cotes, Spilsby

7¼" O 267yds TF369606 ♣ Easter-Oct: Last Saturday

(New line opened 25/05/19)

25 WARWICKSHIRE

Bridge View Light Railway, Russells Garden Centre, Baginton

7¼" E 190yds SP337752 ♣ 024 7699 1441

(New line opened 09/2018)

29 CARMARTHENSHIRE

Gwili Miniature Railway, Llwyfan Cerrig, Gwili Steam Railway

7¼" E 235yds SN405258 ♠ 01267 238213

(Line reopened 14/07/19)

OTHER AMENDMENTS
6 Spa Valley Railway Amend  to: 01892 300141

7 Rocks by Rail Amend  to: 07974 171068

7 Cambrian Heritage Railways (Oswestry) Amend length to: 0.57 (Extension under Shrewsbury Road
bridge opened 13/07/19)

7 Tanat Valley Light Railway Delete entry (Line out of use. Last ran 11/09/16)

9 National Railway Museum Amend length to: 0.10 (Rides now only go to NRM/NR gate)
9 Tanfield Railway Amend  to: 07508 092365

10 Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group Amend length to: 0.77 (Ride extended to Laight Farm
Crossing by 07/07/19)

10 Border Union Railway Amend length to: 0.36 (Extensions to north & south opened by 04/08/19)
14 South Tynedale Railway Amend  to: 01434 382828

14 Hall Leys Park Miniature Railway Amend  to: 07881 632405
15 Beamish Model Engineers (Rack Railway) Delete entry (Public rides ceased)
16 Audley End Miniature Railway Amend  to: 01799 510726
18 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park Railway Amend layout to: O. Amend length to: 450yds (Extension

opened winter 2018/2019)
18 Burghclere Miniature Railway Amend length to: 250yds (Extension opened 26/05/19)
22 Stavely Branch Line Train Delete entry (Line closed & lifted. Last ran 2017)

MR151] Spa Valley Railway, Kent (MR p6): The Railway held a four day Diesel Gala from 2 to 5 August
and our correspondent visited on the Saturday. Advance tickets were advertised as 25% off, but this
representation is fallacious as the £20 one day adult ticket in advance actually costs £17 with a £2
booking fee (per order), unmentioned until the last minute (other railways avoid such aggravations to
potential customers and simply price at £16 or so). Annoyingly, also the ticket was a scrappy bit of
paper as there was no exchange of e-mail for an Edmondson ticket, which happens at some railways.

Guest locos were Warship D821 'Greyhound' in maroon, visiting from the Severn Valley Railway for the
summer, along with blue Class 27 27001 from Bo'ness. Home locomotives participating were 31430
'Sister Dora', 33063 'R J Mitchell', 73140 and East Sussex 2-car DEMU 1317. Visible at Tunbridge Wells
West were 3CIG 1497, the trailer composite from 1317 (60616) and other vehicles mostly under
wraps, along with various steam locomotives under restoration in the shed (short tours 50p donation).
Included were another Class 33 (065), their shunters D3489 and 09026, along with steam locomotives
such as their Jinty 47493, genuine austerity 68077 and 'Terrier' 32650. Our correspondent had rides
behind both visiting locomotives, along with all the home ones listed including double headed 33 & 27
in the mid-afternoon, ending up with 1317, which came out for the 17.00 from Tunbridge Wells West,
connecting nicely with the 17.50 Eridge to London Bridge. Two rakes of hauled stock were in use:
one four car set with 4828, 25843, 9414 and 4999, while the other had bogie brake S56296 at the
Tunbridge Wells West end, 21214 and 25845, ending up with Class 101 56408 at the down end.

MR152] Ribble Steam Railway, Lancashire (MR p8): Sunday 30 June saw our reporter visit this railway,
based around the former Preston Dock railway system. 0-6-0ST 21 'Linda' (HL3931/1938) and three
ex-BR coaches formed the first train of the day from the station next to the museum to Strand Road.
From there the train is propelled back to Odeon Sidings, where the loco runs-round and hauls the train
back to the station. The short 7¼" gauge miniature line in the museum building was not working. [It is
laid directly on to the concrete surface of the building and cannot be considered permanent as it seems
sometimes to be lifted and then relaid as required. In any event, it appears to rarely operate - MR Ed.]
The workshop was visited. A large amount of stock is also kept on sidings, open to all weathers!

MR153] National Coal Mining Museum, West Yorkshire (MR p26) (BLN 1231.MR48): On Saturday 29
June the 2ft 6in gauge line was running; 4wBE (CE B0182B/1974) with a couple of man riding vehicles.

MR154] Peak Rail, Derbyshire (MR p8): A message on the railway's web stated that trains only ran to
Matlock Riverside on Tuesday 30 & Wednesday 31 July, due to the lack of a steam locomotive.

MR155] Foxfield Railway, Staffordshire (MR p8): A visit on 9 June found the operating, and level of
activity, of this standard gauge line little changed from the last report, of 31 May 2015, four years ago,
(BLN 1236.MR91), with just a different loco, Hunslet 0-6-0ST 'Wimblebury', on the two coach ex-BR
Mk1 set and a similar timetable of shuttling between Caverswall Road and Dilhorne Park. The 3-coach
wooden bodied vintage North Staffordshire Railway rake is still turned out once a month.

The aspiration of re-opening beyond Dilhorne Park to passenger services, down the 1 in 19 gradient to
Foxfield Colliery seems, despite the optimism in 2017 (BLN 1282.MR97) to have not made any
significant progress, with installation of the facing point interlocking at both ends of the section still
awaited. That and other necessary work and preparations was optimistically described by volunteers
as 'pending', but certainly not this year, so visitors have to be content with walking alongside the line
and photographing occasional empty trains charging the bank. The last public trains were in 1982.

ABOVE: A steam hauled Manchester Reunion Railway Society special at Foxfield platform (the former
colliery end of the line) on the Foxfield Railway, 5 May 1978. This was arranged by Ian Mortimer and
advertised in BLN to our members. BELOW: With lots of steam and smoke, an impressive photographic
run past was made on the colliery incline (also covered by participants on the tour). (Ian Mortimer.)

ABOVE: Following the steam trip Ian Mortimer arranged some small group trips on the Foxfield's
Wickham's Trolley for our members. They covered virtually every inch of clear track - this is the end of
line at Foxfield Colliery on 29 Jul 1978. One of the trips continued late into the evening as participants
had brought spades (having seen that they were needed on the steam trip) and dug out track that had
not been used for years, particularly at the main line exchange sidings. (Ian Mortimer.)

Back to 9 June 2019; at the south end of the Foxfield Railway passenger line track remains in situ on
the former continuation to the Blyth Bridge exchange sidings (disconnected from the main line) with
the Stoke to Derby line. A single line diverges at the neck of the Caverswall Road terminus layout and
descends steeply into a cutting. Restoration of this section remains an (even longer) aspiration, maybe
even for through running to and from Network Rail, though regular timetabled passenger use doesn't
seem to be ever envisaged.

For quite a few years it was occupied by a row of derelict or waiting attention stock as far as the bridge
under the road (Blythe Bridge to Caverswall) which passes the station entrance, but is now clear -
reportedly only from the previous week when a rotting tank wagon was removed for scrapping from
just south of the bridge. The in situ track continues beyond there but long completely unusable,
overgrown and sleepers completely decayed. Volunteers also mentioned that remedial work was
needed on the ground signal on the cutting line, but that the track had also that week been used for
some test running of 'Wimblebury' after workshop attention.

MR156] Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, North Yorkshire (MR p9): Our Roving Reporter
visited this railway on Tuesday 25 June, with a 'Rail Trail' party, for a one-way trip from Bolton Abbey
to Embsay. Motive power was 0-6-0ST 'Illingworth' (HC1208/1916) with ex-BR coaches M5003, Sc9011
& M15952. Some of the ex-BR coaches also carry 'YDR' (Yorkshire Dales Railway) coach numbers.
The 7¼" gauge Hambleton Valley Miniature Railway (MR p22; BLN 1207.MR49) at Bolton Abbey was
not in operation and appeared not to have been used for some time.

MR157] Tanat Valley Light Railway, Shropshire (MR p7) (BLN 1266.MR190 with picture & map): Sadly,
this railway must be considered as defunct. A 3 August visit to the adjacent Monorail Collection, with
the Narrow Gauge Railway Society found the standard gauge heavily rusted and partly overgrown.

The last known running day was Sunday 11 September 2016, when it ran for Oswestry Heritage
Weekend (including the Friday). On the Sunday of that weekend it was operating hourly from 11.00 to
16.00 from the temporary platform at 3m 43ch - to 3m 13ch and back. In use was 2-car DMU Sc52005/
Sc52031 in green livery. The centre car of that set (Sc59791) was acting as a buffet in the under
construction platform (since completed) in the Quarry. The previous public running prior to that event
was the same event in September 2015. It was stated that it was hoped to have more running days in
2017, but a visit on Sunday 10 September 2017 (again for the Oswestry Heritage Weekend) found no
trains in operation and the rails heavily rusted. The 2-car DMU was parked in the station, cab to cab.
Visitors to the site were very few; unlike the 2016 event when on the Sunday trains were well-filled.
The railway does have a remarkably smart 'Clacton' EMU (!) with a buffet that was open on 11 August.

ABOVE: Tim Wallis arranged a Society trip on 1 April 2012 (a momentous day for us) down to Blodwell
Jn and to Nantmawr Quarry, seen here at the short temporary wooden platform. (Angus McDougall.)

MR158] Kirklees Light Railway, West Yorkshire (MR p25) (BLN 1268.MR225): Saturday 29 June saw
our Roving Reporter at this 15" gauge railway, which is laid on the trackbed of the Clayton West
branch. The first train of the day from Clayton West was hauled by 0-4-4-0T 'Hawk' (B Taylor/2007)
with six unnumbered coaches. On returning 2-4-2 'Katie' (Guest/1956) was passed at Skelmanthorpe -
again with six coaches. The Barnsley Model Engineers elevated line outside Clayton West station was
not operating (but did for our 26 October 2018 AGM visit) - the track had several track lengths missing.

[BLN 1334]
MR159] Hull East Park Water Chute, East Yorkshire (BLN 1308.MR128): It was reported in mid-July,
that the operator of East Park's famous splash boat was losing £1,000 a day while it was closed
because of a nesting bird. Mally Welburn, 61, said his 90-year-old ride had not been able to deploy due
to the position of a coot's nest balancing across the tracks. The attraction should have opened in April,
but remained closed after Mr Welburn claims 'teenage yobs' trashed the female water bird's eggs.
In total 18 eggs have been laid by the waterfowl, however, she won't budge off the nest until her
offspring survive. It is illegal under wildlife laws to move or disturb the nest and Mally could face a
huge fine - or even prison - if he disturbed the breeding ground.

Mally said: We would have taken a grand a day and times that £36,000 across the 36 days of school
holidays. We have the running costs of the train and the pedal boats are the biggest earner, but it's not
about money - it's creating a fun environment for the people of Hull. Mr Welburn, of west Hull, who
took over the ride two years ago, says that the situation could still be at a stalemate by the end of
September. We have a licence that runs from April through to September to operate the train, splash
boat and pedal boats, and they've turned around and said we can't operate because we have a coot at
the bottom of the chute. We were told that it would be OK after six weeks and she laid 10 eggs, but she
became distressed and laid another eight eggs which were trashed and you've got to leave it, you can't
touch it. It's really sad seeing her hunched up in her little corner, but the nest is still there. It's cost us
thousands, absolutely. Eight men rely on it for income and a seven day-a-week job and it means
potentially eight staff who won't be able to work.

BELOW: Bridge View Light Railway station; right is the ticket office & shop. (Peter Scott, 10 Aug 2019.)

MR160] Bridge View Light Railway, Warwickshire: This new 7¼" gauge railway is in the grounds of
Russells Garden Centre, Baginton, near Coventry, CV8 3AG, (SP 337 752). Some of the equipment came
from the line just up the road at Coventry Electric Railway Museum, which closed on 8 October 2017.
However, the group of volunteers building and operating the railway is newly formed.

The first passengers were carried in September 2018 and by July this year it had reached an 'E' run of
190yds. A visit was made on Saturday 10 August - on one of the occasional running days, when despite
overcast and slightly damp conditions, trains were running from around 11.00. In use was a small blue
liveried battery electric locomotive, numbered No1, but without a name. Passenger accommodation
was one sit-in coach - part of an articulated set. Rides for all are £1, for which a titled buff coloured
thin card ticket was issued and clipped by the driver before departure. The loco hauled the train to the
under-construction simple platform at the far end of the line, which, according to the driver, will be
called 'Midge Way' and to be opened at the August Bank Holiday. The line will be extended in due
course to a full circuit - the earth works for this section are simpler than the section already built,
which runs alongside a river, adjacent to the A46.

BELOW: Evergreens Miniature Railway; 0-4-0 No1 'Bertie' hauls a train out of the station, driven by its
owner. To the right is new trackbed in various stages of preparation. (Peter Scott, 27 Jul 2019.)

MR161] Evergreens Miniature Railway, Keal Cotes, Lincolnshire (BLN 1316.MR224): Having lost their
original site at Stickney, this group now have a new permanent home at Dawn Bank, Keal Cotes, south
of Spilsby (TF 369 606). It is just over four acres, an open field with trees in the corners. This is now
being developed with an elevated 5" gauge line and an extensive ground level 7¼" gauge railway.

The 5" gauge elevated line was complete by Saturday 29 September 2018 and the first section of the
7¼" gauge line opened on Saturday 27 October 2018. This was merely a straight section of what will
become a large outer circuit. The first proper public open day was on Saturday 25 May 2019, which
saw the first inner circuit of the 7¼" gauge railway opened, formed of a circuit of 267yds in length.
On a damp Saturday 27 July the 7¼" gauge line was in operation with one train, worked by 0-4-0 No1
'Bertie' with one sit-in coach. Two battery electric diesel outline locos were at work on the elevated
line. Admission to the site is £3, after which all rides are free. Sadly, due to the weather visitor
numbers were low, but 'Bertie' was kept at work most of the time, providing two circuits for each ride.

Currently, there is one station with one platform - but track beds are in place for two more tracks.
The track bed is mostly in place for another circuit running off the current circuit via a flat crossing.
Excellent refreshments are available on site from a mobile trailer, along with a small clubhouse.
Our reporter was given a free tea when he said how far he had come from to visit! This group deserves
all the support it can get - so get along and have a ride if you can. Normal public running is on the last
Saturday of the month until October, from 11.00 to 16.00. You will receive a warm welcome.
Brylaine Travel's bus service B11 runs along the nearby A16 road between Boston and Spilsby.

PREVIOUS PAGE: British Railways Standard Class 4 tank engine, 75078 runs-round the 13.20 from
Oxenhope at Keighley looking northwest towards Skipton. The main line connection is ahead
(its associated trailing crossover - Keighley Station Jn - on the Leeds to Skipton line is upper centre).
To the left is the Grade II listed Keighley Station Junction Midland Railway box built in 1884 to control
the Worth Valley branch junction. Redundant, it was moved a short distance to this location in 1995.
Owned by NR it is looked after by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway but without access as it is
'stranded' in a secure NR maintenance compound by an operational railway. (Peter Scott, 4 Jul 2016.)

MR162] Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, West Yorkshire (MR p8): Our Roving Reporter visited this
railway on Wednesday 26 June, with a 'Rail Trail' party. In use was 2-6-0 BR 78022 (Darlington/1954),
initially with five ex-BR coaches, which operated the service all day. One coach was detached at
Oxenhope and hence the service ran late most of the day. At Haworth a conducted tour of the loco
shed and works was provided. The interesting museums at Ingrow were also visited.

MR163] Bure Valley Railway, Norfolk (MR p21) (BLN 1317.MR230): A visit on 23 July found 2-6-2 No7
'Spitfire' (Winson 14/1994) and 2-6-4T No 9 'Mark Timothy' (Winson 20/1999, rebuilt AK69R/2003) in
service, each hauling lengthy trains of 10 bogie coaches. Turntables at each end enable all trains to run
'chimney first'. The modern three platform terminus at Aylsham boasts an overall roof, a rare three
way point, an excellent shop and catering facilities. The workshop can also be viewed. The three
intermediate stations are all request stops, but were well used; former GER station buildings at Buxton
Lamas and Coltishall survive in residential use. Journey time for the 8¾ miles is 45 minutes. Combined
train and boat tickets are available, permitting a cruise on the River Bure at Hoveton & Wroxham.

BELOW: Aylsham, the impressive terminus (particularly for a 15" gauge line) of the 8¾ mile long
Bure Valley Railway on 27 Sep 2005. (Angus McDougall.)

ABOVE: Coltishall Bure Valley Railway and the original station building. (Angus McDougall 11 Apr 1998.)

1334 FIXTURES REPORTS (Paul Stewart) [email protected]

2122] BLS Devon Service Train Tracker 7-8 Jul 2019: By Neil Greenwood. The sequel to last summer's
Cornish Tracker, the 'Devon Triangle of Doom Tracker' took place over the first weekend of July in
great weather and long summer evenings. The Okehampton summer Sunday only services and limited
use crossovers meant that the event had to be staged over a Sunday and Monday for the maximum
amount of Devon metals to be covered. The group consisted of 11 members with three of us 'ducking
in and out' of the main group's travels due to time limitations and other commitments. However, to
compensate we came down to Devon on Saturday morning to get the most out of the weekend.
We met up at Plymouth for the 15.43 Newquay to Newton Abbot, a chance to travel on one of the
shortened 4-car HST 'Castle' sets and more importantly covering the little used crossovers approaching
Newton Abbot to arrive in P1. This was also to be done by the main group on the Monday afternoon.

A connecting move at Newton Abbot took us to Starcross in time to catch the last ferry of the day to
Exmouth (at one time included on All Line Rovers). There are only eight crossings a day, subject to
tide, which at 20 minutes to cross compares very favourably with the ¾ hour or so on the train. Arrival
back at Starcross on the ferry was just in time to take a photo of a GWR short set HST on 2C51, the
17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance service. Just west of the station still exists the pumping station
that formed part of Brunel's Atmospheric Railway. It was one of three built by the South Devon
Railway, the other two were at Torquay and Totnes. However, Starcross was the only one ever used.

The reason behind the concept, which had been previously used successfully on short lengths of track
in Ireland, was to overcome the problem of running steam locomotives of the time on severe gradients
such as at Dainton. In the system adopted by the South Devon Railway, a large diameter tube was laid
between the rails. This was connected to a series of pumping engines, which were able to evacuate the
air from the pipe. Running along the top of the pipe there was a slit, which had a leather flap attached
to one side. This closed over the slit and allowed a vacuum to be created in the pipe. Unfortunately
they used to leak and rats would eat the leather which also wore very quickly.

Slung under the first vehicle of the train was a piston which fitted snugly into the pipe, the connection
from the piston to the vehicle being made through the slit in the pipe. Prior to the train leaving, the air
was pumped out of the pipe ahead of the train (in advance of the direction of travel). Air at
atmospheric pressure was then admitted to the pipe behind the piston and the train was propelled
forward by this pressure.
Starting trains from stations was difficult, and small auxiliary pipes were provided with rope attached
to small pistons. The ropes were coupled to the front of the piston carriage and used to assist the
starting of the train being disconnected once the train was in motion.

The Atmospheric Railway at Starcross was in use for one year before the project was abandoned but it
was the World's longest atmospheric railway, could propel trains of 120 tons and on one occasion the
8½ mile journey from Exeter to Starcross was completed in 15 mins. 172 years later it takes 11 mins.

A trip to Paignton and then Exmouth made a nice end to the day with a mid-evening finish at Exeter.
The Great Western Hotel where we stayed was extremely handy for the station, as the name suggests.

The first day of the Devon Tracker saw the main group head off for Paignton, Exmouth and Dawlish to
cover various crossovers and Down bay P1 at Exeter Central. The splinter group of three had a very
leisurely 09.00 start with a run to Okehampton on the summer Sunday only GWR service. The reason
for the split from the main group was so that we could spend a couple of hours in Okehampton
between trains to travel on the shuttle to Meldon and to explore the local area full of railway history.

D4167 (08937) is owned by Aggregate Industries who run Meldon Quarry which has been mothballed
for quite a few years (and the equipment dismantled) but allow the Dartmoor Railway to operate here.
On normal running days the 08 supplements the Thumper but it was out of use with a technical fault.

Meldon Viaduct on Dartmoor carried the London & South Western Railway above the West Okement
River. The truss bridge was constructed from wrought iron and cast iron. Nowadays the viaduct
(which would require rebuilding to reopen the line) carries pedestrians and cyclists but in its formative
years traffic regularly flowed between Exeter and Plymouth. Traffic ceased from 6 May 1968 on the 20
mile section between Meldon and Bere Alston but most is available as a public foot and cycle path.

With 11 Devon Treckers now together we set off on the early afternoon run down the Tarka line to
Barnstaple. It is named after the otter in Henry Williamson's book 'Tarka the Otter' which is set in the
area. One rather endearing feature of this line was the launch of the Rail Ale Trail in 2002 in which
passengers are encouraged to travel the branch line and visit one or more of the pubs along the way.
There are around 10 pubs in the scheme and if you visit all of them you can get a free T-shirt! In the
past 15 years or so passenger numbers on the line have roughly doubled. Over that time all stations
along the line have enjoyed significant increases in passenger usage with the exception of three
(Chapelton, Portsmouth Arms & Lapford). Maybe they are in need of a pub or two! It was good to see
the investment in new track and at Barnstaple the lovely station café was open late Sunday afternoon.

As an aside, in 2011 James May relaid the Barnstaple - Bideford line with temporary miniature track
and raced three trains from Barnstaple to Bideford while a German team did the run in reverse to
Barnstaple. All six trains completed the 10 mile run with a 2:1 victory to the Allies! The run into Exeter
St Davids placed us nicely in position to take the last train of the day at 17.05 to Okehampton from the
little used north bay P2 (see item 2070). Returning from Okehampton was into the lesser used

St Davids P6 via the east end crossover. For two of us it was time for a couple of pints and a curry at
the Great Western Hotel while the rest of the group made a trip to Plymouth then Tiverton Parkway.

Monday, by necessity, started early at 06.41 due to the few trains planned each day to use the loop
platform at Honiton. There are only around four trains a day that run through P2 if a train crosses in
the other direction in the peak hours when there are two trains an hour each way. The limit of the
Devon Day Ranger is Axminster where we had a 15 minute lay over before returning to Exeter.

An oddity of the Devon Day Ranger is that during the week, when validity doesn't normally start until
09.00, there is an easement allowing the 06.41 Exeter to Waterloo service to be used. Unfortunately
no such alleviation on the return service so we had to buy single tickets back to Exeter. The complexity
of planning the Devon Tracker meant that we would be unable to cover both Up and Down platforms
at Axminster which would require a move to Yeovil Junction. However, due to all moves being
successful at the first attempt, freeing up some time, a number of us made it to Yeovil later in the day.

Back at Exeter the 'lightweights' among us returned to the Great Western for a full English whilst the
'heavyweights' continued on to Plymouth and then back to Newton Abbot which is where we all met
up again. A little spare time at Newton Abbot had me reminiscing about the early 1970s and a family
holiday to the area during which my brother and I spent all our time on Newton Abbot and Dawlish
platforms or on the sea wall between Teignmouth and Dawlish, 'feasting' on a diet of Westerns.

A trip down the Riviera Line to Paignton gave a lesser used P1 arrival. The train then has to shunt ECS
to the Carriage Sidings and reverse for a P2 departure or reverse ECS north out of P1 and use Paignton
north facing crossover with another reversal to access P2. You can see why they prefer to arrive in P2!

BELOW: Between Teignmouth and Dawlish; a Western on an Up service approaches Parson's Tunnel.
(All photos are by Neil Greenwood unless specified.)

Further moves got us to Plymouth for the 13.40 to Newton Abbot allowing the group to do what is
probably the least frequently used crossover in Devon from the Up Main across to Newton Abbot P1,
with only one booked train a day during the week. Due to Mark Haggas's fine planning and the good
luck we experienced, there was plenty of time for a trip to Yeovil Junction for a run through both
platforms and lines at Axminster giving full coverage of the Devon region (except Gunnislake and the
Plymouth west end lines, which were done in 2018 on our Cornish Tracker!).

A break at Exeter then prepared the hardy two remainers to cover what is probably the most awkward
move of the two days, that being the arrival into Newton Abbot from the east into P3. It is booked in
the week for all Down trains to Plymouth from 22.30 onwards and also the Down Sleeper, suggesting
that P1 &2 are unstaffed then (with one Paignton DMU self-dispatching or staff crossing over for it).

Fortunately there is more than one opportunity late in the evening as the first service to do the move
was 20 mins or so late and would have conflicted with an Up train also using P3. In fact the Down train
did use P3 and the Up one was held before Newton Abbot until it had cleared. However the intrepid
duo weren't to know that, so caught the next train planned for use of P3 in the Down direction. Return
to Exeter was 50 minutes later than originally planned but the objective to cover all normally used
passenger track in Devon with the exception of Gunnislake in two days was completed, with just under
half an hour to spare. This just goes to show that, no matter how meticulous the planning, there's
always the possibility of late running or cancelled train/s to throw a spanner in the works.

So again Mark's thorough planning and flexibility on the day meant that for the two year mission to
cover all the normally used passenger tracks in Cornwall and Devon was successfully completed. This
sort of event takes a lot of planning and hours of juggling moves around to get the whole thing to work
and then there's the sense of responsibility when it goes wrong but delight when it's sorted. So, well
done Mark and hopefully we can look forward to further Tracker fixtures in the future. They really are
a great way to immerse yourself in the hobby with other like minded people.

BELOW: Tornado powers through Dawlish on the Pathfinder 'Dart & Torbay Express'
from Bristol TM to Kingswear. (Mark Haggas, Sat 6 Jul 2019.)

ABOVE: An immaculate 'HMS' Orcombe at Starcross waiting time for the final round sailing of the day
to Exmouth (in the distance). The crossing takes 15-20 mins according to the tide. BELOW: On return
to Starcross the 17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance service was passing. (Eddie Humphrey.)

ABOVE: D4167 (08937) on the Dartmoor Railway looking east towards Okehampton, Sun 7 Jul 2019.
Although the nameboard says 'Meldon Viaduct', it is 'Meldon Quarry' in TRACKmaps 3 p11c Jun 2018
and 'Meldon Station' on the Railway's online timetable. What do the tickets show‽ BELOW: Meldon
Viaduct, a short walk from the station (whatever it might be called). (Eddie Humphrey, Sun 7 Jul 2019.)

ABOVE: A GWR train for Exeter at Okehampton, these run for the last time this year on Sun 8 Sep.
BELOW: Mark Haggas at Barnstaple - once Barnstaple Junction - which had an island platform (left).

ABOVE: A (reduced) group picture at Plymouth on the Monday afternoon. BELOW: 158888 arrives at
Yeovil Junction from Pen Mill to reverse and form the 16.46 back to Waterloo via Pen Mill.

ABOVE: 43170 at Plymouth P4, Sat 6 Jul, on a short HST; the bidirectional through line is right.

:Details must be checked 1334 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] .Please mention BLN.

2123] Chester Zoo: (BLN 1331.1678 map) Open daily 10.00-18.00. A recent visit confirmed that the
one mile 1991 built monorail circuit, shown on modern OS maps, closes for good at the end of Aug.
There is also an interesting shed branch not shown. It has become increasingly difficult to acquire
spare parts and is not seen as worth the many millions of pounds required to modernise/reconfigure
the route as the attraction has also become less popular. Three trains usually run on the circuit
between the two stops and give interesting views of the route from their elevated position. At both
stops all passengers must alight but, if quick, can queue (if needed) to rejoin the same train. Sunday

mornings are the quietest time to visit to avoid
queues - the system is not high capacity
unloading/ loading is slow. The cheapest Zoo
admission is online in advance; a day Monorail
Rover is £4 extra.

2124] *NEW* British Railways in the 1960s;
London Midland Region: Pen & Sword Books,
160 high quality photos, one per page, the vast
majority in colour, by our Society
Photographer Geoff Plumb, mostly when he
was a schoolboy! Detailed historic captions.
Geoff's first book covered British Rail's
Southern Region and future editions will cover
the Western and Eastern Regions. Scotland will
be in the LM & Eastern books. Hardback £30 or
£27 from http://bit.ly/30jr9lA £12.99 as an
e-Book/Kindle. Amazon has it for £18.64.

X.107] The World's Most Beautiful Railway; Episode 1 (More4, Mon 26, Aug 21.00): Scotland where
railways cross landscape voted the best in the world. Follows the staff and enthusiasts who safeguard
these iconic routes. Britain's largest landslide barrier, the Forth Bridge & Union of South Africa.

2125] West Somerset Railway (19m 51ch): 7 consecutive days of unlimited travel for less than £7
per day (peak timetable is 14 trains daily). £48 Adult; £24 Child, £99 Family (2A&2C), valid on 'Red',
'Blue' or 'Yellow' days - not special events. Adult (18-64) one day rover £22 (£20.35 online before
midnight the day before - by email no fees); Senior (65+) £21/£19.35; Family £55.60/£50.60;
Disabled £17; Age 3-17 £11/£10.15; Dog Rover £2.50. TWO DAY rovers offer further discounts.

An ANNUAL PASS is just £75 Adult/Family £159 (2A&2C or 1A&3C - additional child £35) - if bought
within 7 days of your ticket, the price is subtracted from the cost. Local resident's railcard (£10) gives
25% off for two years. Through tickets (ask for 'West Somerset Railway') are available from GWR
stations, with the Taunton - Bishops Lydeard GWR shuttle (BLN 1332.1872) £4 single; £6 return; Age
3-17 £2/£3; Taunton to/from Minehead is £26.25 day return Adult; £25.35 65+; £13.15 age 5-17.

RARE TRACK: When service starts and finishes with a diesel train the DMU starts and finishes in
non-preferred P1 at Bishops Lydeard which can also be used during Galas and other special events.

2126] North Norfolk Model Engineers: North Norfolk Railway, Holt station (off A148 Cromer - King's
Lynn road, N625 6AJ). This extensive 3½/5" elevated line runs, weather permitting, Suns 12.00-16.00
(& some Thurs); message via Facebook to check but closes at the end of this season after 16 years,
due to site developments. The Engineers are looking for an alternative site in the North Norfolk area.

2127] Lowestoft Signal Box Tours; 14, 15, 21 & 22 Sep: Dating back to 1885 the box, a short walk from
the station, closes with resignalling in Feb. A limited number of 20 min tours are available. Email
[email protected] for available dates/times. http://bit.ly/2Nd4SSN has details.

2128] Apedale Valley Light Railway, 50th Anniversary
Weekend, 21-22 Sep, 10.30-17.00: (MR p23) Loomer
Road, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 7LB, (SJ
823 484). Adding to the interesting events already
available this weekend, the railway has conducted
tests with a view to public running for the first and
only time on the Field/Trench Railway. This is for the
Moseley Railway Society's 50th Anniversary Gala to try
and recreate the original train rides at Cheadle
Moseley School where the Society began. Adults £6;
Child £3. Check details with website/Facebook/ 0845 094 1953. Our Society had two comprehensive
private tours of the 2ft gauge Apedale Valley Light Railway and the Field/Trench Lines on 2 Oct 2016
but there has been an extesnion since (hint); report & pictures e-BLN 1267.2024.

PREVIOUS PAGE BOTTOM: (In case you were wondering.) The Moseley Industrial Narrow Gauge
Museum line 9 Jul 1989 (when it was a mere 20 years old) at a school in Manchester. A loco is running
round at the far end of the line with the college in the background. This could certainly qualify as a
'Field Railway'. (Ian Mortimer.) ABOVE LEFT: The first railway at the original school on 1 Jul 1968.

2129] London Transport Museum Depot, Open Weekend 28-29 Sep: 11.00-17.00 see BLN 1331.1682
for details. Public running of the 7¼" gauge 180yd Acton Miniature Railway (MR p17) as usual. Your GS
noted on 13 July that this railway is now accessible without purchasing Museum entrance, with its
own ticket office, and was very popular. Passengers can only join and leave the train at this point.

2130] Liverpool & Manchester Railway Atlas; First Edition: Described by the publisher (Crécy) as
A new atlas from perhaps the most acclaimed railway cartographer currently at work. Looking at the
quality and meticulous but clear detail of our member Joe Brown's London and West Midland Atlases
few would disagree. As well as Merseyside and Greater Manchester, the maps will cover most of the
historic county of Lancashire extending to Blackpool, Fleetwood, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Colne,
Chorley, Warrington, Chester, Northwich and Buxton. Many tram systems are included as are the
extensive colliery and industrial railways. A4 hardback, 256 pages; 180 map pages & a 70 page index
(that is more than the London Railway Atlas has). See http://bit.ly/2KKTSKN available 31 Oct 2020!

X.108] BELOW: BLN 1331 Guess the (precise) Location: (e-BLN 1331.X80) Our member Dan Hitchens
with new stocks of raffle prizes he has kindly donated to the Society, but where is this exactly and

what is the train service here? ANSWER:
Crewe station at the old Horse Landing - no
train service, not even horse boxes; it's used
as the waiting room for the rail replacement
buses now. (Kev Adlam.)

X.109] Guess the Stained Glass Window
Location: NEXT PAGE: Given the strong
association between the Clergy and railway
interest (we won't mention the Reverend W
Awdry) does any member know 'which
church' (clue to the rough area) this stained
glass window of a73xxx was fairly recently
installed in? In the adjacent window is the
wording 'Railway link 1850' but that date is
incorrect, unfortunately, for the location
concerned! (David Thomas, 19 Aug 2019.)
Answer in BLN 1335.

●Bookings: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Rd, STOKE-on-TRENT, ST1 6EL. [email protected] 07983 541887.
●Fixtures Sec: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE, CW2 6XN. [email protected] @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales Officer: Graeme Jolley, Dolbryn, Penegoes, MACHYNLLETH, SY20 8NN. [email protected] 07484 646542.
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU. [email protected] text/ring Editor.
●Bill Davis (Marwell Zoo visit): [email protected] or by post via the BLN Editor below.
●Iain Scotchman (Madrid railtour): 102 Shenfield Place, BRENTWOOD, CM15 9AJ. [email protected]
●MAPS: By kind permission of the National Library of Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/indexhtml
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351. [email protected]
●Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Rd, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947.