Narrow Gauge Heaven: information on UK and worldwide narrow gauge railways

Getting Ready

It’s been a day of frenetic activity at Apedale. Even the weather has been kind (ish) to a good turnout of Moseley Railway Trust members as they have swarmed over the site, cleaning this, tidying that and rearranging the other. Why, I hear you ask rhetorically? Because it’s now less than a week to the first Apedale Open Day. The visiting engine-ometer now seems to firmly point at three. These are the steam loco Stanhope, which is already on site, and can be seen on test runs here:-

The other two visitors are a Lister Blackstone from Gloucestershire and a rarely-seen battery loco from Shropshire, making an unusual foray across the county line. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, there is the 50-odd MRT fleet assembled all around the site and chugging here, there and everywhere with demonstration goods trains. There will be a good selection of trade stands and lots of other outdoor displays. How can you resist? And such good value at £4 adults/£2 concessions.

If you want to know more, look here, or why not contact us here.

Turn up and you may even find out why someone is screwing a cardboard lozenge to a wall. And just in case you don’t like cardboard lozenges, I’ve even included a couple of loco pictures this week.

Source: Moseley Railway Trust – Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 6 September 2008

Positive Partnerships for Progress

In these notes, I have tended to focus on the nuts and bolts of what the MRT is doing at Apedale – laying track, restoring vehicles, all that type of stuff. But sometimes it’s useful just to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The MRT is aiming to build a 2’0” gauge railway into the Apedale Community Country Park, starting at the existing Apedale Heritage Centre, passing close by the former mine buildings which are now the base of the MRT’s operations and the now famous Aurora North storage shed and on for about 500 metres to Apedale Road, which marks the end of Phase One. Later phases will cross Apedale Road and head up hill to Burley Shales (just over 1000 metres) and Miry Arena (1900 metres). It is our belief that the railway will open up the park to many visitors, allowing people the many combinations of riding trains/walking and so on. Thus, the railway will form a genuine transport need and help people appreciate the wonders of the Country Park. I say “we” advisedly, because we have enjoyed the full support and encouragement of both Staffordshire County Council (who manage the park) and also Newcastle Under Lyme, our local authority. It is by developing these partnerships that all parties can achieve their goals. If you want to know about Apedale Community Country Park, have a look here.

This very positive relationship contrasts with problems which two other narrow gauge railways are having with their local authorities. The 2’6” Sittingbourne & Kelmsley railway is now facing a very real, and very urgent, threat to its existence. Sittingbourne (and indeed much of the area) lacks any real tourist or other visitor attractions, and it is truly astounding that their local authority seems content to allow this piece of genuine industrial narrow gauge heritage to simply vanish after 102 years. They need your help. Visit here to find out more. Similarly, our friends at Leighton Buzzard are also having some planning difficulties – visit here to find out more. The MRT offers its support and sympathy to both of our colleague railways in these difficult times, and hopes that all readers of this will do all they can to assist. But we also breathe a sigh of relief that the very positive partnerships we have with our governing authorities, both local and at county level, mean that we can work together to assist in the regeneration of our corner of North Staffordshire and make the area better for everybody. And what could be better than a steam train running though a country park? This week’s photos are a couple of SKLR views, including their locomotive “Melior”. As a Kerr Stuart “Brazil” class, she is a close cousin of the MRT’s “Stanhope”. In case you didn’t (by some miracle) know, we will be running “Stanhope” at the MRT’s Apedale Open Days on 13 & 14 September – see here for more details. And, as usual, you can get in touch here.

Source: Moseley Railway Trust – Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 3 September 2008

Slogging with Stanhope

Way back in December, this blog had an update on the MRT’s flagship locomotive, Kerr Stuart “Tattoo” class no.12395 of 1917 “Stanhope”. At the time, she was in the throes of a ten year boiler exam and light overhaul. Fortunately, the care and expense of her original restoration paid off, and no major problems emerged during the overhaul, and she was back in business by Easter at her current at the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank, near Southport. “Stanhope” has recently embarked on an end-of-summer tour, and this weekend has seen her working at the Golden Valley Light Railway, part of the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley, Derbyshire. And working is the operative word; it’s a 1 in 30 or thereabouts climb from the GVLR’s terminus at Newlands Inn. “Stanhope” does not have an air compressor of her own, so it is necessary to run with an air-equipped loco to provide the air. This is normally a 60S Motor Rail. The passenger train is four substantial manriders, plus the five ton Motor Rail deadweight, so it all makes for a pretty impressive bit of climbing performance as she storms up the bank. It has been observed that this is one of the key attractions of the narrow gauge. On the adjacent MRT standard gauge line, there are locos like a BR Standard 9F; with the usual load of most preserved lines, the loco hardly notices. Not so on the narrow gauge. Believe me, “Stanhope” notices the load climbing from Newlands Inn! Learn more about the GVLR at their website here.

From the GVLR, “Stanhope” will visit the Moseley Railway Trust’s Apedale base for the September 13 & 14 open days. Visit here for more details. Apedale will ultimately be “Stanhope”s home as and when the first phase of the passenger railway is completed and opened (hopefully during 2009).

After Apedale, it’s on to Graham Lee’s splendid Statfold Barn railway for their enthusiasts weekend, and then “Stanhope” returns to Hesketh Bank to fulfill its commitments on that railway – see here.

As ever, we’d love to here from you – contact us here.

Source: Moseley Railway Trust – Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 25 August 2008

New Volunteer's weekend 20/21st Sept. 2008

Ther will be a special weekend of activities for anyone interested in volunteering on the Talyllyn Railway. Saturday and Sunday 20/21st September 2008. Learn more about the various volunteering roles, take part on the special training train and work with the public service in your chosen role. Further details from Wharf Station.

Source: Talyllyn Railway: Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 20 August 2008

Statfold Barn Railway Enthusiasts Day 20/9/08

Statfold Barn Railway is pleased to announce details of the forthcoming Enthusiasts Day to be held on Saturday the 20th of Sept 2008 from 9 am until 4 pm.

We will have 12 narrow gauge locos and 1 standard gauge in steam.

They will be as follows:-

From Statfolds own fleet:-

HE 3902 of 1971 0-4-2ST Trangkil No 4
P 2050 of 1944 0-6-0ST Harrogate
HE 3903 of 2005 0-4-0ST Statfold
HE 3904 of 2006 0-4-0ST Jack Lane
HE 3905 of 2007 0-4-0ST Howard
O & K 1473 of 1905 0-4-4-0T Pakis Baru No 5
O & K 614 of 1900 0-4-0T Pakis Baru No 1
Krauss 4045 of 1899 0-4-2T Sragi No 1 (This is the first appearance of this engine)
WB 2820 of 1945 4-4-0T Isibutu

Visiting engines:-

Matheran Light Rly 0-6-0T 740 O & K 2343 of 1907
Stanhope 0-4-2ST KS 2395 of 1917 from The West Lancs Light Rly
Jerry M 0-4-0ST HE 638 of 1895 from Hollycombe

Standard Gauge:-

HL 3597 of 1926 0-4-0ST FD & E Co No 3

The following will be on static display:-

Narrow Gauge:-

Jung 4878 of 1930 0-4-4-0T Jatibarang No 9
Jung 2279 of 1914 0-4-4-0T Ceper Baru No 5
O & K 10750 of 1923 0-6-0T Sragi No 14 Max (In the course of restoration)

Standard Gauge:-

P 1530 of 1919 0-4-0 ST
AB 880 of 1902 0-4-0CT Glenfield

All engines subject to availability and circumstances beyond our control.

In addition there are a few diesels and other rolling stock!

There will be regular passenger trains and a demonstration goods train.

There will also be a mini Traction Engine Rally with over 12 road locos due to visit.

Statfold Barn Railway is a private railway which is open 3 times a year, strictly by Invitation only.

It is a dual gauge line (2 ft and 2 ft 6 ins) with a run of over 3 miles.
There is also a smaller 2ft line around an ornamental lake.

There is also a short standard gauge demonstration line.

This event will be our biggest yet and applications are now being received for attendance.

If anyone wishes to be considered for an invitation they should write to the address below (mentioning Narrow Gauge Heaven) to ask for one. In return we ask for a donation of 8 per head (Net proceeds are given to Charity)

Cheques should be made payable to Friends of Statfold Barn Steam Railway

Please note no one under 14 years of age Im afraid.

If you are interested apply ASAP because we have a limit on numbers and the invitations go fast! Apply now to avoid disappointment!

Henry Noon
Statfold Barn Railway
Ashby Road
Tamworth
Staffs
B79 0BU

Posted by Henry Noon on 18 August 2008

Location, Location, Location

Last Saturday 16 August was another little bit of history for the Moseley Railway Trust; we vacated the storage location at Buxworth, Derbyshire, which has been the Trust’s home for the last few years. There are probably few events as traumatic (or expensive) for an organisation such as the Moseley Railway Trust than the need to move base – and it’s happened four times to the MRT! The trust has its roots in a 1969 project at the Moseley Hall Grammar School for Boys, at Cheadle near Stockport. In 1971, this school closed and relocated alongside a girls school about a mile away. This should have been seen as an omen for the future! What became the MRT developed and thrived at this new location, known as the Manor School, until 1998 when the organisation was compelled to leave Cheadle and move the collection into storage. The first location was the Mevril Spring Works at Whaley Bridge, near Buxton. Open days, with locos being demonstrated, were held in 1999 and 2000 at this site. However, once again, fate intervened and the site was sold for redevelopment. In 2001, the Trust decanted to a storage unit at Buxworth, also near Buxton. Meanwhile, the Trust located a permanent site at Apedale – and this time we own this one, so no more moves! Most of the collection slumbered at Buxworth until 2008 when they arrived in the splendid Aurora North storage shed. The set of pictures show locos at Cheadle, and at Buxworth and you’ve all seen plenty of Apedale shots. As you should know by now, there’s open days at Apedale on 13 & 14 September – see here.

Source: Moseley Railway Trust – Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 18 August 2008

Open days will mark Storage Shed completion

The Moseley Railway Trust (MRT) proudly announces the completion of a key element of its continuing development of the site at Apedale. A large storage shed, known as Aurora North, has allowed the Trust to move its collection of narrow gauge locomotives from storage at a number of sites and bring them together – literally under one roof – for the first time in ten years.
Phil Robinson, the Chairman of the Moseley Railway Trust said “Since coming onto the Apedale site in 2006, the Trust has made great strides in developing the site. The completion of the Aurora North building marks a major milestone for us”.
There are now more than fifty locomotives on site at Apedale, mainly 2’0” gauge but other gauges are represented also. The locomotives are mainly diesel or petrol engined, but there are also steam locos, such as the 1916 Hudswell Clarke locomotive which the MRT imported from Ghana earlier this year. The World War One Hunslet locomotive owned by the War Office Locomotive Society is also now at Apedale.
Progress has continued with developing other aspects of the site, although construction of the main passenger-carrying railway has been delayed whilst issues with footpath diversions are resolved with the support of Staffordshire County Council. Nonetheless, the MRT still hopes to open the initial phase of the railway during 2009.
The public will get a chance to see the progress made by the MRT at Apedale when the Trust holds its first public open days on September 13 and 14. This weekend will also see the first operation of steam locomotives on site when the Kerr Stuart locomotive “Stanhope”, part of the MRT collection, will visit from its normal base at the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank, near Southport. “Stanhope” and other locomotives will be used to haul demonstration trains. The public will be able to see the MRT’s collections, and there will be visiting attractions such as model railways, vintage vehicles, a miniature railway and sales stands.
The open days will be from 11.00 to 17.00 each day, and admission is £4 adults, £2 children under 16 and OAPs. The Apedale site is adjacent to the Apedale Heritage centre, near the village of Chesterton, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire. The site is 10 minutes from Junction 16 on the M6, and is just off the A34. Full directions and further information can be found here.

Source: Moseley Railway Trust – Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 14 August 2008

Victorian Week Photos

A few pictures of the railway during Victorian Week. More …

Source: Talyllyn Railway: Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 10 August 2008

August 2008 - No 7 'Tom Rolt' update

Pendre staff and volunteers have made steady progress on No 7 ‘Tom Rolt’. _No_7_Tom_Rolt_update.html”>Talyllyn Railway: Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 10 August 2008

Five Celebrate 40 Years Volunteering on the Talyllyn

The evening of 26th July 2008 saw a joint celebration of 40 years volunteering on the Talyllyn Railway. More …

Source: Talyllyn Railway: Latest News

Posted by Peter Bowyer on 10 August 2008

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