Heritage Railway Magazine - Issue 188 - April 10th 2014

SPRING GALA BUMPER 116 PAGE SPECIAL

Issue 188

April 10 – May 7, 2014

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No. 188

GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

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Coalport Station is an excellent base for visiting the Telford Steam Railway and the Severn Valley Railway at Bridgnorth – also home to England’s oldest and steepest funicular railway.

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HeritageRailwayOpinion

LNER K1 2-6-0 No. 62005 crosses the Wansbeck viaduct south of Ashington with the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Wansbeck’ tour from Newcastle on March 29. This was the first steam train over the viaduct since 1967. DAVE COLLIER

Editor Robin Jones rjones@mortons.co.uk 01507 529305 Deputy editor Brian Sharpe bsharpe@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Senior contributing writers Geoff Courtney, Cedric Johns Contributors Fred Kerr, Roger Melton Designer Tim Pipes Reprographics Jonathan Schofield Divisional advertising manager Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk Advertising representative Craig Amess camess@mortons.co.uk 01507 529310 Subscription manager Paul Deacon Marketing manager Charlotte Park Production manager Craig Lamb Circulation manager Steve O’Hara Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Editorial address Heritage Railway magazine Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99 Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ Website www.heritagerailway.co.uk General queries and back issues 01507 529529 24 hr answerphone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Archive enquiries Jane Skayman jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423 Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 32 for offer): (12 months 13 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £53.30. Export rates are also available – see page 32 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax.

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would be cheering loudest of all if one or both of the museums in North America which are home to expatriated LNER A4 Pacifics acceded to the very generous offers that have been tabled and sell them so that they could remain in their country of origin.

The arguments have been presented for the past 18 months. Railway enthusiasts tend, on the whole, to be interested all but exclusively in locomotives and stock from their own country; the appeal of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada in North America is purely because of their names. They weren’t particularly well looked after over there, and indeed No. 60010/4489 returned with a dent in its front casing following a historic shunting mishap. The proceeds from selling them back to Britain could work wonders in restoring exhibits relevant to the USA or Canada.

However valid these points may be, they are missing the biggest one of them all by a huge margin. If the US National Railroad Museum in Green Bay and Exporail in Montreal had not given them a home, both locomotives would have ceased to exist half a century ago.

Therefore, a phenomenal debt of gratitude is owed to both establishments, even more so in view of their readiness to loan us both A4s for the awesomely successful Mallard 75 events.

Compare and contrast the attitude taken by the directors of both North American museums with the officials at Birmingham City Council and the Thinktank museum, who rebuff any bid to even briefly borrow Princess Coronation 4-6-2 No. 46235 City of Birmingham for a similar event. They trot out the tired and highly questionable historic dogma about its importance to local people and how it is a perfect example of a locomotive overhauled by a BR works. Under scrutiny, the rhetoric boils down to the fact that the city’s only real interest in this particular Pacific is its name, similar to the North American A4s.

The reason why two A4s must remain exiled in North America is because we decreed it back in the Sixties. We did not want them over here any more – they have served their purpose. Mallard the record breaker was

part of the National Collection, withdrawn steam engines were two a penny, and the world was rushing both into the diesel and electric age and also that of widespread car ownership. In short, we did not care.

The same is so true about much of our heritage today, particularly in the railway sector. I note that a new group has been formed to buy unrestored GWR 2-8-0 No. 2859 from the Llangollen Railway and restore it to running order. I wish them well in their endeavours, as this engine has been there for nearly 27 years since it was saved from Barry scrapyard, with scant sign of a rebuild starting in seriousness. Yet, for argument’s sake, if this same locomotive was an exhibit in a museum in Rio de Janeiro, we would all be clamouring for its repatriation.

It is the old story of disdain, disinterest and even contempt for the familiar. There are numerous classic steam locomotives in Britain in dire need of a restoration plan, yet so many lie around in much the same condition they were in when Dai Woodham sold them.

Britain invented the steam locomotive and had the world’s first public steam railway. Yet only in the past few weeks, the restoration group clearing the Brusselton Incline on the Stockton & Darlington Railway has uncovered a treasure-trove of artefacts from those ground-breaking times, left there for decades, unnoticed and unloved.

There is so much priceless heritage in our midst, but because it lacks the glamour of a line-up of six A4s, it seems, too often, that nobody cares.

It is indeed sad that the two A4s must leave us in early May and cross the Atlantic again, possibly, even probably, for the final time. Yet we should not lament their departure; the memory of what the National Railway Museum and its partners achieved in Mallard 75 year, with the huge reawakening in the general public consciousness to Britain’s proud railway history should stir us on to take a second look at the heritage in our midst, which is our responsibility.

Robin Jones Editor Heritage Railway

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Contents

Issue 188 april 10 – may 7, 2014

News 6

10

Cover

heaDLine news

ree West Coast Railways main line steam locomotives to star in big Mid-Norfolk Heritage Railway-backed gala; Network Rail begins refurbishment of Loughborough Great Central bridge decks; and London Underground to run steam from Northfields to Moorgate.

news

LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley returned to the main line on March 29 with a Steam Dreams’ ‘Cathedrals Express’ from King’s Cross to York, seen here passing Harringay.

JOHN TITLOW

6

Mallard 75 makes a million for the National Railway Museum; Severn Valley board recruits Metropolitan Railway 150 steam mastermind; new £1.2 million Isle of Wight visitor centre opens; Merlin back on the main line; Wensleydale station reopens aer 60 years; Bowes Railway volunteers rally round in hour of need; fresh hopes in saving world’s last daily timetabled steam; Churnet Valley buying Cauldon Low line; heritage trains back at Okehampton; gala action from the North Norfolk, Bluebell, Swanage, Keighley & Worth Valley railways; Midland Railway-Butterley spring galas; offers for

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North American A4s refused; Network Rail blamed for West Coast Class 47 derailment; and Bittern booked for big North Yorkshire Moors Railway spring gala.

The Severn Valley Railway spring gala was a classic combination of sunshine and showers.

These came together to create this unique view of a double rainbow over newly repainted BR black GWR 2-6-2T No. 4566, with matching blood-and-custard coaches, passing Severn Lodge on the 2.05pm Bridgnorth-Kidderminster on Saturday, March 22. DUNCAN LANGTREE

Regulars 58 60

Centre

e ultimate Southern steam photo charter picture by Peter Zabek takes centre stage.

Main Line news

Sir Nigel Gresley brings steam back to Dawlish sea wall; A4s now banned from Carlisle; Tornado back in action; and Clan Line celebrates 40 years on the national network.

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Main Line itinerarY

Brian Sharpe’s definitive guide to steam and heritage modern traction railtours.

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raiLwaYana

90

PLatfOrM

94

Off the sheLf

98

sCaLe heritage raiLwaY

Geoff Courtney reports on the latest auction prices and news.

Where your views matter the most. e latest books and merchandise reviewed.

Hornby’s latest A4 is Great Snipe.

100 UP & rUnning

Brian Sharpe’s complete listing of museums and operational heritage lines.

114 the MOnth aheaD

62 4 heritage railway

Our at-a-glance guide to the big events coming up in the next four weeks, with Heritage Railway, as usual, bringing unrivalled coverage.

COMPetitiOn

■ WIN a three-day gala pass for the gloUCestershIre WarWICKshIre raIlWay’s may 24-26 CotsWold festIval of steam plUs tWo famIly tICKets!

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sUBsCriBe tO HERITAGE RAILWAY!

take out a 13-issue subscription to Heritage Railway – the preservation magazine written entirely by people who remember first-hand the British railways’ steam era – and be first with the news that matters.

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www.heritagerailway.co.uk

Features 50

70

BROADWAY CALLING

It had been a tough few years for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, but in 2013 it came back with a vengeance, as Paul Appleton found out when he met up with members of the railway’s management team.

Resounding success for the West Somerset Railway’s spring steam gala.

82 82

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SPECIAL FEATURE

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BIG SUCCESS FOR ‘WITHERED ARM’

THE BRECON MOUNTAIN REACHES THE SUMMIT!

On April 1, steam-hauled passenger trains returned to Torpantau for the first time in 50 years. James Gamble had a preview of this latest extension to one of the Great Little Trains of Wales with photography by Juliet Eden.

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WESTERN STEAM SUPREME

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FIFTEEN YEARS - AND STEAMING AHEAD!

e Severn Valley Railway’s spring steam gala had a British Railways’ Western Region branch line theme – quite apt for to this ex-GWR line. Malcolm Ranieri reports on the event held on March 21-23.

In April 1999, a brand new title appeared on the newsstands, out of the blue – Heritage Railway. Many saw entering a fiercely competitive and loyal market as a brave move, but not only is the title still very much here, it is going from strength to strength. Today, the magazine is part of what is now Britain’s biggest publisher of railway titles, Mortons Media Group, writes founding editor Robin Jones.

Heritage Railway

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News

Mallard 75 year makes a million for York and Shildon!

By Robin Jones

THE National Railway Museum is celebrating achieving well over a million visitors at its two sites in 2013/14, largely thanks to the phenomenal success of the Mallard 75 season.

As the financial year closed on March 31, the final tally for overall visitors (including groups and corporate event attendees) was 950,000 at York and 296,000 at the Locomotion museum in Shildon.

The three Great Gatherings of all six surviving A4s (Mallard with all five ‘sisters’) drew around 365,000, but the wave of publicity the events created appeared to generate an overall increase in visitors. At York, an uplift of around 30% never dipped significantly during the 75th anniversary year and beyond.

In 2012, the museum set out its ambition to achieve a million visitors across the two sites for the time No. 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower and No. 60010/4489 Dominion of Canada were on British shores, and this target has been realised.

NRM director Paul Kirkman said: “It’s been an amazing year for the NRM, and the increase in visitors at both our Shildon and York sites is mainly due to the staggering success of the Mallard 75 series of events of which HRH, Prince of Wales is patron.

“Now the season is over we hope that people will still flock to see the record breaker at its York home and its transatlantic sisters at Shildon this Easter before they make their return voyage in May.” The museum is now reaping the rewards with awards nominations flying in from many sectors, from

public relations to tourism to transport.

Among those already won is the Herbert Crow Memorial Award, which was presented to Paul Kirkman by the Lord Mayor of London in recognition of the knowledge-enhancing achievements of Mallard 75 to the transport industry.

Eagerly awaited is the outcome of the Visit York 2014 Visitor Experience of the Year Award. If successful, the event will then be matched against the whole of Yorkshire and the UK in the subsequent White Rose and Visit England Awards.

Retail sales at Shildon were strong – a turnover of £82,704 - with an estimated gross ‘profit’ of £45,000 which is being ploughed back into the museum group’s coffers.

Ticketed events, including the £90 photography evenings, generated £22,000 towards event costs, with income from catering and car parking also contributing.

By the time of February’s Great Goodbye there were 45 Mallard 75 products available, many of which are still on sale in store and online.

Taking a cautious approach in light of the current economic climate, and sales history from previous events, the decision had been made not to produce specific Mallard 75 products unless the demand was known to be there. However, after the first Great Gathering last July, visitor feedback and market research gave clear evidence of a big demand. People wanted more things to buy to remember the occasion.

The appetite for Mallard merchandise was further demonstrated with online sales

maintaining a strong level after the events, and this set the wheels in motion for further products to be produced.

The buying, merchandising, and retail teams within the museum group responded to visitors’ needs with a range of more than 70 products that met all budgets. At Shildon, the most popular product in terms of volume sold was fridge magnets (4,590 sold) and at York the A5 postcard was also a low-cost winner.

Visitors to the event also donated by other means, with £51,600 given during the nine-day spectacular at Shildon, where the A4s will continue to be on display together until after Easter, making the most of the final phase of the Mallard 75 project.

Young Mallard fans will be kept busy with A4-related craft activities, including making American, British and Canadian flags relating to the international scope of the project, and cab access on weekends and selected weekdays.

On the final weekend (April 1920), Locomotion will be showcasing the transatlantic duo in a whole new light, with students from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance creating an audiovisual spectacular along the lines of York’s annual Locos in a Different Light event.

Once the lights are taken down, preparations by Andrew Goodman’s Moveright International will begin for the journey to Liverpool’s Seaforth Docks. Depending on the tides the locomotives will embark on the evening of May 3, or the following morning, on board one of the ACL fleet of roll-on-roll off vessels, currently scheduled to be

Atlantic Cartier.

From the port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, the A4s will be loaded onto rail wagons to travel to Montreal, where Dominion of Canada will be unloaded. From there, No. 60008 will be taken on to Green Bay, where it is to form the centrepiece of a new exhibition coupled to two command cars used by General Eisenhower during the Second World War.

MALLARD 75 Statistics (all figures rounded to the nearest 100) Total visitor numbers – 364,400. total capital support from Science Museum Group – £231,700 GREAT GATHERING, AUTUMN GREAT GATHERING Commercial turnover (shop, cafe, retail sales etc) – £1,096,000 Commercial return (profit) to Science Museum Group Enterprises – £497,000 Visitor giving plus gift aid – £139,200 Total non-commercial income generated at York (ticketed events and hire fees) £56,700 GREAT GOODBYE Total non-commercial income generated at Shildon (ticketed events) – £22,000 Visitor donations – £51,600 Retail sales £82,704 – with an estimated gross profit of £45,000

Bittern and ‘Jinty’ for NYMR spring gala JEREMY Hosking’s A4 No. 4464 Bittern will be one of the visiting engines for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s spring gala, with Roger Hibbert’s LMS ‘Jinty’ 3F No. 47406 making a first visit, both of itself and its class, to the line.

Ian Riley’s ‘Black Fives’ Nos. 45407 and 44871 will be making their annual visit to the railway for the event over the weekends of April 25-27 and May 2–5 and the nominally home-based but rarely seen K1

10 Heritage Railway

2-6-0 No. 62005 will also be available for the first weekend of the event, before departing on railtour duties (like No. 44871) before the second weekend, while No. 44806 will make its gala debut.

Although No. 47406 will be the first ‘Jinty’ to run over the Whitby-Pickering line it is not as inappropriate for the area as might be imagined, for classmate No. 47403 was shedded at Scarborough from 1959-1961, before being sent for scrap. It

was mainly used to shunt Gallows Close yard at the end of the Scarborough-Whitby line.

No. 47406 will run a variety of services on the NYMR, possibly including some all-line runs. It will be limited to a three-coach train if running by itself, however, and for longer runs is likely to be paired with another locomotive, possibly Lambton tank No. 29.

Bittern will be making its third visit to the NYMR but is thought likely to be a popular attraction

in view of its 90mph exploits last year. Home-based A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley will be occupied elsewhere on railtour duties.

Negotiations are in hand to bring Jeremy Hosking’s GWR 4-6-0 No. 5029 Nunney Castle to the railway for its autumn steam gala. *Former North Yorkshire Moors Railway apprentice fitter Chris Williams was appointed as the Sir Nigel Gresley Steam Locomotive Preservation Trust Ltd’s contracts manager.

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News

North American A4s will return in May – despite purchase bids

By Robin Jones

All on my own: Britain’s world steam record holder No. 4468 Mallard back in position around the turntable in the Great Hall at the National Railway Museum on March 27, its 75th anniversary celebrations now all but over. ROBIN JONES

AT least two major offers to keep repatriated A4s Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada have been turned down – including a signed $1 million cheque sent by a British would-be buyer to the US National Railroad Museum.

As Heritage Railway exclusively reported in our last issue, North Norfolk Railway director, Julian Birley, acting on behalf on an unnamed millionaire prospective purchaser of either, or both of the A4s, revealed that a signed cheque had been sent to the Wisconsin museum before Christmas.

However, the museum’s board of directors unanimously turned down the offer – which would have brought a windfall for potential projects to conserve or restore artefacts with a more immediate US railroad relevance – and sent the cheque back.

The story about the offer was reported in several US newspapers, and made the pages of the national newspaper USA Today, with pictures supplied by Heritage Railway.

Paul Koch was the museum board’s president when a deal was signed in 2012 with the National Railway Museum to borrow No. 60008 for up to two years for the Mallard 75 line-ups of all six surviving A4s. This was in return for it being cosmetically overhauled, as was also the case with No. 60010, now 4489, Dominion of Canada. Paul said that the A4 meant something to the Americans too. “I don’t think we would ever sell it,” he said.

Koch said he was “stunned” to open his mailbox at home on Christmas Eve and find the cheque for $1 million, made out to the Green Bay museum.

“It was out of the blue. I never

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada were wheeled out of the Locomotion museum main building at Shildon on Friday, March 28, so that visitors could photograph them together outdoors. To the left is NER J21 0-6-0 No. 65033. ANTHONY COULLS

held that much money before. It was astounding.”

Museum director, Jacqueline Frank, who attended the first Great Gathering at York on July 3 last year, said: “It’s our responsibility to bring it home and to care for it.”

Julian revealed that he had also made approaches on the anonymous buyer’s behalf for Dominion of Canada, even visiting the Canadian embassy in London to discuss the offer, which would have seen it immediately overhauled to main line standards.

Another offer, for No. 4489, made by a group of businessmen headed by Tim Littler, president of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, was similarly given short shrift by the Exporail museum in Montreal, to where the locomotive will shortly return.

An NRM spokeswoman said: “They leave a lasting legacy on our shores with a new generation of enthusiasts, but also on their own soil with their freshly restored appearance being a must-see in their home states.

They deserve a hero’s welcome for their part in making rail heritage interesting to the nonenthusiast.

“Had they not been given as a ‘fraternal gift’ to the American and Canadian people, it is likely that both locos would have been scrapped in the 1960s rather than entering preservation.” ➲ A sealed-bid auction for the six Great Gathering headboards carried by the A4s with the logo of headline sponsor Hornby raised £7013. ➲ A National Railway Museum locomotive embarked on an overseas visit of its own in late March. Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 3 ‘Coppernob’ has gone on loan to the Dresden Transport Museum, where it will be displayed until September 28.

Network Rail blamed for West Coast derailment THE derailment of a West Coast Railways’ train, which severely damaged one of the company’s Class 47 diesels, could have been prevented if Network Rail had fitted a check-rail on a bend, the Rail Accident Investigation Board found.

The train, headed by No. 47500, derailed for a distance of 230ft, at Ordsall Lane in

www.heritagerailway.co.uk

Manchester, on January 23 last year.

As a result of the derailment, a fuel pipe was fractured and the locomotive caught fire, leading to a 40-strong fire crew tackling the blaze, and the train blocked the line for two days, disrupting both local services and those to London. Nobody was injured.

The 47, an InterCity Royal Train locomotive in the

Eighties, was part of a move of West Coast stock returning to Carnforth, from Siemens’ depot at Ardwick where wheel-turning had taken place.

A RAIB report read: “Despite being required by standards, there was no check-rail on the curve. This safeguard would have restricted the lateral displacement of the wheels and prevented the derailment.”

Investigators discovered that the distance between the rails on the curve was wider than normal. The report said that the accident could have been more serious if a passenger train had been passing on the Bolton line at the same time.

Network Rail has now fitted a check-rail at the curve, but No. 47500 remains at Carnforth, awaiting major repairs.

Heritage Railway

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WR 4-6-0 No. 7903 Foremarke Hall on Stanway Viaduct. JACK BOSKETT

BROADWAY CALL CALLING After a tough few years, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway returned with a vengeance in 2013, and is now all set for the Heritage Railway-backed Cotswold Festival of Steam on May 24-26. Paul Appleton reports.

W

Irish band entertains the racegoers at Toddington during the Cheltenham Festival. DAVID BOOT

The ‘gang’ at Evesham Road bridge, Broadway.

STEVE STANDBRIDGE

50 Heritage Railway

hen rains of biblical proportions wash away your railway embankments in more than one place, it comes as something of a shock with the sudden realisation that there is a serious threat to the very existence of what you and your colleagues have toiled so hard to create over a good many years.

When this happened at the Severn Valley Railway in 2007, it was probably as bad as it gets, with several breaches along the line, including some especially serious ones; the loss of embankment at Highley with images of track precariously suspended in the air immediately coming to mind.

Such is the popularity of the SVR and the size of its support that (not without a great deal of hard work) its managers, supporters, paid and volunteer staff rallied and, with the help of grants from various authorities and substantial donations, were able to not only repair the damage, but also take significant steps to improve the line’s formation to make sure the same fate doesn’t befall it again – in the process spending a cool £3 million.

When a similar thing happened at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (G/WR) three years later, in 2010 at Gotherington, and again at Chicken Curve the following year, the railway found itself on a real knife-edge. Not having a major centre such as Bridgnorth, whose traders noticed a downturn in custom when the railway closed, the G/WR’s rural location meant that, at a time of major recession, there were not a great number of

well-funded local authorities to turn to for help in order to raise the necessary funds to put things right.

Insurance cover went a long way towards funding the first major slip at Gotherington, covering £500,000 of the cost, but with insurance companies reluctant to provide greater indemnity against landslips in the face of claims from a number of preserved railways, this simply wasn’t the case when Chicken Curve decided to give up the ghost one night in January 2011. The severe cold snap really was the last straw and that was that – the railway was faced with the daunting prospect of raising a further million pounds.

What happened next was truly remarkable though. Railways large and small, private individuals and the volunteers themselves all chipped in and helped to raise the money the railway needed to get the work done – all within just one year. And after the body blow of having its line severed, with a period of restricted operation between Toddington and Gotherington, it again had to contend with a line of two halves. Well, not halves really; Chicken Curve is just a short distance north of Winchcombe (see map).

However, with the repairs completed at Gotherington, steam engines were relocated from the railway’s HQ at Toddington to Winchcombe so that a service could be maintained between there and Cheltenham Racecourse, a distance of seven miles. A temporary steam depot was set up, which included a new ash/inspection pit being built at www.heritagerailway.co.uk

to Honeybourne

locomotive mileages 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

N

17,458 16,593 23,941 24,777 30,823

section closed

BROADWAY

(station under construction)

current extension

Caravan Club & goods shed

Laverton

(station closed) Stanway Viaduct Garden Centre North Warwickshire N.G. Railway The base for the new signalbox at Broadway starts to take shape.

Gotherington

River Isbourne Greet Tunnel Gretton Carriage & wagon Dept

TODDINGTON Locomotive sheds & workshops

The substantial six road locomotive shed and workshop at Toddington. PAUL APPLETON

Chicken Curve

WINCHCOMBE

Bishop’s Cleeve (station closed) Cleeve Hill

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE STATION section closed

Racecourse

CHELTENHAM High Street Station

a time when funds were non-existent.

Meanwhile, a DMU service ran from just north of the slip at Chicken Curve through Toddington station and on to just beyond Stanway viaduct along newly laid track towards Laverton. Operationally it was tricky to set up, but it was vitally important to keep the railway running and maintain an income stream.

For many organisations it would have been easier to give up, sit back and wait for something to happen. But buoyed by the support from other railways and private individuals, as chairman Alan Bielby points out: “We just battened down the hatches, rolled up our sleeves and simply got on with it.”

“Consultants told us that there was no future for the railway,” the line’s commercial director Colin Fewell told me, “but we couldn’t accept that. We really are so very grateful for all of the support, including from readers of Heritage Railway magazine who contributed to the appeal. We were truly humbled by the level of support we received and that’s what kept us going in our darkest hour.”

But surely with the line having such a history of embankment failures it can’t have come as a surprise, can it? Alan is philosophical about this: “Of course we knew that the line between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon closed www.heritagerailway.co.uk

in 1976, because a goods train derailed dropping wagons on to the road below, as a result of track movement at Chicken Curve, but in early preservation days, light trains hauled by small saddletanks wouldn’t have disturbed the formation too much. Trains have got heavier as the railway has gained in popularity.

“We found when work started to clear the slippages at both sites, the embankments were built straight on to the fields. You could see evidence of early farm trenching – the railway was built directly on top with little or no preparation. The sub-soil here is heavy with clay and the old culverts and drains had been badly maintained in BR days. Add to this that some of the embankments were repaired using ash and, yes, we knew that there were potential problems.”

After a career managing projects all over the world, Alan chose to retire to the Cotswolds and become involved in the railway five years ago, soon taking on the role of projects director.

“We don’t have a general manager as such,” Alan explained. “I am now the chairman and effectively also its CEO, so I handle a broad spectrum of issues; but basically we are all volunteers and all have the same objectives to see our railway succeed.

“Our proud boast is that we are able to run this magnificent railway without the burden of a dramatic wage bill.” In fact the railway has just three employees, an operations manager who is responsible for the day-to-day running, an office manager to deal with enquiries, administration and organisation of supporting facilities and an S&T manager, responsible for the signalling and communications equipment on this rapidly expanding railway. But apart from these three full-time posts, all of the railway’s directors and the staff who maintain and operate the railway are volunteers.

Alan continued: “When I took on the projects role, it was straight in at the deep end focusing on trying to raise money for the flood damaged

The new platform faces at Broadway are almost complete.

New Winchcombe Carriage & Wagon workshop. G/WR

PasseNgeR NumbeRs aND tuRNoveR ■ 2009 (last full season before landslips) 72,000 ■ 2013 (first full year after re-opening) 86,000 ■ 2009: £873,000 ■ 2013: £1,450,000

railway.” Happily the work was completed in October 2012 and the railway was able to enjoy its first full season of operation along the whole length of the line last year for the first time since 2009.

Contrary to what one might expect, these major setbacks appear to have given the G/WR a new momentum, with record visitor numbers last year and work forging ahead on the extension to Broadway. “It’s hard to say where we would have been if any of this hadn’t happened,” Ian Crowder, the line’s press ➲ Heritage Railway

51

Perhaps the ultimate Southern Steam photo charter image: LSWR T9 4-4-0 No. 30120 pilots Bulleid Battle of Britain PaciďŹ c No. 34070 Manston away from Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway as Drummond M7 0-4-4T No. 30053 shunts in the yard. PETER ZABEK

Spring success for ‘Withered The West Somerset Railway’s ‘Withered Arm’ spring steam gala proved a resounding success, with bumper passenger numbers over the four-day event, reports Robin Jones.

T

he West Somerset Railway cut its spring steam gala for this year back from 2013’s nine days to four – yet fare revenue soared by 19%.

The gala held over March 27-30, half a century after the withdrawal of the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’, had a ‘Withered Arm’ theme, with Minehead appearing like Ilfracombe, and other stations also taking on Southern identities.

A total of 5130 passengers travelled during the four days with nine steam engines in action.

Unfortunately one of the guests, Bulleid Battle of Britain light Pacific No. 34070 Manston, suffered a failure on Friday morning which left it sidelined for the rest of the event and disrupted the timetable on that day.

However, the remaining trio of visitors West Country light Pacific No. 34007 Wadebridge, U class 2-6-0 No. 31806 and GWR mogul GWR mogul No. 5322 passes Nornvis field with the 3.45pm from Bishops Lydeard on March 27.

CLASSIC TRACTION www.heritagerailway.co.uk

SR West Country Pacific No. 34007 Wadebridge passes Nornvis crossing on March 27 with the 2.45pm from Bishops Lydeard. CLASSIC TRACTION

SR West Country Pacific No. 34007 Wadebridge climbs past Castle Hill, with the 4.45pm from Minehead on March 27. CLASSIC TRACTION

Arm’ gala No. 5322 worked all their trains as intended alongside residents WR 4-6-0 Nos. 7828 Odney Manor and No. 6960 Raveningham Hall, GWR large prairie No. 4160, GWR 2-8-0 No. 3850 and SDJR 2-8-0 No. 88.

On the Friday and Saturday, Peckett 0-4-ST Kilmersdon operated ‘driver for a fiver’ experiences at Minehead station.

Retail operations and catering outlets also had a busy time. WSR general manager, Paul Conibeare, said: “After a period of early-season concern over passenger loadings and the general downturn in tourism business in the county as a whole, reflecting the inaccurate impression that we have all been flooded, it was great to see busy trains and people out and about enjoying themselves.

“As well as enthusiasts from all over the country, many of whom spent one or more nights with local accommodation providers, there was a good level of family business clearly visible particularly during the excellent spring weather on Saturday and Sunday.” www.heritagerailway.co.uk

Visiting SR U class mogul No. 31806 departs from Watchet and passes Splash Point. HENRY THOMAS Below: SR West Country Pacific No. 34007 Wadebridge and GWR mogul No. 5322 rest at Minehead on the evening of March 29. CLASSIC TRACTION

UpandRunning

lMs ivatt mogul no. 46521 is seen at swanwick Junction on the Midland Railway-Butterley during a photo charter. ALAN WEAVER

Brian Sharpe’s full listing of operational lines and museum venues sOutH East

■ aMBERlEY WORKing MusEuM Narrow gauge, ¼ mile, Arundel, West Sussex. Tel: 01798 831370. www.amberleymuseum.co.uk Running: Wed-sun + apr 7-21.

■ BEntlEY MiniatuRE RailWaY Narrow gauge, one mile, Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum, East Sussex. www.bentleyrailway.co.uk Running: W/Es. ■ BluEBEll RailWaY Standard gauge, 11 miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Sheffield Park, East Sussex TN22 2QL. Tel: 01825 720800. www.bluebell-railway.co.uk Engines: 263, 1638, 178, B473, 323, 592, 5643, L150. Running: Daily.

■ East KEnt RailWaY Standard gauge, two miles, Shepherdswell, Dover.

Tel: 01304 832042. Running: apr 13, 18-21, 27, May 4, 5.

■ EastlEigH laKEsiDE RailWaY Narrow gauge, 1¼ miles, footplate experience.

Running: W/Es + school holidays. www.steamtrain.co.uk ■ Hastings MiniatuRE RailWaY Narrow gauge, 600 yards, Rock a Nore Road, Hastings, East Sussex Running: W/Es + school holidays. www.hastingsminiaturerailway.co.uk ■ HaYling sEasiDE RailWaY Narrow gauge, one mile, Hayling Island, Hants. www.haylingseasiderailway.com Running: W/Es + Weds + sch hols.

■ islE Of WigHt stEaM RailWaY Standard gauge, five miles, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight.

Tel: 01983 882204. www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk Engines: 8, 24.

Running: Daily except apr 25, 26, 28, May 2.

■ KEnt & East sussEx RailWaY Standard gauge, 10½ miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Tenterden, Kent. www.kesr.org.uk Tel: 01580 765155. Engines: 65, 3, 6619, 32678, 1638. Running: apr 5-21, 26, 27, May 3-7.

■ laVEnDER linE Standard gauge, one mile, footplate experience, wine & dine, Isfield, East Sussex. Tel: 01825 750515. www.lavender-line.co.uk Running: suns + apr 18, 21, May 5.

■ MiD Hants RailWaY Standard gauge, 10 miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Alresford, Hants SO24 9JG. www.watercressline.co.uk Tel: 01962 733810. Engines: 31806, 34007, 850, 925, 45379, 92212.

Running: apr 5-21, 26, 27, May 3-8.

■ ROMnEY, HYtHE & DYMCHuRCH RailWaY Narrow gauge, 13½ miles, footplate experience, New Romney, Tel: 01797 362353. www.rhdr.org.uk Running: Daily.

100 Heritage Railway

■ ROYal ViCtORia RailWaY Narrow gauge, one mile, Netley, Southampton.

Tel: 0238 045 6246. www.royalvictoriarailway.co.uk Running: W/Es. ■ sittingBOuRnE & KEMslEY RailWaY Narrow gauge, 1¾ miles, Sittingbourne, Kent.

Tel: 01795 424899. www.sklr.net/index.htm Running: suns + B/Hols.

■ sPa VallEY RailWaY Standard gauge, five miles, footplate experience, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Tel: 01892 537715. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Running: apr 10-13, 17-21, 26, 27, May 3-5

sOutH WEst

■ aVOn VallEY RailWaY Standard gauge, three miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Bitton, Bristol. www.avonvalleyrailway.org Tel: 0117 932 7296.

Running: apr 6-21, 26, 27, May 3-5.

■ BODMin & WEnfORD RailWaY Standard gauge, 6½ miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Bodmin, Cornwall. www.bodminrailway.co.uk Tel: 01208 73666. Engines: 5552, 30120, 6435, 4247, 4612, 3298.

Running: W/Es, tues, Weds + apr 17, 18, 24, May 5.

■ DaRtMOOR RailWaY Standard gauge, seven miles, Okehampton, Devon.

Tel: 01837 55164 . www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org Running: apr 18-21, 26-27, May 3-5.

■ DaRtMOutH stEaM RailWaY Standard gauge, seven miles, wine & dine, Paignton, Devon.

Tel: 01803 555872. Engines: 7827, 5239, 4277. www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk Running: Daily.

■ DEVOn RailWaY CEntRE Narrow gauge, ½ mile, Bickleigh, Devon. Tel: 01884 855671. www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk Running: apr 5-27, May 3-5, 7-11.

■ East sOMERsEt RailWaY Standard gauge, two miles, Cranmore, Somerset.

Tel: 01749 880417. www.eastsomersetrailway.com Engine: 5637 Running: W/Es + May 6.

■ lYntOn & BaRnstaPlE RailWaY Narrow gauge, one mile, Woody Bay, North Devon.

01598 763487. www.lynton-rail.co.uk Running: Daily except april 25, 28, May 2.

■ MOORs VallEY RailWaY Narrow gauge, one mile, Ringwood, Hants. Tel: 01425 471415.

www.moorsvalleyrailway.co.uk Running: W/Es + sch hols.

■ PlYM VallEY RailWaY Standard gauge, ½ mile, Marsh Mills, Plymouth, Devon. www.plymrail.co.uk Running: april 19, 20.

■ sEatOn tRaMWaY Narrow gauge, three miles, Harbour Rd, Seaton, Devon.

01297 20375. www.tram.co.uk Running: Daily.

■ sOutH DEVOn RailWaY Standard gauge, seven miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Buckfastleigh, Devon. Tel: 0843 357 1420. www.southdevonrailway.co.uk L92, 3205, 1369.

Running: Daily.

■ sWanagE RailWaY Standard gauge, six miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Swanage, Dorset. www.swanagerailway.co.uk Tel: 01929 425800. Engines: 30053, 34070, 6695.

Running: Daily.

■ sWinDOn & CRiCKlaDE RailWaY Standard gauge, three miles, footplate experience, Blunsdon, Wiltshire. Tel: 01793 771615. Engines: Met 1, 5637. www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org Running: suns, apr 18-21, 26, 27, May 4, 5.

■ WEst sOMERsEt RailWaY Standard gauge, 20 miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Minehead, Somerset TA24 5BG. Tel: 01643 704996. www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk Engines: 88, 3850, 4160. 7828, 6960. Running: Daily except apr 25, 28, May2.

East anglia

■ BREssingHaM stEaM MusEuM Narrow gauge, one mile, Diss, Norfolk. Tel: 01379 686900. www.bressingham.co.uk Running: Daily.

■ BuRE VallEY RailWaY Narrow gauge, nine miles, footplate experience, Aylsham, Norfolk.

Tel: 01263 733858. www.bvrw.co.uk Running: Daily.

■ COlnE VallEY RailWaY Standard gauge, one mile, footplate experience, wine & dine, Castle Hedingham, Essex. Tel: 01787 461174. www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk Running: W/Es + apr 15, 16, 18, 21, May 5.

■ East anglian RailWaY MusEuM Standard gauge, ¼ mile, Wakes Colne, Essex. Tel: 01206 242524. www.earm.co.uk Open: Daily, Running apr 18-21. www.heritagerailway.co.uk

UpandRunning ■ MANGAPPS RAILWAY Standard gauge, one mile, near Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.

Tel: 01621 784898. www.mangapps.co.uk Running: W/Es + B/H. ■ MID-NORFOLK RAILWAY Standard gauge, 11½ miles, footplate experience, Dereham, Norfolk. Tel: 01362 690633. www.mnr.org.uk Running: W/Es + Apr 15-21, May 5.

■ MID-SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY Standard gauge, 1⁄4 mile, Brockford, Suffolk. www.mslr.org.uk Running: Apr 20, 21, May 4, 5.

■ NENE VALLEY RAILWAY Standard gauge, 7½ miles, footplate experience, Wansford, Peterborough, Cambs. Tel: 01780 784444. www.nvr.org.uk Engine: 6046. Running: W/Es + Apr 15-22, May 5.

■ NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY Standard gauge, 5½ miles, footplate experience, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA. Tel: 01263 820800. www.nnrailway.co.uk Engines: 8572, 5619, 76084, 44767.

Running: Daily.

■ WELLS & WALSINGHAM RAILWAY Narrow gauge, four miles, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.

Tel: 01328 711630. Running: Daily.

■ WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY Standard gauge, ¼ mile, Reepham, Norfolk.

Tel: 01603 871694. www.whitwellstation.com Running: W/Es, (steam: first Sunday).

MIDLANDS

■ AMERTON RAILWAY Narrow gauge, one mile, Stowe-by-Chartley, Staffs.

Tel: 01785 850965. www.amertonrailway.co.uk Running: Apr 12-27, May 3-5.

■ APEDALE VALLEY RAILWAY Narrow gauge, ½ mile, Apedale, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs.

Tel: 0845 094 1953. www.avlr.org.uk Running: April 12, 13, 19-21, 26, May 3-5.

■ BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE Standard gauge, ¼ mile, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Tel: 01246 472450. www.barrowhill.org.uk Open: W/Es. ■ BATTLEFIELD LINE RAILWAY Standard gauge, five miles, Shackerstone, Leics.

Tel: 01827 880754. www.battlefieldline.co.uk .Engines: 3803, 323, 1638. Running: Apr 11-13, 18-22, 26, 27, May 3-5.

■ CHASEWATER RAILWAY Standard gauge, two miles, Walsall, West Midlands. www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk Tel: 01543 452623.

Running: Suns + Apr 18-21, 24, 26, May 3-5.

■ CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY Standard gauge, 5¼ miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Cheddleton, Staffs. Tel: 01538 750755. www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk Engines: 69621, 6046.

Running: Suns + Apr 19-21, 23, 26, May 3-5.

■ DEAN FOREST RAILWAY Standard gauge, 4¼ miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Norchard, Lydney, Glos.

Tel: 01594 845840. www.deanforestrailway.co.uk Engine: 5541. Running: Suns + Apr 18-21, 26, May 3-5.

■ ECCLESBOURNE VALLEY RAILWAY Standard gauge, eight miles, Wirksworth, Derbyshire.

01629 823076. www.e-v-r.com Running: W/Es, B/H + Tues.

■ EVESHAM VALE RAILWAY Narrow gauge, 1¼ mile, A46 north of Evesham, Worcs.

Tel: 01386 422282. www.evlr.co.uk Running: W/Es + Apr 14-25, May 5.

■ FOXFIELD RAILWAY Standard gauge, 5½ miles, Blythe Bridge, Staffs. www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk Running: Suns + Apr 19, 21, May 5.

■ GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RLY Standard gauge, 12 miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Toddington, Glos. Tel: 01242 621405. www.gwsr.com Engines: 2807, 8274, 5542, 7820.

Running: W/Es + Tues, Wed + B/H. ■ GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY Standard gauge, eight miles, Loughborough, Leics LE11 1RW. Tel: 01509 632323. www.gcrailway.co.uk Engines: 48624, 47406, 46521, 78019, 777, 92214.

Running: W/Es + Apr 15-25, May 5.

102 Heritage Railway

WR large pannier No. 1501 departs from Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway. MALCOLM RANIERI ■ MIDLAND RAILWAY-BUTTERLEY Standard gauge, 3½ miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Ripley, Derbyshire. Tel: 01773 570140. Engines: 23, 73129. www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk Running: W/Es + Apr 14-26, May 5.

■ NORTHAMPTON & LAMPORT RAILWAY Standard gauge, two miles, Pitsford, Northants.

Tel: 01604 820327. www.nlr.org.uk Running: Suns + Apr 19-21, May 3-5.

■ NOTTINGHAM TRANSPORT HERITAGE CENTRE Standard gauge, four miles, Ruddington, Notts. Tel: 0115 940 570.

Running: Apr 12, 13, 19-21, 27, May 3-5.

■ PEAK RAIL Standard gauge, four miles, Matlock, Derbyshire. 01629 580381. www.peakrail.co.uk Running: W/Es, Tues, Weds + Apr 21, May 5.

■ PERRYGROVE RAILWAY Narrow gauge, B4228, Coleford, Glos. Tel: 01594 834991. www.perrygrove.co.uk Running: W/Es + Apr 3-21, May 5.

■ ROCKS BY RAIL Standard gauge, ¼ mile, Cottesmore, Rutland. www.rocks-by-rail.org Open: Sun, Tues, Thurs, Running: 3rd Sun. ■ RUDYARD LAKE RAILWAY Narrow gauge, 1½ miles, Leek, Staffs. Tel: 01995 672280. www.rlsr.org Running: Apr 12-27, May 3-5.

■ RUSHDEN TRANSPORT MUSEUM Standard gauge, ¼ mile, Rushden, Northants. www.rhts.co.uk Running: Apr 20, 21.

■ SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY Standard gauge, 16 miles, footplate experience, wine & dine, Bewdley, Worcs DY12 1BG. www.svr.co.uk Tel: 01299 403816.

Engines: 1501, 4566, 5164, 7812, 2857, 43106,1450, 4936.

Running: Apr 12-27, Daily from May 3.

■ STEEPLE GRANGE LIGHT RAILWAY Narrow gauge, ½ mile, footplate experience, Wirksworth, Derbyshire. www.steeplegrange.co.uk Running: Suns + B/H from Easter Sat. ■ TELFORD STEAM RAILWAY Standard gauge, one mile, footplate experience. Telford, Shropshire. sec@telfordsteamrailway.co.uk 01952 503880 Running: Suns + B/H fromEaster.

NORTH WEST

■ EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY Standard gauge, 12 miles, footplate experience, Bury, Lancs. Tel: 01617 647790. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk Engines: 80080. Running: Wed-Sun + B/H Mon. ■ ISLE OF MAN STEAM RAILWAY Narrow gauge, 15½ miles, Douglas, Isle of Man. Tel: 01624 662525. www.iombusandrail.info Running: Apr 11-29, May 2-6.

■ LAKESIDE & HAVERTHWAITE RAILWAY Standard gauge, 3½ miles, near Ulverston, Cumbria.

Tel: 01539 531594. www.lakesiderailway.co.uk Engines: 42073, 42085. Running: Daily.

■ RAVENGLASS & ESKDALE RAILWAY Narrow gauge, seven miles, Ravenglass, Cumbria.

Tel: 01229 717171. Running: Daily.

■ RIBBLE STEAM RAILWAY Standard gauge, one mile, Preston, Lancs.

Tel: 01772 728800.

Running: Apr 13, 16, 18-21, 27, May 3-5.

■ STAINMORE RAILWAY Standard gauge, ½ mile, Kirkby Stephen East Station, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4LA. www.kirkbystepheneast.co.uk Open: W/Es. ■ WEST LANCASHIRE LIGHT RAILWAY Narrow gauge, Hesketh Bank, Lancs. Tel: 01772 815881.

Running: Suns + B/H from Easter.

HOME COUNTIES

■ BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE Standard gauge, ¼ mile, footplate experience, Quainton Road, Bucks. Tel: 01296 655720. www.bucksrailcentre.org Engine: 30585.

Open: Sun, Tues-Thurs, Running: Apr, 13, 16, 18-21, 27, May 4, 5.

■ CHINNOR & PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY Standard gauge, 3½ miles, Chinnor, Oxon. Tel: 01844 353535. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk Engine: 1369.

Running: W/Es + B/H. ■ CHOLSEY & WALLINGFORD RAILWAY Standard gauge, 2½ miles, Wallingford, Oxon. Tel: 01491 835067. www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com Running: Apr 13, 19-21, May 4, 5.

■ DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE Standard gauge, footplate experience, Didcot, Oxon.

Tel: 01235 817200. www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Engines: 93, 3650, 5322, 6023.

Open W/Es + Apr 7-17. Running: Apr 18-21, 26, 27, May 3-5.

■ EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY Standard gauge, five miles, Ongar, Essex. Tel: 01277 365200. www.eorailway.co.uk Engine: 4141.

Running: W/Es + Apr 9, 11, 16, 18, 21, May 5.

■ LEIGHTON BUZZARD RAILWAY Narrow gauge, 2¾ miles, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. 01525 373888. www.buzzrail.co.uk Running: Suns + B/H + Apr 16.

■ Heritage Railway cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes within material published in good faith.

We advise readers to telephone before travelling long distances. www.heritagerailway.co.uk