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BRITAIN gave the steam railway to the world and has every right to beam with pride about the heritage sector – and rarely more so than this Christmas. Showing the true bulldog spirit of triumph over adversity, our heritage railways have taken their drive of determination and innovation to a new high, by staging a dazzling variety of Christmas services which have been tailored with precision to meet the needs of the hour, that is, public safety during a crisis unprecedented in living memory. Many of us were highly sceptical as to whether we would see any heritage trains at all running this Christmas, and all hung on the Government’s decision as to what happened after lockdown ended in England on December 2. However, our railways have risen splendidly to…
A SPECIAL train marking the 70th anniversary of the standard gauge heritage era is among the highlights of VintageTrains’(VT) packed spring and summer programme for 2021. Whit Monday bank holiday May 14, 1951, is widely held as the start of the operational heritage railway movement, as the date when the Talyllyn Railway ran its first public services under the control of its preservation society volunteers, and in doing so achieved a world first. Just over a month later, on June 17, the Midland Area branch of the Stephenson Locomotive Society (SLS) ran its ‘Bulldog Special’ from Birmingham Snow Hill to Swindon Works, making visits to Oxford and Didcot sheds on the way. Organised by branch secretary Arthur ‘Cam’ Camwell, who instituted rail tours for the SLS, the train was hauled…
SATURDAY, December 12, saw public trains run on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) for the first time in 2020, in the form of its nonstop Santa Express from Bishops Lydeard to Williton and back, behind WSR mogul No. 9351. Tickets were sold pre-booked only, in tables of four or six-seater compartments, and were scheduled to run up to Christmas Eve. The line was closed throughout 2020, firstly due to track maintenance and then because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Llangollen Railway-based GWR large prairie No. 5199 has moved to the line, where it will go on hire until the end of 2021. It was due to arrive on the WSR on December 17, and is contracted to run on a minimum number of 35 steaming days. Also, the West Somerset Railway…
LYNTON & Barnstaple Railway trustees have given the go-ahead to commence ground survey work on its extension from Killington Lane to Wistlandpound. The geo-environmental survey work, which is required before reconstruction of the 2ft gauge line can begin, involves test bores along the whole route to check for contamination, establishing whether any hazardous waste was dumped in cuttings after the line closed in 1935, the suitability of any infill for future use in embankment reconstruction and the nature of the ground where new bridge construction is required. The first phase will be carried out at Killington Lane, the current southern terminus, testing the nature of the infill in the cuttings either side of the former Bridge 65 (Killington Lane overbridge), as well as determining the nature of the soil upon…
HERITAGE railways have been given grants of up to £150,000 each from the Welsh Government’s £63 million Cultural Recovery Fund – but fears that it may prove insufficient for lines to survive the pandemic have been sounded. The Talyllyn Railway has received the maximum £150,000 for funding its winter maintenance programme and ongoing overhaul of No. 1 Talyllyn, plus future projects including the provision of electric vehicle charging points, heating in more carriages, the refurbishment of the Abergynolwyn playground, developing a comprehensive interpretation strategy for the railway and enhanced facilities for video conferencing. In addition, the award-winning Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn Wharf (see News, page 10) has been given £27,000 to make it more Covid secure, and help with employment. Improvements The Bala Lake Railway has been given…
A CHRISTMAS appeal for £60,000 to fund the imminent heavy overhaul of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s ex-Penrhyn Quarry Railway 2-4-0STT Lindahas been launched. The 1893-built locomotive now carries the oldest boiler in the fleet, dating back to 1936, and which will need repairs. The chassis also requires detailed attention and reriveting in places, while the saddletank may need attention. Major surgery on the tender is needed, with all but the sides and rear and wheelsets requiring replacement. Linda will available for use on works trains until March 27, its last scheduled day in service. It is hoped to have Linda running again by 2022, the 60th anniversary of its arrival on the Ffestiniog Railway. In appealing for donations, Ff&WR general manager Paul Lewin said: “Helping now will not…
