2011

Bredgar with Goods Train, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

A visit to the Bredgar & Wormshill Railway, a short 2ft gauge line in Kent, was organised for 7th August. Unfortunately only four members participated in the outing but nevertheless had an enjoyable day. Baguley-Drewry 0-4-0 diesel No.5 "Bredgar" sits at the head of a goods train which was displayed in the car park.

Bronhilde, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

Three locomotives were in steam, taking turns on passenger trains. No. 1 "Bronhilde", a 0-4-0WT built in 1927 by Schwartzkopff in Berlin, approaches the left hand bend into Warren Wood, the B&WR's main station.

Darent, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

Visiting from the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway was Andrew Barclay No. 3 "Darent" which is seen departing from the terminus at Stony Shaw.

Limpopo, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

The other resident locomotive in steam was 0-6-0T No. 3 "Limpopo" bulit in 1930 by John Fowler & Co for use in Mozambique, remaining there until 1998 when she was brought back to the UK for preservation.

Miniature Locomotives, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

As well as the action on the railway, there was also several locomotives available for viewing, along with traction engines, tractors, cars and other machinery. This included a collection of miniature locomotives of various gauges from 7¼ to 15 inch gauge. Pictured here are 10¼ and 7¼ inch gauge models of the LMS Royal Scot Class, "Dholpur," a 7¼ inch gauge model of a Indian Railways ZA/5 Class and "J. B. Earle," a 10¼ inch gauge model of a Leek & Manifold Raillway locomotive.

Jack, Bredgar & Wormshill, 7 August

The other miniature locomotive on display was this 15 inch gauge 0-6-0 named "Jack." This loco was purchased with the equipment from a private railway in Sussex with the intention of building a 15 inch gauge line on site. When this failed to materlise the rest of the 15 inch gauge stock was sold, however "Jack" was retained and has subsquently operated on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.

Melior at Temporary Terminus, Sittingbourne, 7 August

After Bredgar the group visited the nearby Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway, part of the former Bowaters' Paper Mill 2ft 6in gauge system. Due to problems with the viaduct the line was not operating over its full length, with trains terminating at Milton Regis Halt accessed through a supermarket's car park. Kerr Stuart 0-4-2ST "Melior" stands at this temporary terminus having brought in the train from Kemsley Down. It was worked back by a diesel locomotive.

Standard Gauge Locomotives, Sittingbourne, 7 August

The terminus at Kemsley Down is the base of the railway's depot. Although the other operable locomotives were not availible for viewing there were two standard gauge locomotives on display. Nearest the camera is a Fireless Locomotive built by Andrew Barclay in 1925 which is buffered up to "Bear," a Peckett 0-4-0ST built in 1896.

Melior at Kemsley Down, Sittingbourne, 7 August

"Melior" stands in the platform at Kemsley Down waiting to haul the return working to Milton Regis.

Group Photograph, Sittingbourne, 7 August

Three of the four participants are pictured enjoying a ride on the SKLR. Left to right are MDRS Press & Publicity Officer David Collins, Secretary Malcolm Margetts and Murray Tremellen.

Peter Greatorex arriving at Paddington, Reading FGW Turbo Simulator, 27 June

Ten members attended a special session at First Great Western's driving simulator at Reading. The simulator is representive of a Class 165's driving cab and the route from Pangbourne to Paddington. Here MDRS member Peter Greatorex arrives at Paddington platform 11.

Julian Heard Encounters a Fallen Tree, Reading FGW Turbo Simulator, 27 June

“I’ve heard of leaves on the line…” MDRS Vice Chairman Julian Heard, who fancied being a train driver after retiring from the police, encounters a fallen tree.

Brian Clark at Control Workstation, Reading FGW Turbo Simulator, 27 June

FGW Simulator Manager Brian Clark at the controlling workstation in the adjoining room. From here he can monitor the “driver’s” performance and create hazards then assess his reaction (or in our case lack of!) to them. The simulator is not generally used for training new drivers, that is done on the real thing, but rather to train and assess drivers in dealing with unforeseen incidents such as train faults, adverse weather conditions or obstructions on the line which can not be, hopefully, easily recreated in the “real world”.

Brian Clark with MDRS Members, Reading FGW Turbo Simulator, 27 June

Our group posed with Brian for the obligatory photo although Peter Robins was obviously concentrating on where he was going! In addition to those in the photo the session was also attended by Tim Edmonds (behind the camera) and Dave Woodhead who had already left.

Tourska, Hollycombe, 4 June

Tweleve members attend Hollycombe Steam Museum on the occasion of their Railway Gala. The Museum is situated on the Hampshire/Sussex border and boasts a 2ft gauge railway of about a mile. Working the passenger trains on the day of our visit was Polish 0-6-0T "Tourska" which is seen in the main station with the ex Ramsgate Cliff Railway coaches (views of her at Staffold Barn can be seen in our 2010 gallery). The museum's resident Hunslet 0-4-0T "Jerry M" is currently undergoing overhaul.

Jennie, Hollycombe, 4 June

Other visitors included this 0-4-0T Wren Class "Jennie" built in 2005 which is seen with a short freight working.

Paddy, Hollycombe, 4 June

Also doing short workings was a de Winton 0-4-0 Vertical Boiler loco "Paddy" built in 2007. This loco is seen approaching the junction of the station spur with the main circuit, having just left a recently constructed halt.

Commander B, Hollycombe, 4 June

The museum also has a small collection of standard gauge rolling stock and a short running line. Commander B is a Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST built in 1899 currently out of traffic.

Yvonne, Hollycombe, 4 June

Working the standard gauge line (known as "The Tramway") was a 0-4-0VB loco named "Yvonne" built in 1920 in Belgium.

Miniature Railway, Hollycombe, 4 June

The thrid railway on site is a 7¼ inch gauge miniature line laid out as a dumbbell loop (which encircles a shorter 7¼ and 5 inch dual gauge circuit) operated by the Liphook Model Engineering Society. 0-4-2T Tinkerbell class "Bob" enters the line's station with MDRS members Brian Sparrow and Roger Bowen seated directly behind the locomotive.

Bioscope, Hollycombe, 4 June

As well as the railways, the museum also boasts a fairground, steam worked farm and a engine from a Paddle Steamer. Here is a Bioscope worked by Showman's Engine "Leiston Town," built by Richard Garrett & Sons in 1918.

Traction Engine and Trailer, Hollycombe, 4 June

Several traction engines and steam rollers are kept on site in various conditions of restoration. Burrell Tractor No. 2 "Sunset" dating from 1951 is seen with a passenger carrying trailer, whose occupants include MDRS Press & Publicity Officer and Assistant Webmaster David Collins, on a cricuit of the woodlands.

Portable Engines, Hollycombe, 4 June

Powering the fairground rides were these two portable engines named "Big John" and "Eileen." Also used for this task is the oldest Showman's Engine in the world, built by Burrell in 1895 and named "Emperor," which was not in steam.

Model T Ford, Beeches Light Railway, 1 May

The society was fortunate to receive an invitation from Chiltern Railways' Chairman Adrian Shooter to re-visit his private Beeches Light Railway on 1 May. Before the main afternoon running session Adrian's Model T Ford inspection car, inspired by a similar vehicle from the Sandy River & Rangley Lakes Railroad and built using a genuine 1925 Tin Lizzie and a new underframe, made a few circuits.

D19 Tackles the Gradient, Beeches Light Railway, 1 May

The main motive power for the afternoon was the former Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 0-4-0ST D19 which is seen climbing the gradient on the right hand side of the circuit, and providing excellent visual and sound effects. Unlike our previous visit the loco performed well. However the Model T Ford had left the rails a bit greasy, which meant that on her first trip D19 had to set back and take several runs on the gradient.

D19 Enters the Station, Beeches Light Railway, 1 May

D19 enters the station (which has a replica DHR building) with Adrian on the Footplate. The locomotive was built by Sharp Stewart in 1889 and saw 80 years service on the DHR. On withdrawal she was preserved privately in the United States until her owner's death. After a period of static display, she was returned to the UK in 2002 and given a overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Her two coaches are replicas of DHR stock built by the Festiniog Railway in 2004.

D19 Approaches the Level Crossing, Beeches Light Railway, 1 May

D19 approaches the level crossing at the front of the house and begins to climb the gradient. Please remember that this is a private location and we were only allow to visit at the kind invitation of Adrian Shooter.