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The Pewsey Vale Express
An exceedingly grubby looking
Gresley A4 No. 60009 Union of
South Africa passes Patney in
drab conditions with The West
Somerset Steam Express from
London Paddington on its way to pewseyvalerailwaysociety.webplus.net
Minehead on the West Somerset
Railway. The locomotive has seen Newsletter 98 Autumn 2018
extensive mainline use over the
last few weeks. Editor: Paul Dyer
18�� Aug 2018 © Paul Dyer
The Editor Writes… News
W elcome to the Autumn Edition. We’ve had some good
weather for photography recently, albeit uncomfortably
so at times, but there’s no pleasing the English when it comes to
28�� Aug 2018 DfT confirms it
won’t split up the Great Western
franchise, but calls for ‘more
weather. True to form, the fine weather disappears whenever an decentralisation’.
interesting working comes our way as the above picture amply 24�� Aug 2018 Network Rail and
demonstrates! Thanks for your contributions for this issue. Southeastern have unveiled an
Anyone remember this? Thanks to John Forrest who has sent in action plan on how they plan to
a scan of a page from Steam Railway respond to major incidents after
Magazine dated Dec-1989, showing a an independent investigation
rare advert for our newly-formed identified a series of problems
Society’s monthly meeting. with how the two organisations
deal with this issue.
Highland Travels Part 1: train and took us onwards. Except on Sundays, 24�� Aug 2018 H i t a c h i ’ s
Edinburgh to Fort William there are 3 such down trains plus the manufacturing capacity in the UK
Caledonian sleeper service. In addition, there has further expanded as the
By Michael Porter
Japanese giant opened a new £5m
I n May 2018 we went on a Great Rail Journey
holiday to the west coast of Scotland. This
first part is about the West Highland Line to
building at its Newton Aycliffe
factory, taking total investment in
the site to over £100m.
Fort William with a description of the Oban 24�� Aug 2018 Ministers have
branch. We started off from Edinburgh, taking confirmed that Public-sector
the train to Glasgow. The first point of railway bidders will be allowed to
interest was that leaving from platform 11, we compete for the next ScotRail
were adjacent to the newly extended bay franchise in order to ensure the
platform 12 to take 8 car EMU's when that Trains passing at Ardlui public and private sectors have a
service begins. On arrival at Glasgow Queen fair and equal access to contracts
Street we changed for the service to Fort are another 3 trains to Oban only. The up trains
William. Queen Street is in the process of being are slightly different, being 2 combined trains 20�� Aug 2018 The first of the
modernised and can currently be described as and 4 direct from Oban. new Class 802 Intercity Express
a "dump"! Trains specifically built for Devon
and Cornwall enter service.
Our train consisted of 3 class 156 2-car trains
joined together. The first part of the route is 29�� Jul 2018 GWR’s 12.10 arrival
along the North Clyde Line to Helensburgh at Paignton from Paddington
before branching off and this is the point at marks the first Intercity Express
which the line is generally accepted to begin. Train to travel to the seaside
From then on, the views become increasingly town. The 9-carriage long Class
dramatic and we were fortunate to have a fine 800 train, 800309, is the first
day. On the left going up there are views of Intercity Express Train to travel
Gairloch and Loch Long followed by Loch The North end of Crianlarich station with the Oban line from London beyond Exeter in
going left and the Fort William line to the right passenger service, marking
Lomond on the right. We paused at Ardlui for
a southbound train before our next stop at Then started the wildest part of the journey. another milestone in the roll out
Crianlarich. Here the front 156 train was The line climbs through Tyndrum Upper to the of the new fleet.
detached and branched off on the Oban line. first summit of 1024 feet. Tyndrum is the
Our driver had alighted from the southbound smallest and most northerly place in the UK to
have 2 railway stations, Tyndrum Lower shadow of Ben Nevis. On speaking to the Lower, the line goes through Glen Lochy
being on the Oban line. Then follows the to Dalmally. Here the original architecture
horseshoe curve to the Bridge of Orchy survives and has a passing loop. On
onto Rannoch Moor. The main A82 road weekdays there is an additional late
has left by then and we are alone! afternoon return service between here
Although Rannoch station has a road, it and Oban. A viaduct takes the railway over
approaches from the east and it is 34 miles the River Orchy and along the head of Loch
Awe with great scenery. There are stations
at Lochawe and Falls of Cruachan before
the line goes through the Pass of Brander
A hiker leaves the train at Corrour below Ben Cruachan to Taynault.
Apparently, there are semaphore signals
driver on our arrival, he reckoned he had on this stretch of line known as Anderson's
the best driver job in the UK! The rear 156 Piano to advise of rock falls when the
train then departed for Mallaig. The signals go from up to horizontal if the
journey from Glasgow takes just under 4 tension of the wire is affected. Taynault
hours. station has a passing loop and the line runs
Horseshoe curve between Tyndrum Upper and
along Loch Etive to Connel Ferry. The ferry
Bridge of Orchy We did not travel on the Oban line,
was replaced by a cantilever bridge which
to the A9. It is on then to Corrour station, carried both road and railway, which was
which has no road connection at all, but is the branch line to Ballachulish. This line
frequented by hikers, and several left and closed in 1966 when the bridge reverted
joined the train. We pass the main summit to road only. On the road journey from
at 1350 feet, past Loch Treig before Ballachulish to Oban there is still evidence
descending to habitation at Tulloch. The of the track bed. The line turns south and
route goes through the Monassie Gorge goes over Glen Cruiten to descend a steep
slope to Oban station.
Caledonian sleeper arrives at Fort William behind Oban station still has 2 platforms and is
a Class 73 Electro Diesel
next to the ferry terminal but is a shadow
although we visited Oban seeing the of its former self since it had 4 platforms
station. and so here is a brief resume. at one time. I remember seeing a photo of
Originally this line left the main it with 3 trains waiting to depart; to
Caledonian line at Dunblane, just north of London, Glasgow and Ballachulish.
Stirling and went under the West highland Nevertheless, we are fortunate to have
line at Crianlarich Lower. This line closed such a network in operation and all these
View of Rannoch Moor from station in 1965 with trains now using the spur lines offer a wonderful experience.
from the Upper station. After passing the
to Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge before the All photographs © Michael Porter
summit at the unmanned halt at Tyndrum
final dash into Fort William under the
Kineton Military Railway SMJ closed in 1965, with the exception of
By Richard Heacock the branch serving Defence Munitions
(DM) Kineton. The rail system has since
A friend in the MOD recently asked me if been rationalised to about 21 miles. We
I’d be interested in visiting the military presented ourselves at the Railway
railway at MOD Kineton. I mulled this over Operations Centre, where 4wDH
for almost a second before accepting. “Vanguard” loco no. 01513 Greensleeves
Some weeks later, after an early-morning (built by Thomas Hill 1981) and drivers
dash up the M40, we found ourselves John and Jason were waiting for us.
Railway Clearing House Map of Kineton
presenting our IDs at gunpoint (or so it
seemed) in Kineton guardroom. As a The SMJ (like many minor cross-country
civilian visitor, I was also photographed, railways) was upgraded during WW2 as a
and the resultant image printed onto my strategic diversionary route, and from
visitor’s lanyard. DRK (Defence Rail 1941 Kineton Central Ammunition Depot
Kineton, to give it its current official name) was developed adjacent to the SMJ
is served by a 4-mile branch off the between Kineton and Burton Dassett
Leamington-Banbury line at Fenny stations. Over 250 Explosive Storehouses
Compton. This branch is the last (known as igloos) were constructed over
operational section of the former several hundred acres, and the internal Thomas Hill 4wDH No. 01513 Greensleeves
Stratford and Midland Junction Railway railway system eventually extended to 90
Run by the Defence Storage and
(SMJ) which once stretched across the miles. The system incorporated some of
Distribution Agency, DSDA Kineton is the
South Midlands from Worcestershire to the route of Colonel Stephens’ ill-fated
largest and most modern ammunition
Northamptonshire. Edge Hill Light Railway (1922-1942). The compound in Western Europe. Its role is
to receive, store, process, issue and the ‘dead man’s’ alarm sounded and had like an airport baggage train - only carrying
distribute explosive and non-explosive to be cancelled manually. Regular driver live munitions.
munitions and material to UK Armed John then took over for some scheduled Our system tour over, we thanked our
Forces worldwide. I asked whether any drivers, retrieved our cameras from the car
photography was allowed, and was told and headed for the engine shed. We were
that I could take photos in the yard and greeted by shedmaster Nick, who showed
sheds, but not on the wider system. A ride us two further Thomas Hill “Vanguard”
on the wider system was first on the locos currently undergoing repair. Also in
agenda, so I stowed my camera and phone the shed was the railway’s only passenger-
in the car as requested, and climbed into carrying vehicle, Baguely-Drewry railcar
the loco cab. The first of many stops was
at a padlocked high-security gate.
Permission to proceed was requested and
Thomas Hill 4wDH No. 01549 undergoing repair
granted by radio to Railway Operations
Centre. There is no signalling, and all shunting tasks. At one of the many road-
points are manually-operated. Radio served container depots, an empty 4-
authorisation is necessary for every wheel VGA wagon was collected and
manoeuvre. deposited at another depot about a mile
The system is roughly a figure-of-eight, and
Kineton Yard looking west
no. 9121. This is still used for tours by more
prestigious visitors than ourselves(!) and
for transporting personnel to non-road-
served locations on the site. Our visit over,
Kineton Track Map
Thomas Hill 4wDH No. 01528 undergoing repair
our tour covered most of this. At the many
internal level-crossings, a loud two-tone away. As we drove away, a road train
horn was sounded. At the only level- pulled up to the VGA, looking very much
crossing on a public road (the B4086
Kineton-Edgehill) a loco-triggered treadle
activated flashing lights and crossing
chimes (but no gates). The loco’s two-tone
A new driver for 4wDH No. 01513 Greensleeves
horn was sounded as well, for good
measure. Away from the major crossings, we returned to Railway Operations Centre
my friend and I were actually allowed to to thank our hosts, who obliged me with a
drive the loco - at a top speed of 15 mph ‘selfie’ in the cab of Greensleeves.
on the straight and down to a cautionary
10 mph round the tight curves. If you All photographs © Richard Heacock
Baguely-Drewry railcar No. 9121
didn’t move any controls for 90 seconds,
Thomas Hill (Rotherham) Ltd
The Company was founded by Mr. Thomas A. Hill in 1937 with small premises at Whiston, near Rotherham, and was initially concerned
with repair and maintenance of steam road vehicles. By 1947 the company’s core business had become sales and servicing of Sentinel
diesel road vehicles, Sentinel steam road vehicles and Sentinel steam rail locomotives.
Sales of Sentinel steam locos peaked at 20 locomotives delivered in 1956. Despite this, the company was, by now, experiencing sales
resistance to the steam locomotive and the move to diesel locomotives started the same year. The last two Sentinel steam locos were
delivered in 1958 and construction started of the prototype Sentinel diesel which commenced trials on the SMR early 1959. It met with
general approval from prospective customers and before the end of the year 17 locomotives had been sold and delivered. Production was
geared up to complete four locomotives a month. New loco sales peaked in 1963 with 48 Sentinel locos and 12 Vanguards being delivered.
Two locomotives, an 0-4-0 and an 0-6-0 were constantly employed on demonstration duty, particularly in steel works.
In April 1963 Rolls-Royce Ltd took a 51% controlling interest with the company becoming a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce, Diesel Engine Division,
Shrewsbury. The market for new locomotives in the UK showed a downturn after 1963 as far as the Sentinel was concerned, with sales
declining to below 10 per year. Unfortunately British Railways started selling off redundant shunting and trip locomotives. This process
was to continue for many years and damaged the sales of many locomotive builders. On the positive side, the company was building around
15 new 0-6-0 "Vanguard" locos per year. They soldiered on through numerous changes of ownership and management until 1989 when
the company was sold to RFS Engineering Ltd. RFS went into receivership and in 1998 was acquired by Westinghouse Air Brake Co. In 2000
the company was renamed Wabtec Rail Limited. Wabtec has retained the IPR in the Thomas Hill and Sentinel ranges of locomotives
Events Calendar
Railtours Model Railway Exhibitions
09-Sep The Torbay Express (DBC) Bristol-Kingswear 15-Sep Basingstoke & North Hants Model Railway Society - Open
Haulage: 35028 Clan Line Day. The Old Scout Hut, Stratton Park, Basingstoke
13-Sep The Swanage Belle (WCRC) London Victoria-Swanage 22-Sep Swindon & Avon Groups of 3mm Society - Westfest
Haulage: 60009 Union of South Africa Merryfield Hall, 2 Copse Lane, Ilton, Ilminster, Somerset
16-Sep The Royal Duchy (WCRC) Bristol Temple Meads-Par-Taunton 22-Sep West Wiltshire Model Railway Circle - Club Open Day. The
Haulage: 34046 Braunton Clubroom, Acreshort Lane, Steeple Ashton, BA14 6HD
04-Oct The Cathedrals Express (WCRC) Theale-Newbury-Plymouth 28-Sep Taunton Model Railway Group - Open Day
Haulage: 60103 Flying Scotsman. Returning 08-Oct Bishops Lydeard Station, Station Road, Taunton, Somerset
22-Nov The Cathedrals Express (WCRC) Paddington Cardiff
06-Oct Fareham & District MRC - Fareham Railex 2018
Haulage: 60009 Union of South Africa
Fareham Leisure Centre, Park Lane, Fareham, Hampshire
24-Nov Bath Christmas Market (WCRC) PaddingtonBath via Newbury
Haulage: 60009 Union of South Africa 13-Oct Farnham & District MRC - 44�� Annual Exhibition
Connaught Leisure Centre, Aldershot, Hampshire
28-Nov The Cathedrals Express (WCRC) London VictoriaBath
Haulage: TBA 03-Nov West Wiltshire Gauge 0 Group - Westbury Model Railway
Show, The Paragon Hall, Haynes Road, Westbury, Wiltshire
01-Dec The Plymouth Christmas Market (WCRC) BristolPlymouth
Haulage: 60009 Union of South Africa 03-Nov Bristol & Somerset Group H R C A - 10�� Vintage Hornby
Train Show. The King Alfred School (B Block), Burnham Road,
Heritage Railways Highbridge, Somerset
20-Sep Severn Valley Railway - Autumn Steam Gala
Useful Websites
27-Sep West Somerset Railway - Autumn Steam Gala Mainline Steam Tours www.uksteam.info/tours
06-Oct Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway - Autumn Diesel Weekend Railtour Info 2018/9 www.railtourinfo.co.uk
12-Oct Swanage Railway -Autumn Steam Gala UK Heritage Railways www.heritage-railways.com
Model Railway Exhibitions www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions
12-Oct The Bluebell Railway - ‘Giants of Steam’ Autumn Gala
Realtime Trains www.realtimetrains.co.uk
19-Oct Mid-Hants Railway - Autumn Steam Gala
Ian Allan Publishing www.ianallanpublishing.com
10-Nov Avon Valley Railway - End of Season Gala
Railway Herald railwayherald.com
NEWS UPDATE: Gresley 4-6-2 A4 Class No. 60009 Union of South Africa
This is a reminder that as reported in Issue 94, this wonderful loco is due to be withdrawn from mainline
operation in 2019 when its boiler ticket expires. The current plan is still that it will be put on static display
in a museum on the owner’s farm in Fife. The locomotive has seen extensive use throughout this year on
mainline railtours and the support crew has unsurprisingly had a very challenging time to keep it running
in pristine condition all around the country where demand for its presence remains high; their struggle is
obvious from its filthy state captured on the front page. There are still a few opportunities outlined above
to see the loco on our local lines before it sadly permanently disappears from the network.
Meeting Reviews
June July August
John Baxter Stuart Isbister Peter Jordan
The Midsomer Norton Mainline Project Aspects of the LSWR Indian Railways
John took us through the history of this The line historically started out as The London & Peter’s visits to India started in 1979 and he
fascinating project, from the formation in 1990 Southampton Railway and became The London became so enamoured with the place, its people
of the S&DR Trackbed Trust right up to the and South Western Railway (LSWR) in 1848. A lot and its railways, that he gave up his career as an
current plans to extend the line and operations. of the investment to build the line came from accountant to run Darjeeling Tours in 2003.
government money used to compensate
Bizarrely, the original station was saved by individuals when slavery was abolished. For the first part of his talk he gave us an
accident, but the signal box was demolished. It introduction to the overall railway network, its
took 200 lorries and cost £10K to clear the Stuart took us through two virtual journeys along locomotives and rolling stock, using many
rubbish before any start could be made to make the line, with pictures and anecdotes, visiting pictures and stories to provide us a
the line operational once again. A Millennium Bid stations that still exist today as well as those that comprehensive view of this eclectic sub-
to restore the line from Radstock through to have sadly long since disappeared. The first route continent. He recounted numerous stories that
Shepton Mallet failed when it was rejected by covered Basingstoke to Andover, taking in illustrate how well railway enthusiasts are
50% of the surrounding landowners. Andover, Red Post Junction, Grateley, Amesbury received and treated in India.
and Porton stations on the way. The second route
The line is now fully operational with 3 resident was the former Andover & Redbridge Railway For the second part of his talk, Peter took us on
locos; two diesel shunters and the superb which was taken over by the LSWR in 1863, that a ride up the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a 2’
Sentinel double-engined steam loco. followed the route of the old canal and went narrow-gauge line which runs between New
through Andover Town, Clatford, Stockbridge, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal. Built
Present expansion plans include a new shed built almost 140 years ago, it uses a number of zig-zags
on the site of the Somervale sidings in 2019; Horsebridge, Mottisfont, Romsey and Nursling to
Redbridge. and loops along its 55-mile length to climb a
reinstatement of the bridge over Silver Street in vertical height in excess of 2000m to Ghum,
2025 with a single track back to Radstock; and a Stuart finished the evening with a detailed look India’s highest railway station. Peter organises
new Chilcompton Station by 2030. at Waterloo Station, at one time the busiest and leads regular 2-day steam charters to explore
station in Great Britain. the line.
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