40 years of 'Rocks by Rail' and Updates

[Ian Smeeton]

Another day out to Barrington.

 

This time 2003.

 

There can't be as much dust in these particular archives, as it is another picture-heavy post.

 

 QUARRY RAILWAY HERITAGE DAY 2 

 

In September 2003 Barrington Cement Works and quarry were due to organise the biannual Works Public Open Day in aid of local charities, such as the Cambs Air Ambulance.

 

Because of the very positive public response to the Quarry Railway Heritage Day held in 2001 the Museum were approached to help arrange a similar event. Again we were able to provide two steam locomotives (DORA and SINGAPORE) from the museum and we managed to secure a third on temporary loan from the East Anglian Railway Museum (EARM).

 

With the welcome support of two Cambridgeshire aggregates companies, who also operated their own low loaders, we made the necessary arrangements to transport the locos to Barrington with the museum providing the volunteer ground crew for all the lorry movements.

 

There was a late substitution from the EARM and Robert Stephensons and Hawthorns built saddletank BIRKENHEAD took the place of a Andrew Barclay steam loco.

 

The format of the 2001 Quarry Railway Heritage Day was largely repeated with the three steam saddle tanks working the quarry trains on both the public Open Day and on the two quarry steam days for enthusiasts.

 

With both of the separate quarry face lines running across the quarry together on this occasion we included in some parallel running of empty quarry trains for the benefit of photographers on the enthusiasts days.

 

On the previous Quarry Railway Heritage Day Works Open Day in 2001 we became too efficient and ran out of wagons to fill - so for this Works Open Day we restricted the load to two wagons per trip.

 

On the two enthusiast days empty wagon availability was not an issue as the quarry staff efficiently emptied the incoming trains through the two wagon tipplers at the Raw Plant.

 

On the way home loco SINGAPORE stopped off at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford for a special airshow at which the theme was the War in the Movies. The loco was on static display whilst accompanying display boards highlighted the 1957 epic film Bridge on the River Kwai and recounted the treatment of allied Far Eastern Prisoners of War during construction of the Burma – Siam Death Railway in Thailand.

 

To be continued……… 

 

 

1. Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn built saddletank BIRKENHEAD raises steam outside the loco shed near the cement kiln. 

 

 

2. Ready for the off. Three saddletanks watered and coaled prepare to leave the shed area for a days work in the quarry.

 

 

3. Last off shed BIRKENHEAD reverses back heading towards  Barrington Park before taking the line to the Raw Plant and the quarry. 

 

 

4. BIRKENHEAD on a loaded clay train waits for SINGAPORE and its empty train destined for the chalk quarry face to clear the points leading to the Raw Plant

 

 

5. BIRKENHEAD’s train is loaded at the chalk face by the face shovel

 

 

6. SINGAPORE stands on the end of the chalk quarry with the 110RB dragline working on the clay face in the middle distance.

 

 

 

7. BIRKENHEAD and its train are loaded on the clay face.

 

 

8. BIRKENHEAD heads up the line to the clay quarry face. This photo was taken from the footplate of DORA as the two locos ran up to the separate quarry faces in parallel.

 

 

9. BIRKENHEAD moving around the Raw Plant sidings with Quarry manager John Drayton keeping an eye on operations from the loco footplate. Behind SINGAPORE shunts its wagons which have just arrived from the quarry.

 

 

10. BIRKENHEAD and DORA cool down by the shed after the days work.

 

 

11. SINGAPORE on display on a low loader at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford during their War in the Movies event.

 

 

12.  Not the usual thing to see out of a steam loco cab window !  Preserved USAF B17 bomber “Sally B “is neatly framed at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. 

 

More to come as we nibble away at the second half of the Museum's 40 year history.

 

regards

 

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Another trip out for Museum volunteers and exhibits.

 

London this time, and the dust is getting thinner as we get more up to date.

 

 SINGAPORE IN THE CITY 

 

In July 2005 the Government planned a major event to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2. A major element was the creation of a large public exhibition in St. James’s Park in Central London.

 

The week-long exhibition was called The Living Museum and featured a wide assortment of exhibits and groups of period enactors to help re-create the sights, sounds and events of the war. The Royal Air Force Museum provided a Spitfire and dispersal hut for the Battle of Britain and a variety of old vehicles contributed to scenes from the Home Front.

 

Early in the year the museum offered to provide Far eastern Prisoner of War steam locomotive SINGAPORE and a fixed exhibition on war in the Far East and allied FEPOW. We were very pleased when our offer was accepted and the planning could begin in earnest.

 

Loco “Singapore” was to take pride of place near the entrance to the “Living Museum” site in St. James’s Park. As the museum site had to contain many buildings and exhibits it was soon realised in the early planning stages that the locomotive would have to be the first exhibit in and conversely the last exhibit out! Once located on the site the temporary museum would then be built around the locomotive. 

 

As the first exhibit in to St.James’s Park there was particular onus on the museum to make sure things went to plan with the delivery and positioning of the locomotive, particularly as the press and BBC TV were recording our every move.

 

We selected Allelys Heavy Haulage as they were both reliable and had proved themselves before in extracting our coach from Bletchley Depot within very tight clearances.

 

Having surveyed our route into the Park on two separate occasions prior to delivery, we knew that clearances would be tight, with overhanging trees along our route. We also knew that a representative from the Royal Parks would be watching our every move to make sure we did not damage the trees ! 

 

It was a boiling hot day when we had to put our planning to the test. To gain access to an entrance we would have to pull forward into the Mall and then reverse slowly through a pedestrian entrance, which had been fenced off.

 

A passing police officer decided that moving a loco into the Park was much more interesting than patrolling the beat and promptly moved into the road to stop the traffic. We briefly stopped short of the entrance to negotiate the first overhanging tree. Having successfully limbo-ed under three or four trees by inching backwards we then were able to swing slightly off – line to avoid a particularly low bough. 

 

At this point on the access we stopped as we had run into a safety problem. People in the park were becoming increasingly aware of our presence and a whole host of children – and parents- had suddenly gathered to witness this strange event.

 

However a saviour was at hand in the shape of our police officer who took full command of the situation creating a cordon around the back and sides of the lorry as we recommenced our slow progress backwards into the Park.

 

The unloading went smoothly and Singapore was towed onto the short display track panel by the lorry and then secured, leaving us to the take in the rather bizarre sight  of “Singapore” residing in the middle of St.James’s Park surrounded by deckchairs and sunbathers!  

 

At 12 noon on the opening day the royal party approached consisting of HRH Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Secretary of State for Defence.

 

Having cut the ribbon the royal party then first approached SINGAPORE where three RRM members and a veteran FEPOW stood holding a small number of orchids. The FEPOW veteran present presented both HRH with some jungle orchids to place on the loco footplate below the memorial loco nameplate in memory of those who did not return from captivity.

 

As no poppies grow in the Far East the beautiful white jungle orchid is the appropriate flower of Remembrance and we were grateful to Singapore Airlines for specially flying some in for the event.  

 

The Living Museum opened its gates to the public and throughout the week we were besieged by curious visitors, including many veterans and their families. We found we all became engaged in constant dialogue with the visitors as we told them about the loco’s history and its shared bond with allied PoWs. 

 

Thursday of that week unfortunately heralded the atrocities of the London bombings on London Transport. In spite of increased strict security for the remaining days of the event the museum site was still open and accessible as the event organisers adopted the WW2 slogan  - Keep Calm and Carry On” and tried extra hard to invoke the steadfast “ Spirit of the Blitz”,  which singularly caught the mood of the day.

 

On the last day of the event crowds also turned out in force with a number of Far Eastern veterans making themselves known to us, stopping for a chat and a photo in front of their engine.

 

One Australian veteran gave us a very graphic description of life as a Japanese prisoner of war, which drew a small crowd to listen to his experiences. 

 

A lot of effort from a wide range of RRM members went in to preparing, transport and the display of loco SINGAPORE. We were honoured to be part of the commemoration and pleased that we had held our ground when working with much larger national museums and professional event organisers. Approximately 85,000 people visited The Living Museum over the six open days. 

 

To be continued………  

 

 

1. Ready for its capital adventure SINGAPORE about to depart from the museum.

 

 

2. Far Eastern Prisoner of War loco SINGAPORE is unloaded from the low loader in St. James’s Park, London

 

 

3. The museum’s delivery team and Allelys crew on what was a blisteringly hot day in central London 

 

 

Photo 4. Singapore on display awaits the opening of the event

 

 

Photo 5. FEPOW veterans visit the loco at the Living Museum.

 

 

 

Photo 6 & 7. Singapore and display at the Living Museum, July 2005

 

 

Photo 8. A visitor to the event reading a FEPOW poem displayed near the locomotive.

 

As last year was the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day, we were planning on having a presence with 'Singapore' at the National Arboretum, where there is a Far Eastern Prisoners of War Chapel and Memorial, however the pandemic put paid to any major events to commemorate the day.

 

In stead, we had a small, socially distanced commemorative day at the Museum. Serving members of the armed forces, local veterans, the local chain gang (councillors) and museum members all paid their respects to those who fell, and just as importantly, those who returned.

 

The Royal Netherlands Defense Attache and his wife attended, representing the large number of Dutch Civilians and service personnel who were killed or taken prisoner in the Dutch colonies of the Far East.

 

More to follow

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Bucoops]

Once again fascinating reading. Thank you for sharing.

[Ian Smeeton]

Back to base for the next update in the life and times of the Rutland Railway Museum

 

REFOCUSING THE MUSEUM, A TEMPORARY CAR PARK AND MOCK IRONSTONE QUARRY

 

It had long been the objective to construct a large exhibition building for visitors at the museum. In 2003 the Museum made an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for such a facility which incorporated a large museum building, rail platform and new toilets. Unfortunately the scheme did not find favour with the HLF. This was a significant setback and disappointment to all of the museum’s volunteers.

 

To help start to address the deficiencies of the scheme Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) provided welcome professional assistance as the museum set about a root and branch review of its governance structure, operations, collection and development policies, marketing, disabled access and visitor facilities.

 

After a period of some months changes started to be put in place, which included a much tighter museum collecting policy which renewed its focus on quarry railway heritage in the East of England and the products made by Ruston’s of Lincoln (locos and quarry plant).

 

The new policy led to the museum seeking new homes for some of its exhibits not directly connected with quarry railways. Consequently a number of ex NCB exhibits were found new homes and the funds raised by disposals were re-invested in the museum.

 

Although the HLF did not support the large scheme they did however support a much smaller scheme to replace the ageing toilets in a new location with much better accessibility for museum visitors.

 

Planning permission had been granted for the large scheme and the museum was able to take advantage of this in the construction of a new platform for visitor trains allowing the earlier temporary platform to be dismantled and the rail track re-aligned.

 

In the past car parking at the museum had always been at a premium but arrangements with the adjacent farmer allowed parking on his grassed field adjacent to the museum. This change allowed the former car park to be re-developed to form a rail connected mock quarry face for the benefit of museum visitors and within which we could again re-create quarry train loading.

 

Re-creating a mock quarry would not have been possible without the active support of three local quarry companies (M Dickerson, Mick George and Ketton Cement) who very kindly lent excavators and provided lorries to move donated limestone and ironstone to the museum to make our new quarry face.

 

To be continued………  

 

1. Museum volunteers put the finishing touches to the pipework for the new visitor toilets

 

 

2. An excavator commences stripping of soils in preparation for the new platform 

 

 

3. Digging out the formation for the track adjacent to the new platform

 

 

4. Rock solid support. Donated ironstone is collected from Ketton Cement Quarry for construction of the mock quarry face at the museum.

 

 

 

5. Museum volunteers laying the quarry line

 

 

6. Digging deep for quarry railway heritage. The museum’s Ruston Bucyrus 22RB face shovel demonstrates how the rail wagons were filled.

 

Once the quarry element of the museum became operational the marketing of the museum as Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum was initiated and further improved and developed over the next few years.

 

More to come, unless you have all had enough?

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Quarry-Steam65]

Keep uploading those pictures Ian!

I like seeing how the museum has changed over the last 40 year.

[Ian Smeeton]

Some more to add from the archives....

 

It looks like we spent more time at Barrington than at the Museum

 

A sad day, this time

 

THE END OF THE LINE - LAST RITES FOR BARRINGTON’S QUARRY RAILWAY 

 

On 25th February 2005 the last working standard gauge quarry railway in the UK finally succumbed to the pressures of modernisation at the Barrington Cement Works in Cambridgeshire.

 

The cessation of the internal movement of quarried material from the quarry face to the works by an internal industrial railway signalled the end of nearly 200 years of industrial railway history which can be traced back to the very dawn of the creation of the railway age.

 

The quarry railway at Barrington was subsequently taken up in favour of modern methods of mineral excavation and movement and most of the wagons and rail broken up for scrap.

 

Two days before the last train the management at the Cement Works were prepared to host one final day of steam working. Again the museum was pleased to assist and Avonside saddletank DORA was readied for the last poignant visit to the quarry railway. It was considered fitting that the initiative that DORA had started first in 1994 she should finish on 23rd February 2005.

 

This was also to be a period of significant change at the Cement Works as the plant was to be taken over from UK based RMC Rugby Cement by multi-national cement manufacturer Cemex at the beginning of March.  Consequently for the final steam working DORA carried a wreath of orange flowers – the house colour of RMC.

 

The end of the quarry railway also saw the end of the use of the large electrically powered Ruston Bucyrus 110RB face shovel and dragline. Mineral extraction was to continue using smaller hydraulic excavators and dumptrucks.

 

At the Raw Plant the rail wagon tipplers were to be removed and the sidings land cleared and used to stockpile excavated mineral as the quarry was to move from daily extraction to a periodic campaign production basis.

 

The 23rd February dawned very cold and snowy and the warmest place to be was on the steam loco footplate !

 

A number of hardy railway enthusiast photographers had gathered to witness the final day of steam. The TV were also in evidence to record the final steam trains and interviewed not only quarry manager John Drayton but also an enthusiast who had travelled all the way from Cornwall especially to witness the event !

 

At the end of a memorable day of steam and as the steam loco started out on the way back to the shed Quarry Manager John Drayton was heard to pronounce “ never again”……….

 

To be continued……… 

 

 

1. Taking a short break from early morning loco preparation RRM loco crew owner/driver John Scholes and fireman Alastair Smith pose for a photo at the loco shed.

 

 

2. DORA stands outside the shed ready to depart to the quarry.

 

 

3. One last time – DORA sets off from the Raw Plant for the quarry with a rake of empty wagons.

 

 

4. In the midst of a snowstorm DORA reverses a loaded train away from the clay quarry.

 

 

5. DORA collects more empties for a run to the chalk quarry face

 

 

6. A quarry wagon being unloaded in the wagon tippler.

 

 

 

7 A shunter controls the speed of empty wagons on the handbrake as it leaves the tippler siding.

 

 

8. Thomas Hill built Vanguard diesel loco MR D was the last loco to operate a quarry train at Barrington. Two days before the last train MR D propels a train of chalk away from the quarry face. A few days after closure the company donated this  loco and two quarry wagons to the museum. Of the other two Thomas Hill built quarry diesel locos the black one (known to the quarry staff as the Stealth Bomber) was sold into preservation and the blue one (known to quarry staff as Billie Smart -due to its gaudy circus-like livery of red, yellow and blue) was ultimately plinthed with two wagons at the Cement works.

 

 

 

9. Now surplus to operational requirements the large Ruston Bucyrus quarry machines were moved off the quarry face and parked up to await their fate. Some months later they were broken up for scrap, but not before the cab of the dragline and its bucket were saved for display at the museum.

 

John Drayton and the Barrington Cement Works have been good friends to the Museum over the years.

 

We have the dragline cab and bucket mentioned in the last photo, the loco, Mr D, a rake of the quarry tipplers, and some other artifacts from the time.

 

Come and see us when we reopen.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Well, our last day out to Barrington Cement Works was our last day out to Barrington Cement Works....or was it?

 

 NEVER SAY NEVER - AGAIN  -  BLR’s 80th ANNIVERSARY

 

Having supplied a steam locomotive that had a starring role in marking the sad end of the quarry railway at Barrington Cement Plant in February 2005 and with the last comment of the Quarry Manager ringing in our ears (see Part 28 ) it came as a bit of a welcome surprise when the museum was approached in 2007 about attending the Barrington Cement Works Public Open Day.

 

Whilst the quarry railway was long gone the Works wanted to use the Barrington Light Railway (BLR) as an open day visitor attraction. 

 

In 1927 the Eastwood Cement Company completed a light railway between Foxton and Barrington to provide a 1.5 mile transport link between the main line and a new cement works near the village of Barrington in Cambridgeshire.

 

The majority of the loaded traffic inwards comprised coal slack and crushed gypsum. Outward traffic consisted of empty mineral wagons and loads of finished cement in bags transported in box vans. Later the box vans were replaced by bulk Presflo cement wagons and tankers. 

 

In past visits to Barrington we had given steam locomotives some light exercise on the BLR on Open Days but on this occasion we were in a position to bring a railway coach to offer visitor rides along the BLR.

 

As the BLR was marking its 80th year of existence this seemed a very appropriate way of marking the anniversary as the original Light Railway Order unusually made express provision for passengers to be carried at a minimum sum of 1 pence per person !

 

The first steam locomotive to be used on the BLR was an Andrew Barclay saddletank called VULCAN. As we were unable to source an Andrew Barclay loco at the time museum loco SINGAPORE underwent a temporary name change to VULCAN for its visit to the Works.

 

Whilst most of the visit involved running the passenger train with the assistance of a Works diesel one of the original quarry wagons had been set aside for preservation and was available for shunting demonstrations and run pasts for enthusiasts.

 

Two vintage vehicle enthusiasts in the village also took the opportunity to create a vintage scene at the Works level crossing for visiting photographers.

 

The steam trips to Foxton were well received by open day visitors, including the enthusiasts of the Branchline Society who were keen to cover as much of the line as possible – often more than once ! The Open Day events raised a good sum in aid of local charities.

 

To be continued………  

 

 

1. Early view of Andrew Barclay VULCAN and train of empty vans plods uphill on the BLR towards the Cement Works . 

 

 

2. Loco VULCAN (Singapore) and coach seen at Foxton Exchange Sidings on the Barrington Light Railway.

 

 

3 The train crossing the concrete viaduct over the River Cam. Photo courtesy David M Scudamore 

 

 

4. In compliance with the original Light Railway Order Quarry Manager John Drayton dutifully hands over his one pence coin to a RRM museum volunteer for his trip on the Barrington Light Railway.

 

 

5. On the Works Open Day the train was top and tailed by VULCAN and the Works GEC diesel – seen here about to cross the Haslingfield Road level crossing by the Cement Works.

 

 

6. VULCAN poses with one of the original Eastwoods Cement quarry wagons

 

 

7. Steam train crosses Haslingfield Road level crossing in an attempt to re-create the past with other vintage vehicles – please ignore the modern road signs !

 

 

8. At the end of the day a worked stained VULCAN stands near the cement mills building.

 

Considering that she was clean on arrival, it just goes to show how long a loco stays clean in a working environment

 

 

A few more updates to come as we get closer to the present day

 

Regards

 

Ian

[stewartingram]

I hope nobody minds this little intrusion? 

Thomas Hill/Vanguard diesel crossing the road on the BLR, with my 1st car (wish I still had it). Must have been around 1968/9?

 

Stewart

[Ian Smeeton]

I have nearly caught up with the curator's aim of 40 installments covering the 40 years.

 

I think that he is only one ahead of me now, so the pace may slow a little (he's older than me)

 

 USC AUSTERITY SEEN AGAIN IN RUTLAND  

 

In 1954 the United Steel Companies Ore Mining Branch (USCOMB) ordered three Austerity pattern 0-6-0ST saddle tanks from the Yorkshire Engine Company. These locomotives were delivered in spring 1955 to the company’s Exton Park Ironstone Quarry in Rutland and were finished in a maroon livery lined yellow and black.

 

These locos worked at the quarry until 1967 when they were progressively replaced by the 400hp Janus type diesel locomotives.

 

None of the steam locos used at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry survived into preservation. One of the Janus class diesels did survive (DE5) which now resides on display in the exhibition building at the museum.  

 

In early 2010 an opportunity arose which would allow a USC liveried loco to once again be seen briefly in Rutland. Recently restored Hunslet  Austerity No.22 in USC livery was to visit the Nene Valley Railway from Scunthorpe on hire.

 

This was too good an opportunity to miss and arrangements were made to break its journey at the museum for a few days. Consequently a special enthusiasts open day was planned and held which also included an appearance of a Peckett 0-6-0ST visiting from Barrow Hill.

 

The line-up also included Bagnall CRANFORD No.2 from the museum. The day was spent setting up runpasts and shunting of ironstone trains for visiting photographers – never before had the museum hosted a steaming of three 0-6-0 saddle tanks on the same day ! 

To be continued……..

 

 

1. A maroon liveried Yorkshire Engine Co built Austerity from United Steel Companies Ore Mining Branch Exton Park Quarry Rutland seen at Cottesmore Exchange sidings. The site of the exchange sidings now forms part of the museum’s car park.

 

 

2. USC emblem on the bunker of restored Hunslet Austerity No.22

 

 

3. Austerity No.22 looks at home on a rake of ex LMS ironstone hopper  wagons on the museum’s demonstration line. 

 

4.Peckett No. 2000 and CRANFORD No.2 engage in some shunting activity

 

 

5. CRANFORD No.2 shunts a restored 27 ton tippler wagon on loan to the museum from the NRM. The museum was pleased to welcome a curator from the NRM on this day who was able to see their exhibit in use. 

 

 

6. CRANFORD No.2 and Peckett 2000 double head a train of ironstone tippler wagons

 

 

 

7. Austerity No.22 shunting a tippler wagon near the Woolsthorpe Quarry engine shed

 

 

8. Peckett 2000 brings its train upgrade from the remains of the Oakham Canal in fine style

 

More to follow when the curator curates.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2021 by Ian Smeeton
Remove duplicate Photo

[Ian Smeeton]

Failed to remove duplicate photo----

 

Ignore edit!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Quarry-Steam65]

Brilliant pictures Ian. I can’t wait for one of the 0-6-0s over there to be restored, should make some quite impressive noise coming up that canal bank!

[Ian Smeeton]

I am looking forward to that too.

 

I think that 'Belvoir' is first in the 0-6-0 queue, but don't quote me on that.

 

Both Barclays will run out of ticket in the next year or two. A privately owned Peckett is nearing completion (and has been for a while due to Covid), then, I suppose, the efforts will go into Singapore ready for her own 90th and the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

 

All hypothetical, and very much depending on volunteers.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Museum operations aren't just jolly days out to Barrington & the like.

 

There is some seriously hard graft goes on behind the scenes.

 

 

A PERMANENT CAR PARK AND THE QUARRY LINE RE-BUILD

 

Having had temporary use of the adjacent farmers field for a car park on open days for a few years it proved possible to purchase the field from the owner in late 2009.

 

Planning permission was applied for and subsequently granted and in late spring 2010 construction of the new permanent car park commenced. The land to be purchased had once been the site of exchange sidings for Exton Park Ironstone quarries. When the quarry closed in 1973 the cleared sidings land was covered with a layer of topsoil and grassed over.

 

However trial pits carried out by the museum showed that the original sidings formation (lump limestone and compacted ash base) was still present under the restoration soils. Thus it was a reasonably straight forward task to peel back the soils to expose the well-drained formation underneath – ideal for a car park !

 

Again two local quarry companies came to our aid to strip the soil and re-distribute it within the enlarged land holding of the museum.

 

With a permanent car park and new visitor access point now in prospect the current arrangements within the mock quarry were revisited as some drainage issues were affecting the stability of the rail track.

 

It was decided to lift, re-align and re-lay the quarry line so it came up the centre of the original firm roadway into the site which meant that we could also accommodate another siding.

 

A local aggregate company arranged for a trackside drain to be built alongside the quarry line to collect any spring water and surface drainage. They also constructed a visitor walkway running along the top of the cutting to an elevated visitor viewing area overlooking the mock quarry face. Any spare spoil was formed into a large bunded area within which the museum’s 22RB dragline could give working demonstrations on open days.

 

The museums volunteers lifted the old track and slewed the route over before completing the line in flat bottom rail on concrete sleepers. A point was also installed to create a storage siding which could also be used for shunting during the museum’s future Quarry Railways events..

 

Upon completion of the modification of the quarry line the area was christened “Cottesmore West Pit” and quarry trains and the use of historic quarry equipment can now attempt to re-create a lost element of our industrial past for the benefit of museum visitors.

 

To be continued………  

 

 

1. An excavator stripping back the soils for the permanent car park 

 

 

2 The Museum's Euclid was sidelined for the heavy work!

 

 

3. Ash was recovered for use in roadway surfacing along the boundary of the site which was to accommodate surplus spoil in the form of a bund.

 

 

4   Creation of a new pedestrian and vehicle access into the main museum site

involved the excavator in more spoil removal and deposit of hardcore.

 

 

Tipping hardcore to make the new pedestrian entrance from the car park, and to provide vehicle access to the running lines.

 

 

Photo 6. The trackside drain is installed 

 

 

Photo 7  Construction of the quarry line on its amended route.

 

 

 

Rail mounted crane in use on laying the quarry branch

 

 

Photo 9. An Andrew Barclay saddletank 1931/1927 tries out the new quarry line with a rake of iron ore hopper wagons.

 

Having driven the Barclay and a Sentinel up the quarry branch, I have to take my hat off to those who can do it without stalling.

 

A sharp curve at the foot of the branch, followed by a 1:30 gradient, means you need a fair amount of power to shift the train, without either slipping or speeding.

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Our nimble curator is just in front of me frantically dusting off photos and assembling them into some sort of order.

 

I'll catch him next time!!

 

  2013 - A STEAM VISITOR

Both standard and narrow gauge Peckett built steam locomotives were popular and used on a number of ironstone railways in the East Midlands, also including the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company’s ironstone quarries near Banbury.

 

In the autumn of 2013 the Museum played host to a visit of a Peckett built saddletank 'Fulstow' on temporary loan from the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.

 

Whist at the museum the loco took part in an open day for visiting photographers and spent most of the time operating on the re-built tracks of the museum’s mock ironstone quarry. 

 

 

To be continued ……..

 

 

1. Peckett built saddletank MAUD seen at Oxfordshire Ironstone  

 

 

 

2. The visiting Peckett 'Fulstow' stands outside the Woolsthorpe Ironstone Quarry loco shed just prior to steaming. 

 

 

3. The Peckett shunts wagons up towards the Ruston Bucyrus face shovel in the museum’s mock quarry. 

 

 

4  Reflecting past industrial safety practice on quarry railways the Peckett stands clear as the first wagon of its train is loaded by the face shovel. 

 

 

5  The Roperunner oversees the loading of the wagons before calling the loco forward to move the wagons.

 

 

Photo 6. Andrew Barclay 1931 was also in steam on the same day and is seen standing on the inspection pit being framed by the personnel doorway of the Woolsthorpe Quarry Loco Shed .

 

More to follow

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

As the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even, I thought we had better try and catch up with our profligate curator before he disappears over the horizon.

 

His white safety helmet already makes him hard to spot when he is neck deep in a snowdrift....

 

The thaw is coming, though, so finding him later shouldn't be a problem!

 

NOT THE END OF THE LINE FOR QUARRY DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE 

 

 

The future of the last remaining quarry train at the CEMEX Barrington Cement works had been secured following the company’s decision to donate the locomotive and two remaining wagons to Rocks by Rail.

 

Our track record  specialising in the preservation of such items of the area’s industrial heritage made RBR a natural choice. 

 

In February 2005 the last working standard gauge quarry railway in the UK finally succumbed to the pressures of modernisation at the Barrington Cement Works in Cambridgeshire.

 

The cessation of the internal movement of quarried material from the quarry face to the works by an internal industrial railway signalled the end of nearly 200 years of industrial history which can be traced back to the very dawn of the creation of the railway age. The quarry railway at Barrington was subsequently taken up in favour of modern methods of mineral excavation and movement.

 

The plant was acquired by the global materials company CEMEX in March 2005 and in recognition of the significant part played by the quarry railway, it was decided that a quarry loco and two wagons were to be retained and preserved on permanent display on a short length of line near the Works entrance.

 

However, due to the recession the Barrington Cement works was mothballed in late 2008, but the quarry train remained on-site. In 2012 the decision was made that the Cement Works would not re-open and the initial phase of de-commissioning part of the works was nearing completion. The demolition of the Works would be the next step.

 

As a result there was some concern regarding the eventual fate of the surviving preserved quarry rolling stock at the Barrington Plant but a solution was announced whereby CEMEX, recognising the importance of these items to the industrial heritage of the area, agreed to donate and entrust the remaining items to Rocks by Rail (formerly Rutland Railway Museum).

 

A registered charity, Rocks by Rail specialises in the preservation, conservation and demonstration of equipment formerly used on standard gauge quarry railways.

 

Consequently plans were made to move the items to the museum’s site at Cottesmore, Rutland where they joined the unique collection of quarry rolling stock which can be demonstrated to the public at the museums own rail connected, mock quarry face. 

 

In addition, to the donation of the rolling stock, the Rugby Group Benevolent Fund, a charity with close links to the company, provided a grant of £5,000 to cover the cost of transporting the loco and wagons to their new home and creating supporting information for display at the museum.

 

A spokesman for the museum commented at the time :

“Through this generous act CEMEX have safeguarded the future of historic quarry railway items which they were instrumental in saving. We are very grateful for their support both now and in the past. Once the items arrive at the museum they will supplement the other rolling stock that we have already received from the Barrington Quarry Railway. The arrival of the wagons will enable us to form a genuine quarry train consisting of a loco and four wagons which can be operate in our mock quarry very much in the same way as they used to work at Barrington.” 

 

To be continued………  

 

 

1. After working on the last quarry railway in the UK Thomas Hill built Vanguard loco was plinthed with one wagon at Barrington Cement Works

 

 

2. A donated quarry wagon is loaded onto a lorry for its journey to the museum.

 

 

3 . The diesel loco, known to quarry staff as “Billie Smart” due to its gaudy circus-like livery of lined blue, red and yellow , gets a helping hand from an excavator as it is loaded onto the lowloader at the Cement Works.

 

 

4. The last quarry loco to leave the Barrington Cement Works ready to start its journey to the museum.

 

 

5. The four Barrington cement quarry wagons at the museum with loco Billie Smart shortly after arrival.

 

With Iron Ore Tipplers, Hoppers, Dump Cars and the Barrington wagons, we can run quite a varied set of quarry trains (when we are allowed to open again!)

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

It's a Biggie, this time.

 

Our Curator's scanner must have been in meltdown after this!

 

SIMON LAYFIELD EXHIBITION CENTRE 

 

DIGGING DEEPER FOR THE EAST MIDLANDS QUARRY RAILWAY HERITAGE 

 

 

It had been a long-held aspiration of the volunteer run Rocks by Rail museum to have a dedicated display building to safeguard the UK’s only comprehensive collection of standard gauge railway locos and rolling stock celebrating the industrial heritage of the former ironstone and cement quarry railways in the East of England.

 

In the early summer of 2014 this vision was finally realised following an award of significant grant aid from the Mick George Landfill Community Fund, administered by Grantscape. The grant was be used by the museum to erect an insulated three road exhibition and conservation building at its site near Cottesmore, Rutland and construction work commenced in the autumn of that year.

 

Mick George Ltd operates extensively in the East Midlands/East of England as an aggregates, plant hire, contracting and waste management services supply company.

 

Three of the Company’s existing minerals and waste management sites near South Witham, Rushton and Wansford shared historical links to the past mining of limestone and iron ore by opencast methods where industrial railways once played a key role as part of the transport system to the distant steelworks.

 

Commenting on the grant award RbR volunteer Robin Bickers, a museum Trustee, said at the time : “ We are grateful for the support which Mick George Ltd has provided to the museum in the past and are delighted that the recent grant award from the Landfill Communities Fund will enable us to achieve a major goal in our development plan whereby the heritage of quarry railways can be more fully interpreted for the benefit of museum visitors.

 

The new building will provide secure accommodation for the exhibits, encourage more conservation work and training in old skills thus enhancing opportunities for volunteering at the museum as well as providing a focus for future educational visits where a younger generation can learn about their industrial past. “

 

As well as using local contractors the museum’s own volunteers put their talents and considerable efforts into on-site physical works in addition to securing the grant, delivering planning and building regulation approvals, fund raising, the installation of three rail tracks and new visitor walkways within the building and a pedestrian ramped access from the adjacent platform. 

 

The completed building was opened to museum visitors following a ceremony in November 2015 when the new exhibition building was opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland and Mick George, MD of Mick George Ltd and the completed project named in memoriam after our visionary volunteer RbR General Manager Simon Layfield who tragically died of a cardiac arrest in early 2014.

 

 

 

To be continued………  

 

 

1. Exhibits stand in the open in the central yard at the museum prior to the implementation of the project.

 

 

2. With exhibits moved to other sidings the old track was lifted to make way for the new building. The joys of lifting concrete sleepers on a cold and damp October day !

 

 

3. The prepared limestone base of the building following excavation.   

 

 

4. Concrete is delivered for the foundations of the steel structure. 

 

 

5. Photo of the steel structure taken in December 2014. Ain't Meccano great!

 

 

6. By end of January 2015 cladding to roof and walls had been added.

 

 

7. During the spring the track was beginning to be installed by the museum’s volunteers. 

 

 

8. Two working parties from 7 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps from Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore provided very welcome additional muscle to the museum’s own volunteers during track construction within the new building. 

 

 

9. The first locomotive to enter the new building was, rather fittingly, former Exton Park Ironstone Quarry Janus class DE5.Tired members of 7 Regiment RLC take a break on the footplate after pushing and pinch barring the loco through the doors !

 

 

10. Museum volunteers busy hand mixing and concreting the visitor walkways within the new building.

 

 

11. Some exhibits inside the exhibition building on the opening day with two locos built by the Yorkshire Engine Co - including a Type 1 steam loco very similar to those supplied to Exton Park Ironstone Quarries at the commencement of extraction. 

 

 

12. Former volunteer General Manager Simon Layfield pictured earlier on the footplate of Andrew Barclay no.1931 at the museum.

 

 

13.  Oxfordshire Ironstone Company Sentinel BETTY stands outside the newly named exhibition centre at the museum in Spring 2016.

 

 

14. Robin the supervisor - at least someone else was also happy in their new insulated building !

 

Phew, that took some dragging & dropping, i should have had a Dragline to help out!

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Getting close to the 40th installment of 40 years of Rocks by Rail.

 

SALMON RETURNS FOR A BRIEF VISIT

 

The Stanton Ironworks Company (SIC)based near Ilkeston in Derbyshire was a large company with significant interests in iron and steel, coal, ironstone and limestone.

 

The Company operated a significant number of ironstone quarries in the East Midlands with the output usually being supplied by rail to the Company’s furnaces at Stanton by Dale and Holwell.   

 

The output of home-won ironstone was significantly increased during World War 2 to meet the demands of the war industries for more iron and steel.

 

Existing ironstone quarries were expanded and new ones opened up such as the new workings at Harlaxton near Grantham. To meet the needs of these new quarries new steam locomotives were sourced through the then wartime Ministry of Supply. In 1942  Harlaxton Ironstone Quarry took delivery of a new steam locomotive called SALMON built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co.Ltd of Kilmarnock. 

 

In 1948 locomotive SALMON was transferred a short distance to work on the new  standard gauge lines at Woolsthorpe Ironstone Quarry in the Vale of Belvoir.The loco continued to work at Woolsthorpe until 1969 when it was retired and sold for preservation . Initially going to the NYMR, privately owned SALMON came to the fledgling museum in 1980 where it was returned to steam.

 

The loco was on the move again following its sale, arriving at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway in 2000. Overhauled and operated on their railway for a number of years the loco was sold privately and moved to its new base at the Royal Deeside Railway in Scotland.

 

To mark the contribution made by the Stanton Ironworks Company in the East Midlands Ore Field, arrangements were made for SALMON to re-visit the museum for a short period in March 2015. During her stay some engineering work was carried out for the owner and the loco was specially steamed for a visit by railway enthusiast photographers.

 

To be continued……

 

 

1. An early photo of quarry locomotive SALMON seen at Woolsthorpe Ironstone quarry. In common with other company steam locomotives the engine was fitted with SIC heavy duty buffers.

 

 

2. SALMON steams up the museum’s demonstration line crossing over the remains of the Oakham Canal .

 

 

3. SALMON pictured in the headshunt at the museum receiving attention to lubrication whilst awaiting its duties 

 

 

4. SALMON brings a train of ironstone wagons up past the ore loading dock at the museum 

 

 

5. SALMON stands near the Ruston Bucyrus 22RB face shovel in the museum’s mock ironstone quarry.

 

 

6. Eyes down for a full house. SALMON and SIR THOMAS ROYDEN stand in the quarry area with visiting photographers.

 

 

7. During the photographers visit the opportunity was taken to demonstrate the recently restored S & L quarry casualty trolley which was originally built by Wickham. These trolleys were used to ferry injured quarrymen along the railway to a convenient road level crossing where an ambulance would be waiting to take the casualty on to hospital.

 

Our casualty is STILL waiting for the ambulance!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

If you fancy a bit of heavy-duty ironstone extraction, have a look at this.

 

Filmed during the Second World War, the commentary might be a bit over-patriotic & warmongering, but, it was of it's time.

 

 

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited February 21, 2021 by Ian Smeeton
Wrong Link

[Ian Smeeton]

Saturday Afternoon and the sun is shining.

 

I feel like another update!

 

I bet you thought that the Barrington trips had finished?

 

Wrong

 

Here we go again!

 

BARRINGTON LIGHT RAILWAY RE-BORN

 

Following the decision to permanently cease cement production at Barrington,  Cemex were faced with the challenge of considering how to finally restore the quarry workings. 

 

The infilling of the quarry void back to original ground level was not an option as part of the quarry face had been classified as a geological Site of Special Interest.

 

There was a large quarry void to restore but once the pumps were turned off these would naturally fill with water to form a large lake for which there was not a readily available after-use.

 

Barrington does not have very good links to the national road network and as the route would run through the picturesque village strong objections to infilling using road haulage were to be expected.

 

Consideration thus turned to the potential importation of infill to the quarry by rail using the Barrington Light Railway (BLR) from the mainline at Foxton.

 

The BLR has a concrete viaduct over the River Cam over which there was a weight restriction. Detailed engineering examination of the structure showed that it was feasible to strengthen the viaduct to allow full length spoil trains to access the quarry.

 

However some of the existing track in the exchange sidings was of lightweight construction so to accommodate full length trains it was decided to relay the line completely with flat bottom rail on concrete sleepers. 

 

Planning permission had first to be obtained from the mineral planning authority and to that end the Company undertook a variety of environmental studies including noise, vibration and safety assessment of the enhanced new railway use. The planning application went through extensive local consultation within the process of environmental impact assessment and ultimately planning permission to infill half of the quarry with inert construction spoil was granted subject to strict conditions, including a limit on the number of daily spoil trains, to mitigate impact on local residents who live alongside the railway.

 

After a delay work commenced on the re-building of the BLR with the phased removal and replacement of track on the branch line, viaduct strengthening and the creation of a spoil unloading area and run round loop just south of the old quarry.

 

After a lot of work the re-build was nearing completion and in spring 2015 the museum received an approach to help the company mark the re-opening of the line in an appropriate fashion.

 

The museum was able to offer an Andrew Barclay saddletank but passenger accommodation would have to be provided in two brakevans as by then the museums coach, used on the BLR in 2007, had gone to a new home.

 

It was decided that the steam loco would have a name change to replicate the first BLR loco, namely VULCAN for the commemorative events which included a special reception day and train trip for company guests followed next day by a public open day for local people and enthusiasts. 

 

For the re-opening events on 25/26th September 2015  DB Shenker placed a class 66 on display and over the months that followed in addition to class 66 (DBS and GB Railfreight)  a number of “heritage” diesel locos were also recorded working inert spoil trains from London including class 47, 56 and 50.

 

The original plan on the public opening was to run only a very limited number of trains. However the arrival of a senior CEMEX company official and his family on the public day changed all that and we ran trains on the new BLR all day on his instruction !

 

To be continued………  

 

 

Photo 1. As part of their environmental studies to support their proposals the Company undertook vibration testing near Glebe Road level crossing (close to housing). An industrial diesel (Sentinel) and box bogie wagon were hired in and both empty and loaded wagon test runs were made. The picture shows the wagon on the Glebe Road level crossing on the BLR. 

 

 

2 . On the day before the re-opening ceremony Andrew Barclay VULCAN stands on the new track at the former cement works.

 

 

 

3. Upon arrival by road the loco was test steamed and undertook a short proving run towards the new spoil train unloading point near the quarry.

 

 

4. The old and the new BLR trains stand side by side. Photo courtesy Rob Scudamore

 

 

5. VULCAN brings a visitor train across the strengthened River Cam viaduct. The wider strengthened foundations of the viaduct are evident in this view. On the first train over the BLR Cemex UK President Jesus Gonzalez was invited to drive the loco under supervision on its return journey. Photo courtesy David M Scudamore 

 

 

6. VULCAN sets off on a visitor train to the end of the line and the spoil unloading area. Photo courtesy Rob Scudamore

 

 

7. Classic traction. Class 50 Thunderer waits at the quarry for its train to be unloaded. Photo courtesy David M Scudamore

 

 

8. Class 50 brings its train across Haslingfield Level crossing. Photo courtesy Rob Scudamore

 

 

9. Class 50 Thunderer brings its empty wagons across the River Cam Viaduct. Photo courtesy David M Scudamore

 

 

Is this the last Barrington Cement Works installment....you'll have to wait and see.

 

Best Regards to all,

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

The sun shone this morning (for a little while), and after a bit of grass lcutting at the museum, I thought it was time or another update from the archives.

 

A MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH MISCELLANY 1

Some photos taken during the development of the museum supplemented with a few views from the museum’s historic archives.

 

 

Photo 1. On 19th May 1964 Yorkshier Egine Co steam loco USCOMB 1357 positions it tippler wagons ready for loading at Colsterworth North Pit. Both this loco and the Ruston Bucyrus 100RB faceshovel were transferred to Colsterworth from Exton Park Ironstone Quarry, Rutland in 1963/4. Photo courtesy David Webb

 

 

Photo 2  In 2000 museum loco SINGAPORE went on a short term visit to the then LCC Snibston Colliery Museum and Discovery Centre. In this view SINGAPORE shunts coal wagons in the Pit yard with Austerity CADLEY HILL No.1 standing on an adjacent track.

 

 

Photo 3. Former Oxfordshire Ironstone Co Sentinel GRAHAM pictured on the day it was transported to the museum from its final industrial service at Stanton near Ilkeston, Derbys.

 

 

Photo 4. For over two years museum volunteer David Corbridge was kept busy making a working scale model of Ransomes and Rapier W1400 walking dragline SUNDEW. At the completion of his endeavours he presented the model to the museum in summer 1999 where it remains on public display as a lasting testament to his model engineering skills. View taken on handover day.

 

 

Photo 5. Oxfordshire Ironstone Co Sentinel JEAN seen shunting wagons at the museum’s mock quarry. Photo taken from the footplate of Andrew Barclay saddletank SIR THOMAS ROYDEN. 

 

 

Photo 6. 'Uscomb' YEC built Austerity No.11 pictured at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry

 

 

 

Photo 7. Photo of Fowler built Ketton Portland Cement co No.1 seen on arrival at the museum following its kind donation by Hanson Heidelberg Cement from their Ketton Plant. Covered in numerous layers of solidified cement dust the loco was known to museum volunteers as “Conbloc”. However that has now all changed as steady progress is being made with restoration of the exhibit at the museum.

 

 

Photo 8. When life was a drag. Photo of a dragline bucket being used to strip overburden at an ironstone quarry near Gunby. 

 

A couple more archive collections to add bringing us right up to date.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Can we have some more, please?

 

Ok, if you push me!

 

MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH MISCELLANY - 2

 

A few more museum photos looking back and two more taken from the museum’s archives. 

 

This post concludes our look back at the museum over the last 40 years of progress.  The museum’s trustees acknowledge with sincere gratitude the work of all its volunteers and supporters, past and present, have contributed to the achievements of the project. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Museum in 2021 when it is safe to do so. Details of our programme for 2021 will the subject of a future post on this site in due course.

 

 

Photo 1. Bagnall built CRANFORD No.2 waits with its train at the end of the museum’s demonstration line.

 

 

2. The subject of a night photographic shoot vertical-boilered Sentinel No.7 waits for the wagons to be loaded at the museums original ore tipping dock at Cottesmore Iron Ore Mines Sidings which originally operated between 1958 and 1966.

 

 

3. On another special photo charter three steam locomotives advance towards the camera. The locos are Cranford No.2 , USC Austerity No.22 and Peckett 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. “ Right driver,  please take the brakevan and leave it in the headshunt “…a shunting scene at the museum.

 

 

 

6.  Far Eastern Prisoner of War Memorial steam locomotive is the focus of attention on the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day on Saturday August 15th 2020. Photo courtesy Trevor Kirk

 

 

7. Andrew Barclay saddletank No.1931 and Cranford No.2 storm the gradient on the museum’s demonstration line with a train of ironstone wagons.

 

 

8. Three former Oxfordshire Ironstone Company Sentinel diesel locos line up outside the exhibition building at the museum. The locos are BETTY, JEAN and GRAHAM.

 

 

9. Thomas Hill built Vanguard diesel loco named “Mr D”. This loco hauled the last standard gauge quarry train in the UK in February 2005 at Barrington Cement Plant in Cambridgeshire.  

 

 

10.BSC 67 (class 14) brings its loaded ironstone train out of Oakley quarry en route to Corby Steelworks. Unusually this loco had a reprofiled roof for working under a low bridge at Harlaxton Ironstone Quarry near Grantham where it worked until the quarry closed in 1974.The loco was then transferred to work on the Corby Ironstone quarry railways. The quarry railways of Corby will be the subject of a new exhibition for visitors when the museum re-opens in 2021.

 

 

11. Some interpretative ironstone artwork on display at the museum. This can  be seen as visitors enter the museum from the car park.

 

A couple of issues to sort out re photos.

 

Impossible to eat Roast Beef & edit photos at same time!!

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2021 by Ian Smeeton
Eating & editing no go

[Ian Smeeton]

My last post meant that we reached the end of the '40 Years ' Updates series.

 

Although we have been closed to the public for over 12 months now, some work has been going on behind the scenes.

 

At the end of the 2019 season we bit the bullet and began the relaying of the Main Line, however Covid 19 meant that the project has been delayed, and what should have been finished in March 2020 has only just reached a conclusion.

 

We are still ballasting and fettling the track, but, with luck, it should all be ready for our reopening in July.

 

One man and his dog have done the majority of the work, and Riley deserves especial congratulations for his Pork Pie consumption while acting as the waggiest tailed clerk of works that a Railway has ever seen.  

 

A few photos now just to show that we haven't been totally idle during lockdown.

 

 

Image 1.  After many months of effort by a very few members the track on the demonstration line is now re-connected. Very well done chaps !

 

 

Image 2. Two museum stalwarts hand ballasting the refurbished track.

 

 

Image 3. A model quarry drill rig (used to drill blast holes into the ironstone) has been built using a reference photograph taken at Exton Park Ironstone Quarries in Rutland.

 

 

Image 4.  A wagon checking platform, used by quarry staff to check that there were no foreign items (such as steel) in the empty wagons awaiting filling at the quarry has been produced from a photograph taken of a facility at Corby Ironstone Quarries. The presence of a foreign object could potentially cause serious damage and stoppage when the wagons were emptied and the ironstone passed through a crushing machine at the steelworks.

 

 

Image 5. Restoration of quarry workings was an important operational requirement and a model of a bulldozer hauling a scraper box is to be added to the display diorama. In this photo a period model of a BENNIE lorry stands behind. This company quarried some of the limestone in the Corby area and also where heavily involved in delivering limestone fill during the Sundew dragline great walk from Rutland to Corby in 1974.

 

That's the  end of the 'Updates' for now.

 

I will post more once we are back in operation.

 

In the meantime, I have three months away from the Museum attending Signalling School, as I am about to take up a job on the Big Railway.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[figworthy]

Many thanks for the series of posts from the archive.  Good luck with the return to operations.

 

Adrian

[Dava]

Thanks for this epic series charting the history of RbR & plenty of action on the Barrington Quarry railway too.

 

Hoping to revisit this summer if the fates are kind. A Sentinel driving experience would be great at some time too.

 

Dava

[Ian Smeeton]

On 06/04/2021 at 18:31, Dava said:

Thanks for this epic series charting the history of RbR & plenty of action on the Barrington Quarry railway too.

 

Hoping to revisit this summer if the fates are kind. A Sentinel driving experience would be great at some time too.

 

Dava

 

Thanks for looking in.

 

Diesel Driver for a Fiver days are the first Sunday of the month, so July 4th,Cancelled due to continued Restrictions

1st August, 5th September and 3rd October this year.

 

We are looking at ways of making the Driver for a Fiver available on all running days, but still at the planning stage at the moment.

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited June 15, 2021 by Ian Smeeton
Dates corrected.