Rocks by Rail, What's On

[Ian Smeeton]

VJ - Anniversary of the Liberation of Allied Far Eastern Prisoners of War

 

On 28th August 1945 British Liberator bombers flew low over the Changi Gaol Prisoner of War Camp in Japanese occupied Singapore. As the thousands of emaciated prisoners looked up leaflets dropped from the aircraft fluttered down bringing official confirmation that Japan had surrendered, the war was over and help was on its way.

 

After three and a half years of captivity and brutal treatment by their captors it was with great excitement and relief that thousands of allied prisoners stood within the PoW camps and with tears running down their faces sang God Save the King and Land of Hope and Glory. Their legend of endurance was over – they were going home.

 

On August Bank Holiday Sunday 28th August 2022 Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum is holding a Steam Open Day to mark the 77th Anniversary of the Liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War (FEPOW) and commemorate the one in four who did not return largely due to the ill treatment, hard labour, inadequate food and total contempt shown by their captors.

 

On special commemorative static display will be the museum’s war memorial steam locomotive “SINGAPORE”, itself a prisoner of the Japanese when captured along with 80,000 allied servicemen at the Fall of Singapore in February 1942. This will be supplemented by a display providing an insight for museum visitors of life as an allied prisoner of the Japanese. For a donation to the FEPOW Locomotive Appeal, museum visitors will have the opportunity of placing a white orchid (Far East conflict flower of Remembrance) on the locomotive beneath the memorial plates – in memoriam. 

 

The Open Day runs from 10am - 4pm and normal admission prices apply. Rocks by Rail: the living ironstone museum, Cottesmore Iron Ore Mines Siding,

Ashwell Road, Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 7FF

For further information and directions please see the museum’s website rocks-by-rail.org.uk

 

 

 

Singapore, resplendent with Commemorative Headboard and dedication plaques

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Steam Free at Rocks by Rail

 

While we love nothing more than to get out one of our steam locomotives to run passengers up and down the line, the hot, dry weather means that we have to think again.

 

So Diesel will reign supreme at  this Sunday’s Open Day at the Museum.

 

Visitors will have the chance to travel in the cab of one of our veteran Diesel Shunters alongside the driver, enjoying superb views across the Rutland countryside. 

 

The Diesel, being a little quieter, will give passengers a chance to see some of the wildlife which thrives along the side of the line.

 

From Muntjac and Fallow deer, to hares and rabbits along with resident owls, local red kites and buzzards as well as no end of songbirds, there is plenty for the keen eyed to spot.

 

And, if you are really quick, there are big diggers, dumpers and excavators, too.

 

You don’t even have to be a train spotter to enjoy a trip to Rutland’s largest Railway Museum.

 

Open 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m 

 

Jean, one of our Resident Sentinels, shunts the loco yard

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Thursday is our 'VJ Day' when we have an act of Remembrance for those who fell in the Far East in the Second World War.

 

Singapore has been polished, and will be brought out into the sunshine (we hope) as the centrepiece.

 

As she was captured in Feb 1942 along with 80,000 Allied service personnel and countless locals and civilians by the Japanese when they invaded, she has, since preservation, become a symbol to those who returned of those who didn't.

 

This year, being the 40th anniversary of the Falklands

 

We have representatives of all three services, both serving and retired, joining us along with local dignitaries, the Australian High Commission and COFEPOW and FEPOW members who will lay wreaths and single White Orchids (the Far East flower of Remembrance) and poppies to remember those who gave their all, and almost as importantly, those who returned.

 

No matter what your feelings are with regard to war, those who failed to return made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their tomorrows that we may enjoy our todays.

 

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

A day out with Thomas?

No, posh in Rutland, we are.

 

SIR Thomas will be doing the honours tomorrow (Sunday) with a supporting cast.

 

Bank Holiday Monday will have the Troublesome Trucks out i force, but the honours will be borne by Barclay 1931 as we have a full Quarry working day with both the Face Shovel and the Dragline in operation along with THREE Diesels.

 

Yorkshire Engine Co's 1382 will be sharing the duties with two of our Lady Sentinels.

The weather looks good, I can smell the Bacon Butties form here, so why not come and join us?

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Big Quarry Day tomorrow (Monday)

 

3 Diesels in operation, Jean, and  Betty (Sentinels ) and YE 1382 along with Barclay 1931 running the passenger trains.

 

YT is knackered tonight after doing all sorts yesterday.

 

Guard (2nd) redundant, Bacon Roll seller and tea maker for a couple of hours, then rescue fireman (unsuccessful) with our fantastic lady driver, Clova followed by  mighty walking up and down as shunter.

 

Dragline and Face Shovel should be in operation, so some serious photo ops available.

 

Looking forward to going back to work for  rest!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Dave Hunt]

On August 20th Ian opened the museum specially for a visit by members of the Midland Railway Society and gave us a brilliant talk on the history of ironstone quarrying in Rutland as well as a guided tour of the site and even coffee and biscuits. An excellent site and an excellent representative. Thank you Ian.

 

Dave Hunt  

[Ian Smeeton]

23 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

On August 20th Ian opened the museum specially for a visit by members of the Midland Railway Society and gave us a brilliant talk on the history of ironstone quarrying in Rutland as well as a guided tour of the site and even coffee and biscuits. An excellent site and an excellent representative. Thank you Ian.

 

Dave Hunt  

 

It was a pleasure to host you all that day and great fun with some very interesting and thought provoking discussion.

 

I hope to see you all again in the future.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Busiest day of the year so far.

 

The weather held (mostly).

 

Barclay 1931 of 1928 did the honours on the passenger train. I lost count of the number of runs up and down the line that we did.

 

A good number of young (and not so young) people invited on to the footplate, some seeing a steam loco for the very first time.

 

 

YE 1382 on the quarry transfer freights with Sentinels Betty and Jean doing the necessary shunting at either end.

 

 

The Sentinels were showing off their newly acquired decorations, cast for us by a visitor earlier in the year.

 

 

 

The new owner of 1382 was wearing the biggest smile I have ever seen. Mind you, he IS a big chap.

 

A couple of vintage vehicles appeared through the day.

 

 

The little grey Fergie first thing in the morning, acting as personal transport for one of our younger members,

 

 

and the Austin, looking absolutely beautiful belongs to  a member whose whole family are train (and Rocks by Rail) mad.

 

Next outing is this coming Sunday, with our ever popular 'Driver for a Fiver'.

 

Should be a Sentinel, but 1382 Might be deputising. We'll have to see.

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited August 29, 2022 by Ian Smeeton
Rearrange photos

[Ian Smeeton]

Diesel Driver for a Fiver day tomorrow (Sunday) at Rocks by Rail.

 

 

Betty is the likely suspect, but 1382 might be making an appearance.

 

1382

 

 

Betty has her new adornments.

 

Weather looks pretty good, too, and I can smell the Bacon Butties from here.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

MUSEUM RECALLS NORTH OXFORDSHIRE IRONSTONE QUARRY PAST 

 

Sentinel Sunday

 

It is now hard to envisage that the pleasant rolling countryside of North Oxfordshire was once host to opencast quarrying of ironstone for iron and steel production on a grand scale. 

 

The excavation of ironstone started around Wroxton near Banbury in 1919 with economic pressures finally forcing closure in 1967. The ironstone was moved by rail from the quarries to the distant steelworks firstly over the private railway of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company (OIC) to mainline railway sidings north of Banbury. 

 

Over the life time of the quarries some 33 million tons of iron ore was removed.

 

To mark the 55th anniversary of the closure of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarries a small museum in Rutland is holding a special open day on Sunday 18th September 2022. 

 

The volunteer run museum Rocks by Rail based near Cottesmore specialises in the industrial heritage associated with ironstone quarries and their associated quarry railways. 

 

In addition to visitor train trips the museum is to display three of the surviving Sentinel diesel locomotives once operated in the later years by the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company. 

 

It is also hoped that demonstrations will be carried out in the museum’s mock quarry to supplement a display on the history of the OIC.

 

The museum will be open from 10am to 4pm and normal admission charges apply. For further information on where to find the museum see the museums website www.rocks-by-rail.org 

 

 

Peckett saddletank BASIC waits for its hopper wagons to be loaded at Wroxton. Hopefully @AY Mod and the team can reorientate this to stop the ore falling out.

 

 

 

A Hunslet saddle tank arrives with empty wagons from the BR exchange sidings for filling with ironstone 

 

 

We don't have any of the Oxfordshire Steam Locos at the Museum, so we will have to make do with a 'Flypast' of all three Diesel Sentinels, Jean, Betty, and Graham.

 

Hopefully Graham will be running under its own power. Work is ongoing

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited September 8, 2022 by Ian Smeeton
Caption added

[Ian Smeeton]

Sentinel Sunday and Oxfordshire Ironstone closure Anniversary.

 

We had planned a full day of events, three Sentinels out to play along with Face Shovel and Dragline operations all the way through from 10.00 until 4.00 pm.

 

However, with the Queen's Funeral taking place the following day, and people travelling either to family or to mourn her passing in person, we have decided to shorten the day.

 

Instead, we will be finishing operations by 2 p.m. to allow volunteers to get to where they plan to be for the funeral.

 

We are sorry if the shortened day disappoints anyone, but we hope that you will understand.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Sentinel Sunday & Steam-up

 

Don't forget, short day tomorrow, 10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. with Three Oxfordshire Ironstone Sentinels on dfuty along with Barclay 1931/1928.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Sentinel Sunday- Report

 

I wasn't involved in the operational aspects of the day, but judging by the crowd of visitors cars, and the comments received, a good day was had by all (including the volunteers).

 

All 3 of our sentinels were in operation, along with Barclay 2088 of 1940, 'Sir Thomas Royden'

 

Preparing to run a double headed Iron Ore train up the bank, Jean and Graham wait in the head shunt.

 

 

It was great to see both the Dragline and Face Shovel in operation, too. New member Rob was having great fun getting to grips with the RB22, He did ask if I would like to have a go, but time, unfortunately for me, was short. I will take lessons from him in the near future though

 

More to show when I can upload the photos.

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited September 20, 2022 by Ian Smeeton
Sp

[Ian Smeeton]

Sentinel Sunday (Part 2)

 

Over the last few years, Jean and Betty have been stalwarts around the Museum.

 

Graham has spent the last 10 years or so awaiting electrical work and the addition of Vacuum brakes. While not original, the lack of AVB has limited operations to steam only. At least now, if we have another steam ban, voluntary or otherwise, we will be able to continue passenger operations.

 

 

All 3 line up ready for a runpast.

 

Our curator has a stock of nameplates, some original, some replica, and was chopping and changing identities all day.

 

 

Graham and Jean shunting the yard to turn the train ready for another trip to the quarry.

 

 

No faces on locos, no Thomas the Tank Engine here, posh in Rutland we are.

 

In stead, 'Sir Tommy' climbs the bank with the Shark while Graham waits the next shunt-release in the headshunt.

 

 

One of our younger members doesn't have a car licence yet, but he can drive a tractor. His own Leyland sits alongside a Fordson Major belonging to a local visitor

 

More to follow,

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited September 20, 2022 by Ian Smeeton
Sp

[Ian Smeeton]

Last Driver for A Fiver day for '22 Sunday 2nd October.

 

Your chance to get your hands on a 325 HP Rolls Royce- engined Sentinel for a run down the main line at Rocks by Rail.

10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. tomorrow.

 

 

Betty will be strutting her stuff under YOUR control.

 

 

And the Bacon Butties are pretty awesome, too!!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

The last day of the season at Rocks by Rail is fast approaching.

 

 

Sunday 16th October (engrave the date on your memory bank) will be the last day of operation for our two Barclay 0-4-0 Tank Engines, Sir Thomas Royden, and 1931 before their respective overhauls take place.

 

 

We will be running both steam and diesel trains on the day, using the quarry branch and demonstrating the Dragline and Face Shovel working, too.

 

 

Freight trains will run the full length of the Main Line, mixed in among the passenger trains, so there will be plenty to see for the photographically inclined.

 

Our nature trail has had large areas cleared along the lineside, giving excellent views of the trains working up the bank.

 

Even the weather looks reasonable (no promises though. Never trust a smiling weather forecaster)

 

Extras on display are likely to include vintage tractors and other vehicles.

 

So come along and join us from 10.00 a.m until 4.00 p.m. at Rocks by Rail.

 

Regards

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Our season has just finished, so there will be little from me until next Easter.

However, our final running day of the season was very successful, with two Barclays in steam and three diesels in operation working the quary branch, shed yard and demonstration freights.



1931 of 1928 after servicing, ready for the afternoon.



YE 1382 shunting the Quarry branch



The working volunteers at the end of the last operating day. Thumbs up for a successful season, and also for the Museum having renewed Arts Council Accreditation.

Regards

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Local Ironstone Quarry closure anniversaries again feature in the museum’s events for 2023

 

 

Yorkshire Engine  Company built Austerity design saddletank No 11 seen at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry, Rutland 

 

Fifty years ago the excavation of ironstone for the manufacture of iron and steel came to an end at Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park. Quarrying for ironstone started in 1882 near Cottesmore and the last train load of ironstone left the County in May 1973. A new exhibition will cover the history of the Exton Park Ironstone Quarry, one of the largest in the East Midlands.

 

 

In the mid 1960’s the steam locomotives at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry  were displaced by 440hp Janus class diesel locomotives transferred from Scunthorpe

 

Both Sproxton and Colsterworth East Ironstone Quarries closed in Spring 1973 and on Thursday 26th July 1973 the last ironstone train ran from Stainby Glebe Sidings to High Dyke Junction on the High Dyke Mineral Branch Line. Events to mark the anniversaries of these closures will also feature in this year’s open day programme.

 

The museum is also home to steam locomotive “SINGAPORE”, which was captured by the Japanese along with 80,000 allied servicemen at the Fall of Singapore in 1942, some 81 years ago.  Allied Far Eastern prisoners of war (FEPOW) had to endure 3 ½ years of captivity and hard labour under a harsh and uncaring Japanese occupation regime. Of those who were taken to work on the infamous Burma- Siam Death Railway, built through the disease infested jungle, one in four of the prisoners were not destined to survive. 

 

 

 Lest we forget ……. A small memorial display to allied prisoners of war who worked on the infamous Burma-Siam Death Railway in 1942-3. Museum Display pictured at Imperial War Museum at Duxford to mark 50th anniversary in 1993

 

To mark the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Far Eastern allied Prisoners of War (FEPOW)  in late August the museum will include the SINGAPORE locomotive in a special memorial display to be held on August Bank Holiday Monday to the courage, comradeship and sacrifice of Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1941-1945. 

 

A further more poignant FEPOW commemorative event will be held on Tuesday 17th October to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the completion of the Burma- Siam “Death Railway” which claimed the lives of 12,000 allied Prisoners of War and 100,000 native workers. 

 

OPERATING DAYS IN 2023 

 

9th April Easter Sunday - Open Day, Easter Bunny Hunt & Take a trip on The Rutlander train

 

10th April Easter Monday - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the last ironstone train to leave Sproxton Ironstone Quarry. Start of exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park.

 

Sunday 30th April - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train

 

Monday 1st May Bank Holiday - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day marking the anniversary of the closure of Exton Park Ironstone quarry in Rutland.

 

Sunday 14th May - Open Day - Diesel Driver for a Fiver 

 

Sunday 28th May - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train 

 

Monday 29th May , Spring Bank Holiday Open Day – Take a trip on the Rutlander train and Cement Quarry Railway Day.

 

Sunday June 11th – Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ruston Diesel Day

 

Sunday June 18th - Open Day – Father’s Day –Diesel Driver for a Fiver 

 

Sunday 2nd July – Open Day – Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day 

 

Sunday 16th July - Open Day- Diesel Driver for a Fiver 

 

Sunday 30st July – Open Day – Ironstone Quarry and Diesel Day - Exhibition to mark the anniversary of the last train of ironstone to use the High Dyke Mineral railway. 

 

Sunday 13th August – Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

August Bank Holiday Sunday August 27th - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day.

 

August Bank Holiday Monday August 28th - Open Day –Take a trip on the Rutlander train and exhibition to mark 78th anniversary of liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War in 1945 

 

Sunday 10th September –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

Sunday September 17th - Open Day -Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarry Railway Day

 

Sunday 1st October –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

Sunday October 15th  - Seasons Finale Open Day –  Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day. End of exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Rutland’s last ironstone quarry at Exton Park 

 

 Tuesday  October 17th – FEPOW Remembrance Event – “We Will Remember Them” - to mark the 80th Anniversary of the completion of the Burma – Siam “Death” Railway in Thailand.

 

Non - operational viewing Open Days Tuesdays and Thursdays 11th April until 12th October 10am-4pm and Sundays 10am – 4pm on 6th & 20th August

 

[Ian Smeeton]

MORE IRONSTONE QUARRY RAILWAY MEMORIES

 

Thanks to the generosity of a railway enthusiast who donated a quantity of photographic negatives taken in 1967 and their copyright to the volunteer run museum we are able to share five more further images of ironstone quarry railways from the past. 

 

 

In 1967 the last remaining steam locomotives at Exton Park Ironstone Quarry in Rutland were withdrawn from use as their duties were taken over by Janus class  0-6-0 diesel electric locomotives. The three remaining Yorkshire Engine Company built Austerity design locomotives were dumped in a siding near the shed to await their fate with the scrapman.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Barclay loco No.11 shunting in the loop at Storefield Ironstone Quarry

 

 

Hawthorn Leslie HOLWELL No.30 at Irchester Ironstone Quarry 

 

 

Avonside 0-6-0st STAMFORD heads a loaded  ironstone train at Pilton Ironstone Quarry in Rutland

 

 

Andrew Barclay 0-6-0st BUCKMINSTER seen on a train on  the Buckminster Ironstone Quarries system .

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

The season is about to start (see above)

 

This year, there is a big push on Singapore, as her 90th Birthday approaches.

 

FEPOW MEMORIAL STEAM LOCOMOTIVE “SINGAPORE” ON DISPLAY IN 2023

 

The Far Eastern Prisoner of War (FEPOW) memorial steam locomotive “SINGAPORE” is on public display at Rocks by Rail - the Living Ironstone Museum situated near Cottesmore in Rutland  (Postcode LE15 7FF).

 

The locomotive was built in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1936 and sent to the new Royal Navy Dockyard in Singapore to carry out shunting duties. The locomotive fell into Japanese hands in February 1942 upon the Fall of Singapore when it sustained bullet and shrapnel damage, which remains visible today. The damage did not render the locomotive inoperable and it worked alongside working parties of allied prisoners of war from a local camp unloading  Japanese supply ships in the docks.

 

Finally repatriated in 1953 it worked on at Chatham Royal Navy Dockyard until retired into preservation in 1972.

 

Resident in Rutland since 1979 the locomotive had a reunion with fellow FEPOWs in 1986 to mark its 50th year of active service. The locomotive became a registered war memorial to FEPOWs in 1998.

 

The steam locomotive SINGAPORE will be on static public display at the volunteer run  Museum when the Museum re-opens to the public at Easter Sunday/Monday and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing on 11th April through to 12th October, Sundays 6th & 20th August and also on special event days during 2023 as shown on the museum’s website www.rocks-by-rail.org

 

 

To mark the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Far Eastern Prisoners of War in late August 1945 the museum will include the SINGAPORE locomotive in a special memorial display to be held on August Bank Holiday Monday to the courage, comradeship and sacrifice of Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1941-1945. 

 

A further more poignant FEPOW commemorative event will be held on Tuesday 17th October to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the completion of the 250 mile long metre gauge Burma- Siam “Death” Railway which claimed the lives of 16,000 allied Prisoners of War and 100,000 native workers. 

 

Museum admission rates can be found on its website, but are unchanged from last year, whilst the Museum’s continuing fund-raising efforts for its FEPOW Memorial Loco Appeal has the objective of repairing the locomotive so it can steam again to become a working war memorial to Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1941- 1945. Any donations by way of cheques should be made out to Rutland Railway Museum and handed in at the museum or sent to:#

 

RBR Treasurer, FEPOW Memorial Locomotive Appeal, 4 Main Street, Stanford on Soar, Loughborough LE12 5PY

For any further information about the Appeal please contact curator@rocks-by-rail.org

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Bank Holiday weekends are usually well attended, with steam hauled Brake Van Trips on the Sunday, and a full day of operations on the Monday with demonstration freights, Brake Van Rides, as well as the Dragline and Faceshovel demonstrations going on.

 

This Sunday, though, due to a shortage of volunteers, we are only able to operate a Diesel Driver for a Fiver event in stead of the usual steam operation.

 

So if you'd like to get your hands on 30 tons of Rolls Royce powered Sentinel, come along tomorrow.

 

Monday, though, we have a full crew available l(without me!)

 

So....

 

CEMENT QUARRY RAILWAYS RECALLED

 

Prior to the introduction of conveyors and dump trucks quarry railway systems at cement works were once common. The trains operated from the quarry face transporting the excavated raw materials to the Cement Works for processing into cement.

 

In Rutland one such system once operated at the Ketton Cement Works. Originally small steam locomotives were used to move the trains of quarry wagons but by the early 1960’s the ageing steam locomotives were replaced by diesel locomotives.

 

 

Fowler built diesel loco Ketton No.1 under restoration at the Museum.

 

At Ketton a new diesel loco (Ketton No.1) was delivered in 1960 which was subsequently set aside under quarry modernisation when the quarry railway was replaced by dump trucks. After a period in store the locomotive was donated to Rocks by Rail museum at Cottesmore as an historic exhibit.

 

Hanson Heidelberg Cement have provided a modest grant to the museum to allow the museums volunteers to commence the restoration of Fowler quarry diesel locomotive No.1. Restoration work on the locomotive is continuing in the museum’s workshop where volunteers are busy removing years of accumulated cement dust in order to conserve, repair and paint the loco structure.

 

 

 

Locomotive MR D hauls one of its last trains of excavated chalk at Barrington Cement Works Quarry, February 2005.

 

 

 

Thomas Hill built loco Mr D currently undergoing repairs at the museum . 

 

The last standard gauge quarry railway in the UK finally succumbed to modernisation at Barrington Cement Works in Cambridgeshire in February 2005 bringing to a close nearly 200 years of industrial history associated with mineral railways. Having hauled its last quarry train the diesel locomotive named “Mr D” was donated to Rocks by Rail Museum near Cottesmore. Normally maintained in working order the locomotive is currently near the workshop undergoing an overhaul of the transmission and the fitting of new brakes but it is hoped that the loco will be back in action later in 2023.

 

 

Ruston and Hornsby diesel ELIZABETH at work at Barrington Cement Works Quarry in 2003.

 

 

 

Loco ELIZABETH on display at the museum,  whilst plans are prepared for its restoration to working order.

 

The Museum is holding a cement quarry railway themed Open Day on Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 29th 2023 between 10am and 4pm when four former cement quarry locos will be on public display and steam loco visitor train trips should also be available together with quarry railway demonstrations.

 

Normal admission prices apply. For more information Tel 07974 171068 or website www.rocks-by-rail.org

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Betty is out to play again, this Wimbledon Sunday,

 

So if the tennis doesn't hold enough attraction for you you could get to grips with 30 tons of Sentinel.

 

It's Driver for a Fiver day at Rocks by Rail.

 

Sadly, I won't be there to see the smiling faces, but I know that there will be more than a few.

 

It is also approaching the the anniversary of the closure of the High Dyke system, see @ DaveF 's photo thread in recent times.

 

 

LAST IRONSTONE TRAIN ON HIGH DYKE MINERAL BRANCHLINE  REMEMBERED

 

Fifty years ago this month the last train of ironstone bound for Scunthorpe steelworks traversed the High Dyke Mineral Branchline in South Lincolnshire bringing an end to local ironstone mining that had commenced during the First World War.

 

The last train of ironstone left Stainby Glebe sidings on Thursday 26th July 1973 with two trains of empty wagons being collected the next day. 

 

This sad anniversary will be marked on an Open Day to be held at the Museum on Sunday 30th July by placing a black flag on the last wagon to leave the museums mock ironstone quarry at the end of the afternoon. The Museum will be open from 10am to 4pm and normal admission prices will apply.
 

 

Regards,

 

Ian

Edited July 16, 2023 by Ian Smeeton
Sp

[Mike Bellamy]

I guess that's an extract from the Grantham Journal so I must have read it but it didn't mean anything to me at the time - at the age of 19 I was just completing my first year of riding the Black Horse with Lloyds and had other things on my mind . . . . 

.

[92912]

Had a very pleasant afternoon at Rocks By Rail today, first time I've been for many years, well worth a visit