Rocks by Rail, What's On

[Ian Smeeton]

Diesel Driver for a Fiver day tomorrow (Sunday 5th Sept).

 

If you fancied getting your hands on 30 tons of 325 h.p. Rolls Royce Power, tomorrow is the day.

 

Betty, our well built 57 year old will be at your disposal, for just £5.

 

Fancy a ride?

 

 

Here she is, taking 'Singapore' in hand

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

MUSEUM RECALLS NORTH OXFORDSHIRES' IRONSTONE QUARRY PAST 

 

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.

 

Rocks by Rail is holding a special open day on Sunday 19th September 2021 with a theme of the industrial heritage of the Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarries.

 

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 short train trips for visitors the museum is to display three of the surviving OIC 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 small 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 Tel 07974 171068 or 01572 868415

 

 

Photo: Sentinel loco 'John' hauling wagons on the Oxfordshire Ironstone Company’s main line. Unusually the OIC adopted right hand running on the dual track sections.

 

 

Ruston Bucyrus Dragline of the type used for removing the overburden in the  quarries.

 

 

Another Sentinel, Jean, seen here shunting at Rocks by Rail. The 'Ladies' were a little lighter than the locos with boys names, and were used exclusively within the quarries

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Iconic Wagons Future Settled

 

Rocks by Rail in Rutland has added two original iron ore wagons to its collection following a transfer from the National Railway Museum.  

 

The two wagons, namely, a British Railways built 27 ton iron ore tippler and a 22 ton iron ore hopper wagon, had been on loan from the National Collection for a number of years to Rocks by Rail

 

The Tippler wagon had seen occasional use in the museum’s demonstration ironstone quarry trains on open days, whilst restoration work was undertaken by the museum’s volunteers on the hopper wagon.

 

The Museum found out through an item on the Nat Pres forum that the wagons were surplus to the NRM's requirements.

 

The Museum applied to the National Railway Museum, part of the Science Museum Group, to retain the two wagons within its own collection – which represents the only comprehensive collection of standard gauge ironstone quarry rolling stock in the UK.

 

Ore wagons of these types were commonly found working at ironstone quarries in Rutland and throughout the East Midlands from the early 1950s until the quarries closed at the end of the 1960s. 

In September, the Museum was notified that the application had been successful and that the two wagons are now officially part of the Museum’s collection. 

 

Mr David Atkinson, Chair of Rocks by Rail Museum Trustees commented: “We are very grateful to the Science Museum Group for agreeing that these two iron ore wagon exhibits can be transferred to this accredited Museum.

 

"This will safeguard their future conservation and the wagons will continue to see occasional use on public open days where they will be included in demonstration quarry trains operating within the mock ironstone quarry at the museum, thus helping to re-create local ironstone quarry heritage for the benefit of museum visitors.” 

 

Ed Bartholomew, Lead Curator at the National Railway Museum, said: “As part of  managing the national collection, we occasionally transfer items if we believe there may be more suitable organisations for their display, with a view to making the collection more accessible.

 

“The two wagons have been well looked after at Rocks by Rail for many years and as permanent parts of the collection they will help tell the story of the railway’s important role in the transportation of iron ore.” 

 

 

Image 1 : Iron Ore Tippler wagon B383560 is shunted by quarry locomotive CRANFORD No.2 at the Museum in 2010

 

 

Image 2 : On loan ironstone quarry locomotive SALMON pulls a rake of iron ore hopper wagons heading for the mock quarry area at the Museum. Hopper wagon B 436275 is the first wagon in the consist.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[RANGERS]

Whilst it’s a sad reflection of the NRM’s priorities that two such iconic wagon designs are no longer deemed to be of any historical significance within the National collection, it’s a big consolation that they’re going somewhere that does place a high priority on the preservation of our industrial heritage. Congratulations to all involved in the bid and safe to say they couldn’t be going to a better or more appropriate place.

[Ian Smeeton]

Betty is out to play this weekend.

 

For Sunday only, from 10 - 4 pm, All 30 tons of Betty can be yours to grapple with for only a fiver.

 

She could be at YOUR bidding.

 

 

She is no pushover, here she is coupling with Singapore. 

 

A Rough Shunt

 

325 Horse Power of Rolls Royce Sentinel, what's not to like.

 

LE15 7FF for your Sat Nag.

 

Be there, last chance this year!!

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Thanks for the Like, @Andy Y

 

And you didn't even get to drive last time.

 

Where's @Phil Parker....

 

The grin on his face was like a small boy being given the keys to the Sweetie Shop.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Looks like the sun will shine for tomorrow's Driver for a Fiver at Rocks by Rail.

 

Bacon Butties in the Cafe, with some superb cakes, then get to grips with our game 57-year old, Betty.

 

All 30 Tons of her!!

 

A svelte ( but hard working) Betty in the sunshine

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

CORBY IRONSTONE QUARRIES MEMORIES

 

An ironstone quarry scene at Oakley Ironstone Quarry reproduced below from the Harold King Collection.

 

 

A steam hauled quarry train awaiting loading by the Ruston Bucyrus 110 RB face shovel whilst the shotfirer prepares the pattern of shot holes ready for the next blast to loosen the stone for loading.

 

This will be the last chance for visitors to see the current exhibition on Corby’s ironstone quarries, which closed just over 40 years ago.

 

Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum at Cottesmore, Rutland is holding its final two steam open days this year on Sunday 17th October and a week later on Sunday 24th October. 

 

Open between 10am and 4pm

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

CORBY IRONSTONE QUARRIES MEMORIES 2

 

An ironstone quarry scene at Priors Hall Ironstone Quarry, Corby reproduced from the Harold A King Collection showing a steam hauled quarry train awaiting loading by the Ruston Bucyrus 110 RB face shovel whilst the Rapier walking dragline removes overburden in the distance.

Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum at Cottesmore, Rutland is holding its final steam open day (10.00am – 4pm) this year on Sunday 24th October. 

The museum will also be open for viewing on the following Tuesday and Thursday (10.30 am – 3.30pm) before the museum closes to visitors for the winter.

These events will be the last chance for visitors to see the current exhibition on Corby’s ironstone quarries, which closed just over 40 years ago. 

Normal admission prices apply.

 

 

Even though we will be closed over the winter, peaceful scenes like this hide the volunteers beavering away preparing for the 2022 season.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[big jim]

Can I make an observation/criticism/feedback about the museum website?

 

ive only just stumbled across this thread and clicked onto the link to the museum website posted above as it looks an interesting day out, lots of useful info about the place but no easily accessible, clickable info of where it actually is, how to get there etc unless it’s just me being a bit dense!

 

I can’t see an address or link to google maps on the home page, the visiting rocks by rail tab just opens the group visit, access rates and accessibility page 

 

contact and membership just has a privacy statement, thought I may find an address there but no

 

as someone who has never heard of the place until a moment ago and would be keen to visit a simple link to google maps or indeed a postcode and address under the ‘visit us’ tab would be useful from within the website as if there is one buried in there I can’t find it!  

 

 

[jollysmart]

From the Rocks by Rail website, via a Google search:-

 

LOCATION

We are easy to find. The Museum is located just outside the Rutland Village of Cottesmore and is found by following the brown Rocks By Rail tourist information signs or by satnav to Rutland Railway Museum or postcode reference LE15 7FF.

From the North, leave the A1 onto the B668 through Greetham to Cottesmore.

From The East and the West, join the A606 Stamford – Oakham – Melton Mowbray road and at Oakham bypass join the B668 to Burley and Cottesmore.

From the South, travel through Corby, Uppingham and Oakham on the A6003 to take the B668 to Burley and Cottesmore.

For details of how to access Rocks by Rail via alternative means of transport, such as  walking, cycling or public transport, please visit our Access Statement page.

 

 

 

There is a google map link but it didn't load correctly, just click on the visit us dropdown not on the individual topics and it came up., this does give location and Postcode.

 

 

HTH

[AY Mod]

This will get you to the gate Jim

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DqMYBT12mce4iKUh9

[big jim]

@jollysmart thanks for that, I didn’t realise you could double click on the visit us page to open up another page rather than the drop down tabs, it was me being dense then but still not easy to find if you don’t realise!

 

shame this weekend is the last one this year but it’s certainly now on my list of places to visit next year with the bike 

 

 

 

 

[AY Mod]

1 minute ago, big jim said:

shame this weekend is the last one this year but it’s certainly now on my list of places to visit next year with the bike 

 

A long way to pedal from home!

 

I can give you a few pointers to where there's some remnants of the networks around the area when you do go.

[big jim]

I dunno, exactly 100 mile from home, 25 mile a charge on the bike, so 3 full charges at 6 hours each on top of the 9 hours it says it will take, I’ll set off about November, should be there in time for the start of next years season!

 

[Ian Smeeton]

I am a traitor!!

 

I am with Jim.

The website does need rebuilding.

 

Most of the photos date from when it was more of a linear scrapyard!!

 

I'll put the postcode on the first post when I am back home. On hols at the mo!

 

When you do come, Jim, please let me know PM or otherwise.

 

I would be delighted to meet up with you.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Last Day of the Season for us today.

 

Sir Tommy gets her last run out, with quarry demonstrations being run by Betty or 1382.

 

I hope that the weather is better than the forecast.

 

I am firing today, so come and say hello.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Quarry-Steam65]

On 22/10/2021 at 08:42, Ian Smeeton said:

I am a traitor!!

 

I am with Jim.

The website does need rebuilding

 

Most of the photos date from when it was more of a linear scrapyard!!

 

I don’t even think the wooden calcine wagons on the website are still around! I do think it’s a shame they’re no longer around, they would have made an interesting rake

[rope runner]

On 28/10/2021 at 18:41, Quarry-Steam65 said:

I don’t even think the wooden calcine wagons on the website are still around! I do think it’s a shame they’re no longer around, they would have made an interesting rake

There was only one MSC wooden wagon and this was ex-ketton cement. The unique 3 skip wagons used for calcining are still present. The MSC was in extremely poor condition when recovered from Ketton, the frames being life expired. The parts have now gone to another museum, where they are hoping to restore a rake of these. 

 

Paul A. 

[Ian Smeeton]

The Museum may be closed over the winter, but that doesn't stop us cracking on with loads of behimd the scenes work.

 

Recently we were contacted by a Leicester family to see if we were interested in this.....

 

 

The Ransomes and Rapier W1400 walking dragline is unloaded at the Museum.

 

and this....

 

 

The model of a Ruston Bucyrus 100RB face shovel

 

Of course we were.

 

Meccano Marvel on the Move

 

DIG THIS !  MECCANO QUARRY MODELS FIND NEW HOME AT THE MUSEUM

 

Rocks by Rail, Rutland’s Railway and Ironstone Museum has recently received a very kind donation from the Garner family of Leicester.

 

Two working Ironstone Quarry machines made from MECCANO. 

 

Expertly put together, with great attention to detail, are a model of a Ransomes and Rapier W1400 walking dragline similar to the one which worked at Exton,  and a Ruston Bucyrus 100RB face shovel. 

 

Both models are powered by electric motors and the dragline sits in a quarry diorama called Priors Hall Quarry where it can demonstrate its digging ability. 

 

Meccano ™ which originated in England, was invented by Frank Hornby, who was later to pioneer affordable model railways. Meccano is still available to this day, more than 120 years after its debut.

 

Following checking and cleaning the two models will go on public display at the museum next year. 

The Museum expresses its sincere thanks to the donors for these impressive models.

 

Regards

[Bucoops]

Wow!

[Ian Smeeton]

Ironstone Quarry closure anniversaries feature large in museum’s events for 2022

 

Market Overton

 

 

Fifty years ago the excavation of ironstone for the manufacture of iron and steel came to an end at Market Overton Ironstone Quarry in Rutland in the East Midlands. 

 

 

Whilst quarrying ceased the site then became the focus of two railway preservation schemes, with one involving the world-famous steam locomotive “FLYING SCOTSMAN”.

 

An exhibition on Market Overton’s Ironstone Quarries and preservation schemes will open at Easter and will run until the middle of October. 

 

See @DaveF albums on Flickr for more around Market Overton etc, here 

 

 

Burley

 

Ten years before, in 1962, the Burley Ironstone Quarry in Rutland ceased the excavation of ironstone and a small display will summarise its history.

 

Storefield

 

The ironstone quarry at Storefield in Northamptonshire was one of the last ironstone quarries to operate steam locomotives until 1969.

 

 From 1969 until final closure in 1972 all rail traffic was handled by a diesel locomotive. A small display will summarise its history whilst the surviving diesel locomotive will be  on display.

 

Oxfordshire

 

Fifty five years ago in 1967 it came as something of a shock when the Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarries near Banbury were closed. 

 

Only a few years before, their steam locomotives had been replaced by a fleet of 13 brand new diesel locomotives and the future looked bright. 

 

A small display will summarise its history whilst three of the surviving diesel locomotives will be on display.

 

The full dates for 2022 are as follows. God willing, we will be able to have a full season this year, 

 

  OPERATING DAYS IN 2022 

17th April Easter Sunday - Open Day, Easter Bunny Hunt & Take a trip on The Rutlander train

 

18th April Easter Monday - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day and start of exhibition marking the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Market Overton Ironstone Quarries, Rutland and including subsequent railway preservation schemes

 

Sunday 1st May  - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train plus Diesel Driver for a Fiver (lunchtime hour only)

 

Monday 2nd May - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Cement Quarry Railway Day. 

 

Sunday 15th May - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train

 

Sunday 29th May  - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day

 

Friday 3rd June – Open Day – Take a trip on the Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day marking the 50th anniversary of the closure of Storefield Ironstone Quarry, Northants 

 

Sunday 5th June - Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver 

 

Sunday June 19th - Open Day – Father’s Day – Take a trip on the Rutlander train plus Diesel Driver for a Fiver (lunchtime hour only)

 

Sunday 3rd July – Open Day –Diesel Driver for a Fiver 

 

Sunday 17th July - Open Day - Take a trip on The Rutlander train. 

 

Sunday 31st July – Open Day – Ironstone Quarry and Diesel Day - Exhibition to mark the anniversary of the closure of Burley Ironstone Quarry, Rutland 

 

Sunday 7th August – Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

Sunday August 14th - Open Day – Take a trip on The Rutlander train

 

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

 

August Bank Holiday Monday August 29th - Open Day –Take a trip on the Rutlander train and Ironstone Quarry Railway Day.

 

Sunday 4th September –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

Sunday September 18th - Open Day -Take a trip on The Rutlander train and Oxfordshire Ironstone Quarry Railway Day

 

Sunday 2nd October –Open Day – Diesel Driver for a Fiver

 

Sunday October 16th  - Seasons Final 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 Market Overton  Ironstone Quarries , Rutland 

 

Non - operational viewing Open Days Tuesdays and Thursdays 12th April until 11th October 10am-4pm excepting 2nd June and 18th August and Sundays 10am – 4pm on 10th & 24th July and 21st August

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

it is the 'closed season' for the Museum, but activity still continues.

 

Last Sunday was a 'Member's Day', which sounds like a jolly good jolly.

 

It still starts very early with the steam crew lighting up by 6.30 a.m. in the damp wet dark.

 

 

The rain continued, and when I finally pitched up at 9.00 to take up trainee guard duties, the damp was positively wet as the rain teemed down.

 

 

Yours truly getting  ready for the off.

 

Being 'on duty', I didn't take a camera with me, so @Woody C has lent these for your delectation.

 

 

Who ordered fog? The weather was perfectly filthy, the sun only peeping out as we were packing up for the day

 

 

Although it was billed as a members day, the byproduct of the day was to enable some who are new to the game to get some practice in before the season gets under way, and to prepare them for competency testing by our outside trainer. It is all about safety and being able to do the jobs required.

 

I had started as a loco cleaner, passing out as fireman after 12 months or so, and wanted to extend my competencies so that I can step in and fill gaps as required.

 

 

Others were refreshing existing competencies, and the well-qualified were passing on their knowledge to us trainees.

 

A good few non-working members showed up, despite the weather, and decimated the lemon drizzle cake and mince pies. The fat was chewed, the progress shown on relaying the track, and strategies and ideas discussed for the coming season.

 

More updates next week.

 

This week is billed as a track week, to try and break the back of fettling the relaid section before the season starts, so if anyone feels fat fit and fancies a New Year Workout, let me know, and we'll get you on the track gang.

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

[tractionman]

thanks for the pictures @Ian Smeeton it all looks very atmospheric, hoping to pay a visit this year.

 

cheers,

 

Keith

[pete_mcfarlane]

On 26/11/2021 at 11:55, Ian Smeeton said:

Recently we were contacted by a Leicester family to see if we were interested in this.....

 

 

The Ransomes and Rapier W1400 walking dragline is unloaded at the Museum.

 

and this....

 

 

The model of a Ruston Bucyrus 100RB face shovel

 

Very nice.

 

I have a childhood memory of somebody demonstrating large Meccano models of a dragline and other excavators at a local steam fair about 40 years ago (possibly at Belvoir Castle). I wonder if it's the same model?