Rocks by Rail, What's On

[Ian Smeeton]

12 hours ago, pete_mcfarlane said:

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?

 

Could well be,

 

But I have no knowledge of the builder and what he did before.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Rocks by Rail Remembers

LEST WE FORGET : THE FALL OF SINGAPORE

 

On Sunday the 15th February 1942 the garrison commander in war torn Singapore finally ordered a cessation of hostilities. Early December 1941 had seen the almost simultaneous Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour and invasion of the Malayan coast. 

 

The defence plan for Singapore and its naval base relied on the availability of a modern airforce and significant naval forces. However the Japanese quickly established air supremacy whilst the early loss of battleships “Prince of Wales” and “Repulse” to Japanese air attack, left Singapore dangerously exposed.

 

 Despite valiant efforts to stop the Japanese advance through Malaya British Forces fell back to the island fortress of Singapore. The large coastal defence guns at Singapore island, guarding the ocean approaches, however proved of little use in trying to repel the Japanese attack from the mainland. 

 

During the regular air attacks on Singapore naval dockyard a shunting locomotive sustained bullet and shrapnel damage. 

The situation deteriorated following a Japanese assault on the Island and the surrender of Singapore saw nearly 80,000 British and Australian servicemen, in company with the dockyard locomotive, become prisoners of war of the Japanese. 

This was a major military defeat of great significance. 

 

Accounts from former prisoners confirm that the little locomotive too was put to work by the Japanese often working alongside parties of prisoners from a local PoW camp unloading Japanese supply ships.

 

The contempt for the welfare of the prisoners shown by their Japanese captors knew no bounds and they suffered a poor diet, unrelenting hard labour and harsh treatment. Many, having been denied medical aid, and despite the best efforts of allied medical staff in improvised facilities, died in terrible circumstances watched only by their mates. 

 

It is perhaps the greatest indictment of the Japanese military that they fully supported what was going on to the extent that as the tide of war finally turned against them they issued orders that in the event of allied invasion all prisoners of war were to be eliminated and no traces left. 

 

Only the dropping of the atomic bombs and the subsequent surrender of the Japanese in August 1945 saved the remaining prisoners from certain death. One in four of the prisoners did not survive their captivity.

 

              The dockyard steam locomotive from Singapore was repatriated to the UK in 1953 and continued its career working at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham until retired in 1972.

 

 

Upon withdrawal the loco was preserved and in 1998 became a registered war memorial to the courage, comradeship and sacrifice of former Far Eastern Prisoners of War of the Japanese.

As a mark of respect and remembrance to all Far Eastern Prisoners of War (FEPOW) the memorial steam locomotive SINGAPORE will be on special commemorative display at the Museum at the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore on Tuesday 15th February 2022. 

 

 

A short commemoration will take place at midday when the FEPOW prayer will be read and a wreath and orchid flowers placed on the loco footplate – in memoriam.   

 

 

Anybody interested in this short commemoration is very welcome to attend.

RbR Feb 2022

[Ian Smeeton]

LEST WE FORGET : THE FALL OF SINGAPORE 15th February 1942

On the 80th Anniversary of its capture by Japanese forces the Museum held a short commemoration of the Fall of Singapore

The centrepiece of the ceremony was Royal Navy dockyard steam locomotive SINGAPORE, now an official Far Eastern Prisoner of War Memorial. 

 

 

A wreath was laid beneath the memorial nameplate supplemented by the placing of white orchids (the Far East conflict flower of Remembrance ) to remember the 80,000 British and Australian servicemen who became prisoners of war under the Japanese occupation.  

 

 

The contempt for the welfare of the prisoners shown by their Japanese captors knew no bounds and they suffered a poor diet, unrelenting hard labour and harsh treatment. One in four of the prisoners did not survive their captivity.

The ceremony closed with a reading of the Kohima Epitaph,

 

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,

For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.

 

 

 

Never forget

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

FEPOW Memorial Locomotive Appeal

“to keep going the spirit that kept them going”.

 

Rocks by Rail – the Living Ironstone Museum is a small volunteer run community based industrial railway museum located near Cottesmore in Rutland, England. 

 

The Museum is an educational charity and within its collection is the Far Eastern Prisoner of War steam locomotive SINGAPORE. 

 

 

The loco was built in the UK in in 1936 and supplied to the Royal Navy Dockyard in Singapore.

 

 On 15th February 1942 the locomotive, in company with 80,000 allied servicemen, became a prisoner of war of the Japanese upon the Fall of Singapore. 

 

The loco often worked alongside parties of prisoners unloading ships in the dockyard. 

 

 

Repatriated in 1953 the loco finished its military service at Chatham Naval Dockyard in 1972 before being preserved. 

 

Resident in Rutland since 1979 the loco is a registered UK war memorial to FEPOW’s. 

 

Restored to working order in 1998 the loco last steamed in 2008. Funds are being raised to overhaul the loco as a working war memorial but a few years ago these plans received a significant setback when thieves broke in and stole parts of the loco valve gear.

 

Manufacturing replacement new parts and carrying out other repairs to return it to steam again will prove very expensive for the small volunteer run museum. However the museum plans to continue with its restoration plans but the associated costs will now be much higher. 

 

Consequently the Museum has launched a public appeal to help fund this work which would see the locomotive returned to steam rather than remain a static exhibit.

 

A target of £40,000 has been set for the appeal fund and 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

 

Regards

 

Ian

[jcm@gwr]

A question, if I may Ian, is FEPOW Memorial Locomotive Appeal a registered charity in

it's own right, or does it come under RBR's charitable status?

[Ian Smeeton]

1 hour ago, jcm@gwr said:

A question, if I may Ian, is FEPOW Memorial Locomotive Appeal a registered charity in

it's own right, or does it come under RBR's charitable status?

 

 Singapore is owned outright by the Museum, so comes under RBR's charitable status.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

IRONSTONE QUARRY RAILWAY MEMORIES

 

Fifty three years ago in March 1969 the ironstone mines at Crosby near Scunthorpe ceased the extraction of ironstone. 

 

 

This image, from the Harold King Collection, shows quarry locomotive RENISHAW IRONWORKS No.6 taking two loaded ironstone wagons away from the quarry face. 

 

The steam locomotive was preserved when the quarry closed and can now be found at the Tanfield Railway.

 

Makes our Mock Quarry and RB22 look like toys!!

 

First full running day for Rocks by Rail is 17th April, not long to wait now.

 

We have our forst OPen Day Tuesday 12th April.

 

See you soon.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Preparations for reopening for the season are now well under way.

 

Today is the first of two  days of competency testing to make sure that all operational staff are up to date.

 

Paper tests today, and Practical tests next Saturday. Not much fun, but it has to be done, and even if you have been qualified before, there is always something new to pick up.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

During the winter, all sorts of work goes on at the Museum.

 

All of the days are enjoyable, some more so than others.

 

One of the more enjoyable days, was when Rob, from Little Wickett Railway's Youtube channel arrived for a video shoot.

 

The Video goes live tomorrow at 7.00 p.m.. Link below, if you are interested.

 

 

Yours Truly has made note to self, "Smile More!! look as if you are enjoying it!"

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Don't forget, 

 

Little Wicket goes live with their Premiere on YouTube tonight.

 

 

Toby Kirkby  of the Industrial Diesel and Railway Preservation Group, and I will be online to chat and answer questions.

 

Do drop in

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

[Chris116]

A superb video with a lot of very interesting detail. I wish that there was public transport to the line as that would enable me to visit. With no public transport I will have to watch out for more videos to keep me up to date.

[Ian Smeeton]

It is  a major issue with all rural public transport in this area.

 

Even the Railways aren't much use with the first trains not arriving in Oakham until after 12.00 on a Sunday.

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited April 7, 2022 by Ian Smeeton

[Ian Smeeton]

We re-open for the season on Easter Sunday.

 

New vistas have been opened out along the nature trail over the winter by the removal of huge amounts of (very sharp) blackthorn.

 

 

Sir Thomas Royden should be in Steam both Sunday and Monday, with a full quarry operation going on as well.

 

 

Sadly, apart from a couple of hours on Monday morning, I won't be there!

 

Work, the curse of the Volunteering Classes

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

We are looking for more volunteers.

 

Skilled or unskilled, regular or irregular.

 

 

Rocks by Rail, the Living Ironstone Museum, and Rutland’s largest railway museum, is entirely volunteer-run as a fully Accredited Museum and educational  charity.

 

We are looking for volunteers, mainly in roles which are not railway specific but are generally customer facing in nature. Skills required are mainly interacting with the public.

 

It doesn’t matter if you feel you have no skills, or skills that you would prefer not to use in your own free time, we would still like to hear from you.Nor does it matter if you only have very limited time available.

 

There is no hard and fast commitment to regular hours or days.

 

Our only requirements from you are that you become a member of the Museum and work safely with regard to other volunteers and visitors.

 

Membership is £12 per year, and makes sure that you are covered by our insurance.

 

Full training will be given for any roles which interest you.

 

We are particularly looking for people to help in the Sundew Building, named after the world’s largest (at the time) Dragline, which worked just up the hill at Exton.

 

The Sundew Building is our Main Visitor Reception, Cafe and Quarry Heritage Display Area..

 

Grounds Maintenance is another area where we are keen to find some additional assistance. If you are into Horticulture, Horticide, or just feel like a long walk with a Lawn Mower, we are keen to hear from you.

 

Visitor Guides in our Exhibition Centre and Woolsthorpe Workshop are also needed, for which In House training will be given.

 

Due to the sudden retirement of our curator from active volunteering, we are also looking for a Curator for our archives. This is a more specialised role. While some in  house training would be given, we would also expect to source appropriate training from outside bodies, which may mean travelling to other venues. 

 

Of course, it wouldn’t be the ‘Living Ironstone Museum’ without Train, Crane and Dumper drivers, and those with the skills to help keep old machinery running, or to restore it to working order, so if that side interests you, please get in touch.

 

We have built up a core of ‘Operational’ staff, but there is always room for one more.

 

We are based at: Ashwell Sidings

Ashwell Road

Cottesmore

Rutland

LE15 7FF

 

Please note, there is NO public transport, so your own transport is necessary, otherwise it is more than a mile walk to the nearest bus stop. There are  cycle paths along the main roads to Ashwell and Cottesmore, leaving the final mile or so, on country lanes.

 

Why not come along to the Museum and see if  we can tempt you.

 

Please contact:

 

Ian Smeeton iansmeeton3(at)gmail.com

0759 262 3361

 

Ian Reeve ianreeve955(at)btinternet.com

 

Incorporated Charity No. 1115462  |  Registered at Companies House No. 5409096

 

 

Just to show that we don't bite, here is the team brief on Easter Monday

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edited May 18, 2022 by Ian Smeeton
email address

[Ian Smeeton]

Our planned Steam Day on Sunday has to be replaced by a "Diesel Driver for Fiver" day instead.

 

Unfortunately a lack of available volunteers means that we do not have a qualified Fireman or Guard for Sunday, hence the change.

 

Never mind though, this change means that we can blow the dust off Jean, our shapely Sentinel.

 

You can get your hands on 30 tons of 350 Horsepower Rolls Royce Loco, for just an extra Fiver.

Go on, you know that you want to.

 

10.00 am -4.00 pm

[LNERGE]

We visited today. The place is so much tidier than my last visit many years ago. I was impressed with shunting as were my little people. The ride was ok. The cake was superb. 

[Ian Smeeton]

We try hard to give a good impression by keeping the grass cut, and a little later in the year the grab Buckets out front should be a riot of colour.

 

I am  glad that you enjoyed the cake, although one of our stalwarts was in the bad books with his wife, so we all suffered from a lack of her famous Lemon Drizzle Cake!

 

As for the ride, I can only apologise, as the Southern Brake Van is suffering Vacuum brake troubles, so was redeployed to the quarry trains.

 

In terms of length, we do own another few hundred yards of the trackbed, and when time, volunteers and money permit, we will be building a platform, at the far end of the line.

 

Further extension is out of the window, though, as there are two bridges missing, and the embankment has been breached in at least two places, so the chances of us making a Main Line connection are nil, unfortunately.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[LNERGE]

Seeing the loading dock and inspection platform was a great help in explaining what went on.  The Ruston cross arm digger was good too

[Ian Smeeton]

Open for a full Quarry Day and Steam Up on Friday, with Diesel Driver for a Fiver on Sunday.

 

STOREFIELD  IRONSTONE  QUARRIES REMEMBERED 

Fifty years ago hopes finally faded for the re-commencement of ironstone mining from Newton West Pit at Storefield in Northamptonshire following the temporary cessation of mining in September 1971. 

Following the granting of land leases for mining between Geddington and Newton in 1897 ironstone mining commenced in 1902 at Storefield in Northamptonshire. The first workings were undertaken by owner E.P. Davis and ironstone output was sent to Davis’s furnaces at Bennerley in Derbyshire. The nine quarry areas were served by a narrow gauge railway system and two new Bagnall built steam locomotives were supplied in 1905/7 for hauling the wooden side tipping wagons. 140 local people were employed at the workings and the operator built 18 cottages nearby for his employees.  The ironstone quarries closed in 1929, the tramways lifted, but the land leases were taken over in joint ownership by the South Durham Steel & Iron Company and  Stanton Ironworks Company.

Having secured the mining rights over the land no mineral working took place until 1939 in response to the increased demand for ironstone due to World War 2. In 1940 a standard gauge mineral railway was constructed between the quarries and the exchange sidings on the LMS railway. A new loco shed and offices were built on the same land, where the earlier narrow gauge railway had run and two ironstone , namely Grange and Newton pits were opened up. 

Grange Pit commenced production in July 1940 using two electrically powered Ransomes and Rapier type 490 quarry machines, and two small steam locos were employed on hauling the quarry trains.  In 1942/3 a larger Ruston Bucyrus 5W walking dragline was introduced to deal with increasing overburden depth in Grange pit whilst in 1944 the large 350 ton No.300 Ruston and Hornsby steam stripping shovel was transferred from Irchester Quarry to help handle the overburden removal in Newton pit.

In the early 1950’s approximately 25% of the ironstone output was calcined (part smelted) on-site in three large clamps near the loco shed. Between the pits and the calcine clamps the ore was moved in steel side tipping dumpcar wagons. Once calcined the burnt ore was loaded into either hopper or tippler wagons for the long journey to the steel works at Cargo Fleet Ironworks, Middlesborough and in West Hartlepool Steelworks. The practise of calcining the ironstone at the site ended in 1958 for economic reasons.

In March 1956 BR provided modern vacuum braked tippler wagons for the ironstone trains from Storefield to West Hartlepool and were made up into 1000 ton consists to be hauled by class 9F heavy freight locomotives in a development that speeded up the delivery of this vital mineral. 

 

In marked contrast to the arrangements on the mainline railway the quarry line to the exchange sidings was very steep and normally the quarry locomotive would only take four loaded wagons up at a time.

Newton Pit worked up until 1964 with mineral extraction activity then transferred to a new Newton Pit called Newton West which became operational in October 1964. At that time both quarries provided local employment for a total 55 members of staff, 15 of which worked on fitting, electrical, stores, weighbridge and maintenance of the quarry railtrack. 

In January 1967 Grange Pit closed due to depressed demand which also reduced quarry locomotive usage to two per day. Contraction in the ore mining industry also saw the arrival of two Sentinel diesel locos (JEAN and MAUD) from nearby quarries during 1969.

Loco MAUD was soon transferred away in 1970 and from May 1969 the quarry rail traffic was handled solely by Sentinel JEAN with production continuing from Newton West Pit. Ironstone production ceased in September 1971 and the site was mothballed in the hope that ironstone production would re-commence in 1972. For economic reasons unfortunately this did not happen and dismantling and quarry restoration commenced early in 1973. After completion of track lifting Sentinel JEAN left for Corby Quarries in June 1973 and the clearance of loco shed and other buildings followed by the end of the year.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of Storefield Ironstone Quarries in Northamptonshire  the Museum is to hold a themed Steam Open Day on Friday 3rd June 2021. It is also hoped that the surviving Sentinel diesel JEAN from Storefield Quarries will also see use on demonstration iron ore trains during the day.

 

 

Image 1. The Ruston and Hornsby No. 300 steam powered stripping shovel at work moving overburden at the ironstone quarry

 

 

Image 2. Andrew Barclay saddletank No.19 brings its loaded wagons out of the quarry workings on a misty day

 

Image 3. Storefield Sentinel diesel survivor JEAN seen during shunting demonstrations at Rocks by Rail Museum 

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

I WOULD LIKE TO DONATE MY GARDEN SHED TO YOUR MUSEUM…….. !

 

Two months ago the Museum received an email message from a resident of a village a short drive away from the Museum site offering to donate his garden shed to the project. 

 

Contact was established with the sender and it transpired that the building was originally located at Colsterworth Ironstone Quarry, near Grantham. 

 

Some photos of the structure arrived and arrangements were made for three museum Trustees to visit the property. 

 

 

It is believed that the two-room wooden structure was built in the 1950’s to provide an administrative function at the quarry. When the quarry closed the building was dismantled and subsequently acquired by the previous resident of the property for use as a garden shed. The current owner now wishes to remove the building to landscape his garden and therefore approached the Museum to see if we were interested in giving the structure a new home. The sectional building was found to be in fair condition for its age, but will require a bit of TLC and a repaint . 

 

We are now preparing plans for the dismantling of the building and its transfer to the museum. Prior to its re-erection we will need to obtain planning permission from the local council. We hope to site the building at the start of the Quarry Trail which will require some vegetation removal and earthmoving to create a new base for the timber foundations.

 

 

Anybody who would like to support this unusual project can do so either financially or physically – or both !

Any donations can be sent to : 

Mr A Salmon, RbR Treasurer, 4 Main Street, Stanford on Soar, Loughborough  LE12 5PY

For donors willing to donate as Gift Aid there is an RbR Gift Aid Form which is available via email from the Curator 

Rocks by Rail - The Living Ironstone Museum, Cottesmore Iron Ore Mines Sidings, Ashwell Road, Cottesmore, Rutland LE15 7FF

  Tel: 01572 868415                                            email: Curator@rocks-by-rail.org

 

Any offers of physical help can be made either at the Museum or by contacting Ian Smeeton  e-mail news@rocks-by-rail.org

[Ian Smeeton]

Jubilee celebrations tomorrow with a full steam-up, brake van rides and quarry demonstrations.

 

Apparently we are being visited by the Bond Minicar Club

 

 

Never seen one of those in the flesh!

 

And Jean, our favourite Sentinel will be out to play on Sunday for a Driver for a Fiver event

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Steam-up Sunday tomorrow.

 

No Thomas the Tank 'ere, you know.

 

Posh in Rutland, we are, its SIR Tommy the tank engine out to play tomorrow.

 

Weather looks fair, so should be a good day.

 

Come and join us (for a run on the train & a look round, I'm not touting for volunteers, yet)

 

Regards

 

Ian

 

 

 

[Ian Smeeton]

Diesel Driver for a Fiver tomorrow at Rocks by Rail.

 

Rolls Royce elegance dressed up in the Brute Force which is Jean, all slimline 30 tons of her could be at your disposal tomorrow.

 

 

Betty, shunting (but identical to Jean)

 

Jean, 57 this year is ever young and sprightly and will be strutting her stuff from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. along 3/4 of a mile of  former ironstone sidings.

 

 

Big diggers & Dumpers, nature trails, engine sheds and workshops and a mean bacon butty (or two) in 19 acres of the unspoiled county of Rutland.

 

LE15 7FF for your satnag.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

Never trust a smiling Weather Forecaster.

 

But....it's raining!!

 

Fantastic news, and with more forecast overnight but dry tomorrow, it means that we can lift our voluntary Steam Ban as the fire risk is now lower.

 

Blow away the Cobwebs, the Barclay is out to play.

 

 

Steam Brake Van rides and Quarry Ironstone day tomorrow (Sunday)

 

 

Demonstration Quarry trains, Face Shovel operations, Big Diggers & Dumper at Rocks By Rail from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Ian Smeeton]

'Diesel Driver for a Fiver' day on Sunday. Get your hands on 325 hp of Rolls Royce-engined Sentinel from 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. tomorrow along with the best bacon cobs to be found (not that we are biased!)

 

 

Betty shunting 'Singapore' ready for last years' Far Eastern Prisoners of War commemoration.

 

Regards

 

Ian