Telford Steam Railway
Encyclopedia
The Telford Steam Railway (TSR) is a heritage railway
located at Horsehay
, Telford
in Shropshire
, England
, formed in 1976.
The railway is operated by volunteers on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of September, and at Christmas. Its official business name is the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust (THST), and it is a registered charity.
(W&SJR). The line to Lightmoor and beyond to Buildwas was constructed by the Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension railway
. Both of these became a part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway
.
The line directions
between Buildwas and Lightmoor were counter-intuitive for a period when the line going down the hill was the Up Line (towards London), and the line going up the hill was the Down Line (away from London), as the direction towards London from Lightmoor Junction was then considered to be routed via the former Severn Valley line. Since the last change the up direction is now completely intuitive.
and the railway's management.
Normally, the preserved railway operates from two stations, (both on the Horsehay site), of the former W&SJR, sited east of a body of water known as Horsehay Pool.
Horsehay & Dawley platform sits on a north-south through line, beneath Bridge Road. 150 yards to the west, Spring Village platform is at the end of a short spur off the running line. In between the two station platforms are the sidings and yard used for storing the railway's stock. Beyond Spring Village platform is the former goods transhipment shed, built in 1860, which had originally permitted the transfer of goods from the W&SJR to the Coalbrookdale Company's narrow gauge plateway system. The building now serves as the railway's engine shed.
As of May 2009, the regular passenger timetable consisted of a departure from Spring Village north to the Heath Hill tunnel entrance, and then back along the line, to stop at Horsehay & Dawley. The train then repeats this journey in reverse, for a round trip taking 30 minutes.
In addition to the standard gauge running line, the railway also operates a short 2' gauge line adjacent to Horsehay Pool. The Phoenix Model Engineering Society operates a 5" model railway on the Spring Village site.
. Planning permission was gained for the northern works which began first. Once complete, the southern extension is planned, although this requires a Transport and Works Order in order to allow the railway to cross various rights of way.
heap when open-cast coal mining began after the closure of the line. Work on the northern extension began by clearing the tunnel and relaying track. Spoil was removed by rail to be relocated near Doseley Halt via an extension of the track south beyond Horsehay & Dawley.
In early February 2008 contractors moved onto site north of Heath Hill tunnel to start earthworks for a new station at Lawley Common, being built as part of Telford and Wrekin
Council's redevelopment of the Lawley area. Earthworks were completed and the site handed back to railway in early April 2008.
On 2 May 2009 as part of its May Gala, the railway celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first section of the original W&SJR by running demonstration trains through Heath Hill tunnel onto the Lawley Common site. Work on the Lawley Common terminus began in May 2009.http://telfordsteamrailway.fotopic.net/c1454185.html
When the extension north to Lawley Common is complete, TSR intends to extend south beyond Doseley Halt, build a new bridge over the A4169 and continue to the Ironbridge Gorge
passing through Coalbrookdale
and eventually onto the power station site at Buildwas
. South of Doseley half a mile of trackbed and two missing level crossings separate TSR's current railhead from the A4169 and Lightmoor Junction.
Although from the road it appears the formation would have to be raised by a prohibitive amount to achieve the statutory headroom below the bridge over the A4169, surveying by THST confirmed that a modest increase in height will provide the necessary clearance without increasing the already steep gradient between Doseley station and Lightmoor Junction
. Network Rail have donated a fabricated steel bridge that will be suitable to span the road which arrived at Spring Village on 15th October 2010. Further work will be necessary at the bridge carrying the railway formation over Brick Kiln Bank, adjacent to the former Lightmoor Junction signal box. Reduced to a single track width several years ago by partially replacing the original double track width arch with single track width concrete sections, parallel running with Network rail over the bridge will require the replacement of the missing portion of original brick arch.
The extension south of Lightmoor is dependent upon TSR securing the redundant half of the former double track from Lightmoor to Buildwas. In October 2006 Network Rail took the uphill line out of use; the remaining downhill line becoming a bi-directional extension of the existing single line from Madeley Junction
. TSR plans to use the uphill line as its route into the Ironbridge Gorge including extension over Coalbrookdale Viaduct and across the Albert Edward Bridge
onto the power station site, at Buildwas, when it closes. TSR intends to reinstate Coalbrookdale station to serve the Ironbridge Gorge Trust's Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale's original station buildings survive as part of the Green Wood Centre's
Woodland Experience site.
As an important part of this plan, Telford Steam Railway has concluded negotiations with Network Rail for the lease and occupation of Lightmoor Junction
Signal Box, keys were handed over by Network Rail officials on 8 August 2008. Substantially intact, TSR has begun work to replace components removed by NR and plans to return the box to 1950s conditions. Until it comes into operational use TSR will make it available for group visits and a limited number of open days during the year.
A recent railtour operated by Vintage Trains proved the viability of operating 5 coach trains on the steep incline between Lightmoor and Buildwas with an ex-GWR
9400 Class
pannier tank locomotive.
On 16 July 2010 the Shropshire Star
published a video interview with Regeneration chief Councillor Eric Carter of Telford and Wrekin Council, in which he discussed proposals by Telford Steam Railway to operate to the site of Ironbridge Power Station after its scheduled closure in 2015.
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
located at Horsehay
Horsehay
Horsehay is a village on the western outskirts of Dawley, which, along with several other towns and villages, now forms part of the new town of Telford in Shropshire, England. Horsehay lies in the Dawley Hamlets parish, and on the northern edge of the Ironbridge Gorge area.Its name is Anglo Saxon...
, Telford
Telford
Telford is a large new town in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England, approximately east of Shrewsbury, and west of Birmingham...
in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, formed in 1976.
The railway is operated by volunteers on Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of September, and at Christmas. Its official business name is the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust (THST), and it is a registered charity.
History
Telford Steam Railway operates over a portion of the Wellington and Severn Junction railwayWellington and Severn Junction railway
The Wellington and Severn Junction railway was a railway in Shropshire, England. It was built between 1857 - 1861 and formed part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway. For much of its working life it was operated by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region of British Railways...
(W&SJR). The line to Lightmoor and beyond to Buildwas was constructed by the Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension railway
Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension railway
The Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension railway was a railway in Shropshire, England. It was built as two portions either end of the Much Wenlock and Severn Junction Railway between 1864 and 1867 and formed part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway...
. Both of these became a part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway
Wellington to Craven Arms Railway
Wellington to Craven Arms Railway was a railway line that ran from Wellington to Craven Arms in Shropshire, England. It was built by three companies during the period spanning 1857 to 1867. For much of its working life it was operated by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region...
.
The line directions
Railroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
between Buildwas and Lightmoor were counter-intuitive for a period when the line going down the hill was the Up Line (towards London), and the line going up the hill was the Down Line (away from London), as the direction towards London from Lightmoor Junction was then considered to be routed via the former Severn Valley line. Since the last change the up direction is now completely intuitive.
Locations
- Spring Village station platform 52.662°N 2.482°W
- Horsehay & Dawley station platform 52.663°N 2.481°W
- Heath Hill tunnel southern entrance 52.669°N 2.480°W
Current passenger operation
As a result of a serious accident at Lawley in early July 2011, Telford Steam Railway closed to the public during the rest of its 2011 Summer running season. A thorough investigation is being carried out by the Office of Rail RegulationOffice of Rail Regulation
The Office of Rail Regulation is a statutory board which is the combined economic and safety regulatory authority for Great Britain's railway network. It was established on 5 July 2004 by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, replacing the Rail Regulator...
and the railway's management.
Normally, the preserved railway operates from two stations, (both on the Horsehay site), of the former W&SJR, sited east of a body of water known as Horsehay Pool.
Horsehay & Dawley platform sits on a north-south through line, beneath Bridge Road. 150 yards to the west, Spring Village platform is at the end of a short spur off the running line. In between the two station platforms are the sidings and yard used for storing the railway's stock. Beyond Spring Village platform is the former goods transhipment shed, built in 1860, which had originally permitted the transfer of goods from the W&SJR to the Coalbrookdale Company's narrow gauge plateway system. The building now serves as the railway's engine shed.
As of May 2009, the regular passenger timetable consisted of a departure from Spring Village north to the Heath Hill tunnel entrance, and then back along the line, to stop at Horsehay & Dawley. The train then repeats this journey in reverse, for a round trip taking 30 minutes.
In addition to the standard gauge running line, the railway also operates a short 2' gauge line adjacent to Horsehay Pool. The Phoenix Model Engineering Society operates a 5" model railway on the Spring Village site.
Expansions
As of 2009, the entire line sits within a privately owned site. The railway have a staged plan for expansion of their passenger operations, both north to a terminus at Lawley Common, and south to IronbridgeIronbridge
Ironbridge is a settlement on the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, England. It lies in the civil parish of The Gorge, in the borough of Telford and Wrekin...
. Planning permission was gained for the northern works which began first. Once complete, the southern extension is planned, although this requires a Transport and Works Order in order to allow the railway to cross various rights of way.
North to Lawley Common
The trackbed north of Heath Hill tunnel was obliterated and the tunnel blocked by a substantial spoilSpoil
Spoil or spoils:*Plunder taken from an enemy or victim.*Material removed during:**excavation**mining**dredging*An Australian rules football tactic, see One percenter #Spoil...
heap when open-cast coal mining began after the closure of the line. Work on the northern extension began by clearing the tunnel and relaying track. Spoil was removed by rail to be relocated near Doseley Halt via an extension of the track south beyond Horsehay & Dawley.
In early February 2008 contractors moved onto site north of Heath Hill tunnel to start earthworks for a new station at Lawley Common, being built as part of Telford and Wrekin
Telford and Wrekin
Telford and Wrekin is a unitary district with borough status in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. The district was created in 1974 as The...
Council's redevelopment of the Lawley area. Earthworks were completed and the site handed back to railway in early April 2008.
On 2 May 2009 as part of its May Gala, the railway celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first section of the original W&SJR by running demonstration trains through Heath Hill tunnel onto the Lawley Common site. Work on the Lawley Common terminus began in May 2009.http://telfordsteamrailway.fotopic.net/c1454185.html
South to Ironbridge
Ironbridge Gorge
The Ironbridge Gorge is a deep gorge formed by the River Severn in Shropshire, England.Originally called the Severn Gorge, the gorge now takes its name from its famous Iron Bridge, the first iron bridge of its kind in the world, and a monument to the industry that began there...
passing through Coalbrookdale
Coalbrookdale railway station
Coalbrookdale railway station is a disused station at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, England. The station survives situated on the freight-only line between Buildwas Junction and Lightmoor Junction...
and eventually onto the power station site at Buildwas
Buildwas
Buildwas is a village and civil parish in Shropshire, England, on the north bank of the River Severn at . It lies on the B4380 road to Atcham. The Royal Mail postcodes begin TF6 and TF8Buildwas Primary School is situated on the Buildwas bank road...
. South of Doseley half a mile of trackbed and two missing level crossings separate TSR's current railhead from the A4169 and Lightmoor Junction.
Although from the road it appears the formation would have to be raised by a prohibitive amount to achieve the statutory headroom below the bridge over the A4169, surveying by THST confirmed that a modest increase in height will provide the necessary clearance without increasing the already steep gradient between Doseley station and Lightmoor Junction
Lightmoor junction
Lightmoor Junction was a railway junction situated between Ironbridge Power Station at Buildwas and Madeley Junction in Shropshire, England.It was from Lightmoor Junction that a line once ran towards Wellington via Doseley and Horsehay...
. Network Rail have donated a fabricated steel bridge that will be suitable to span the road which arrived at Spring Village on 15th October 2010. Further work will be necessary at the bridge carrying the railway formation over Brick Kiln Bank, adjacent to the former Lightmoor Junction signal box. Reduced to a single track width several years ago by partially replacing the original double track width arch with single track width concrete sections, parallel running with Network rail over the bridge will require the replacement of the missing portion of original brick arch.
Madeley Junction
Madeley Junction is a railway junction situated between Shifnal and Telford Central on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line in Shropshire, England....
. TSR plans to use the uphill line as its route into the Ironbridge Gorge including extension over Coalbrookdale Viaduct and across the Albert Edward Bridge
Albert Edward Bridge
The Albert Edward Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, England.-History:Opened on 1 November 1864, its design is almost identical to Victoria Bridge which carries the Severn Valley Railway over the Severn between Arley and Bewdley in Worcestershire...
onto the power station site, at Buildwas, when it closes. TSR intends to reinstate Coalbrookdale station to serve the Ironbridge Gorge Trust's Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale's original station buildings survive as part of the Green Wood Centre's
Green Wood Centre
Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, is a national centre for the revival of the coppice industry in the United Kingdom. It aims to support native broadleaved woodlands through the teaching of traditional woodland management skills and greenwood crafts.It is a venture of the Small Woods...
Woodland Experience site.
As an important part of this plan, Telford Steam Railway has concluded negotiations with Network Rail for the lease and occupation of Lightmoor Junction
Lightmoor junction
Lightmoor Junction was a railway junction situated between Ironbridge Power Station at Buildwas and Madeley Junction in Shropshire, England.It was from Lightmoor Junction that a line once ran towards Wellington via Doseley and Horsehay...
Signal Box, keys were handed over by Network Rail officials on 8 August 2008. Substantially intact, TSR has begun work to replace components removed by NR and plans to return the box to 1950s conditions. Until it comes into operational use TSR will make it available for group visits and a limited number of open days during the year.
A recent railtour operated by Vintage Trains proved the viability of operating 5 coach trains on the steep incline between Lightmoor and Buildwas with an ex-GWR
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
9400 Class
GWR 9400 Class
The Great Western Railway 9400 Class is a class of 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive, used for shunting and banking duties.The first ten 9400s were the last steam engines built by the GWR. After nationalisation in 1948, another 200 were built by private contractors for British Railways...
pannier tank locomotive.
On 16 July 2010 the Shropshire Star
Shropshire Star
The Shropshire Star is a regional newspaper covering the whole of Shropshire, plus parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, the Llangollen area and northern Powys in the United Kingdom.-About:The editor is Keith Harrison....
published a video interview with Regeneration chief Councillor Eric Carter of Telford and Wrekin Council, in which he discussed proposals by Telford Steam Railway to operate to the site of Ironbridge Power Station after its scheduled closure in 2015.
Operational Steam Locomotives
- 0-4-0ST "Rocket", mainstay of TSR's passenger operations. Built by Peckett and SonsPeckett and SonsPeckett and Sons was a locomotive manufacturer at the Atlas Works in St. George, Bristol, England.-Fox, Walker and Company:The company began trading in 1864 at the Atlas Engine Works, St. George, Bristol, as Fox, Walker and Company, building four and six-coupled saddle tank engines for industrial use...
Ltd of Bristol in 1926 to works order no. 1722, Rocket was employed by the CourtauldsCourtauldsCourtaulds was a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibres, and chemicals.-Foundation:The Company was founded by George Courtauld and his cousin Peter Taylor in 1794 as a silk, crepe and textile business at Pebmarsh in north Essex trading as George Courtauld & Co...
Company at Coventry. It remained there throughout its working life and eventually found itself as part of the private "Shropshire Collection", near Shrewsbury. This collection was sold "en masse" to the S & D Co. Ltd, who had Rocket restored to its current status by 2003. Its current boiler ticket expires in 2012.
- GWR 5600 ClassGWR 5600 ClassThe GWR 5600 Class is a class of 0-6-2T steam locomotive built between 1924 and 1928. They were designed by C.B Collett for the Great Western Railway , and were introduced into traffic in 1924. Two hundred locomotives were built and remained in service until withdrawn by British Railways between...
0-6-2T No 5619 built in 1925. The largest and only ex-main line steam locomotive on the line, 5619 was originally purchased by the Telford Development Corporation from Barry scrapyard for static display at Horsehay goods shed. THST restored the loco to operational condition and it ran at Horsehay and many other preserved lines until its boiler certificate expired in 1991. In 1998 lottery funding was obtained to allow a full overhaul to begin; refurbishment of the frames and fitting of the wheels, cylinders, side tanks and bunker were completed at Horsehay. Boilerwork and final reassembly of the locomotive took place at the Flour Mill workshop, LydneyLydneyLydney is a small town and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire. It is located on the west bank of the River Severn, close to the Forest of Dean. The town lies on the A48 road, next to the Lydney Park gardens with its Roman temple in honour of Nodens.-Transport:The Severn Railway...
after further funding was provided by Alan Moore CBE. Returning to traffic after passing its final steam tests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBkaoVuJydI&feature=related, it moved to the Avon Valley RailwayAvon Valley RailwayThe Avon Valley Railway is a three-mile-long heritage railway based at Bitton station in South Gloucestershire, England, not far from Bristol and is run by a local group: The Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd. The railway follows the Avon Valley south-east from Oldland Common, through Bitton and...
for two weeks' running-in in February 2008. After attending TSR's Steam Gala in May 2008, it spent 2 years on hire at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayGloucestershire Warwickshire RailwayThe Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is a volunteer-run heritage railway on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire/Warwickshire Borders that has reopened the closed railway line between Laverton Halt and Cheltenham Racecourse railway stations in Gloucestershire/Worcestershire., it currently...
, moving to the North Norfolk RailwayNorth Norfolk RailwayThe North Norfolk Railway – also known as the "Poppy Line" – is a heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt, It cuts through the countryside to the east of Weybourne with views of its windmill and passes through the well preserved country...
in March 2010.
Stored Steam Locomotives
- Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST No 3240 "Beatty" built in 1917. Partially dismantled for restoration.
- Peckett and SonsPeckett and SonsPeckett and Sons was a locomotive manufacturer at the Atlas Works in St. George, Bristol, England.-Fox, Walker and Company:The company began trading in 1864 at the Atlas Engine Works, St. George, Bristol, as Fox, Walker and Company, building four and six-coupled saddle tank engines for industrial use...
0-4-0ST No 1990, "Ironbridge No3", built in 1940. Employed by the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority's power station at Ironbridge, it remained there throughout its working life until retired in 1980, when it was sold to the Steamport Museum at Southport. Purchased by TSR in 1984 and restored to working order at Horsehay, it now requires a new firebox and boiler overhaul.
Operational Diesel Multiple Units
- British Rail Class 104British Rail Class 104The British Rail Class 104 diesel multiple units were built by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company from 1957 to 1959.The first units ordered were for the London Midland Region, with the majority of the class for use in North West of England with sets also in Tyneside...
No 53479 DMU Motor brake DMBS and No 53531 Motor Composite DMCL. Currently nearing the end of a repaint into BR green livery. In regular use both as self propelled and hauled stock.
Notable Rolling Stock
- 1961 BR Mk 1British Railways Mark 1British Railways Mark 1 was the family designation for the first standardised designs of railway carriages built by British Railways. Following nationalisation in 1948, BR had continued to build carriages to the designs of the "Big Four" companies , and the Mark 1 was intended to be the...
coach No. SC 14901. Originally built at SwindonSwindon WorksSwindon railway works were built by the Great Western Railway in 1841 in Swindon in the English county of Wiltshire.-History:In 1835 Parliament approved the construction of a railway between London and Bristol. Its Chief Engineer was Isambard Kingdom Brunel.From 1836, Brunel had been buying...
as a standard compartment first, it was converted by BR into a prototype 1st Class Lounge Car as part of a project to produce stock to specifications formerly associated with PullmanPullman (car or coach)In the United States, Pullman was used to refer to railroad sleeping cars which were built and operated on most U.S. railroads by the Pullman Company from 1867 to December 31, 1968....
services. Four of the conventional compartments were removed and replaced by two comfortable lounges, each seating ten passengers. Since arriving at TSR, the coach has undergone extensive refurbishment and restoration to bring it up to its current serviceable condition. Although originally carrying BR blue and grey after conversion, it is now painted in maroon.
Further reading
- The Wenlock Branch – Wellington to Craven Arms, Ken Jones, Oakwood Press 1998, ISBN 978-0-85361-500-2