“Britain's 15-Inch Gauge Railways”
Update information to
April 2015
by
David R. Jones
The considerable assistance of Peter M. Bryant in preparing this document is gratefully acknowledged
(Page 5) – Acknowledgements
The Author wishesto thank David Holroyde for his very considerable assistance in checking locomotive information shortly before publication, which was regrettably not noted at this point.
(Page 11) – Early use of Small Gauges
J.I.C. Boyd noted the existence of early- to mid-19th cent horse worked tramways with a gauge of 14” at the Parc Mine near Trefriw in the Conwy Valley.
A very early domestic railway, with a gauge of 12”, linked the kitchens and dining room at Belton House between about 1815 and 1845.
(Page 16) – Early Agricultural Railways
The concept was not entirely new, as J. Brown notes in Steam on the Farm (2008) that a portable railway to transport manure was used at a farm in Halewood near Liverpool around 1860, and a few years later the 3,500-acre Buscot Park estate in Berkshire used a narrow-gauge railway to move sugar beet to a refinery and alcohol distillery; at one time there was an 0-4-0 steam locomotive named Edith.
(Page 21) – The ‘Higham Special’
Although the car was unfinished, and fitted with a top-heavy ‘airship’ profile body, Zborowski is believed to have driven it once at Brooklands before his death.
(Page 22) - The Higham Railway
Until 2014, the very existence of the line was as much legend as fact, but the very recent discovery by Tim Jones (a senior lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University) of 40 minutes of stunning amateur ciné film shot at Higham in 1924, has confirmed not only that the railway in the Park was sufficiently built to run the locomotive, but that the Zborowski lifestyle was quite as wild as anecdotes had suggested! No rolling stock, other than the locomotive, was to be seen on the film.
(Page 27) - The Brussels Exhibition of 1910
Of the locomotives sent to Brussels, only one – which was temporarilyre named King Albert – seems definitely to have returned to Britain; the Author cannot be certain whether it was Red Dragon or Green Dragon that was the lucky returner!
(Page 30) – Robert Proctor Mitchell
His later life was tragic, as he lost his job, his marriage and his family as well as his investment in the Ravenglass and Eskdale venture, and he died in poverty in Brighton.
(page 30) – John Bernard Snell
John Snell was found dead at his home in Dymchurch in January 2014. Born in Fiji in 1932, he was educated in New Zealand and the UK and was a founder of Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. Although qualified as a Barrister, he never practised but worked for London Transport and British Railways, and served as General Manager of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway from 1972 to 1999, being subsequently Vice-Chairman of Directors and Company Secretary. For a time, he was also Chairman of the North Norfolk Railway and Vice-Chairman of the Heritage Railway Association. Apart from One Man’s Railway, his publications included Early Railways, a short railway-themed novelJennie (1958) and a photographic book, Mixed Gauges (2008)
[see also note for (Page 170), below]
(Page 31) – The Bug
At least two other 15-Inch gauge examples were built, one – possibly named Liliput - for an amusement park railway in Stüttgart and another (1927) for Dresden, later used at Brno and Prague. The latter was apparently re-gauged to 600mm in 1938 and, named Pionyr, survived until 1966 at the Nymburk Island ‘pioneer’ railway in the Czech Republic.
(Page 56, r.h. col) – Whorlton Lido Railway
The site is now privately owned, and a small group began to restore the line in 2012 and are opening it ‘by invitation’ for a few days each year as the Thorpe Light Railway. Opening details can be found on the line’s website.
(Page 57, r.h. col) – West Midlands Safari Park
The line was closed and lifted in 2014, the locomotive with four coaches and much of the track going to the Windmill Farm Railway.
(Page 57, r.h. col) – Pixieland Miniature Railway
The Pixieland Miniature Railway of 1980, in the Brocklands Fun Park near Bude, was – at 200 yards long – one of the shortest 15-Inch Gauge lines ever built, but nevertheless possessed an ‘Exmoor’ class steam locomotive as well as a diesel. The Park closed on the owners’ retirement in 2007, the diesel going to the Sherwood Forest Railway.
(Page 58, l.h. col) – Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife Park
Unfortunately, the line was not operated in 2012, ran only fitfully in 2013,and was then closed. The rolling stock was removed in Feb. 2014 for sale by Hunslet and the tracklifting started in May 2014, much being bought for use at the Rhiw Valley Light Railway where it arrived at the start of Oct. 2014.
(Page 60) – Cleethorpes Railways
Research for a definitive history of the successive Cleethorpes lines is currently being carried out by Mr Peter Scott.
(Page 62 – r.h. col.) - Count Louis
The veteran Count Louis is no longer at Evesham Vale, but remains in England ( and is scheduled to appear at the Ravenglass and Eskdale ‘15” Centenary’ celebrations at thr end of August 2015) while Ernest W. Twining is in Japan.
(Page 68, r.h. col.) – Heatherslaw Light Railway
After 15 years’ use, The Lady Augusta was withdrawn for sale by the Ford and Etal Estate late in 2014, the 2010–built Bunty having become the regular steam power. However, following purchase by ‘Green Engine Ltd.’ [under the control of Darrell Smith, an HLR Director] the locomotive is likely to remain at Heatherslaw indefinitely.
(Pages 68-69) – The Perrygrove Railway
To the regret of many enthusiasts, the Museum role of the Perrygrove line proved to be less than permanent. For many years, until 2014, pleasure travel was combined with a serious purpose – the preservation and re-creation of the Heywood Collection of historic equipment. A summary of the Collection appears in the later account of Museums. Most regrettably, pressure on covered storage accommodation after the retirement of Michael Crofts and a management ‘buy-out’ of operation at Perrygrove, has led to its withdrawal into safe storage until a new venue can be found. But for those of us fortunate enough to have enjoyed it, we have the memory of riding in the re-created Duffield Bank dining carriage, or the Eaton Hall saloon coach, while the replica 0-6-0 Ursula pounded triumphantly up the final 1 in 30 to Oakiron at a vintage trains afternoon. Ursula, built by James Waterfield over seven years, was inaugurated by Sir Peter Heywood, the present Baronet.
(Page 72) – Early Quarter-Scale Designs
Pearl was also preceded by a model of the G.W.R. Broad Gauge 0-6-0 Pyracmon (original built 1847), made in 1855 by Thomas Keenan and Son of Dublin to stand on 21-Inch gauge track. The tender, if there was one, does not survive.
Another notable (but later) example was the model of the Stockton and Darlington Locomotion No.1 built in 1875 by North Eastern Railway apprentices, apparently scaled from the original machine (1825) and using castings and forgings. The track gauge of the model, purchased by National Railway Museum in 2012, was 14¾ inches.
(Page 75, r.h. col) – Heywood Locomotives
Restoration of the original Katie has now progressed to the point where the original frames and new boiler have been moved to Station Road Steam, Metheringham, to be completed for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society Trust. The project is to mark the Centenary of the conversion of the R. & E.R. to 15” gauge, in late August2015. It is now unlikely that, if work on Ella is brought to completion, it would be operated at Perrygrove.
(Page 76) – Cagney Locomotives
The last steam engines were built in 1925, but sales continued to the 1930s when Topp Enterprises of Manlius, N.Y. bought the remaining Cagney stock.
(Page 76, l.h. col) – Baldwin Locomotives
A splendid re-creation of the Baldwin 0-4-0 design, named Soony, was completed for Jamie Page in 2012 and has since delighted visitors to several railway Galas including appearances at Perrygrove and the Thorpe Light Railway.
(Page 77, l.h. col, top) – The Morse ‘Switcher’
The locomotive was acquired in 1998 by Jim and Helen Shackell, by whom it awaits overhaul.
(Page 80, l.h. col) – No 15 Red Dragon
Add to table:
2014 to Rhyl Miniature Railway (to be rebuilt to original condition)
(Page 96, near foot)
The number (1) should be inserted after Prince Charles
(Page 97, top)
The number (2) should be inserted after Prince Charles
(Page 97, l.h. col) – No. 5 Prince Charles (1)
Very recently, it was noted that No.5 Prince Charles (1) has cutaway side frames, a feature thought unique to Nellie, suggesting that Nos. 3 and 5 may have exchanged frames if not entire identities at some point!
(Page 99) - Katie
After overhaul, the engine was exhibited at the Fairbourne Railway Gala (26-27 May 2013) operating on a mixed (12¼” / 15”) gauge siding, to the great pleasure of several former drivers. Early in 2015 Katie was sold to the Kirklees Light Railway to enhance the motive power resources, and will enter service after modifications to ensure compatibility with the KLR carriage fleet.
(Page 99) – Wroxham Broad
It is a tribute to Twining’s original design that she has proved her worth on recent extended periods of loan to the challenging Ravenglass and Eskdale line to cover motive power shortages.
(Page 100) - 48, 0-6-0Muffin
Insert in the table:
1974-1976 stored for use on Axminster – Lyme Regis project’
(Page 106) – BVR loco. list
[16] B.V.R No. 8 2-6-2T (named Thunder until May 2014) is now renamed John of Gaunt
(Page 107) – Exmoor Steam Railway loco. list
No. 300 Markeaton Lady: was sold to Evesham Vale Light Railway 2012; since fully rebuilt with new enlarged boiler; renamed Monty and re-liveried in crimson lake for service in 2015.
(Page 108, l.h. col) – Great Northern Steam Co.
The reference to No. 60163 Tornado is erroneous and the text should read:
‘Founded nearly twenty years ago, with its engineering facilities in Darlington, this firm built model and miniature railway locomotives and also model traction engines and steam launch machinery. In the 15-Inch Gauge, the company built the first replica of Sir Arthur Heywood’s pioneer Effie in 1998-2000, and it later replicated the design in 7½-Inch Gauge for general sale. In 2011-12, Great Northern Steam were working on two quarter-scale models of LNER No. 4472 Flying Scotsman in its original ‘A1’ form, but it is believed that these were uncompleted when the business went into liquidation towards the end of 2012.’
(Page 113, l.h. col, bottom) – The Heywood Replicas
The Heywood Collection is not currently on public display, and may be viewed only on application to Mr James Waterfield. To have travelled in this vehicle at the Perrygrove Railway, was a privilege and an experience to be treasured.
(Page 114, l.h. col.) – The Higham Railway
On the recently-discovered film evidence it seems most unlikely that Count Louis Zborowski ever bought coaches to accompany his ‘Class 30’ ‘Little Giant’ preferring simply to play with the locomotive!’
(Page 118) –Parkeisenbahn carriages
Five of these, held for some time at the Perrygrove Railway (including one fully restored with canopy), were sold by Station Road Steam, Metheringham, to various homes in 2013-14.
(Page 119) – Fairbourne Railway Carriages
A three-coach articulated set by Wilkins and Mitchell, used at Fairbourne and Evesham Vale, was offered for sale in July 2013, having been re-bodied between 1999 and 2004.
(Page 135) – INTRO TO SECTION 6, Lines to visit
It has not been possible to revise opening dates for 2015 from available sources, and intending visitors are advised to consult up-to-date gazetteers or the websites of the various railways, in advance of a visit. Information given under ‘Operating Dates’ in each entry should thus be used with caution as a guide only.
(Page 136) – Blenheim Park Railway
AMEND postcode to: OX20 1PP
AMEND Tel. No. to: 01993 810530
Frames for the new 0-6-0 s/o diesel having a Perkins 49 h.p. engine were displayed at the Alan Keef Open Day in 2013, and the locomotive was delivered in February 2014 with four new 16-seat carriages. The new consist will now handle most of the operation.
ADD to Locomotives:
Winston 0-6-0 steam-outline diesel-hydraulic (Alan Keef Ltd, 2014)
AMEND Carriages to: ‘Two sets of four …’
(Page 138) – Bure Valley Railway
Loco. No.1 was formerly named Tracy-Jo. Loco. No.3 was built ‘(J. Edwards, for BVR)’
Loco. No.8, formerly nicknamed Thunder, was officially re-named John of Gaunt on 13 May 2014.
(Page 139, r.h. col.) – Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
Ownership and operation passed to the young business partners Peter Bryant and John Kerr, as 'Cleethorpes Light Railway Ltd', in May 2014, and substantial renovation took place at Lakeside in 2014-15.
(Page 140, l.h. col) - C.C.L.R. Locomotives
AMEND: The name of [‘Toby] should read ‘Ted’
DELETE entry for ‘The Cub’
ADD:278 Bluebell 2-8-0 steam-outline diesel-hydraulic (Severn-Lamb, 1978)
(Page 141) – Combe Martin Wildlife … Railway
DELETE ‘St’ from railway title.
Train is now named ‘Dino Express’ [not ‘Earthquake Canyon’] Train Ride
(Page 141, r.h. col) – Clevedon Miniature Railway
In 2012-13 the new leaseholder, Harvey Amusements, regauged the line to 15 inches and obtained a battery-electric 4-6-0 (Stanier Class 5 steam- outline) in January 2013, painted in G.W.R style green, with tender lettered “Clevedon Railways”. Two 16-seat carriages, ex-Drayton Manor, were supplied by MRW Railways Ltd. The 9½-Inch gauge stock was retained by the previous operator.
(Page 142)– Craigtoun Park Railway
AMEND:Tel. is: 01334 472013
Website is:
The line is owned by Fife Council but since 2011 has been operated on a concession basis. MRW Railways Ltd. carried out renovations in 2011-12, including a replacement locomotive brought in from Ireland, and since 2013 the line has been operated and cared for by the Friends of Craigtoun Park.
(Page 142) Difflin Lake Railway
Operation is mainly on Saturdays and Sundays, with limited running on Weds. / Thurs. / Fri. afternoons. Steam operation is usually confined to one Sunday in each month.
(Page 143) - Eaton (Hall) Railway
Operation remains generally confined to Garden Open Days
(Page 145) -Evesham Vale Light Railway
The ‘Exmoor’ 2-6-2T, formerly Markeaton Lady (Exmoor Steam Railway, 1996), now rebuilt with a larger diameter boiler and longer firebox and re-named Monty after Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, is expected to enter service at Easter 2015 and to become part of the regular operating fleet.
The German-type coach is no longer present.
(Page 145) Fairbourne Railway
Use of the balloon loop was short-lived, as it was taken out of use again on 27 July 2013 after a Branch Line Society, no funds being available to renew the points. Work has begun on re-furbishment of the tunnel roof and if sufficient funds can raised it is planned to extend the 15” mixed gauge line to the level crossing at the end of Beach Road, also into the engine shed for stabling purposes. (In 2015 it will reach the first level crossing, for shuttle running.) E.W. Twining's Katie was operated at the May 2013 Gala weekend, and the Lister Whippet Quick and James Page's Baldwin replica Soony appeared at the May 2014 Gala.
(Page 146) - Beddgelert is out-of service in 2013-2015, displayed in the Museum building. No.5 Tony was originally named Sylvia after Trevor Guest’s mother, and was renamed Lilian Walter (for the mother of John Ellerton) who styled the revised single-ended body in 1985. The latest rebuild, named after the line’s late patron, Professor Tony Atkinson, was launched at the ‘Little to Large’ Gala on 26 May 2013.
The note re Tony should now read: 're-engined 2000, re-bodied 2013'
(Pages 148-9) – Haigh Country Park Railway
Having been closed by Wigan M. B. Council in 2012, the railway was revived by Derek Moss in August 2013 initially with a limited service from station to station, and from Easter 2014 the complete loop was again in use thanks to extensive work by volunteers.
(Page 149- Locomotives)
ADD TO LIST:
The Cub 4-4w diesel-hydraulic (Minirail, 1954)
(KD1) four-car diesel-electric ‘Rapido’ railcar (Rail Systems, 1983)
(Page 149) – Heatherslaw Light Railway
A new diesel locomotive was constructed in 2014 by Alan Keef with a Perkins diesel engine and hydraulic drive to three coupled axles. Test runs began in October, following which Clive was relegated to works use. The 0-4-2 T+T The Lady Augustaworked ‘farewell’ trains on 20-21 September 2014 in expectation of sale by the Ford and Etal , but following purchase by ‘Green Engine Ltd’ is expected to remain on site
(Page 153) - Lakeside Miniature Railway
The Curwen-designed Princess Anne was noted at Windmill Farm for overhaul in July 2013.
(Page 154) – Lappa Valley Railway
The entire operation, on three gauges, was put up for sale at the end of 2013 as the present owners – children of the founder – are now themselves approaching retirement age. It has since been acquired by Mr Kevin Southwell, a railway enthusiast businessman previously of Exmouth, with the intention to continue operation as usual.
Loco. No.1 Zebedee was dismantled for heavy overhaul, with off-site boiler repair, in early 2014. During its absence, No.2 Muffin worked for 103 days continuously, carrying 24,435 passengers over a distance of 2,400 miles!
(Page 155) - Lightwater Valley Railway
The original ‘Rio Grande’ locomotive ‘No. 7, 278’ and two carriages with enclosed bodies were taken to MRW Railways Ltd Sheffield in August 2012, with the locomotive transferred in April 2013 to Windmill Farm Railway, then Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in May 2014.
(Page 156) – Markeaton Park Light Railway
L.h. col: Website entry should read:See pages for Derby Council – Markeaton Park
R.h. col: Significant restoration work has been carried out to the Park buildings in recent years, and the “Famous Trains Model Railway” permanent exhibition has been established in one of the old army buildings adjoining Queensway station. This operates each weekend and on Mondays.
(Pages 160-161) – Perrygrove Railway
The 2013 Gala (21-22 September) attracted record visitor numbers – 20% up on 2012 - and featured the replica Baldwin 0-4-0 Soony owned by James Page. Drawings and castings for this 1903 design were supplied by Hillcrest Locomotives in the U.S.A., and it was completed by Joe Nemeth Engineering in 2012 using wheelsets by Alan Keef.