Real Trains

[teddy]

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

Originally used to transport paper between a paper mill and the barges transporting it this line was taken over by group of enthusiasts and run with some success, until the land it was sited on was sold off. They are now struggling to re establish the line and currently have a short stretch operational.

There are five steam locomotives operating and several diesels along with a variety of rolling stock. It would be good to see this line fully operational again as it was used by shoppers as well as tourists.

teddy

 

[GoneBaroque]

Fascinating thread. First chance I have had to look at it. Nothing like it around here as far as I know.

 

[Dorsetmike]

Here's a map of UK with all preserved railways and rail museums, click on any blue dot for a brief description of the line or museum and further links.

http://www.heritage-railways.com/map.php

 

[teddy]

Beat me to it Mike

teddy

 

[wljmrbill]

Interesting site Mike..loads of info for those living there too.

 

[JHC]

Walschaerts valve gear in a steam loco, the red colour represents live steam entering the cylinder, blue represents expanded steam being exhausted from the cylinder. The cylinder receives two steam injections during each full rotation; the same occurs in the cylinder on the other side of the engine. So I guess that makes it a one stroke engine and some have a third Cylinder under the loco. PS you may have to click on image to make it work??

 

[teddy]

Bala Lake Railway.

This runs around Bala Lake, now a center for recreation. The round trip takes about an hour, with plenty of stops along the way. A beautiful little railway mainly stocked with locomotives by Hunslet, with their distinctive shape. Holy War (shown below) was built in 1902 and was the last steam engine to work in a quarry in Britain, "retiring" in 1967. Still going strong. I personally love the look of the saddle tanks.

teddy

 

[teddy]

As an afterthought I tried to place a picture of the station canopy on this line, but failed. Th supports for it were used at Aberdyfi for more than 70 years, so I am very familiar with them and can even boast that I have leant against them on many occasions, as small boys are wont to do.

teddy

 

[marval]

I love looking at steam trains. This one is just a few miles from me, it is due a visit I think.

http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/

 

[Krummhorn]

Looks delightful, Margaret ... a trip like that through the countryside propelled by vintage rail engine.

 

[marval]

Yes Lars, a lovely way to spend some time.

 

[teddy]

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway

At 40 miles the longest narrow gauge railway in Britain. The picture above shows Prince, another engine borrowed by the Rev Awdry for his books. The Ffestiniog Railway is most famous for its double ended engines with a boiler and funnel at both ends, called Fairlie engines.

teddy

 

[JHC]

Ah Ffestiniog where men are men and sheep keep an eye open over their shoulder

 

[teddy]

Bredgar and Wormshill Ligh Railway

A privately owned railway which is open on one Sunday a month throughout the summer. A 2 foot gauge and only a short line but they have almost everything here that you could imagine, including a superb modl layout.

They have over 12 locomotives but my favourite is Lady Joan a saddle tank built by Hunslet for work in the Welsh slate quarries.

Bronhilde on a snowy day.

The railway is also home to traction engines, vintage cars and tractors, and would be a great place for a day out

teddy

 

[teddy]

Vale of Rheidol Railway or Devils Bridge

This was owned by British Rail from 1948 to 1989 having originally opened in 1902. Running from Aberystwyth to Devils Bridge it has some of the most wonderful views from a train that you will see in Britain, and runs for 11.5 miles.

Trains are hauled by one of three steam locomotives. These powerful 2-6-2 locomotives were designed and built especially for this line by the Great Western Railway's Swindon works between 1923 and 1924. They were built to replace the railway's original Davies and Metcalfe locomotives and have operated here ever since.

teddy

 

[teddy]

Llanberis Lake Railway

Running from Dilfach Ddu to Penllyn. Partly along side the lakes and encompassing part of the old quarry line this journey is worth the while just for the scenery.

Rescued from the Dinorwic slate quarries the three steam engines were built by Hunslet. The eldest Elidir has been working since 1899.



teddy

 

[teddy]

It is worth mentioning for any would be train drivers that a lot of these railways offer the chance to drive one of these engines. Who could turn it down.

teddy

 

[methodistgirl]

Man, some of those trains in england and what I've seen remind
me of Thomas & Friends. Where I live there used to be L&N Rail,
Illionois Central Rail, and now CSX. CSX is the big daddy now
and Union Pacific.
judy jennings

 

[JHC]

My turn next

 

[teddy]

Thats a beauty Colin.

Judy. It is no wonder some of the locomotives remind you of the Thomas books. The Rev Awdry based several of his books on the Talyllyn railway, which he called the Skarloey Railway. He was enamored with the Talyllyn line and worked as a volunteer their. At least one of the stories is based on something which happened to him.

teddy