Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces 75 – Feb 1977
The Railway Preservation Society Newsletter
Chasewater News 18 – Part 2
On 26th January Barry Bull, Adrian Pearson and myself (Ian Patterson?) journeyed up to the North Yorkshire area of the NCB to inspect some redundant steam locos for possible purchase. On the way up we visited Rom River Engineering of Lichfield and noticed the unique Kerr Stuart diesel alongside the ex-Cadbury’s North British diesel hydraulic.
Further north we passed the Butterley Headquarters of the Midland railway Project Group. I understand from Derek Cartwright that our Royal Saloon, at present on loan to the Group, is at present undergoing considerable restoration at Derby Carriage Works.
The first colliery we visited was Ackton Hall at Featherstone. This revealed a surprise in the form of Bagnall Austerity No. 2746 of 1944, which had arrived the previous week from nearby Prince of Wales Colliery. This loco is of great interest to me because it used to work over the Shropshire and Montgomery Line. The other engine at the colliery was the purpose of our visit, being No.S119 ‘Beatrice’, a 16” inside cylindered six coupled loco built by Hunslet, No.2705 of 1945. This engine was in excellent condition, the fitters confirmed this, wishing it wasn’t for sale. This engine is of the same class as ‘Robert Nelson No.4’ and others which worked at Littleton Colliery. We also enjoyed a trip down the line to the BR exchange sidings on a diesel with the chief fitter, who told us several interesting facts about the history of the colliery and its locos.
The next colliery visited was Parkhill Colliery which revealed S102 ‘Cathryn’ a six coupled Hudswell Clarke side tank No.1884 of 1955 of the PLA Class. This too appeared in excellent condition but inspection of the boiler report confirmed to the worst our suspicions about its firebox which needed well over £1,000 worth of repairs.
‘Monckton No.1’
Passing under the footbridge into a very quiet looking Embsay station – possibly the last train of the day? Note the bunting on the station and the stone flags through the gap by the ticket office and cabman’s shelter.
(c) Tom Ireland
North Gawber Colliery revealed a rather battered Austerity Hunslet 3212 of 1945, which was unlikely to be saved. The same colliery also revealed another Austerity ‘Monckton No.1’ HC 3788 of 1953 which is spare engine at the colliery. Out of the three on offer, we have bid only for ‘Beatrice’, an engine of ideal size for use at Chasewater.
The recent ARPS meeting at York was also of interest, several RPS members travelling up on BR, who managed to put an engine with no form of heating at all on the front of the train!
The National Railway Museum is well worth a visit, but the display of small relics is very poor and if the officers there care to visit Winchcombe Museum they will see what can be done with railway bric-a-brac.
David Ingham from Bury, Lancashire, England
One of the two preserved Princess Royals, 6201 Princess Elizabeth at Castleton East Junction signal box.
The meeting itself was of interest as the Annual RPS Award was given to the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society, a sister group of the RPS, for their efforts in restoring ‘Lizzie’ to main line condition despite enormous odds.
Well done the ARPS in choosing such a worthy group of so few members as opposed to one of the larger, richer groups, and Well Done the ‘Lizzie’ Society, in achieving such a remarkable feat.
It is pleasing to note that the Police have recovered many of the stolen objects from the museum vehicle, though the fact that the culprits were aged nine and ten is not so pleasing.
Recent acquisitions have included:
1. A diamond weight restriction sign of Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation origin (once owned by MSLR)
2. An Oxford Canal Navigation sign.
3. Sharpness New Locks and Gloucester Canal Company weight restriction sign
4. Two different sets of six official LNWR postcards from the early 1900s. One set depicts castles and the other, Welsh Inland Resorts.
We now have 58 different LNWR official postcards, but over 1,000 different ones are known to exist.
Important
Pic from Barry Bull’s Collection
The RPS is organising a Transport Festival at Chasewater Park over the weekend of July 23rd and 24th. This will feature vintage cars, buses, steam rollers and traction engines as well as the RPS. We need your help for this venture, the first of its kind to be held by us. This event may prove vital to our finances this year.
Late News
On the second of February an open meeting regarding the financial aspects of the RPS was held. This meeting was very poorly attended despite the fact that many members were aware of its existence. Despite this setback it was decided to launch an appeal to buy the loopline. The people present were seen to represent an accurate cross-section of active RPS members and a majority of the executive committee were present to authorise the steps taken. In brief these were:
1. To set up a fund to purchase the loopline, as a proposed rent of £1,400 per year is beyond the Society’s reach.
2. This appeal is to go under the slogan of “BRIDGE THAT GAP, BUY A YARD OF TRACK”.
3. Money shall be raised by donations, those exceeding £10 or in multiples thereof being certified as representing the purchase of one yard of track.
4. There will be no ceiling on the appeal as in future years the NCB may press for purchase of the northern end of the line.
5. All monies raised will be placed in a Building Society to maximise its purchasing power.
6. This appeal will be fully advertised in ‘Railway Magazine’ and ‘Railway Modeller’ as these are the two magazines with the highest circulation in their field.
7. Handbills will be produced and sent to all interested persons and visitors to Chasewater this year.
8. All RPS members are urged to start the ball rolling.
BRIDGE THAT GAP, BUY A YARD OF TRACK
The future of the Chasewater Light Railway depends on YOU.
Steam Loco Drivers
Albert Haywood, Chairman of the RPS, has asked me to inform all members of the need for fully trained drivers for the season’s trains. To this end, training will be given at Chasewater before the start of the running season. All persons wishing to be considered should apply in person or in writing to Albert. When a list of all members wishing to take part is gained then a scheme of training and passing out will be drawn up.
Chasewater Railway Museum 