The railway is built to 18" gauge and runs along the Killer Branch, an old limestone quarry branch line. We were met by friendly and enthusiastic staff, and after buying our tickets and liberating Small Dog from the car (the railway is dog friendly) our train arrived in the platform, returning from a line inspection. This consisted of a Greewood Batley (GreenBat) battery electric loco and a mine manrider, a crude form of carriage that was built to carry miners undergound, in rather cramped conditions!
The ride took about 20 minutes along a very picturesque route mostly through cuttings. Small Dog didn't appreciate the ride, but then he's never been keen on train rides. At the furthest end one of the volunteers gave us a brief history of the branch and of the associated quarries, and again on the return we stopped close to the carriage sheds so that we could see some of the stock.
Outward bound;
On the way back;
I did hope to ride behind the resident Ruston but it was having its injecters bled as we arrived;
But after our ride it was up and running again, and being used to collect a wagon from the carriage shed
Here's some more photos from the day, first up a couple of tubs;
Another battery loco;
And a Hibberd or two;
The view looking away from the main building;
And lastly;
This fenced-off section goes out in the opposite direction from the station end. I forgot to ask whether its in use or not.
A very friendly very pretty railway, well worth a visit.
Paul.
Thanks for the photos and nudge Paul - I really must follow suit and pay it a visit :)
ReplyDeleteYou should James. Its a very tidy well run little line. I can see myself returning, I reckon that it would look rather splendid in Autumn.
DeleteSounds like a good day out. I do like the look of that track in the last picture!
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed Mikkel. Yes, I would have liked a ride on that last section. Maybe next time I'll ask.
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