Past Meetings 2018
Monday 8th January 2018
The Classic Traction Review 2017 by Steve Andrews of Classic Traction
The Classic Traction Review of 2017 began with the South Devon Railway’s “Branchline Weekend” winter gala, featuring 5542 from Bodmin and the NRM’s Beattie Well Tank 30587. We were treated to footage of these two working both solo and double-heading with the SDR’s resident fleet. Run past locations included Bishop’s Bridge loop, Staverton, Stretchford and Hood Bridge, where the highlight was 30587 hauling a short passenger train with a tank wagon as tail traffic.
We then cut to the main line, with some interesting footage of the DRS route learning trips to Devonport Dockyard. This train ran on two separate occasions and we saw both 66 301 & 66 431 and 66 424 & 66 301 (the latter with two Mark 2 BSKs) running through Keyham and reversing into the Dockyard access line. Returning to the heritage scene, we had a brief interlude on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, with newly outshopped BR Standard 4 No. 75014 working the early season turns alongside Class 25 diesel D7535. The action then moved to the Swanage Railway’s “Strictly Bulleid Gala”, featuring 34046 “Braunton” (as 34052 “Lord Dowding”) seen at Corfe Common on a freight; 34092 “City of Wells” seen at Furzebrook sidings top-and-tailed with 34053 “Sir Keith Park”; 34081 “92 Squadron” seen at Afflington Farm; and 34070 “Manston” seen at Kings Acre (near Creech Bottom).
The 6th and 7th May saw the visit of the “The Great Britain X” to Devon and Cornwall, and we saw 34052 “Lord Dowding” & 46100 “Royal Scot” climbing Rattery near Culver Park and at Largin. Footage at Hemerdon and Rewe featured on the return run the next day. On the 12th May, Classic Traction paid a visit to the Bluebell Railway, where Bulleid Q-Class 30581 and BR Standard Class 5 73082 were seen at work at Horstead Keynes, West Hoathly and Kingscote. For the “modern traction” fans, May 18th-20th was the Severn Valley Railway’s Diesel Gala, which saw the visit of mainline locomotives in form of 88 003 “Genesis” from DRS -seen at Tenbury Junction, 60 100 from DB and 66 771 from GBRf -seen at Bewdley South. In addition to these were heritage celebrities 45 061 “Royal Tank Regiment” seen at Hampton Loade, 50 008 “Thunderer” at Bewdley, Safari Curve and climbing Eardington Bank, where we also saw 55 022 masquerading as scrapped sister-engine 55018 “Ballymoss”. At Foley Park Tunnel were seen 50 017 “Royal Oak” in mock-INTERCITY livery (which it never carried in BR service) and D1062 “Western Courier”. Moving to the end of the month, we saw 60163 “Tornado” working the “Cornishman” railtour climbing Rattery and again in the Forder area, as well as on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Here we watched the locomotive hauling its train past a number of well known and some lesser visited locations, banked by the BWR’s 0-6-0PT No. 4612.
Part Two kicked off with 46100 “Royal Scot” on the “Dartmouth Express” railtour, featuring some great footage of the return train departing Kingswear and running along the estuary embankment towards Britannia Crossing. For a complete change of scene, we then moved to the Great Central Railway (North) diesel gala, which featured the prototype HST powercar 41 001, working top and tail with a variety of other classic diesels, including 33 035, 47 292, 47 765 in ScotRail livery (which it never carried in BR service), IC liveried 47 828 and 56 097 (in very smart Railfreight “triple grey” livery with Trainload Coal sub-sector logos).
Moving back to mainline steam, 60163 “Tornado” was once again seen on the “Torbay Express”, with 45100 “Royal Scot” working the “Royal Duchy”. We then followed D1010 “Western Campaigner” for a trip along the West Somerset Railway, with footage of the train at Combe Florey, Dunster, Minehead, Washford and Williton.
October saw Classic Traction visiting the Ffestiniog Railway’s gala, with views of trains crossing The Cobb and passing Boston Lodge Works. Completing a very interesting section were run pasts of “Prince” climbing Gwyndy bank and at Tan-y-Bwlch on a timber train; “Taledin” at Tanygrisiau station; “David Lloyd George” working a slate train (with “workers” riding), as well as the remarkable sight of a slate train freewheeling downhill sans-loco!
This was a good month for heritage railway action and we also enjoyed footage from the West Somerset’s “Bath and Beyond” gala, featuring 7F 53809, Standard 4 75014 and 6960 “Ravenham Hall”. On the 14th of the month, “Lyn” was running at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and we watched the locomotive and its train running into and shunting around Woody Bay station.
The 28th saw the Chatham Dockyard Railway in action, with “Ajax” and “Overlord” sharing the duty of moving a large pumpkin (presumable papier-mâché) on a war-well wagon! There were some interesting angles of the system running past the heritage buildings, as well as the preserved warships, including “HMS Cavalier” (the last surviving WW2 Destroyer), “HMS Ocelot” and some great footage of the passing trains taken from the deck of the 1878 built sloop “HMS Gannet”. Back to Wales in November, but this time to the Vale of Rheidol for footage of a photographic charter with No. 8 “Llywelyn” on a mixed goods leaving Aberystwyth and crossing the trestle bridge, then further up the valley at the passing station of Capel Bangor, before curving through the woods high above the valley floor at Troid-Rhiw-Felen.
We finished off the year with the British Heritage Railway scene’s nearest equivalent to a winter-sun holiday, with Standard 4 75014 working hard up Goodrington Bank and past Waterside into Churston on the Dartmouth Steam Railway.
An interesting look back at 2017 in moving pictures, for which we again thank Mr Steve Andrews. Members who missed the show will be pleased to know that Classic Traction has the DVD 2-disc set available for purchase via their website, as well as footage on the Classic Traction YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn_I4F9dSbF3WZ3XHAd7y0Q
Stuart Hammond
Monday 22nd January 2018
Malcolm Ranieri's World of Railways & Vintage Transport (Part 2)
narrated by David Goodyear
GWR 49xx 'Hall' 4965 Rood Ashton Hall crosses the River Avon at Evesham - Image courtesy of Malcolm Ranieri.
Malcolm is credited with FRPS and MPAGB recognition, and is a correspondent for "Old Glory." His atmospheric steam and modern traction photography is frequently published, along with that found in several books of his own. Unfortunately, Malcolm was not able to be present on the night, but he kindly provided this follow-up to his first presentation, along with accompanying notes for each photograph, which were presented by the PRC’s own David Goodyear.
We opened with some photos taken at the Severn Valley Railway’s Gala and Rally, with a variety of steam propelled road vehicles, as well as a road/rail Land Rover. After a quick detour to the Steam Plough Club’s “Hands On” event and a view of a 1909 Burrell Traction Engine crossing the Tamar Road Bridge, we returned for railway action in the form of Pannier tank no. 7714 at Tenbury Wall ex-Bewdley and 7802 at Foley Park.
Along the way we visited a number of steam and vintage road vehicle rallies, where we saw an interesting variety of both steam and internal-combustion engine vehicles from a swathe of long-defunct builders, such as Foden; Burrell; Aveling and Porter; Stanley; Sentinel and many others.
On the railway side, we saw action on the main line including 70000 Britannia by the Brinklow & Oxford Canal; 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe departing Burton on Trent and a magnificent dusk shot of 60163 Tornado crossing the River Avon at Eckington.
We also visited both standard and narrow gauge heritage railways, highlights of the former including: 7812 Earlstoke Manor and 34053 Sir Keith Park in gorgeous light at Foley Park on the Severn Valley Railway; 777 Sir Lamiel in snow & sun at the Great Central Railway’s 2013 Winter Steam Gala; 7903 Foremarke Hall at the (then) newly opened Hailes Abbey Halt on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway; and 9861 working on the Dean Forest.
Of the narrow gauge railways, we saw the North Gloucestershire Railway (2’ gauge), with a lovely night shot of three tank engines on shed (Tourska; Chaka and 1091), as well as ‘Chaka’ at California Crossing. The Launceston Railway saw a view of the privately built vertical boiler engine and of ‘Dorothea’ in the shed. We also had brief views of to the Vale of Rheidol at Devils Bridge; the Statfold Barn Railway (2’ gauge); the Bromyard Light Railway (2’ gauge); the Evesham Vale Light Railway’s 15” gauge loco Dougal, The Bala Lake Railway’s Quarry Hunslet and the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s’ Pedemoura approaching Stonehenge Works.
The Isle of Man also featured heavily in the presentation and we saw the IoM Railway at Port St Mary, Santon and Fenella in Oakhill Cutting; the Manx Electric Railway with Car No. 22 at Derby Castle and Car No. 20 with Douglas Bay in the background, as well as the Douglas Bay horse tram (which has an uncertain future). Also featuring was the IoM Heavy Haulage event, which saw steam traction engines a 1928 Fowler (of Leeds), a B6 Road Loco ‘Atlas’, a 1928 B6 Crane Engine Duke of York and 1901 B5 Road Loco The Great North tackling the TT Course, with a couple of great views at the Gooseneck and on the Mountain Course.
We opened with some photos taken at the Severn Valley Railway’s Gala and Rally, with a variety of steam propelled road vehicles, as well as a road/rail Land Rover. After a quick detour to the Steam Plough Club’s “Hands On” event and a view of a 1909 Burrell Traction Engine crossing the Tamar Road Bridge, we returned for railway action in the form of Pannier tank no. 7714 at Tenbury Wall ex-Bewdley and 7802 at Foley Park.
Along the way we visited a number of steam and vintage road vehicle rallies, where we saw an interesting variety of both steam and internal-combustion engine vehicles from a swathe of long-defunct builders, such as Foden; Burrell; Aveling and Porter; Stanley; Sentinel and many others.
On the railway side, we saw action on the main line including 70000 Britannia by the Brinklow & Oxford Canal; 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe departing Burton on Trent and a magnificent dusk shot of 60163 Tornado crossing the River Avon at Eckington.
We also visited both standard and narrow gauge heritage railways, highlights of the former including: 7812 Earlstoke Manor and 34053 Sir Keith Park in gorgeous light at Foley Park on the Severn Valley Railway; 777 Sir Lamiel in snow & sun at the Great Central Railway’s 2013 Winter Steam Gala; 7903 Foremarke Hall at the (then) newly opened Hailes Abbey Halt on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway; and 9861 working on the Dean Forest.
Of the narrow gauge railways, we saw the North Gloucestershire Railway (2’ gauge), with a lovely night shot of three tank engines on shed (Tourska; Chaka and 1091), as well as ‘Chaka’ at California Crossing. The Launceston Railway saw a view of the privately built vertical boiler engine and of ‘Dorothea’ in the shed. We also had brief views of to the Vale of Rheidol at Devils Bridge; the Statfold Barn Railway (2’ gauge); the Bromyard Light Railway (2’ gauge); the Evesham Vale Light Railway’s 15” gauge loco Dougal, The Bala Lake Railway’s Quarry Hunslet and the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s’ Pedemoura approaching Stonehenge Works.
The Isle of Man also featured heavily in the presentation and we saw the IoM Railway at Port St Mary, Santon and Fenella in Oakhill Cutting; the Manx Electric Railway with Car No. 22 at Derby Castle and Car No. 20 with Douglas Bay in the background, as well as the Douglas Bay horse tram (which has an uncertain future). Also featuring was the IoM Heavy Haulage event, which saw steam traction engines a 1928 Fowler (of Leeds), a B6 Road Loco ‘Atlas’, a 1928 B6 Crane Engine Duke of York and 1901 B5 Road Loco The Great North tackling the TT Course, with a couple of great views at the Gooseneck and on the Mountain Course.
Part 2: Railway recollections in the North East by Bernard Mills
Class 44 'Peak' 44008 at Torside - Image courtesy of B. Mills / Classic Traction Images.
www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
www.classictractionimages.weebly.com .
The sub-title of Bernard’s presentation was “From Manchester to Primrose Hill by way of Woodhead” and we started this journey at Manchester Piccadilly station with 1970s views of DC EMUs and Class 76 electric locos. Our first stop was Guide Bridge with memories of when this was a busy rail centre, and also Reddish depot and its distinctive red-bricked buildings and locomotive allocation.
Continuing along the Woodhead route past Dewsnap, we stopped for a while at Dinting, for a reminder that this was once quite a major heritage centre (before closing in 1991 after a disagreement with the land owner), with locomotives such as 60352 ‘Blue Peter’, LMS Jubilee Class 5690 ‘Leander’, Midland compound No. 1000 and 6115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ all on view. There were also photos of Glossop and of Class 76 electrics hauling freights through Hadfield, before this was just the stub of a commuter line.
Moving on to the now-closed ‘high’ section of the Woodhead route, we called in at the well-known photographic viewpoint at Torside, with passing MGR coal trains and mixed freights hauled both by single and pairs of Class 76 electrics, the level crossing signal box and Peak District hills as a backdrop. We continued to Woodhead itself, where Bernard provided a number of angles, both from beside the line and from the surrounding hills. All of these views were taken on a visit in October 1979, but the infrastructure was pure modernist 1950s architecture: such a shame then that the most modern of the Pennine crossings should have only a couple more years of life. Moving through the Woodhead tunnel to Durnford Bridge on a different trip in August 1980, we saw that the 1950s modernity did not quite stretch to signalling, as semaphores abounded. There were a number of angles of 76007+76012 on a westbound freight as it was held at the abandoned station (closed in January 1970 with the withdrawal of through passenger services over the route) and the signalman allowed the photographers free access onto the line side.
We continued past West Silkstone Junction on the lesser-photographed freight route down Worsborough Bank to Wath Road Shed, with its lines of stabled Class 76 electrics and on to Tinsley. Here diesels predominated, in the form of Classes 20, 45, 56, 47 and the unique 47601 (at the time, test bed for the prototype Class 56 power unit).
We then returned to the Penistone-Sheffield Victoria leg of the Woodhead route, before visiting Sheffield Midland station. Here Bernard managed to talk his way into each of the five signal boxes (A, B, North, South 1 & 2) that controlled the station prior to the commissioning of the Sheffield Power Box in January 1973. There were views of the lever frames, track diagrams and the block equipment, as well as of passing trains from the signalman’s viewpoint. As usual from Bernard, we were also given update shots from recent years, with 66748 on stone empties and a view of the trams outside the station.
After a brief shed visit to the now long-gone Knottingley shed (which saw 47296 & 371 in attendance on 12th February 1977), we made our way to Tyneside with a quick stop at York for the obligatory ‘Western’ photo (1023 ‘Western Fusilier’ on “The Western Talisman” railtour 20/11/76). We were welcomed to Newcastle with a superb shot of Deltic D9016 waiting for departure at Central station with the Tyne-Tees Pullman on 26th February 1970. After some more photos of a blue/grey HST and of 37081 working a freight over the famous diamond crossings (taken from the castle keep in 1981) we moved up the river to the Derwenthaugh Coking Plant. Here BR diesels D5111, D6972 & D6768 were seen in the exchange sidings. On the plant scrap line were No. 41 (Kitson 1883), No. 82 (an Austerity 0-6-0ST) and No. 5 ‘Major’. In contrast, No. 59 was operational and was seen working a coal train. Moving to Wearside, Sunderland Docks Staithes 1 & 2 and South Dock Londonderry Staithes were pictured in 1978, by which time they were disused. We were treated to some splendid shots of Pallion Ship Yard’s crane tanks at work on 26th February 1970, before visiting Doxford’s rather decrepit “shed” (though I would argue that a building needs more walls and an intact roof to qualify for that description!), with Pecket No. 2049 ‘General’ present.
Our final visit for the evening was to the collieries of West Yorkshire; starting at Fryston with a lovely shot of No. 26 (Robert Stephenson Hawthorn No. 7291) working coal trains from Wheldale Colliery over the link line that was built in the 1930s to allow coal to be transported to Fryston for washing (Wheldale not having these facilities). After a quick look at the steam worked pithead winding gear of Water Haigh Colliery (Woodlesford), we arrived at Primrose Hill Colliery –the destination mentioned in the title of the presentation (and not the Primrose Hill in London!). The purpose of this railway was to transport coal down to barges at Astley Staithes on the Aire and Calder Navigation. The line was worked by Austerity 0-6-0STs and the track work was in an extremely dilapidated condition by the time of Bernard’s visit on 27th February 1970 (the system was to close a week later). The photos showed some of the last trains to run over track that looks fit for a rollercoaster, past derailed wagons from previous incidents, abandoned but still loaded with coal. This was the end of the line for the colliery, its rail system and this evening’s show.
On behalf of the membership of the Plymouth Railway Circle, I extend our thanks to both speakers for their most interesting presentations. Stuart Hammond.
The sub-title of Bernard’s presentation was “From Manchester to Primrose Hill by way of Woodhead” and we started this journey at Manchester Piccadilly station with 1970s views of DC EMUs and Class 76 electric locos. Our first stop was Guide Bridge with memories of when this was a busy rail centre, and also Reddish depot and its distinctive red-bricked buildings and locomotive allocation.
Continuing along the Woodhead route past Dewsnap, we stopped for a while at Dinting, for a reminder that this was once quite a major heritage centre (before closing in 1991 after a disagreement with the land owner), with locomotives such as 60352 ‘Blue Peter’, LMS Jubilee Class 5690 ‘Leander’, Midland compound No. 1000 and 6115 ‘Scots Guardsman’ all on view. There were also photos of Glossop and of Class 76 electrics hauling freights through Hadfield, before this was just the stub of a commuter line.
Moving on to the now-closed ‘high’ section of the Woodhead route, we called in at the well-known photographic viewpoint at Torside, with passing MGR coal trains and mixed freights hauled both by single and pairs of Class 76 electrics, the level crossing signal box and Peak District hills as a backdrop. We continued to Woodhead itself, where Bernard provided a number of angles, both from beside the line and from the surrounding hills. All of these views were taken on a visit in October 1979, but the infrastructure was pure modernist 1950s architecture: such a shame then that the most modern of the Pennine crossings should have only a couple more years of life. Moving through the Woodhead tunnel to Durnford Bridge on a different trip in August 1980, we saw that the 1950s modernity did not quite stretch to signalling, as semaphores abounded. There were a number of angles of 76007+76012 on a westbound freight as it was held at the abandoned station (closed in January 1970 with the withdrawal of through passenger services over the route) and the signalman allowed the photographers free access onto the line side.
We continued past West Silkstone Junction on the lesser-photographed freight route down Worsborough Bank to Wath Road Shed, with its lines of stabled Class 76 electrics and on to Tinsley. Here diesels predominated, in the form of Classes 20, 45, 56, 47 and the unique 47601 (at the time, test bed for the prototype Class 56 power unit).
We then returned to the Penistone-Sheffield Victoria leg of the Woodhead route, before visiting Sheffield Midland station. Here Bernard managed to talk his way into each of the five signal boxes (A, B, North, South 1 & 2) that controlled the station prior to the commissioning of the Sheffield Power Box in January 1973. There were views of the lever frames, track diagrams and the block equipment, as well as of passing trains from the signalman’s viewpoint. As usual from Bernard, we were also given update shots from recent years, with 66748 on stone empties and a view of the trams outside the station.
After a brief shed visit to the now long-gone Knottingley shed (which saw 47296 & 371 in attendance on 12th February 1977), we made our way to Tyneside with a quick stop at York for the obligatory ‘Western’ photo (1023 ‘Western Fusilier’ on “The Western Talisman” railtour 20/11/76). We were welcomed to Newcastle with a superb shot of Deltic D9016 waiting for departure at Central station with the Tyne-Tees Pullman on 26th February 1970. After some more photos of a blue/grey HST and of 37081 working a freight over the famous diamond crossings (taken from the castle keep in 1981) we moved up the river to the Derwenthaugh Coking Plant. Here BR diesels D5111, D6972 & D6768 were seen in the exchange sidings. On the plant scrap line were No. 41 (Kitson 1883), No. 82 (an Austerity 0-6-0ST) and No. 5 ‘Major’. In contrast, No. 59 was operational and was seen working a coal train. Moving to Wearside, Sunderland Docks Staithes 1 & 2 and South Dock Londonderry Staithes were pictured in 1978, by which time they were disused. We were treated to some splendid shots of Pallion Ship Yard’s crane tanks at work on 26th February 1970, before visiting Doxford’s rather decrepit “shed” (though I would argue that a building needs more walls and an intact roof to qualify for that description!), with Pecket No. 2049 ‘General’ present.
Our final visit for the evening was to the collieries of West Yorkshire; starting at Fryston with a lovely shot of No. 26 (Robert Stephenson Hawthorn No. 7291) working coal trains from Wheldale Colliery over the link line that was built in the 1930s to allow coal to be transported to Fryston for washing (Wheldale not having these facilities). After a quick look at the steam worked pithead winding gear of Water Haigh Colliery (Woodlesford), we arrived at Primrose Hill Colliery –the destination mentioned in the title of the presentation (and not the Primrose Hill in London!). The purpose of this railway was to transport coal down to barges at Astley Staithes on the Aire and Calder Navigation. The line was worked by Austerity 0-6-0STs and the track work was in an extremely dilapidated condition by the time of Bernard’s visit on 27th February 1970 (the system was to close a week later). The photos showed some of the last trains to run over track that looks fit for a rollercoaster, past derailed wagons from previous incidents, abandoned but still loaded with coal. This was the end of the line for the colliery, its rail system and this evening’s show.
On behalf of the membership of the Plymouth Railway Circle, I extend our thanks to both speakers for their most interesting presentations. Stuart Hammond.
The Rhätische Bahn (RhB) Revisited by John Fissler
John Fissler returned to continue his presentation on the RhB concentrating mainly on routes and material that time did not permit at the February 2017 meeting.
After a quick geographical and historical recap of the development and disposition of the RhB lines, we commenced our journey with preserved steam before covering the mixed metre and standard gauge lines in the Landquart area. Moving to Chur, we saw a signaller operating the old style of miniature power frame and trains running through the streets. We then took a trip up the line to Arosa, with views of the exit of the tunnel comparing summer with winter and showing the ponies & traps awaiting interconnecting rail passenger business.
September 2017 was the 40th anniversary of the friends of the heritage group and saw steam locomotive no. 107 parallel running with 1902 built 2-6-0T no. 11 ‘Heidi’ (named after its appearance in the 1952 film of the same name) captured on video at Chur West and on stills (double heading with no. 107) between Ems Werk and Reichenau-Tamins. At this latter location we saw the split-level junction where the lines for Disentis/Muster and the Albula line to St. Moritz diverge. We then took a journey up the Albula line with a number of great views of the UNESCO listed Landwasser viaduct, from a number of angles including the valley floor and from the high level viewing platform. We then diverged onto the Davos line, before returning to Filisur, where we again saw G 4/5 2-8-0s nos. 107 & 108 on a Landquart to Samedan special in 2014. After studying a map of the spiralling complex of tunnel and bridges up the Albula valley, we saw these in action with photos of the same trains progressively appearing in different parts of the frame. We then saw photos of Preda and Spinas stations, at opposite ends of the Albula tunnel in both summer and winter.
We arrived at Samedan for a view of the station prior to the construction of the underpass, as well as some birds eye views from the top of the mountains of the station complex and no. 108 on a special. We then headed for St. Moritz, with a quick look at Celerina Bob station –the end of the Cresta Run.
After travelling up to the top of the mountains by cable car and by funicular railway, we took a journey down the Engadin line to Scuol, calling at Bever, S-chanf and Zernez stations with trains hauled by (amongst others) Ge4/3 class no. 353, the blue “Crocodile” and some superb video footage of no. 108 running along the valley from 8100’ altitude!
Returning to Pontresina and the 4-track station that is split by voltage, with lines 1 & 2 AC only, line 4 DC only and line 3 switchable between the two systems. From here we took the last leg of our journey for the evening, up the spectacular Bernina Bahn. First stop was Morterasch, where the loop has been moved outside of the station for safety (a trend on the RhB), then to Bernina Suot, Diavolezza and Lagalb. Most of the workings on this line are now in the hands of the Allegra EMUs, but there were also shots of the original units, including one of them hauling Pullman coaches. Beyond the watershed & its sign, up to the 7400’ pass and the summit of the line at Ospizio Bernina, with spectacular photos from October 2008 taken when 6-foot deep snowdrifts closed the road. John walked along the shores of the frozen Lago Bianco with his camera barely functioning in the cold; we were very thankful to enjoy the results of his efforts in the warm! After passing through the summit tunnel, we paused briefly at the passing station of Alp Grüm with a hairpin curve at the southern end. We contrasted the old arrangement of the loop ending in a turnout with a single-track bend, to the new arrangement of double interweaved tracks to alleviate wear on the rails. We then snaked down the increasingly forested mountainside through the stations at Cavaglia, Cadera and Privilasco (with some footage shot from inside the cab of an Allegra unit), to arrive at the town of Poschiavo –a very important rail centre on the RhB. We then saw some of the street running section, including no. 54 passing a horse butcher’s shop, before running along the banks of Lake Poschiavo and arriving in Brusio. Here we saw the last of the world heritage structures, the magnificent circle viaduct. We then passed Campocologno station, which has an important goods terminal –especially for oil traffic, before the final descent into Tirano in Italy.
For the evening’s grand finale, we retuned back to the top of the Bernina Pass for some incredible photos of the rotary steam snowplough in action. This was built in 1910 and is an 0-6-0+0-6-0 with 230HP for traction, plus separate 540HP cylinders to drive the snow clearing blades. It was noted that it is normal practice to propel the machine with a locomotive to conserve fuel. Photos showing the extreme conditions endured by the operating crew in the snowplough’s cab made a stark contrast with its modern equivalent: a beast with milling heads on extending mandibles that can clear up to 6 metres width. It is this snow-reamer that is the normal choice for winter clearing duties these days, with the steam-plough usually relegated to demonstration runs for enthusiasts. Still, it makes for some amazing photos with steam and snow being thrown high into the winter mountain air.
On behalf of the whole Plymouth Railway Circle, I thank John for yet another interesting and informative look into the fascinating Rhätische-Bahn system.
After a quick geographical and historical recap of the development and disposition of the RhB lines, we commenced our journey with preserved steam before covering the mixed metre and standard gauge lines in the Landquart area. Moving to Chur, we saw a signaller operating the old style of miniature power frame and trains running through the streets. We then took a trip up the line to Arosa, with views of the exit of the tunnel comparing summer with winter and showing the ponies & traps awaiting interconnecting rail passenger business.
September 2017 was the 40th anniversary of the friends of the heritage group and saw steam locomotive no. 107 parallel running with 1902 built 2-6-0T no. 11 ‘Heidi’ (named after its appearance in the 1952 film of the same name) captured on video at Chur West and on stills (double heading with no. 107) between Ems Werk and Reichenau-Tamins. At this latter location we saw the split-level junction where the lines for Disentis/Muster and the Albula line to St. Moritz diverge. We then took a journey up the Albula line with a number of great views of the UNESCO listed Landwasser viaduct, from a number of angles including the valley floor and from the high level viewing platform. We then diverged onto the Davos line, before returning to Filisur, where we again saw G 4/5 2-8-0s nos. 107 & 108 on a Landquart to Samedan special in 2014. After studying a map of the spiralling complex of tunnel and bridges up the Albula valley, we saw these in action with photos of the same trains progressively appearing in different parts of the frame. We then saw photos of Preda and Spinas stations, at opposite ends of the Albula tunnel in both summer and winter.
We arrived at Samedan for a view of the station prior to the construction of the underpass, as well as some birds eye views from the top of the mountains of the station complex and no. 108 on a special. We then headed for St. Moritz, with a quick look at Celerina Bob station –the end of the Cresta Run.
After travelling up to the top of the mountains by cable car and by funicular railway, we took a journey down the Engadin line to Scuol, calling at Bever, S-chanf and Zernez stations with trains hauled by (amongst others) Ge4/3 class no. 353, the blue “Crocodile” and some superb video footage of no. 108 running along the valley from 8100’ altitude!
Returning to Pontresina and the 4-track station that is split by voltage, with lines 1 & 2 AC only, line 4 DC only and line 3 switchable between the two systems. From here we took the last leg of our journey for the evening, up the spectacular Bernina Bahn. First stop was Morterasch, where the loop has been moved outside of the station for safety (a trend on the RhB), then to Bernina Suot, Diavolezza and Lagalb. Most of the workings on this line are now in the hands of the Allegra EMUs, but there were also shots of the original units, including one of them hauling Pullman coaches. Beyond the watershed & its sign, up to the 7400’ pass and the summit of the line at Ospizio Bernina, with spectacular photos from October 2008 taken when 6-foot deep snowdrifts closed the road. John walked along the shores of the frozen Lago Bianco with his camera barely functioning in the cold; we were very thankful to enjoy the results of his efforts in the warm! After passing through the summit tunnel, we paused briefly at the passing station of Alp Grüm with a hairpin curve at the southern end. We contrasted the old arrangement of the loop ending in a turnout with a single-track bend, to the new arrangement of double interweaved tracks to alleviate wear on the rails. We then snaked down the increasingly forested mountainside through the stations at Cavaglia, Cadera and Privilasco (with some footage shot from inside the cab of an Allegra unit), to arrive at the town of Poschiavo –a very important rail centre on the RhB. We then saw some of the street running section, including no. 54 passing a horse butcher’s shop, before running along the banks of Lake Poschiavo and arriving in Brusio. Here we saw the last of the world heritage structures, the magnificent circle viaduct. We then passed Campocologno station, which has an important goods terminal –especially for oil traffic, before the final descent into Tirano in Italy.
For the evening’s grand finale, we retuned back to the top of the Bernina Pass for some incredible photos of the rotary steam snowplough in action. This was built in 1910 and is an 0-6-0+0-6-0 with 230HP for traction, plus separate 540HP cylinders to drive the snow clearing blades. It was noted that it is normal practice to propel the machine with a locomotive to conserve fuel. Photos showing the extreme conditions endured by the operating crew in the snowplough’s cab made a stark contrast with its modern equivalent: a beast with milling heads on extending mandibles that can clear up to 6 metres width. It is this snow-reamer that is the normal choice for winter clearing duties these days, with the steam-plough usually relegated to demonstration runs for enthusiasts. Still, it makes for some amazing photos with steam and snow being thrown high into the winter mountain air.
On behalf of the whole Plymouth Railway Circle, I thank John for yet another interesting and informative look into the fascinating Rhätische-Bahn system.