BATH RAILWAY SOCIETY

President: Pete Waterman OBE DL

Chairman: John Froud    

 Email: bathrailwaysociety@gmail.com

MAY  2025  NEWSLETTER

Dear Member, 

SOCIETY MATTERS

Neil Taylor certainly gave us a most interesting and thought-provoking talk on Thursday April 3. His subject in the first half was about the building of the 46th example of the BR Standard 82xxx which is being constructed at the Severn Valley Railway at Bridgnorth and will carry the number 82045. In part two he told us of his employment at the SVR when he was Head of Engineering Services. It was very disturbing to hear that it is getting more and more difficult to have parts manufactured due to the shrinking steel industry and this will be seriously affecting the heritage railways in the future. We thank Neil for traveling down from Llandrindod Wells and giving us a very informative evening.

Our next meeting will now be on Thursday May 1, when Julie Gregory will be telling us about Network Rail’s ‘Western Route Resilience Programme, covering the South and South West of the country. This no doubt will include the line along the coast between Dawlish and Teignmouth. As usual, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Museum of Bath at Work.

Our Annual General Meeting will be on June 5, which we always keep as short as possible. If you have any nominations for the committee, or you wish to raise any points to have discussed at the AGM, can you send them into the Secretary at the address above.

Thank you to all of you who participated in the raffle at the last meeting. This raised £130 and the committee will be deciding where this money will be going. Several people asked about getting copies of my book, which was raffled, called Military Branch Lines and Sidings. If anyone would like a copy, please email me at bob.bunyar@outlook.com  It is priced at £11.99. Please note, I am unable to attend the May meeting, so I would post books out.

If you want to participate in the Society’s visit to the Western Locomotive Association Traction Maintenance Depot at Kidderminster on Wednesday June 11 starting at 1230pm, please send your names in if you haven’t already done so. You will have to make your own arrangements to travel to/from Kidderminster. (Please use the email above).

In last month’s competition you had to find the name of the London Underground, Northern Line station. The answer was Nine Elms.

NEWS ITEMS

Following the Western Gateway’s consultation on its Strategic Investment Plan 2025-2035, recommendations are being made for the local area to open a park and ride station between Chippenham and Bath Spa and re-open Saltford station. A loop at Melksham station is also being recommended to increase capacity on the line between Thingley and Bradford Junctions.

On the Isle of Wight, services are due to resume running along the pier to connect with the ferry services from May 2. The line between Ryde Pier Head and Esplanade stations has been closed since last September for repair work to the pier. Further work is planned later in the year, outside of the tourist season, which will again see services suspended when track is replaced between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns stations.

Following an Easter display in York at the National Railway Museum, Flying Scotsman will visit the Didcot Railway Centre from May 12 to June 2, with rides available on selected dates.  At Didcot, it will be reunited with the GWR 4073 "Castle" Class locomotive, Pendennis Castle; both engines were formerly owned by Sir William McAlpine and share a history of rivalry and international adventure.

On Sunday May 25, to coincide with Spetisbury Country Day, the Spetisbury Station team will be offering hot and cold drinks and light refreshments at the former station site from 10am till 4pm.

However, steam experience was not limited to paddle engines.  The railway line that runs along the eastern side of the lake was visible from the local beach and one afternoon my attention was drawn to a train in the far distance, which appeared to be composed of mixed stock, including older looking carriages.  A quick dash to Lierna station found the train had stopped and sight of not only vintage carriages, but in light steam, locomotive FS.625 177 along with an electric locomotive E.626 443.  The latter was an example of the first 3000 V direct current traction vehicles to be built and put into service by the Italian State Railways, between 1927 and 1939.  They remained in regular commercial service for a remarkable 72 years with the last being withdrawn in 1999. Of the 448 built around 18 have survived.

Despite having no Italian I concluded from discussion with the crew that they were making their way from Sondrio to Milan and over the following weekend would be working trips between Milan, Bergamo and Paratico Sarnico on Lake Iseo.

A few days later saw us at Bergamo station with cautious optimism that my understanding was correct.  Fortunately, it was and we were able to see FS.625 177 running tender first with 6 coaches and supporting electric traction in the rear, which allowed for a reversal at Palazzolo sull’Oglio before joining the branch to Lake Iseo.

We made our way to Paratico Sarnico station where we were left in no doubt that an event was to take place - the whole town seemed to have turned out, including Mayor in full regalia, local dignitaries and a band.  On arrival of the train, the music started, and the crowd cheered!

With FS.625 177 now at the head of the train and looking very smart in the sun it was an opportunity to take a good look at the locomotive.  At first sight it might appear to have small cylinders, but closer inspection made it clear that these were external valve chests with the main cylinders between the frames.  The class is commonly known by the nickname Signorine (Italian for 'young ladies’) because of their perceived grace and beauty compared to other locomotives.

LOOKING BACK

60 years ago on May 23, 1965, the Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) ran The Bullied Pacific Rail Tour (but a Castle Class was also involved). This originated at Birmingham Snow Hill at 0845 and ran via Oxford and Basingstoke to Salisbury using Battle of Britain Class 34051 ‘Sir Winston Churchill. At Salisbury, 35017 'Belgian Marine' took over the 10-coach train and headed down the ‘Southern’ main line to Exeter Central and St Davids returning it to Westbury via Castle Carey. It is here Castle Class 7029 ‘Clun Castle took over to take the train back to Birmingham passing through Bath Spa and running via North Somerset and Dr. Days Junctions to head north via Yate and Kidderminster. (At Stourbridge Junction 7908 ‘Henshall Hall' acted as pilot for the climb up Old Hill Bank). The special arrived back at Snow Hill at 21.41. This was 66 minutes late from its booked time.

On May 27, 1995, 30 years ago, Pathfinder Tours ran the Severn Tyne Express from Bristol Temple Meads to Newcastle. The train was hauled through out to Newcastle by Peak Class 46 035.  47 765 provided banking assistance between Bromsgrove and the Lickey summit as it headed for Birmingham New Street. The train ran via Nuneaton, Leicester, Toton Yard, Doncaster, York (via station avoiding curve), Stockton and Sunderland. On the return, 46 035 took the train back to Birmingham New Street via Sheffield and Derby where it was replaced by 47 765. The return to Bristol was via Gloucester, Chepstow and Newport (reverse) arriving back well over 60 minutes late.

It was 50 years ago this month on May 5, 1975, that the line from Maiden Newton to Bridport in Dorset, closed to passenger services.

MORE NEWS ITEMS

Don’t forget, we have been invited to join the Bristol Branch of the RCTS’s to visit to Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton for, ‘The Wickham Wanderer’ on Friday June 20 (Fri.) from 18.00. From 18.30 rides of the line in a Wickham Trolley will be running @ £5 each. The Emporium & Museum should be open, and the Buffet will serve drinks & snacks. Details from Paul Udey, Tel: 01225 427779, e-mail: bristol@rcts.org.uk. Please advise Paul directly if you would like to attend.

Open access operator, STC, (running under the LMS&R banner) is applying to run a service to/from Nottingham to Bristol. This will serve stations on route and run via the new East/West line to Oxford. Trains would then call at Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa. It is proposed to run eight services per day, except Sundays when there would be six services. It is anticipated that Class 220 and 221 diesel units would be used.

The Swanage Railway’s annual Diesel Gala will take place from Friday May 9 to Sunday 11, with a preview day on Thursday May 8. Visiting locomotives will be 20 006, 45 108, 50 008 ‘Thunderer’, 4 Vep unit 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ 69 007 “Richard Trevithick”, 73 128 “Kent & East Sussex Railway” and 47 715. A Class 56 has also been requested. Home fleet locomotive D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ will also be in use. See https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala for further information.

Also holding a Diesel Gala this month between May 15 and 18 is the Severn Valley Railway. Visiting locomotives include two HST power cars from Rail Adventure, 43480 and 43468, along with a guest line up which includes Class 56, 66, and 70 locomotives. The SVR’s home fleet, Classes 17, 20, 33, 37, 40, 42, 50 and 52, will also be in operation.

Class 52, D1015 Western Champion, is due to haul a Vintage Trains special from Birmingham New Street to Plymouth on May 10. The train is routed via Banbury, Oxford and Swindon to Bristol. On its return from Plymouth, it will traverse the South Devon Railway from Totnes up to Buckfastleigh before heading back to Birmingham via its outward route. Timings are currently  not available.

The Bristol Model Railway Exhibition will take place at the Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 3JB, on May 2 to 4. Opening times are Friday 2, 12.30pm-6.00pm (no early entry for pre booked), Saturday 3, 10.00am-5.00pm (9.30am pre-booked) and Sunday 4, 10.00am-4.30pm (9.30am pre-booked) There will be a large range of layouts and trade stands in attendance.

The National Rail timetable changes from May 18 for the summer services. If you are travelling do check as some services may be altered or re-timed.

The Go-op's Taunton - Swindon proposed rail services have so far raised £90,290 by crowdfunding at the time the newsletter was prepared. The crowdfunding appeal closes this month on May 23 at 5pm.

COMPETITION  

British Rail, engineering wagons were often given fish names, like "Grampus" and "Dogfish," to distinguish them from other types of wagons. These names were used for telegraphic communication and to quickly identify wagon types. In this month’s competition can you work out the name of one of the engineering wagons once used. Just take the first letter of each answer and then unscramble the letters to give you the name. There are no prizes, it’s just for fun.

• Name of Class 42 ‘Warship’ D822

• Name of a former station north of Oxford, once the junction for the Blenheim & Woodstock branch

• The name of the key used to unlock ground frames.

• Station on the Ebbw Vale line situated between Risca & Pontymister and Pye Corner stations

• The name of the Wiltshire town where the Great Western Railway had its main workshops

MORE NEWS ITEMS

The Saturdays only Bristol to Oxford trial service provided by GWR is due to finish at the timetable change this month. This is because the rolling stock is required elsewhere for summer services. However, the Department for Transport is working with GWR to see if the trial service, of two return runs, could be expanded. The service is due to run for the last time on Saturday May 17.

A new 400 metre long passing loop has been completed on the Par to Newquay branch at Goss Moor. Network Rail has also installed digital signalling between Newquay and Goonbarrow Junction signal box, and these will be operational from this coming September. A second platform has also been provided at Newquay. NR has also installed 400 metres of new track at St Blazey and carried out repairs to Ponts Mill viaduct.

Don’t forget, the Society has been invited to join the Bristol Branch of the RCTS’s for a visit to the Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton for, ‘The Wickham Wanderer’ on Friday June 20 (Fri.) from 18.00. Pimm’s will be served on the platform and from 18.30 rides of the line in a Wickham Trolley will be running @ £5 each. The Emporium & Museum should be open, and the Buffet will serve drinks & snacks. Details from Paul Udey, Tel: 01225 427779, e-mail: bristol@rcts.org.uk. Please advise Paul directly if you would like to attend.

A bridge on the Swanage Railway that spans Grange Road, which links Stoborough with Creech, has been repaired after being hit by a skip lorry causing serious damage, closing the section of line north of Norden to Worgret Junction. Specialist contractors carried out the repairs supported by the Swanage Railways permanent way team. The work cost £90,000, and the link to the main line is now restored.

From Saturday 3 to Monday May 5, plus the weekend of May 10 & 11, engineering works will be taking place in the Gloucester area which will see alterations to GWR services. CrossCountry trains will be diverted between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway calling additionally at Gloucester and Newport. Engineering work on May 17 & 18 will also affect services via Cheltenham Spa and Ashchurch for Tewkesbury stations. Do check before travelling.

Providing new track side drainage is also currently being undertaken at the site of the new Charfield Station in Gloucestershire prior to building work starting. This work is being undertaken during night time possessions and tamping work on the track is also being carried out.

At the Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton, the proposed Somervale Sidings received outline planning consent in November 2024 and now a series of detailed pre commencement conditions that must be met before any work can commence on the site. It is hoped that track laying can commence later this year. Once completed, the sidings will give much more operational flexibility.

LOOKING FORWARD

Our next meeting will be on June 5, when we will be holding our Annual General Meeting. This we hope to keep as short as possible. If you have any nominations for the committee or you wish to raise any points to have discussed, please contact the Secretary at the address on page one.

After the AGM, member Robert Howes, will be taking us on a journey from Scotland to Weymouth with steam in the 1960’s. (more details in the next newsletter).

More stories required for our MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION section. Please do send them in.

Bob Bunyar

Newsletter Editor

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