BATH RAILWAY SOCIETY

President: Pete Waterman OBE DL

Chairman: John Froud    

 Email: bathrailwaysociety@gmail.com

MAY  2026  NEWSLETTER

Dear Member,

SOCIETY MATTERS

I hope you found our April meeting of interest when Tim Maynard presented ‘Signalling the Narrow Gauge.’ Tim’s presentation looked at the signalling systems used on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways from the 1860s to the present day. Attendance was slightly down, but we did have six visitors. We thank Tim for his interesting talk.

Our next meeting will be on May 7 when we welcome back to the Society Colin Brading. His subject will be ‘Getting the Railway off the Ground – Liverpool Overhead Railway’. This Railway closed on December 30, 1956, having opened in 1893 to carry workers to jobs along the docks and waterfront. It was the first electrically operated elevated railway in the world. As usual, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Bath Museum of Work.

In the April newsletter competition, you had to work out the names of the characters in the film ‘The St Trinian’s Great Train Robbery’. The answers are Flash Harry (the school's turf accountant played by George Cole), Amber Spottiswood (the Headmistress played by Dora Bryan) and Sir Horace (The education minister played by Raymond Huntley).

Notice is hereby given that our next meeting on June 4, 2026, will be our Annual General Meeting at the Museum of Bath at Work at 7.30pm. If you have any nominations for the committee, or if there any items you want discussed, please either email or write to the addresses at the top of this page. A statement of finances will be available at the meeting. This is your Society, so, if you have any comments please do get in touch, the committee do appreciate any feedback you might have.

As you will see, there has been a slight change to the Newsletter design and with more pages. Unfortunately, the old template, used for many years, was causing issues when attaching to an email.

NEWS ITEMS

The West Somerset Railway are holding a Steam Gala on May 1 to 4 inclusive to mark their 50th anniversary year. Visiting locomotives will be Bagnall 0-6-0ST Victor (no.2996) GWR 3850, Std 4 Tank 80078 and LNER A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley. There should also be three Manor Class locomotives in use, 7802, 7812 and 7828.

Another Steam Gala taking place in May is at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway. The Cotswold Festival of Steam will take place from May 23 to 25 inclusive. Special guest locomotives will include 34070 ‘Manston’, Caley Tank 15189 and GER 229. There will be narrow gauge steam rides, goods trains and brake van rides (additional fee), and the locomotive and carriage and wagon sheds will be open for public viewing. Full details and advanced tickets at www.gwsr.com

Although plans to reopen a miniature railway at Severn Beach have been abandoned, the 15” gauge Clevedon Miniature Railway is due to reopen by this summer. The railway runs in a loop around Salthouse Fields, just off the seafront, but has been disused for a number of years. All the track is to be lifted and refurbished or replaced ready for the high summer season.

LOOKING BACK

On May 13, 1966, 60 years ago, the rear section of a moving freight train became uncoupled on a gradient at Acton Grange Junction, Warrington, Cheshire. The accident occurred in the dark with the uncoupled wagons running downhill into an oncoming London Euston-to-Stranraer boat train. Sadly, the driver and co-driver of the boat train were killed.

Also in May 20, the same year, 1966, English Electric Type 1s (Class 20’s) D8130 & D8069 conducted trials with brand new 32-ton HAA coal hoppers at Featherstone Main Colliery, West Yorkshire. The colliery eventually closed in 1985.

20 years later on May 19, 1986, the now Avon Valley Railway organised a charter train for a day out to Grange over Sands in Cumbria. The train started at Castle Cary and took a route via Westbury, Bath Spa, Stapleton Road, Bristol Parkway, the Camp Hill line, Birmingham New Street and the West Coast Line to Grange over Sands.   The train was hauled out and back by 47 531.

The entire standard gauge 13-mile branch line from Haltwhistle in Northumberland to Alston in Cumbria. closed on May 3, 1976, 50 years ago this month. A narrow-gauge railway (2’ gauge), the South Tynedale Railway, opened on the former alignment of the line in 1983 and it currently runs from Alston to Slaggyford with the eventual aim of restoring it back to Haltwhistle, although the track bed has been severed at two points. These are near to the junction at Haltwhistle, by the A69 Haltwhistle Bypass and the removal of a former bridge on a minor road.

MORE NEWS ITEMS

On the South Coast, firstly In Dorset, Network Rail has been undertaking clearance work on the branch line from Hamworthy down to Hamworthy Docks. The branch has been mothballed for several years although sleepers and track maintenance took place three years ago. It is believed that container trains and stone trains will be using the branch. Further east along the coast, a decision from the ORR on the reopening of the Fawley Branch (The Waterside Line) to passenger traffic is due within weeks. Grand Union Trains Ltd. (Alliance Rail), want to start running trains providing an hourly service between Marchwood and Southampton, with some trains continuing on to London Waterloo. The service will use refurbished Class 769 bi-mode units which have now been cleared by NR to start testing and doing gauging runs on the South West Main Line up to 100mph. Work has been progressed by NR to develop a timetable and owners of the Class 769, Porterbrook, have been working to make them ready for use.

The Swanage Railway are holding their annual Diesel Gala from May 8 to 10 inclusive with a preview day on May 7. Locomotives confirmed are Class 45 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” and Class 58 58023 “Leicester Depot”, Class 20 – 20066 and Class 26 – 26007, with a Class 37 (37607 requested). The preview day will see 45041 “Royal Tank Regiment” operating a diesel service alongside the normal steam service between Swanage and Norden. On both Friday and Saturday evenings there will be a “Beerex” train in operation to get to and from a Beer Festival at Corfe Castle station. Full details and advanced tickets can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/diesel-gala-and-beer-festival-2026  After the gala, 20066 will be remaining at the Swanage Railway until May next year.

The Helston Railway has raised sufficient funds to purchase the six arch Lowertown Viaduct with its eventual aim of relaying the line back towards Helston.

Following a very generous donation, the £16,000 + VAT required to restore the engine in Class 28 Co-Bo D5705 has been reached. Fundraising for the East Lancs based locomotive will continue to cover other expenses in the long running restoration of this unique sole surviving locomotive.

The train was fitted with air brakes which slowed the train down much more evenly than the vacuum brakes on most other trains.

The engines were started at 8.16. A whistling noise began as the fresh air-cooling system came on. The handbrake was released and we were ready to start. The red signal changed to green; the guard gave two buzzes; the driver gave two answering buzzes and moved his controller. We were off!

Progress was slow at first because of the 10mph restriction to Bristol East Junction followed by a 15mph limit to North Somerset Junction. At this speed the Pullman felt like a horse restrained by the bit.

Reaching North Somerset Junction, the driver notches up and I could feel the power as we surged forward. Contrary to my expectations, the noise from the thousand horse power behind our backs was far from obtrusive – the sound proofing was excellent.

Going through Fox’s Wood Tunnel the cab rocked gently up and down like a boat, through for the rest of the journey I did not notice any motion.

The tower of Keynsham church soon appeared straight ahead in the cutting and reaching the station the speedometer showed we were travelling at 75mph. Beyond we accelerated to 90mph and then the brakes had to be applied for the 80mph board just beyond Saltford.

At Twerton the controller was put in the coasting position and at Oldfield Park the brakes were applied for the stop at Bath.

Receiving the right of way after a stop of only 1 ½ minutes, we quickly accelerated to 70mph at Bathampton and 75mph at Bathford, the maximum allowed at this point.

We entered Box Tunnel and immediately I noticed the yellowish end, nearly two miles away. Flashes of daylight appeared on the control desk as we passed under the ventilation shafts. Nearing the far portal, I saw daylight shining on the two narrow silver ribbons of rail. As we came out into daylight, I noticed that the 2 miles of 1 in 100 had only slowed us down 5mph.

End of Part 1 of Colin’s story, for who we thank. His story up to London will be continued in the next newsletter.  Don’t forget, if you have a story to tell and share with members, please do send it in.

COMPETITION / PUZZLE / QUIZ

Branch line or local trains in the old days often acquired nick names given by the public who used them. This month, can you provide the name given to some of these trains from the clues given. There are four to find, all of which were on the Western Region. Answers next month. It’s all for fun, no prizes are given.

1/ A train that ran from Churston to Brixham. 2/ The Cholsey to Wallingford branch train. 3/ A train that ran on the Stroud Valley Line from Chalford to Gloucester. 4/ The Maidenhead to Marlow branch train.

FURTHER NEWS ITEMS

Class 08 diesel shunter 08769 arrived at Midsomer Norton Station (Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust) at the end of March to cover for the railways own Class 08 - D4095, which is awaiting a major overhaul. 08769 is in blue livery.

News from the Didcot Railway Centre is that it has recently taken delivery of a GWR lorry which is in full working order. The restoration of 'Dreadnought' coach 3299 is advancing steadily and is about one third finished. A four-wheel brake 3rd carriage No. 415 has been fully restored and has joined the vintage set. This was originally built in 1891. Plans to re-roof the engine shed are now well advanced, and it will be clad, as originally designed, with square tiles. Consideration is being given to providing covered accommodation for the locomotive collection while this work is being done. A Heritage Lottery Grant is helping to fund this work. The contract restoration of the Fawley Hill Railway 0-6-0ST No. 31 has been completed and the loco is currently undergoing trials before returning to its base. No 31 was built by Hudswell Clarke in 1913 for Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons and based at Hayes, alongside the GWR main line. When no longer required she was purchased by the late Sir William McAlpine and moved to Fawley Hill, near Henley-on-Thames, for use on his private railway. Sir William passed away in 2018, aged 83, but the Railway/Museum still opens by invitation seven times per year. Their Class 03 diesel has also had a recent trip to the GWR depot at St Philip's Marsh, Bristol where its wheels were machined on their lathe to ensure the correct tyre profiles.

Events at the Museum of Bath at Work, our meeting venue, which might interest you. From Saturday May 2 until June 25, there will be an exhibition in the Hudson Gallery about Bath and the 1926 General Strike. On Wednesday May 6, there will be a talk on this subject by David Williamson at 6.30pm. Saturday May 9 will see the opening of an exhibition “Lights! Camera! Action!” and on May 14 at 6.30pm there will be another talk about the General Strike in Bath by Trevor Turpin. Full details of all these events, + more, are on the Museum’s website. https://museumofbath.org/latest/

The Bristol Model Railway Exhibition takes place from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3 at the Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, Thornbury, BS35 3JB. It will feature 30+ layouts across multiple scales and gauges, with 40+ retailers.  Opening times are Friday 12.30pm-5.30pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4.30pm. Admission prices: Adult: £14 (in advance), Family (2 adults + 3 children): £35 and Children under 5 go free.

A model railway exhibition will also take place at the Yeovil Railway Centre on May 23 & 24 and will feature a range of model railway layouts, as well as trade stalls and refreshments. There will also be the option to take a ride on a diesel train. Admission to the event is adults £5.00 and children £2.50. and attendees can pay on the gate. Doors open from 10am to 4pm on both days. Free parking is available on site, making it easy for visitors to attend the event, or maybe go by train!

A gala at the East Somerset Railway in March attracted 1,300 visitors. Star attractions were GWR Rail Car No.22, from the Didcot Railway Centre, with Pannier Tank 7754 from the Llangollen Railway.   The Rail 200 Exhibition Train will be at the East Somerset Railway from June 1 to 3 inclusive.

A new bus service is going to be trialled linking Glastonbury, Pilton and Shepton Mallet with Castle Cary Station. Buses will be timed to meet train services and will operate seven days a week, running early morning to late evening. The trial should start with the May railway timetable change, and it is initially proposed for the trial to run for six months.

The May timetable change will be on Sunday May 17, 2026, and will operate until Saturday 12 December. Do check if you are travelling as some services may be retimed.

Great Western Railway is to trial extra early morning and late-night services on Saturdays and Mondays to and from Reading to Gatwick Airport. Currently services start at 0430 with the last at 2330, but on Saturdays, two extra services from Reading at 0228 and 0330, and three from Gatwick will run. On Mondays, there will be one extra service from Reading and two back from Gatwick.  All these services will also call at Wokingham, Guildford, Dorking Deepdene, Reigate and Redhill with the trial lasting 12 weeks to see if it is commercially viable to operate this late-night service in the future.

On Wednesday May 13, Saphos Trains are running a special to Shrewsbury which picks up at Bath Spa. The train originates from Bournemouth behind two Class 47’s, and also picks up at Salisbury, Warminster and Westbury. The train will be steam hauled from/to Bristol Temple Meads over the Welsh Marches Line. The steam will be from the Locomotive Services Limited pool.

Steam will be running into Bath Spa on Saturday May 16 when an Ashford International to Bath Spa excursion is hauled from/to West London by 71000 Duke of Gloucester. This train is being run by Steam Dreams. 

On Wednesday May 20, Saphos Trains are running ‘The Golden Arrow’ which originates from Bristol Temple Meads, picking up at Bath Spa, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge with haulage behind two Class 47’s. In West London, 71000 Duke of Gloucester will take over for a run to/from Dover and Folkestone.  Set downs will be as per outward journey.

On Saturday May 23, 35028 Clan Line will be passing through Bath Spa on the return leg of the Atlantic Coast Express, returning to London Waterloo via Westbury and Salisbury. This train is being run by the Railway Touring Company. On Sunday May 31, they will be running The Royal Duchy from Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth and Par and back with a pick up/set down at Yatton. This will be hauled throughout by West Country Class 34028 Eddystone. 

The Severn Valley Railway will be holding a Diesel Gala from May 14 to 17. Locomotives participating include: D7018, 55009 Alycidon, D9551, D8568, 20048, 33108, 46045, D821, D1015 Western Champion, D1062 Western Courier, 50033 Glorious, plus a Classes 57, 59 and 67 from National Rail operating companies, plus a Class 101 or 108 DMU. See the SVR website for full details.

Work has started on repairs to the Grade II listed Brunel Bridge in Sydney Gardens, Bath, and also to the West portal of Box Tunnel. Both have had scaffolding erected and there will be line closures on May 2 and 4 whilst work is carried out. The footbridge in Sydney Gardens will be shot blasted and repainted, and the wooden surface will be replaced. Buses will replace trains between Bath Spa and Chippenham during the line closures. Another Grade two listed structure is also requiring works and an application to carry out repairs to Twerton Short Tunnel is going before the planning committee of BANES this month. The 40m long tunnel, built in about 1840, requires work to the wingwall and parapets and repairs to the tunnel lining. The tunnel has Grade II listing as its portals are deemed to be of special architectural and historical importance. The work, when commenced, will require some line closures.

The Avon Valley Railway is staging a Spring Festival of Food and Drink on Friday May 29 from 6pm to 9.30pm. The event is set in the grounds of Bitton station with exceptional drinks and fine food on offer. Local distillers and producers, including the Chew Valley Distillery and the Bath Soft Cheese are among the list of businesses attending. Early booking is advised and the evening is open to over 18’s only. Full details at  https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/events/spring-festival-of-food-drink/ All proceeds from this event will benefit the Avon Valley Railway.

The East Somerset Railway are running two Afternoon Sparkling Tea trains this month on May 2 and 27. The trains depart at 3.30pm from Cranmore Station with English Afternoon Tea served during the journey. Details at https://eastsomersetrailway.com/events/view/sparkling-afternoon-tea

Somerset Council has committed to spend up to £150m delivering the infrastructure needed for the new gigafactory being built, between Puriton and Woolavington in Somerset, including the possible restoration of the rail link into the northern part of the site. The factory will be making batteries for vehicles, and it is being proposed that the old railway link that once served the Royal Ordinance Factory at Puriton is restored. This had exchange sidings on the GW main line at Huntspill. Somerset’s council’s corporate and resources scrutiny committee will meet on May 29 in Taunton to discuss the infrastructure needs of the site, including road and rail access for staff and material deliveries.

Plans by the group Go-Op for a new rail service in Wiltshire and Somerset could come to nothing unless full funding can be found this month. The company needs to raise £2.6m to make its plans a reality but is far short of reaching its target. The Office of Road and Rail has given permission for a new service from Taunton to Swindon via Westbury and Chippenham, but this permission expires this month if the funding is not found.

Government ministers have had to approve additional funding for the re-opening of the Portishead branch as estimates have now put the costs at nearly £200m.They have allowed a further £14.9m for the work, which has now commenced.

In North Devon a poll by the local council has found overwhelming support for the re-opening of the line from Barnstaple to Bideford. It is estimated it would cost between £400m and £500m.

Also in North Devon, it has been announced that the new Okehampton Interchange Station will be opening this summer, but no official date has so far been given. The new station is near the A30 trunk road and is costing £15m. It will be served by the hourly service to/from Exeter, with the existing Okehampton Station remaining open.

Construction of a new station on the South Wales main line to serve Magor and Undy is due to start later this year. Five other new stations are also planned for South Wales at Newport- Somerton, Llanwern, Newport West, Cardiff Parkway (near St Mellons) and Cardiff East. Funding is in place for the stations.

At Shillingstone station, Project 62 have commenced work on the restoration of their second lookalike USA Tank 30076 which was built in Yugoslavia. The locomotive is slowly being stripped down of components, and the side tanks have been removed. Sister locomotive 30075, which is now in working order, is to go out on hire to another railway as the North Dorset Railway cannot run trains at present until they receive permission from the ORR.

If you ever wanted to live in a railway station, there is an opportunity to do so in North Devon. Part of the former Tavistock North Station (Southern Line) is for sale at a guide price of £335,000. It is a Grade II listed building and was restored and converted in 2007 into four dwellings, including the ticket hall, with many of the original features also remaining. It has two bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom. Should you be interested, contact Stags on 01822 612458 for more information.

The Swanage Railway is hoping to open a new station at the end of this month for a trial period. This will be by the tourist attraction of Bluepool, which is situated north of Norden. The platform will be made of scaffold poles and planks, with services running to it during two train running timetables, up until September, using a diesel multiple unit. If it is a success, a more permanent platform may be built.

The 82045 Locomotive Group, who are building the new 2-6-2T at Bridgnorth have so invested around £1.8m in the locomotive and the group plan to spend a further £230k, which will take the total spend on the build to over £2.0m. Good progress is being made at the Bridgnorth workshops with components and the locomotive coming together well.

LOOKING FORWARD

Our next meeting is on June 4 and this is our AGM followed by a Members Evening. As usual, the AGM will be kept as short as possible. Full details next newsletter.

Bob Bunyar

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