Bromyard and Linton Light Railway
{{Short description|Narrow gauge railway in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Bromyard and Linton Light Railway}}
The Bromyard and Linton Light Railway is a {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} single track, {{RailGauge|2ft|lk=on}} narrow gauge railway line that runs between Bromyard and the Linton Industrial Estate, just off the A44. The track is laid on the bed of the old BR Worcester, Bromyard and Leominster Railway line. The track runs from an old depot, close to the site of the old Bromyard station, and ends under a bridge near a hospital turned flat block. The bridge was constructed in 1877 and carries a lane. There are disused engines in sheds at the main depot and Linton depot. The present track was used for the disused sandstone quarry.
History
With a decrease in rail traffic the standard-gauge British Rail line was closed to passenger trains in 1964Passengers No More by G.Daniels and L.Dench and finally dismantled in 1965 under the Beeching cuts.Smith p.151-155 The station and station yard in Bromyard were originally purchased by Bill Morris, whose company 'Morris Coaches Bromyard', founded in 1966, ran a bus service in the area.{{cite web|url=http://www.drmbus.com/about.html|title=About DRM Bus|publisher=DRM Bus website|accessdate=2013-11-22|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203110512/http://www.drmbus.com/about.html|archivedate=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} Around this time the rights to the track-bed, running for about a mile towards the Linton Trading Estate, were also acquired.
Sometime after then part of the old Bromyard station yard and the track bed were acquired by Bob Palmer. In 1978 he formed a company limited by guarantee called The Bromyard & Linton Light Railway Association (no. 01354372).Companies House Soon after this date a single {{RailGauge|2ft}} narrow gauge ‘Jubilee-track’ line was laid, on the old BR track bed, as far as the road bridge of Avenbury Lane, a distance of about {{convert|1|mi|}}. Sidings and an engine shed were built on the Linton Industrial estate, just off the A44.{{cite web|url=http://www.pleg.org.uk/events/misc/1/misc_g1.html|title=Diesel Events –Bromyard and Linton Light Railway June 2013|publisher=Preserved Locomotives Diesel Events|accessdate=2013-11-22}}
Since then various rolling stock was acquired, including a number of Ruston diesel-powered engines and a Peckett and Sons steam locomotive, No.1327 {{whyte|0-6-0|ST}} built in 1913 named Mesozoic, which had originally served on the Southam Cement Works railway in Warwickshire.Latham p.18 Pictures of a similar locomotive can be found on the Warwickshire Railways website.{{cite web|url=http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/misc/southam-cement.htm|title=Southam Cement Works|publisher=Warwickshire Railways.com|accessdate=2013-11-22}} This locomotive is at present preserved in a dismantled state.
In 1991 a registered charity (no.1025344) was formed to promote the railway and to preserve the stock.Charity Commission Initially some activity took place on the line, with some static open days, however various issues and problems have meant that the line today is only occasionally used by the owner.{{cite web|url=http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/bnl.htm|title=Bromyard to Leominster: oddities on a long-gone line|publisher=Geoff’s Rail Diaries|accessdate=2013-11-22}} Some of the rolling stock is exposed to the elements, which is now beginning to rust or rot away, and can be seen at the Bromyard end of the line alongside the access road to the Station Industrial site (see photo of Mesozoic).
Present
It is unknown at this stage{{when|date=April 2021}} whether any action will be taken to renovate and upgrade the line and make this available to public access. The undergrowth is sometimes cut back, but the Station Industrial Estate now occupies the site of the original Bromyard station. The narrow gauge track remains in place.{{cite web|url=https://www.railwayherald.com/imagingcentre/view/452445/PL|accessdate=2022-05-03|title=Railway Herald :: Imaging Centre :: 3114 at Bromyard and Linton Railway }}
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|author=Smith, William|title=The Bromyard Branch: From Worcester to Leominster|publisher=Kidderminster Railway Museum |year=1998|isbn=0-9534775-0-9}}
- {{cite book|author=Latham, J.B.|title=Railways and Preservation|publisher=J.B. Latham |year=1975}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130127184723/http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/htt/619.aspx County Council line history]
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2008/02/14/worcester_bromyard_leominster_railway_feature.shtml BBC Line history]
Category:Rail transport in Herefordshire