R.o.B Miniature Railways
Miniatue Railways in Parks
The Heatherslaw Railway
By John Grant
Introduction: The Heatherslaw Light Railway Company is a privately owned railway opened in July 1989. It is situated approx 15-20 miles North West of Alnwick on the Ford & Etal Estates. The Railway itself runs along the Banks of the River Till between Heatherslaw corn mill, which is a traditionally operated water mill and Etal castle which are sited between the villages of Ford and Etal on the B6354 in Northumberland.
The line and motive power: The line is two miles long and is of 15"guage the journey taking 40 minuets from end to end. The main Engine, as there are only two at the moment, is the Lady Augusta built in 1989 by the Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway company. She is an 0-4-2T solid fuel burning Engine, with Walschaerts valve gear operating 6" stroke side valves, 5" bore pistons. The working pressure is 185p.s.i. maximum. The engine has been extensively modified since its arrival at Heatherslaw. It has ball and roller bearings fitted to the motion work along with the addition of disk brakes, manganese steel(harder wearing than standard steel) tires and the replacement of all other wheels has improved the running and performance of the locomotive quite considerably. The maximum load is approx. 20tons up a maximum gradient of
A new engine: There is a new steam engine being built in the site workshops which will use renewable fuel i.e. Timber, its boiler pressure will be 200p.s.i, and will be fitted with super heaters, it will have a fully enclosed cab. The tender chassis is completed and will be continue to be worked on during the year. It is hoped to be in service some time in 2006. As far as the railway is aware the Lady Augusta is the only steam engine in the world with disk brakes for additional safety. Clive the other engine is a diesel and is a bogie locomotive with additional hydraulic motors, it is used as a standby locomotive for some of the passenger services. Almost everything has been manufactured on site at the railways own workshops.
In the area: There is a lot to see when up at Heatherslaw as well as the railway there is the Heatherslaw working watermill that has a bakers and bread shop on site, and at the Etal end there is the Etal Castle full of history as well as the only Thatched pub in Northumberland The Black Bull.
Apart from the Light Railway at Heatherslaw there is also a Railway Society room in the station grounds that has both OO and G Gauge layouts that can be seen, also there is a Ticket office and Railway shop combined, Toilet Facilities and all things including the trains are wheelchair friendly.
Times and Prices: The opening times are March to June and September
Prices are Adults 5.50 pounds return, Senior citizens 4.50 pounds return, Child over the age of five 3.50 pounds return and under five 1.00 pounds return, Single fare is full price. Dogs are carried Free.
The Heatherslaw Railway also runs Train Drivers courses the contact number for all details is:
01890 820244/820317.
By Anthony Roberts
The Miniature Railway in
It is also the only 7.25 gauge railway in
The Locomotives used are a Class 31 Diesel battery powered, Class 08 Diesel shunter battery operated and Bridget class steam locomotive of 0-4-2 wheel arrangement which is currently at the moment awaiting a new boiler, The other steam loco is the GWR 94XX class 'Paddington', unfortunately this loco is still only raw castings just awaiting funds to start getting it built. At the North Woolwich old Station Museum we have a Class 12 Diesel Shunter. It is hoped to extend the railway around into a loop where Block and Token signalling will be used. People visiting the park have asked us whether or not the railway will be extended around the entire park? Although it would be a nice idea, it is impractical because the park is too big, about 2Kms around. Also are too many obstacles in the way, the lido, children's playground and numerous footpaths.
Opening and how to get there:
The Railway at