SINGLE LINES
■ FFESTINIOG & Welsh Highland Railway has secured planning permission from Snowdonia National Park planning authority to construct a station building at Welsh Highland Railway’s Beddgelert station. The planned structure is a revision of the building originally approved a decade ago, but never developed beyond its foundations.
■ THE first of the new passenger carriages for the Quarry Bottom Railway at Mountsorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre was delivered on April 15. By the time this RM is published, two more should have arrived and operation of passenger rides commenced on the 2ft gauge line. As previously reported (The RM, September 2022) the vehicles are designed in the style of Penrhyn Quarry Railway workmen’s carriages.
■ TEIFI Valley Railway (TVR) is naming its carriage and engine shed The John Eden Shed, as a mark of respect following the death of John Eden, who was one of the people involved in originally building the railway, constructed the line’s carriages and was a TVR trustee for many years. John was also an active supporter of the WHR(1964) Company, now operating as the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.
■ HAMPTON & Kempton Waterworks Railway celebrated its 10th anniversary over May 20/21 with a gala featuring a visit by London Museum of Water & Steam’s new-build 0-4-0ST ‘Wren’ Thomas Wicksteed, which steamed at the Hampton line when it opened a decade ago.
■ FOLLOWING additional work related to the boiler after having failed its official test last year after its 10-year overhaul (RM, November 2022), Devon Railway Centre’s O&K 20hp 0-4-0WT (5744/1912) Rebecca passed a new test on May 1 and returned to service over the May 6-8 coronation weekend.
■ BRESSINGHAM’S April 29-May 1 steam gala featured visits by Statfold Barn Railway’s Avonside 0-4-0T Marchlyn (2067/1933) and Hunslet 0-4-0ST Jack Lane to the 2ft gauge Fen Railway.
■ STATFOLD Barn Railway’s Greenwood & Batley 4wBRE 420253/1970 has been fitted with a cab, giving it a significantly revised appearance. It is understood the loco will be employed to operate a future push-pull set.