Bredgar & Wormshill steam gala

[tedp]

For me this was a first visit to Bredgar, and one I will not forget for a long time, if only for the fun we had! Some wag noticing me working the camera mentioned Steven Spielberg. I forgot who HE was...   ::)

There was a considerable company of Expong exhibitors and visitors assembled there, both operating and visiting the railway. Having six steam locos and three or four diesels at work made for an interesting display. I spent the entire afternoon there - noon to 6pm.

Here is a selection of my photos.























The entire photo album is here:

http://www.narrowgauge.nl/albums/201410bredgar_wormshill/index.htm

[Frank]

Mmmmm-mmmm!   Very nice photos indeed Ted, thanks for posting, from those of us who have never been there.

Frank

[petersmith1942]

Lovely pics; love being reminded regularly of the real thing as my tendency is to see models, models
Peter Smith

[tedp]

Here are some more views, this time captured from HD video. As a consequence there is some motion blur in some of the images, which can be an advantage in some images taken at speed!

Zambesi fetching its train at the upper end of the line:



Armistice coasting down on a goods train:



Victory coasting down towards Warren Wood station whilst Katie rests on the turntable.



The beam engine in the loco shed was in steam as well, filling the building with a cloud of vapour and the creaking of its motion.





Dick van Beek, Bert van Rhijn and Dirk Schambach on the platform of the brake van.



Victory climbing through Warren Wood:



Zambesi roaring up the gradient from the slight dip in the main line along the field:



Lady Joan doing likewise. This gradient is on a curve and causes a serious bit of work for the engines:



Armistice and Katie coasting down the gradient at speed...



...before having to open up for the climb to Stony Shaw, the far terminus.



A nicely painted private owner wagon.



Lady Joan departing from Stony Shaw. This view shows a nice close-up of the point rodding and signal wires.



Another form of signalling - the signalman displaying a green flag to Victory to allow the move to the siding.



The big Hudswell diesel, Wormshill, coming in on a passenger service.



Armistice barreling up the gradient with three skips dangling behind.



Eigiau departing from Stony Shaw. Calling-on signal in foreground.



And here the calling-on signal allows Armistice and the skips into the platform loop.



Andrew Burnham on the leading platform of a train...



...and the unique view of two magazine editors on the rear platform of the return train (Andrew and Tom)!



Here is Eigiau roaring upgrade just past the dip in the line next to the field.



The Simplex, Bicknor, being driven by a well-known 7mm scale modeller!



Wormshill is too much for two men pushing the turntable, if it's not properly balanced.



The beast is being fed.



The prototype of my 'Biker Mouse' critter being driven off in a cloud of blue smoke!





Katie struggling on a patch of damp track on the steep section just above the turntable.





And finally, a distant view of a double-header storming up the gradient to Waren Wood:

[invercloy]

Great shots, Ted, it was a really fun day out.

[tedp]

This was my first visit to the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway, and one I will not forget for a long time, if only for the fun we had! The BWLR is a private railway which opens for visitors a few times each year.

Evidently it was a very busy day, with trains running up and down the little line non-stop. Having six steam locos and three or four diesels at work made for an interesting display. I spent the entire afternoon there - noon to 6pm.

I finally completed my video of the BWLR, which can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd6p36XvKlM

The programme starts at the top end of the line near the visitors' parking space, then continues to Warren Wood, the main station and works area. The stationary beam engine in the works hall was in operation.

At the down end of Warren Wood is a tight curve and gradient where the locomotives have to work fairly hard up the hill. Further on there is a field which is the lowest part of the line, which then climbs on towards the far terminus of Stony Shaw.

At Stony Shaw several trains are seen with the locomotives being exchanged each time. The signalling procedures are equally interesting to watch - if there isn't a signal to clear a shunting move, the signalman waves a green flag from the box.

Some more trains are seen on the main line, and finally we return to Warren Wood to see some locomotive and train movements. One of these shows a train hauled by 0-6-0WT 'Katie' struggling on a damp patch of track.

An interesting shot is not of a train but of a road vehicle: a 1930s Reliant three-wheeled van running out of the works building to join the evening photo session.

Some video shot at the floodlighted photo session concludes our visit to this attractive little railway.