Hollycombe

Hello I was wondering what is happening at the hollycombe museum with railways as it’s a long time since I been and there’s not much about it. Is the standard gage railway line ever being put back as this was a good bit but years ago when I went it wasn’t working and had bits missing

 

I went there a couple of years ago for the first time in a long time.

Sadly it did seem a bit of a shadow of its former self. Rides out of action, three rides being operated by one operator on rotation, no fairground organs working no traction engine rides. I guess it suffers the same problems as heritage railways, lack of money and volunteers.

Having said that the new (ish) visitor centre is a vast improvement on the old shop, cafe, and toilet facilities.

Regarding the standard gauge line, it’s been out of action for years. Commander B needs major boiler work which they can’t afford. I believe Chatham Historic Dockyard made an approach to buy back Commander B (aka Newcastle) at one point, but it remains at Hollycombe.

The narrow gauge line is still going and well worth a ride. Jerry M seems to be the main loco. In my 10 or so visits over the years, I have never once seen Caledonia in use.

 

That’s good that the narrow gauge is doing well. Is not so good the standard gauge doesn’t work still that was the best part. Are parts of the track still missing as sometimes network rail would donate some old parts and it would be good if they could get enough to put it back down and there are lots of industrials that someone might want to run there if they had a line that worked. I hope it starts up again soon

 

Went to Hollycombe today for a swapmeet - a rather underwhelming half a dozen stalls there. The NG line was going to be running with Caledonia raising steam and the 7 1/4" line had a couple of youngsters there getting a train ready. The std gauge line well and truly disused - Commander B under a tarpaulin coupled to the passenger carrying conflat and a rotting brakevan at the end of the line. A chap advised me that ash was left in the loco's smokebox and it rotted away, and they can't afford to repair it, and some track had been taken up to allow the ng line to run. Oddly next to the train was a new length of std gauge track as a training aid for any company who wants to use it. The place looked very careworn and seemed to be somewhere the traction engine people went to steam their things but had to admit the public to make it pay. I'd never be surprised if it closed.

BTW there are roadworks on the approach road with incorrect directions by satnavs. Use postcode GU30 7LP and approach from the Liss end NOT the Fernhurst end via the A286.

 

I remember back in 2008 or so, the diesel shunter was still offering rides in the brakevan but Commander B was out of use then.

Visited again a few years ago and it was as you say, SG line disused. I went to enquire about volunteering and they were extremely friendly and welcoming but sadly never heard back. The focus did seem to be a lot more on the road side as you say, plus NG to a degree. I believe they've recently overhauled their 2ft Andrew Barclay 0-4-0WT

 

The diesel shunter was removed by its owner a while ago I recall being told.

 

2450 requires a heavy overhaul and expensive boiler work which it is said the organisation cannot afford. Recent reviews on Trip Advisor suggests that there are bushes growing out of the chimney. This is rather a sad state for the oldest surviving Hawthorn Leslie locomotive.