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Battlefield line

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by triumphman, Apr 13, 2018.

  1. triumphman

    triumphman New Member

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    This is my most local line, I’ve always liked it.
    Nice length, pretty countryside and a good base.
    Anyone here an insider? Be nice to know more about their plans, locos etc
    Sir Gomer and Dunlop 7 are there but don’t seem to get used much, train length an issue maybe or timings. Hire engines have been the order of the day in the last few years. Which has been great, plenty of variety.

    Any insider knowledge would be interesting
     
  2. JayDee

    JayDee Member

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    Apparently a couple of the locomotives are up for sale, but I only know this from an "ex-insider". Richard III is definitely up for sale according to the Battlefield Line's wikipedia page.
     
  3. 3155

    3155 New Member

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    The Dunlop loco has moved to Northampton & lamport rumour has it Sir Gomer could be for sale.

    3155
    ,
     
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  4. Avonside1563

    Avonside1563 Well-Known Member

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    Sir Gomer was for sale last year and still is AFAIK.
     
  5. Luke McMahon

    Luke McMahon Member

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    IIRC they've got plans to put 2 train running into place in the near future.

    Think there's plans to reinstate the 2nd platform at market bosworth. Also I do hope they clear out some of the scrap rolling stock etc as it looks like a linear scrapyard in places.
     
  6. clementi

    clementi New Member

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    Don't raise your hopes. Things in a bad way there at the moment. Volunteers left in droves, nothing happening in the shed. No steam at the moment as the only loco, Sir Gomer failed on it's first trip Sunday with broken springs. It's sat in the shed since Christmas with little attention. Trains have regularly been cancelled over the last few weeks due to no driver etc,. TSRs everywhere due to poor track. Really needs the basics sorting out before laying new loops or trying to run two trains. Gomer is a capable if unsubtle loco, and could handle the line's traffic easily. If you listen to it on videos of the Foxfield Gala last year though, you will hear how badly it needs the valve timing sorting, but nothing has been done.
     
  7. sonicboom

    sonicboom New Member

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    I've always loved the Battlefield Line for similar reasons, lovely length, nice location, cracking pub in Shackerstone. But I cant help be but be baffled by them sometimes. They spent a large amount of money on Sir Gomer at Nemesis rail a couple of years ago, and promptly rolled it to the back of the shed whilst they hired engines in for the last 30 months or so, leaving it sat there with an active ticket doing nothing whilst paying thousands in engine hire fees. And they never seem able to hold onto locomotives. People have been buying them up over the years, and quickly moving them out of Shackerstone, with Dunlop No.7 being the latest example. Richard III has been in pieces for 20 years since firebox issues and if Sir Gomer is also up for grabs, then that leaves them with a very empty engine shed which was once crammed with industrials people have picked up and taken away over time.
     
  8. clementi

    clementi New Member

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    I agree entirely. Richard III must have been rotting away outside un-covered for a least 24 years. Some money was spent on boiler work a few years ago, and then it was left again to rot. As I understand it, the owners of Dunlop No.7 were asked to leave by the management of the railway. Not sure why. They've found a good little home at Northampton & Lamport - it looks very smart trotting up and down there where it will probably be appreciated more.
     
  9. offbeat

    offbeat New Member

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    Good to see Dunlop 7 steaming well in its new home

    I saw Sir Gomer in action at Foxfield and unfortunately it had the hallmarks of a loco in poor condition. I doubt it has improved since through lack of use. Would be nice to see it sold now to loving new owner(s)
     
  10. clementi

    clementi New Member

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    Yes Dunlop looks lovely and I'm sure it will do well there. I did hear from a friend of a friend that when the Foxfield guys did a FTR on Sir Gomer in the summer they thought it was rough, but the Shackerstone guys thought it was on top from. Their FB comments certainly gave that impression!
     
  11. Midlandsouthern

    Midlandsouthern New Member

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    Only been 2 battlefield twice, nice length and enjoyed both times. Had and industrial on one of the occasions struggled with amount of coaches it was pulling qujte a jerky ride thought market bosworth had a look like it could be their signature station with good shed and yard and long loop. Lot of scrap mind due when was last there. Sound like its changed abit and stuff left for new homes, and sounds like things are slipping abit. Could pull off a good diesel gala with its section of particully 58s.
     
  12. Luke McMahon

    Luke McMahon Member

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    It deffo sounds as though things are slipping at shackerstone. Sounds to me like management need to get their house in order.

    Needs sorting out as atm it looks like a mobile scrapyard with all the stored derelict stock.
     
  13. M59137

    M59137 Well-Known Member

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    Battlefield is regarded highly amongst the DMU fraternity. A modest but solid fleet (2-car set plus a single unit) which appears to have escaped the instability that has affected the rest of the line.

    One of the vehicles is unique and they all carry Blue/Grey livery which is unusual further adding interest. They are a credit to those involved with their restoration and upkeep.

    The past two times I have visited the line have both been for the DMU's.

    Sent from my HTC U Play using Tapatalk
     
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  14. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    After some of the gloom and doom earlier in the thread nice to hear something positive they are doing.
     
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  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    After a day on the GCR goods gala I went to Shackerstone for the first of this years fish and chip specials . A most pleasant evening was enjoyed.

    A big thank you to the footplate crew who invited my eldest onto the footplate at Shenton and answered all his questions . I also had a good conversation with Adrian Lock about the railway . 2017 was a good year , up on budget . The one thing that holds them back is a shortage of volunteers . As always more would be welcome
     
  16. Midlandsouthern

    Midlandsouthern New Member

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    Giod to hear things are back on the up at shackerstone and had a good 2017.
     
  17. clementi

    clementi New Member

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    The DMU is privately owned and maintained and well looked after. It's very useful machine when the steamer is out of action, and escapes the malaise of the rest of the fleet!
     
  18. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    My local line, but I travel 60 mls to the Churnet every week, as despite the CVR's limited attractions loco-wise, it's still streets ahead of the Battlefield in terms of service reliability and scenic appeal. I did try the Battlefield when I retired back in 2010 but got a lukewarm reception at the shed and there seemed to be next to nothing going on restoration wise. So now we just have a run out to the Sun in the village on a weekend and occasionally have a walk up to the station. We would use the cafe except for the nonsense of having to buy a platform ticket to gain entry !
     
  19. clementi

    clementi New Member

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    That's a shame Sheff but understandable. There is no restoration going on in the shed, only minimal and basic maintenance with primitive facilities. Thats why so many volunteers have left. There's no-one to organise anything and nothing to do. Such a pity as there is so much potential.
     
  20. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    Had my first ever trip to the Battlefield line. The line is lucky that there is plenty to see off the line. Visited the Battle of Bosworth field museum just a short walk from Shenton station and then also walked into Market Bosworth centre (about 20 mins) which is really nice with plenty of places to eat cafes/pubs/fish and chips etc.
    The line itself is both good and bad. The original station at Shackerstone is wonderful with a café and another period station at Shenton (which wasn't open).
    The shop and museum wasn't open at Shackerstone either ( I went mid week). The DMU that was operating was in good condition and clearly looked after but the rest of the line is looking a bit run down. Lots of derelict looking stock. Passed for a example and 08 parked in a siding with a PW train. All windows seemed smashed, real shame. It seems to be missing much 'restoration' going on.

    See some pics
     

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