Leighton Buzzard Railway News

Leighton Buzzard Light Railway - March 2022 by Mwmbwls, on Flickr
There were lots of childen for whom the exhaust hitting the cut and cover tunnel was the high spot of the trip
A great but chilly start to Leighton Buzzard. Doll was in immaculate condition


Leighton Buzzard Light Railway March 1922 by Mwmbwls, on Flickr

Poking about I captured this shot of the locomotives from its industrial working days, Does anybody know have details? - how many does the LBLR have - who built them and when? - are they all in working condition?

Leighton Buzzard Light Railway March 1922 by Mwmbwls, on Flickr

 

The green locos are 4wDM Simplex locomotives build by Motor Rail Ltd of Bedford. They were used on the railway (and the quarries it served) in its industrial days in large numbers. Visible in this photo are four 20hp locos which were used in the quarries and one 40hp that worked the main line. All work, but some of the 20hp locos are for yard use only due to worn wheels and very thin flanges.

 

the 3 locos to the right and the first 2 in the center are motorail simplexs built by the motor rail company in Bedford the 4th yellow loco is also a simplex named caravan.
the original company's (arnolds, garsides and the original LBLR) owned many of these locos 20hp types were mainly used in the sand pits with the 40hp types being used on the main line to haul sand either down to the main line interchange at billington road in Leighton or up to the sand washing and bagging plant at Double arches pit. I believe only 4 of the fleet are originally from the original company's the rest of the fleet being rescued from similar industries
if you need more info I recommend S A Leleuk book the leighton Buzzard light railway ISBN 0-85361-460-1.

Cheers

Colin

 

Colin, we have nine Simplex that worked on the line in sand days.
43 & 44 (both 40hp) are ex Joseph Arnolds and before that Leighton Buzzard Light Rly (43 was new to the line in 1954 and has never left).
25 (stored off site), 26, & 30 (all 20hp) are ex Joseph Arnold & Sons quarry locos.
21 (Festoon - a petrol loco, delivered new to Leighton Buzzard in 1929), 13 (Arkle), 17 (Damredub) & 34 (Red Rum) (all 20hp) are ex George Garside quarry locos.

 

Thanks for the info, I have been a member since about 1972, but I gave up regular volunteering in the early 80's due to work commitments. I believe during my time as a passed out Pway driver we only had the 4 original locos 43,Festoon,Arkle and Damredub, but given the state of my memory I probably am miss-remembering things. the simplexs where always fun to drive, except on cold winter mornings when large quantities of easy start or if that did not work flaming rags was required to fire them up.
I must venture south again this year as I have not visited in at least 12 or so years

Cheers

Colin

 

With William and another vollunteer I was lineside on Sunday and captured the first passenger train comming through the new bridge. The photos can be found on my flickr site at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzFLda and more will be added of a special that ran later in the day with Peter Pan soon when cercamstances permit......then its back to the shovel for me this weekend.

 

First trains on the extension this weekend, looks nice and steep and double track too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/narrowgauge/permalink/7625054707506491/

 

Another excellent Steam Gala and great to experience the extension and the tunnel.

 

I popped in for my first visit post-extension opening and had a lovely busy midweek steam trip behind Doll. Cracking sausage and bacon sandwich from the cafe too. The run-up to Mundays was a great addition, but Stonehenge was looking a little sad with the two displaced carriages shut. Hopefully, this is only a temporary thing. Loco and carriages were immaculately turned out. Several of the new lineside houses had for sale signs so if anyone fancies buying a steam view now is your chance.

 

Special Events – Leighton Buzzard Railway

Thinking of visiting on Sunday. The webpage is pretty light on info, does anyone know which locos will be active?

 

Doll and Gertrude were steam tested today, so safe to assume it'll be that pair. Chaloner is operational too, but I think that's it at present.

 

Currently this years locos are Doll and Gertrude plus Chaloner and Peter Pan for special events.
Work is underway to overhaul Pedemoura and 778, the boilers of both being currently away. Pedemoura's will return soon, but 778 only recently left for overhaul.

 

Thanks for that. I'm wondering if four steam engines will be sufficient for Sunday's timetable.
Will Stonehenge works be open for road traffic? It wasn't the last time I visited

 

It is prefered that visitors to Stonehenge come by train and the whole site is now enclosed by fences. That being said if any of our vollunteers are withing hailing distance of the gate they may let you in. You can notify the train gaurd if you wish to stay longer than the train waits and get on a later train - especially when there is a two train service, such as will be on Sunday.

 

A pity, the Stonehenge site is by far the most interesting on the railway. The fencing is an eyesore.

 

I understand the residents on the other side of the road are the reason for the fencing.