hollycombe railway

Hi I recently heard a rumour going round the narrow gauge railway world in wales that the Hollycombe railway in Hampshire may close. I have looked on there website but there was no mention on there. Although I did notice that they have now taken there annual Railway weekend event of there calender. Does anyone now whats happening.

 

No mention of closure when I spoke to one of their drivers this week, only of work ongoing and improvements.

 

Hi.

Just to confirm, There is definitely no plan to close Hollycombe or any of the three railways there. Quite the opposite - we have some very positive news in that our 1895 Hunslet Mills class, Jerry M is nearing completion of overhaul work and is expected to return to steam as our main locomotive on the narrow gauge from Easter. and we are currently undertaking significant track work as part of routine maintenance programme. We expect to operate the Standard Gauge Railway with the Cockerill Steam Tram Locomotive, Yvonne, and the miniature railway with the resident Tinkerbell, Bob, supplemented by privately owned locos, Tess, Jennifer & Lisa.

On the fairground side, as well as routine maintenance of our extensive fairground, we are progressing an extensive overhaul of the Razzle Dazzle, which has seen a period of well earned rest following 100 years of use and we are hoping to get this back to operation this year. Keep an eye on our website www.hollycombe.co.uk for news on this front.

We are also busy with other infrastructure improvements and continued maintenance and improvement projects across the site. So rest assured, we have no intention of closing any time soon!

Colin Healey
Hollycombe Working Steam Museum.

 

Thank you to Colin for his reply. I'm glad to hear that all is well at Hollycombe,I would'nt want it to close before I have been for my first visit.I could'nt go in 2011 to the gala
because everybody else also seemed to have chosen the same early June date.

Now for a few questions.
What news of Caledonia and her repairs?
Will the very impressive Polish 0-6-0 Tourska be working at Hollycombe in 2012?
Peter Madsen the Feldbahn o-8-o, will it feature this year?
And finally what became of Josaphine,I know she has been at Hollycombe(from Durley) has she gone home,is she servicable?

I hope some of these questions can be answered!

 

To answer questions posed by Purple Emperor;

Caledonia repairs are progressing, but boiler repairs have been found to be a bit more extensive (and therefore expensive) than first thought. The boiler is with Severn Valley Railway at present and will be progressed as funds allow (Any donations greatfully received!! Gift aided donations even better!). The frames and motion are all in good condition and once we are in a position to have the boiler work completed (hopefully later this year), then we will put her back together and return her to her former rightful condition.

Tourska was hired in for last season when Jerry M had to be taken out of service for works. Tourska left Hollycombe at the end of the season and with Jerry M due back for Easter, it is not anticipated that we would need to use Tourska on a regular basis, however, I wouldn't rule it out completely...... She is an impressive performer and I certainly enjoyed driving her.

Peter Madsen is privately owned and is still on site and in operational order, but is unlikely to be used very much as there are difficulties with it negotiating our tight curves - partly due to the slight gauging difference.

I am afraid I don't know about Josephine, but she is not at Hollycombe.

Colin.

 

Thanks for the update Colin.
Josephine is a 2' gauge Hunslet 0-4-2 I think she was re-gauged in the past.I assume she is back at the Durley Light Railway.

Keith

 

The last I heard 'Josephine' was back at the Durley Light Railway. The engine was visiting for one of our Gala's at Hollycombe.

Hopefully 'Tourska' will visit again in the future. Having driven her on a regular basis last season at Hollycombe I can certainly say a very powerful and impressive engine to drive. I will miss her but looking forward to 'Jerry M' returning.