ABBEY LIGHT RAILWAY.

Hi does anyone know whats happening with the Abbey Light Railway. I know services were suspended when the founder passed away. I did see somewhere on the web it may be all sold which would be a shame. A lovely little railway.

 

Being rapidly dismantled when I was there last week (looking at machine tools). I believe that it is being coordinated by the WHLR guys. Most things seem to have a future home earmarked but I don't know enough to give details.

 

Are the locos being sold??

 

It'd be a shame if the loco collection were broken up - but they are mostly too underpowered to be useful on many other lines, I think?

 

The line was dismantled last weekend - our correspondent on Narrow Gauge World Michael Chapman was there and said it was a very sad event - we're not used to seeing narrow gauge lines broken up these days. As far as we understand the rails are going to a private line in Hampshire, the carriages to North Ings Farm and the locos initially to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway at Gelerts Farm.

I posted some of Michael's pictures on the Narrow Gauge World Twitter feed - scroll towards the botom of the page here; https://twitter.com/NarrowGaugeWrld

Regards

Andrew C
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Andrew Charman
Managing Editor, Narrow Gauge World magazine

12 Maes Gwyn, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys, SY21 0BD
Tel: +44 (0)1938 810592, Mobile: + 44 (0) 7802711810
E-mail: AndrewC@atlanticpublishers.com
Twitter: @NarrowGaugeWrld

 

I am glad nothing has been scrapped, I do like the Hudson GO-GO I used to own the one at Leighton Buzzard, hopefully the locos will all go to good homes

 

How do I not know of another private line in Hampshire!?

 

Oh wait, isn't it going to Hollycombe?

 

The Narrow Gauge world Twitter thingy said corrected the info that it is Hollycombe to a private railway in Hampshire. Having seen the photos posted I can see why anyone would think it is going to Hollycombe, from the info posted it is likely that this is a new railway being laid. I could take an educated guess at who is building it, but I am sure we will know in the fullness of time.

 

The rails are going to Hollycombe, with some of the wagons. The loco on loan from Yorkshire Water left site on Wednesday 20 February bound for the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway where it will be stored out of use until such time as they build a railway it can run on!

 

I have it on good authority the rail is NOT going to hollycombe!

 

Beaulieu then?

 

Was the site leased by the former owner of the stock, or owned?

 

Leased it seems, and the lease has now expired. A shame really, I read somewhere the whole collection was up for sale for £80,000, but without the lease on the land. It was a nice little railway. I only went twice, wish I'd gone more often now.

 

OK obvious question who is the owner of all the equipment? and how do you contact them?

 

I think that you've missed the boat. The owner passed away and the collection is being disposed of by the family. AIUI, everything remaining was being moved out today, coordinated by the WHHR. I guess that you need to contact them to see if anything is still available.

 

Visited the line only once myself, thought it had potential. Wonder if the site would be suitable for the installation of a miniature line, 15 inch or maybe 12.25?
What was the sharpest curve on the original formation?

 

Also who were the landlords, Leeds council?

 

Same old story - do it while it's still there. The number of times I've been to Leeds, ...

John

 

The locos (bar three already sold, and the one that was on hold) have now arrived at the whhr - I think they intend keeping some, but at least some are for sale - I think they are looking for buyers at least for the hundson hunslet, the remains of the murr hill and the fordson tractor based loco (its manufacture's name momentarily escapes me).