Some Early Lines – Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Some Early Lines

Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway

Lynton-Lynmouth Cliff Railway
The railway connects Lynton at the top with Lynmouth at the bottom.
© Copyright Janine Forbes and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The Unique Victorian Water Powered Lift

No family trip to the picturesque towns of Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon would be complete without a ride on the famous funicular cliff lift.

The area situated in the centre of the “Exmoor National Park” and nicknamed “Englands Little Switzerland” a “Day out in Devon” would not be complete without visiting one of the southwests top attractions.
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It’s the best and most exciting way to travel between these two historic towns and will be one of the highlights of the day – for Mums, Dads and all the family.

Enjoy stunning views of Exmoor and the North Devon Coastline as you glide up and down the 862 foot length of track; from Lynmouth nestling at the foot of the cliffs to Lynton perched 500 feet above.

Visit Lynton & Lynmouth and The Cliff Railway for a great day out in Devon go to our links page to find Hotels, B&Bs and Guest houses in Lynton, Lynmouth, Brendon, and the whole of the Lyn Valley area.

Canal News – Etruria Canals Festival at Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals

Canal News

Etruria Canals Festival at Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals

Festival Park Marina Etruria
Festival Park Marina on the Trent & Mersey canal at Etruria Stoke-on-Trent. The China Garden is a popular Toby Inn with outside seating on the marina’s edge.

Just after the marina the Caldon Canal branches off down the Churnet Valley for Froghall.
© Copyright Dennis Thorley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Address
Trent and Mersey Canals, Etruria
ST1 4RB

31 May – 01 Jun 2014
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The countdown is on for the 21st Etruria Canals Festival on Trent and Mersey Canals
This year’s festival will continue the traditions of the annual community event which is one of the largest free events in Stoke-on-Trent, regularly attracting thousands of visitors to the junction of the Trent and Mersey and Caldon canals in the middle of Etruria.
Music and dance will complement colourful historic canal boats moored along the towpaths of Etruria. Lots of activities for children and adults will be on site and a good time is guaranteed for all.
For more information call Andrew Watts on 07886578902 or email event@etruriacanalsfestival.org.uk.

 

Lichfield News – Lichfield turning yellow for Stephen Sutton vigil

Lichfield News

Lichfield turning yellow for Stephen Sutton vigil

Published on Wednesday, 28th May 2014
Lichfield is expected to be a sea of yellow as the vigil for Stephen Sutton is held this Thursday and Friday. Local shops and homes in Lichfield are responding to an appeal to ‘paint the town yellow’. Stephen’s home town, Burntwood, is already covered in yellow ribbons in his memory.
Jane Sutton said: “The continued love and support for Stephen is wonderful and a great comfort. I want people to have the chance to come and pay their respects to Stephen. It is important that the vigil at Lichfield Cathedral has an opening and a public farewell. So I invite people especially to come and be part of these two moments and remember Stephen. Stephen wanted to put the fun in funeral, so don’t feel you need to wear black. It’s a celebration of his life and achievements.”
There will be a short opening ceremony at the cathedral at 7pm on Thursday, and a public farewell ceremony at 3pm on Friday. All are welcome to attend. At 3.45pm on Friday Stephen’s coffin will exit the Close and leave Lichfield for a private family funeral. The Cathedral will remain open until midnight on Thursday for people to their respects and will reopen at 7am on Friday.
If you can’t make it, remember to take a moment at 11am on Friday morning to give a Thumbs up for Stephen. This could be via the thunderclap.it #ThumbsupforStephen, or you could give the thumbs up to a stranger, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake, think a positive thought, clap, cheer, or even perform a random act a kindness. Do something that makes you and others happy in Stephen’s memory.
Hundreds of people have already signed a book of condolence for Stephen Sutton since it was opened on Monday at Lichfield Cathedral.
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, said “The vigil will give people a chance to pay their respects to Stephen in many ways, pausing at his coffin, lighting a candle, signing a book of condolence, laying flowers. Stephen touched millions of people with his joy and generosity.”
At 6pm on Thursday, Stephen’s coffin will leave his home in Burntwood by horse-drawn carriage, entering Lichfield by The Bowling Green, passing along The Friary, Swan Road and Bird Street before entering the Close. He will be taken into the cathedral at 7pm and laid in a place of honour.
Full information and a map for visitors are available on the Lichfield Cathedral website: http://www.lichfield-cathedral.org

Some Early Lines – The LNER also operated trams.

Some Early Lines

The LNER also operated trams.

The Grimsby & Immingham Electric Tramway was opened by the GCR in 1912 to provide transport for Immingham dockworkers. Seven miles long, the line started at Corporation Bridge, Grimsby, and ran the first mile in the public street and then into open country. The GCR’s single deck bogie cars had a central area for milk and merchandise. It was a line of great character, but closed down in favour of buses on July 1st, 1961. Car No.16 stands at the tramway station in Corporation Road, Grimsby, on 23rd May 1953. Car No.14 was in the care of the National Tramway Museum, in store awaiting restoration (1986).
Photo: O.H.Prosser.

Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era – 1927 – ‘Kings’ – GWR

No.6019 King Henry V as built

The largest and most powerful variant of the numerous family of GWR 4-6-0s; thirty were constructed by Collett between 1927 and 1930. They remained the ultimate peak of GWR express design for the rest of the Company’s existence, as after the ill-fated ‘Great Bear’ that railway never again went in for a ‘Pacific’. The new ‘Kings’ in fact were claimed, and indeed have proved themselves in practice, to possess practically as much hauling power as most ‘Pacific’ designs. Their nominal tractive effort actually exceeds the rated value of the LMS, LNER and SR ‘Pacifics.

For many years these engines have worked the principal trains on the West of England main line, including, of course, the ‘Cornish Riviera’, and between Paddington and Birmingham. Several improvements have been effected since the engines first appeared, such as increased superheat, and more recently they have been fitted with double blast pipes and chimneys. In 1935 No. 6014 was disfigured similarly to ‘Castle’ No. 5005 by a hideous sort of semi-streamlining, but like the ‘Castle’ this was soon mercifully removed.
The original engine, No. 6000 ‘King George V’ visited the USA in the same year that it was built for taking part in the Centenary procession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, and it still carries on the front end the American type bell with which it was presented.
All were still in service in 1959.
Driving wheels – 6’ 6”, Cylinders – 16½”x 28”, Pressure – 250 lb., Tractive effort – 40300 lb., Weight – 89 tons, BR classification – 8P.

Lichfield News – Burntwood Poppy Beds – June’s CPCG conservation days

Lichfield News

Minster Pool from Dam Street.
© Copyright Chris McAuley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Burntwood remembers with poppy beds

Published on Friday, 23rd May 2014
Five parks across Burntwood will soon feature commemorative poppy flowerbeds in a joint project between two councils.
To mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, Lichfield District Council and Burntwood Town Council are working together to create a series of poppy beds in Burntwood’s parks.

Councillor Diane Evans, Burntwood Town Council’s Leader, said: “Being able to see poppies in our parks is such a fitting way to pay tribute to the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The town council has donated enough seeds for poppy beds to be created in Burntwood Park, Chase Terrace Park, Chasetown Memorial Park, Redwood Park and Chase View Park.”

Councillor Andrew Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Burntwood Town Council on such a poignant project. Our parks team will be busy preparing the ground for the poppy seeds in the coming weeks, and will then tend to them over the four commemorative years.”
The poppy beds will be created this summer and should be in flower between August and September.

To find out more, please email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call Lichfield District Council’s parks team on 01543 308867.

June’s CPCG conservation days

Published on Friday, 23rd May 2014
Volunteers needed to help at two conservation events in Lichfield District this June.
Lichfield District Council is inviting adults to get their gardening gloves at the ready to help out at two Countryside & Parks Conservation Group (CPCG) events this June.
The first conservation day of the month is running on Wednesday 4 June at Muckley Corner and involves cutting back the nettles, thistles and scrub re-growth.
Councillor Andrew Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: “Nature conservation is a great way to work as a group to boost important local natural habitats. It also offers a chance to meet new people and to learn new skills.”
The second CPCG day of the month is on Wednesday 18 June at Beacon Park in Lichfield, and includes cutting back brash from the stream and digging out silt.
Councillor Ian Pritchard, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Development, said: “We are so grateful to our CPCG volunteers who continue to help us to manage important parks and green spaces across the district. We’re always keen for more people to join the group, so if you are interested in nature conservation, please contact us to find out how to get involved.”
Both days will run from 10.30am to 3pm and are for over 18s. All tools will be provided as well as light snacks. Wearing outdoor waterproof clothes and sturdy footwear is recommended.
To find out more please visit http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cpcg
To book your free place, please call Denice Deverall at Lichfield District Council on 01543 308183 or emailcountryside@lichfielddc.gov.uk

 

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Wirksworth Station Back on the map after 67 Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WIRKSWORTH STATION BACK ON THE MAP AFTER 67 YEARS

 20 May 2014: The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is proud to announce, 67 years after its closure in June 1947, Wirksworth Station is now linked to the National Rail Network again enabling journey planning from any mainline railway station in the UK to Wirksworth.
The railway’s timetable is designed to connect with East Midlands Trains at the railway’s southern terminus at Duffield station and it is now possible for passengers to purchase tickets and have a seamless journey to Wirksworth thanks to the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner.
Tom Tait the railway’s Commercial Director stated “We have been working for some time on this project I am delighted that Wirksworth is now a destination on national rail network in its own right and I am most grateful to our colleagues at East Midlands Trains who have supported this innovation. With the ability to purchase through train tickets to Wirksworth from any mainline railway station in the UK, together with our joint bus and train all day rover ticket with trentbarton, the town of Wirksworth will now enjoy a comprehensive public transport service which will make a significant contribution to the town’s aim of increasing visitors to the area.”

Canal News – Winter stoppages The 2014/15 consultation

Winter stoppages

The 2014/15 consultation

Each winter, we take the opportunity of reduced cruising activity to concentrate effort on essential repairs and maintenance to the canals. Once again we’re inviting you to review the provisional plans prepared by our local works planners and comment on the plans, helping us to minimise disruption.

Once your first round of comments have been received our works planners will consider all feedback received online and will make amendments both in response to these and as a result of updates from project engineers.

Version two of the plans will then be released and you will have a chance to make further comments. Our works planners will once again consider all feedback and will make any further appropriate changes, before we publish the final plan for implementation over the winter. We expect to publish the final version during September.

Comments will be open on the first version of our plans until Friday 20 June.

Visit http://www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter to view the proposed stoppages

Lichfield News – May’s cycle ride for all – Whitsun half term holiday fun

Lichfield News

May’s cycle ride for all

Published on Monday, 12th May 2014
Everyone’s invited to get on their bike and join a cycle ride to Packington Moor Farm near Weeford on Sunday 25 May 2014.
Following April’s Cycle Rides for All, which saw 27 people of all ages joining a 15-mile ride to the National Memorial Arboretum, the partnership behind the series of monthly rides is once again inviting keen cyclists to get on their bike for May’s ride.
The third group cycle ride in the series is to Packington Moor Farm, near Weeford, on Sunday 25 May. It is 23 miles there and back and has been awarded a level four for difficulty, which means beginner riders may find it quite challenging.
Neil Turner, Director of Leisure & Parks for Lichfield District Council, said: “We’re always keen to encourage more people to get on their bikes and take part in this healthy and fun activity, and so are pleased to be working in partnership to support these monthly cycle rides. They are a great way for people to discover good cycle routes, meet new people, and have an enjoyable day out.”
To join in this free cycle ride, simply bring your bike to Freedom Cycles at 10am on Sunday 25 May, where it will be given a safety check before the group sets off. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
To find out more, or to check whether a ride is taking place if the weather is uncertain, please call Freedom Cycles on 01543 411633 or Karl Sproston at Lichfield District Council on 01543 308846.
The Cycle Ride for All 2014 programme is available from Freedom Cycles, Beacon Park’s Ranger Station and Lichfield District Council’s Frog Lane offices. Details of upcoming rides can also be found online at http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/cyclerides.
Cycle Rides for All is run in partnership by Lichfield District Council, Freedom Cycles, Bromford Living, North Lichfield Initiative and Lichfield City Council.

Whitsun half term holiday fun

Lichfield District Council is inviting children and young people to have a half term of fun from 27to 30 May 2014.
There is plenty to do to keep young people busy and active across Lichfield District this summer half term.
From a Rapid Round of golf at Beacon Park and a Holiday Club at Burntwood Leisure Centre, through to swimming lessons and roller skating at Friary Grange Leisure Centre, families will be spoilt for choice.
New for this half term, Friary Grange Leisure Centre is running an ASA Level 1 Award in Teaching Aquatics. It is aimed at over 16s who are interested in becoming a support swimming teacher.
The five-day course costs £395 and the qualification will allow participants to work as a support swimming teacher anywhere in the UK. And, so the trainee instructors can gain valuable teaching experience, Friary Grange is offering four swimming lessons over half term for just £8. These will be led by the course participants who will be supervised.

Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Parks, said: “Taking part on a sports course or one of the many other activities is a great way to keep busy over the half term holiday. We have a wide range of activities on offer to children and young people, such as trampolining, swimming, football, golf and much more.”
To see the full Holiday Fun programme of half term activities, please visit http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/holidayfun.
To find out more, or to book any of the courses or activities that are running at the leisure centres, please call Burntwood Leisure Centre on 01543 308810 or Friary Grange Leisure Centre on 01543 308842.

 

Some Early Lines – Hawes Railway Station – Pennines

Some Early Lines

Hawes Railway Station – Pennines

A Midland Railway 4F 0-6-0 arrives at Hawes with the daily goods train from Garsdale. Formerly Hawes Junction, in the midst or the Pennines, Hawes was served by the Midland Railway from one direction and the North Eastern Railway from another. By joining up with the North Eastern, the Midland was able to gain access to the North East industrial area.

Hawes railway station is a disused railway station that served the town of Hawes in North Yorkshire, England. It was closed in 1959 and now forms part of the Dales Countryside Museum.
History
The station was opened in October 1878 by the Midland Railway (MR) as the terminus of their 6-mile (9.7 km) branch line from Hawes Junction. The MR branch made an end-on junction here with the North Eastern Railway (NER) line from Northallerton via Bedale which had been opened as far as Leyburn by 1856 and then extended onwards to Hawes in the summer of 1878. Although the station belonged to the Midland, the NER (and later the LNER) operated most of the passenger services from there — the MR section being worked as an extension of the service to/from Northallerton. The only exception to this was a single daily return service between Hawes and Hellifield that for much of its life was known by the somewhat unusual nickname of Bonnyface.

A view of Hawes station with a 4F 0-6-0 locomotive shunting in the goods yard. Although the station was owned by the North Eastern Railway, Midland trains used it. The slanted wooden fencing was typical of the NER and Midland but was also used by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

The NER section of the line lost its passenger service in April 1954, but the station retained a nominal service of one train each way from Hawes Junction (by now renamed Garsdale) until final closure to passengers on 16 March 1959. Goods traffic from the Leyburn direction continued until complete closure in April 1964, after which the track was lifted and the buildings left to fall into disrepair. However after many years of disuse, the site was purchased by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and converted into a museum and tourist information centre in the early 1990s, a role it continues to fulfil to this day. As part of this scheme, the station buildings and platforms were refurbished, a short length of track relaid and a preserved industrial tank locomotive, cosmetically painted in British Railways colours, together with a pair of ex-BR Mark 1 coaches were installed as a static exhibit.

The daily passenger train to Hawes arriving nearly empty behind a class 4 2-6-4 in bleak windswept country with dry stone walls. The Hawes line closed on 16th March, 1959.

Although isolated from the national rail network for over fifty-five years, the Wensleydale Railway hopes to one day eventually rebuild, re-instate and re-open the currently abandoned and derelict section of line between Redmire and Garsdale (thus would involve restoring the station to its former glory and active use).
However the train with three carriages which currently reside in the platform would have to be removed and be placed in a new-built siding out of harms way as the project would involve re-instating the entire station to its former use.

Accident at Hawes Junction, 24 December 1910. The two engines of the passenger express, Nos. 549 & 48, off the track. spellerweb.net