The only magazine specialising in narrow gauge railways. We recall the past, and offer comprehensive, in-depth coverage of today’s narrow gauge scene. We speak with authority to our readers, many of whom run narrow-gauge railways.
“Steam locomotives are notoriously attention-demanding, financially draining bits of machinery…” Welcome to NGW192 as we return to our summer monthly schedule not a moment too soon – there is so much happening on the narrow gauge scene! Most of the railways get up and running around Easter time but I always think the season really starts with the first of the enthusiast weekends at Statfold, one that I try never to miss – lots of locos and loads of action is the perfect way to awaken from the winter slumbers. Of course today it’s not just Statfold Barn, it’s the Statfold Narrow Gauge Trust, – the centre near Tamworth has come a long way since my first visit, back in 2012. Then there were just three open days a year…
A2ft 6in gauge locomotive not seen in A public for 30 years is to find a new home at the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway in mid Wales. Bagnall 0-6-2T ‘Conqueror’, built in 1922 (works no 2102) for Lloyd’s, later Bowaters paper mill at Kemsley in Kent, is being donated to the line by the Vale of Rheidol Railway, which today oversees the collection of narrow gauge artifacts built up over many years by Peter Rampton under the auspices of the Phillis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, and known to many enthusiasts as the fabled ‘Collection X’. Conqueror worked on the Kent industrial line, part of which would later be preserved as the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, for almost half a century – as featured in NGW191 the loco…
The Vale of Rheidol Railway has moved two more of the many locomotives that were preserved by the late Peter Rampton at a private location in Surrey to the mid-Wales line, for storage and potential eventual restoration. The move is part of a relocation from the Surrey facility, which for many years was known to enthusiasts as Collection X as the preserved items were out of public view. An extension has been built at the VoR’s Capel Bangor shed to accommodate the collection and the full relocation is expected to be completed by early 2026. The two latest arrivals are a Bagnall 0-4-2T (2895/1948) no 2 at the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa, and Borsig 0-6-2T ‘Sotillos’ (6022/1906), one of eight locomotives from a Spanish industrial line that Peter…
Diligent work by the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s track gang saw damage caused by December’s Storm Darragh rectified in mid March. Working with Natural Resources Wales and external contractors the railway finally regained access to its upper terminus at Devil’s Bridge, having removed more than 100 trees that had fell across the line. Aside from the storm recovery work a renewal of the heavily used Glan-yr-Afon level crossing was completed – the original installation, dating back more than 30 years, had been suffering from rail wear and movement. The new installation includes a reinforced concrete pad, new rail, and a tarmac finish. Before the new passenger operating season began on 5th April the permanent way team also completed re-sleepering and ballast work over a three-quarter mile section of line, using…
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have released more details of the 19th-22nd June event that promises to be the stand-out narrow gauge contribution to the Railway 200 year of celebration, marking the 200th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first public railway between Stockton and Darlington. The FF&WHR event will also mark the platinum jubilee of the first preserved services on the Ffestiniog in 1955 – over the four days trains will recreate different eras of the line’s history. The Welsh Highland Railway will play a full role and the line’s Boston Lodge Works will be open to visitors, culminating in the ‘200 Wheels on the Cob’ cavalcade on Sunday 22nd June. The event begins on the evening of Thursday, 19th June when Simplex, ‘Mary Ann’ will cross…
Three 2ft gauge lines based in the northwest of England have signed a memorandum of understanding to forge closer ties. The West Lancashire Light Railway and Staffordshire lines the Apedale Valley Light Railway and Amerton Railway hope to foster closer working, the sharing of good practice and knowledge between the three. The three lines consider they have a lot in common – all are entirely volunteer managed and operated, all rely heavily on steam traction, and all are underpinned by charitable organisations. West Lancs chair Mike Spall said that in an era of increasing pressures on heritage railways, the lines are better working in cooperation than competition. “The three organisations have always worked together – and many people are already members of at least two of the railways. Rather than…
