The Steeple Grange Light Railway

An evening visit to

The Steeple Grange Light Railway (SGLR)

 

I was fortunate recently to be able to attend a ‘Transpire’ (The Chesterfield Bus Society) 
visit organized by Shayne Howarth to the SGLR.

 

The railway is located on the outskirts of Wirksworth in Derbyshire and alongside the High Peak Trail to which there is direct access.

 

Living locally, I decided to forego going to Chesterfield for the bus ride there. I immediately regretted my decision when I saw the groups choice of transport.

 

This turned out to be FJC 736F. One of only two Dennis Pax buses specially built for Llandudno UDC in 1968 and I think the only one to survive. They were for services up the Great Orme and to St. Tudno’s church. 

 

They replaced two Fodens with Metalcraft bodies built in 1951 

 

I apologise for the poor quality of this image but I had a choice between this and getting run over !!!

I have perhaps gone overboard with the images of the bus but I have done so because of its rarity.

 

It also brings back memories of riding on it in Llandudno in 1968 or ’69 when it the had a cream top half to go with the blue lower half.

 

 

 

The SGLR is built to a gauge of 1 foot 6 inches and runs on the trackbed of what was a standard gauge line running from the Steeple House Junction on The Cromford and High Peak Railway up what is known as the ‘Killers’ branch. The name derives from the brothers who owned it and not to anything more sinister.

 

The C&HPR line dates from 1830 when horses provided the traction whilst the SGLR dates from 1985.

 

A lot of the loco’s and rolling stock come from an industrial background, most having worked in quarries, mines and factories etc.

 

The ‘centre’ of operations is this sturdily built stone engine house which provides cover and accomodation for some of the loco’s and their crews.

 

To the rear is a paved area with a heavy duty hoist and access to the right of the image to a two track traverser which allows loco’s to be securely stored in a modern container in what appropriately were old standard gauge railway vans.

 There were two trains in service.

 

The first of which took the members assembled up the branch in the direction of Middleton to its current end at a little over half a mile distant.

 

This comprised this Ruston and Hornsby built 4 wheel diesel loco dating from 1957 coupled to two former NCB ‘manriders; which came from Bevercotes colliery in Nottinghamshire. The ‘manriders’ were originally built to a gauge of 2 feet 3 inches so they both needed to be re-gauged.

 The Ruston, named ‘Horwich’ was built for and named after the British Railways works in Lancashire where it worked. It then resided in a museum at Blaenau Ffestiniog from where it was purchased in 1997. 

The second which runs to the Steeple house quarry was comprised of two four seat ‘manriders’ hauled by ‘Greenbat’.

The manriders came from the Ladywash Mine at Eyam in Derbyshire.

 Greenbat was built in 1960 by Greenwood and Batley and is a 5 H.P. battery electric that spent most of its earlier working life in factories.

 Here we can see ‘Greenbat about to take the branch off to the left to Steeple house quarry. The quarry has been designated as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the fossils dating back millions of years that can be seen.

 

 The track as it wends its way through the woods in typically delightful narrow gauge style.

 

 The end of the line in the quarry. If the first barrier fails to stop you, the second one certainly will.

 

As the main line ascends towards its present terminus on the way to Middleton, it passes what is known as Dark quarry where the railway has built a shed which accomodates various items of rolling stock.

 

And finally, a footnote (sorry about that). 

 

Is this the shortest temporary platform on any UK railway ??

 

Conclusions then. 

 

A excellent outing made even better by the very obliging and welcoming ‘crew’ at the SGLR. 

Combined with perhaps a visit to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and/or the nearby National Stone Centre it would make a good day out for those who have to travel further than I did.

Further images of the SGLR are here  Flickr 

'Scene' in a sunny Edinburgh 2013 part 2

By 2010, the whole fleet was ‘low floor’ so the need for a distinguishing livery was no longer needed.

 

SN08 BWY another Volvo B9TL with Wright Gemini body and SK52 OJL a Dennis Dart with Plaxton ‘Super Pointer’ body show off the ‘new’ livery which uses ‘wein rot’ (which translates from the German as red wine) instead of madder and white with the addition of gold. The ‘Super Pointer’ is super insofar as it is built to a length of 11.3 metres whereas the ‘standard’ Dart is 10.7 metres long

 

A very attractive livery in my view in which the style of the application of the colour dates back to an earlier age. Anyone who can remember Kingston upon Hull’s ‘streamlined’ livery will know what I mean.

Other buses appearing in current fleet livery were SK52 OJH another Super Pointer Dart

SN04 AAK a Transbus Trident with Plaxton President Bodywork

 

'Scene' in a sunny Edinburgh 2013 Part 1

 

My son Andrew and his wife Joy recently had a short holiday in Edinburgh. Knowing of my weakness for buses they kindly brought me back a variety of images. Joy quite got into it. Nipping in and out of the traffic whilst Andrew was more laid back settling himself on Princess Street with a couple of cans of I’rn Bru. Their combined efforts are pictured herewith, the words are mine.

 

The main operator in Edinburgh is Lothian Buses plc (LB). LB has its origins in the Edinburgh Street Tramways Company of 1871. Edinburgh City Council took over the operation in1919 becoming Edinburgh Corporation Tramways Department (ECTD). The first buses joined the fleet in 1919 and the things continued much as before until the tramway was finally abandoned in 1956 when ECTD became Edinburgh Corporation Transport (ECT). 

 

In 1975, following local government re-organization in Scotland. The ownership of ECT passed to Lothian Regional Council Department of Public Transport and so Lothian Regional Transport came into being (LRT).

 

In 1996 the Lothian Council was abolished and after some political manoeuvring LRT became LB in January 2000. 

 

For as long as I can remember, the fleet livery has been based on Madder (a deep red)

and White applied traditionally in bands of block colours. I have also seen this described as Plum and Spilt Milk but as is the case these days nothing stays the same for long.

 

In 1999, LB introduced the ’Harlequin’ livery which still used Madder and white. This was to advise intending passengers that  buses so painted were low floor and could accept mobility limited passengers. An earlier version that used smaller diamonds was replaced with this simplified version.

 

 SN04 ABK

A Transbus Trident with Plaxton’s President bodywork threads its way through roadworks which are part of the building work taking place to provide Edinburgh with a tramway system.

SN04 ABX

Another Trident/Plaxton President combination shows the offside livery to good effect.

 

SN08 BWO

A Volvo B9TL carries Wright’s Gemini bodywork in the same livery. This combination of chassis and body has been LB’s ‘standard’ choice since 2007.

 

 

 

‘trentbarton’ (tb) are to ‘ZOOM’ into Derby from Long Eaton

‘tb’s website yesterday announced the start of a new service called Zoom which commences on Sunday 8th. of September.

 

According to the published timetable, starting from Long Eaton, it will run via Breaston, Draycott and Borrowash then non-stop to Derby bus station.

 

Timed to depart Long Eaton for the most part of the day at 15, 35 and 55 minutes past the hour. 

 

The return times from Derby again for most of the day are at 17, 37 and 57 minutes past the hour again running non-stop to Borrowash.

 

It is interesting to note that since July, ‘yourbus’ (yb) of Heanor have been running its Y5 service on roughly the same route but starting and finishing at Beeston.

 

However on the Long Eaton to Derby section. It is further interesting to note that ‘tb’s departure times are to be 3 minutes earlier than ‘yb’s which are at 18, 38 and 58 minutes past the hour but from Derby ‘yb’ departure times are better spaced at 05, 25 and 45 minutes past the hour.

 

Throw into the mix the fact that that ‘tb’ are running non stop to and from Borrowash and ‘yb’ isn’t. Then there are the makings of an interesting situation developing.

 

Certainly, the residents of Long Eaton, Breaston, Draycott and Borrowash are going to be spoilt for choice ! 

 

BF62 JYU

 

A ’yourbus’ Mercedes- Benz Citaro leaves Derby for Beeston on the Y5.

 

Images of whatever buses ‘tb’ chooses to use on 'Zoom' will appear here on September the 9th.

 

WATCH THIS SPACE

'trentbarton's 'Frio' to go

‘Frio’ to go.

 

I notice from ‘trentbarton’s (tb) website that no more ‘Frio’ promotional tickets will be sold from August 17th. 2013.

 

‘Frio’ saw the customer buying ten tickets between particular points at face value and getting a further three for the same journey free.

 

The reason being is that the sale ‘Frio’ tickets have been in decline as the rise of ‘Mango’ sales has increased.

V199 ERA 

An Optare Excel in ‘Frio’ promotional livery pictured in the ‘old” Derby bus station.

'Scene' at The East Midlands Airport (EMA) 5th. August 2013

It is nearly 50 years since the EMA opened. In that time many airliners and for that matter many airlines have come and gone.

Starting out as a small regional airport the EMA has blossomed into a major organisation with links right across the World.

Apart from the tens of thousands of passengers that pass through the doors it also has a substantial freight trade. Indeed one of the major players  DHL has a large facility here. 

I have been watching the comings and goings for most of those 50 years and the attraction never fades. It is much harder to watch aircraft at the EMA these days. Gone is the spectators gallery where you used to be able to wave off your friends and relations.

Today you are limited to peering at long range through a wire mesh fence. It is a great pity that British airports have not learnt to accept enthusiasts and embrace them like many continental airports do.

As with most things in life, you make the best of what you have and get on with it. 

I would like to thank Mr. John Beastall's 'Aviation Database' for allowing me access whilst captioning the following images.

D-AALC

A Boeing 777-FZN of German operator 'AeroLogic' seen just after landing, taxying to the DHL facility.

It first flew in December 2009 as constructors number (c/n) 36003

G-DHJH

A British registered Airbus A321-211 of 'Thomas Cook  UK' takes off on its way to Dalaman in Turkey.

Built for 'Airtours' in June 2000 as c/n 1238, It then flew for 'My Travel Airways' from May 2003 before coming to its present operator in November 2011.

OY-SRK

A Danish registered Boeing 767-204ERF  of 'Star Air Freight'. It was built in 1985 as c/n 23072. Originally on the British civil register as G-BLKV  being registered in 1982 to Britannia Airways. Since that time, it has flown in South America, New Zealand, Africa, Iceland and elsewhere as a passenger aircraft before being converted to a freighter in Israel in 2005.

 

Other aircraft 'Scene' at EMA on 5th. August 2013 Flickr 

'Scene' in Chesterfield 5th. August 2013

I suppose if most enthusiasts were asked "What draws you to a particular bus or type of bus". That amongst the answers would be "Because it's the newest" or "the oldest" or "because in some way it is different from the rest". 

I am no different to you, so the selection here reflects all of the above.

I should also point out that when I say newest, I mean that is to me. You may have seen them before but I may not have.

First then, one of the newest.

MX12 JXV

A Wright 'Streetlite' WF (Wheel Forward).

Part of the 'Mistral' hire fleet, it currently serves G & J Holmes of Clay Cross and is seen loading prior to departure to Buxton on the route 66. (now where have I heard that before).

I like the 'Streetlite'. I have travelled on both versions and find it quite acceptable but wether it will make any serious inroads into a niche that seems to be dominated by Optare's Solo remains to be seen.

Then to not quite the oldest but nearly so.

N362 VRC

A Dennis Lance with an Optare Sigma body.

N362 VRC was built for 'Trent Buses' in 1995, then had a spell with associate company 'Notts & Derby' before coming to Hulleys of Baslow in 2004.

Although it must be coming towards the end of it career, It still looks and sounds well. 

 

So to something that's a bit different.

 

 KX53 VNF

Stagecoach's fleet list shows it as being a Dennis Trident with a Plaxton President body whilst others credit it with being a Transbus product. No matter, we all know what we are looking at.

It is different in that in a town, Chesterfield in Derbyshire that is full of Stagecoach buses with Yorkshire Traction legal titling it is based in Worksop in Nottinghamshire and carries Lincolnshire Road Car legal titling.

I appreciate that there are good reasons for this but to me, it all seemed much simpler in East Midland Motor Services days.

 

More buses 'Scene' in Chesterfield can be seen  here Flickr