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The unusual is a speciality of the Society - running into the normally-disused depot headshunt on one of our vists to Crich Tramway Village on 23rd October 2016. [© Simon Mortimer 2016] |
The Branch Line Society
Guest
Fixtures
The Society maintains an active programme of varied outdoor fixtures, and these are run primarily for members. In some cases, especially mainline charter trains, we are pleased to accommodate non-members.
Members receive 24 newsletters per year giving advance notification of events, and benefit from priority booking and discounted fares. You can normally re-coup your membership fee on just one fixture and some fixtures are for members only, so
join us today!
If you are not a member and would like to be kept informed about our fixtures, please click here.
Click on a fixture name below for more details, and to book or notify interest.
Please note that although dates are given as far in advance as possible (in order to allow a measure of planning by intending participants to take place), they must be treated as only provisional until an event is actually open for bookings, as changes can and do occur.
| Saturday 29th September 2018 Full | Llangollen Shunter ShuttleA joint fixture with Llangollen Diesel Group and PLEG departing at 12.15; an unusual opportunity to enjoy a brakevan ride behind 08195, as part of the Diesel Day. Route: Llangollen station, past Goods Jn ground frame to Pentre Carriage & Wagon Works gates. Then running via Fford Jn up the incline to Llangollen Yard Diesel Road before returning to the station. This fixture has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| Saturday 29th September 2018 Open for booking | Coate Water WarblerCoate Water Country Park, three miles south east of Swindon station.
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| Sunday 30th September 2018 Open for booking | Ribblesdale Cement WorksThanks to Hanson Cement Ribblesdale (part of Heidelberg Cement), identical 'all available lines' tours of the branch railway at 10.00, 11.00, 12.00 & 13.00, each limited to 50 participants, in our Society mess van 'Molly' and lasting about 45 minutes.
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| Friday 12th October 2018 Full Pay on the day | Anglesey Signal Boxes & Ground Frames visitsThanks to Barney Clark, visits to Gaerwen, Valley & Holyhead boxes with Ty Croes crossing box and associated ground frames. This fixture is for members only. This fixture has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| Thursday 18th October 2018 Full Pay on the day | Derby New Track TrackerThanks to Tom Gilby, who will lead the group. All available new track with a Derbyshire Wayfarer day ranger, sure to be an enjoyable and sociable day out. All the extensive new lines are planned (except P7 - no booked use) including the scissors, by three trips to Long Eaton, two to Burton, three to Sheffield and one to Matlock with breaks. Also, to lift your day, the Heights of Abraham Cable Car (special non-alighting fare may be possible), or Tutbury as an alternative. This fixture is for members only. This fixture has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| Sunday 21st October 2018 Open for booking | The Andover AnchovyAndover & District Model Engineering Soc, about 3¼ miles south of Andover station.
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| Friday 26th October 2018 Waiting List | Kirklees Light RailwayWith thanks to Gary Lonsdale, all available lines private running with diesel traction (No8 'Jay' at least) on this delightful 15" gauge line, opened in 1991 on almost the entire Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway's Clayton West branch, built as a double track main line, a public run of 3¼ miles (The elevated miniature railway is not available and may have been removed by the time of our visit.) This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Friday 26th October 2018 Open for booking | National Coal Mining Museum Mine TrainA 2' 6" gauge, 480yd (public run) line. Thanks to Kev Adlam, private running, important note: this is weather permitting, all available track on the Mine Train hauled by the 1989 Clayton battery locomotive. This fixture is for members only. |
| Friday 26th October 2018 Notify interest Pay on the day | West Yorkshire Service Train TrackerAfter our National Coal Mining Museum fixture Mark Haggas is investigating options for unusual routes, crossovers, platforms and stations. A start at Outwood station (free parking) on the 16.59/17.20 to Leeds is envisaged.
This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 27th October 2018 Waiting List | Middleton RailwayThanks to Kev Adlam, private running, all available lines including a very rare and final chance to travel over the Dartmouth Branch. 'top & tail' with diesels HC D577 'Mary' and HC D1373 'MD&HB 45'. This fixture is for members only. This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Saturday 27th October 2018 Details awaited Pay on the day | Annual General MeetingNotice is hereby given that the Society's 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) will be held at the Engine House, Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet, Leeds, LS10 2JQ, commencing at 12.00. Members are invited to attend, express their views on issues discussed, which may include an important resolution sponsored by your Committee, celebrate our wide provision of unique railway infrastructure-related services and look forward to further such opportunities in the future.
This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 27th October 2018 Save the date | Middleton Railway 'Behind the Scenes' tourA guided tour of the Railway's Workshop and Museum, free of charge for all participants on the earlier railtour.
This fixture is for members only. |
| Saturday 27th October 2018 Open for booking | Railway Film PresentationChris Totty, our well known member (since early 1968) is travelling from Jersey to present 'Part 2' of his films after our AGM. This supplements the superb selection Chris showed last year featuring BLS railtours, other UK tours and a 1968 Isle of Man holiday. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 28th October 2018 Open for booking | The Ruby ShoesdayThanks to our Merseyrail friends, a low cost leisurely day complimenting our recent tours, with pick-ups at Hooton P2 and Liverpool Lime Street Low Level and set downs at Liverpool Central Low Level and Hooton P3. It includes James Street Stabling Siding, New Brighton Wall Siding, West Kirkby No2 Siding, Southport No9 Siding, Birkdale No3 Siding, Rock Ferry P3 (bay platform), Hunts Cross P2, Hoylake crossover, the Down Southport in the Up direction from Leeds Street Jn and the customary visits to Birkenhead North Depot (No5 Road requested) and Kirkdale Depot. On the day surprises are possible! |
| Wednesday 31st October 2018 Open for booking Pay on the day | Chesterfield RoundaboutA BLS trackbed walk led by our local expert Neil Lewis aided by renowned junior members Ruby and Archie Lewis. Visiting the remains of the Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway, Great Central Railway loop, Brampton Branch and existing Midland line. |
| Sunday 4th November 2018 Full | The Ruby VampireAn easy day out 'Track & Traction' loco-hauled railtour with West Coast Railways (WCR) booked to feature at least one Class 33 locomotive exploring the North West and the DC network on Merseyside. Highlights include Chester Goods, Dee Marsh Reception, Bidston Stabling Siding, Chester Curve, and the much sought after strategic connections at Bootle Jn and Southport, as well as the goods loop at Croes Newydd. This fixture is for members only. This fixture has now reached capacity and regrettably, no more bookings can be taken. |
| Sunday 4th November 2018 to Sunday 25th November 2018 Notify interest Pay on the day | Highland Line Signal Box VisitsIncludes at least Perth, the lovely Pitlochry box (which is closing) and Blair Atholl. Also a visit to Perth signal training centre with a fully operational lever frame and NX panel!
This fixture is for members only. |
| Friday 9th November 2018 Open for booking | Grifftonbury 2018In conjunction with East Midlands Trains, The Branch Line Society are pleased to facilitate the bookings for a (non-rail) musical event.
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| Saturday 17th November 2018 Open for booking | The Screaming ValentasA special, low-cost railtour with a difference as we partner with 125 Group and East Midlands Trains (EMT) to take a newly refurbished EMT (ex-Grand Central) six coach HST set from Derby to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham), using the connection off the mainline at Loughborough South Jn. Traction is expected to be two EMT buffer fitted powercars as far as Ruddington, where one EMT power car will be removed in favour of 125 Group operated prototype powercar, 41001. |
| Saturday 8th December 2018 Waiting List | Carnforth Charity Charter CrackerWest Coast Railways (WCR) with BLS and PLEG are delighted to announce a rare Track & Traction event at WCR's Carnforth base. Subject to line availability, (which should be better than usual as three trains are due out)/operational constraints, the train will cover as many tracks as safely available.
This fixture is now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please click on the tour name and click on the "Join waiting list" button - there is no need to send an email. |
| Saturday 5th January 2019 Save the date | Scunthorpe Steel Works Railtour No. 17No further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |
| Sunday 24th February 2019 Save the date | Railtour in the north of EnglandNo further details are available at present. |
| Saturday 13th April 2019 Save the date | Weston, Nantwich Methodist Church & Willaston RailwaysNo further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |
| Thursday 16th May 2019 to Sunday 19th May 2019 Save the date | Island of Ireland IV (2019)No further details are available at present. This fixture is for members only. |