The Branch Line Society

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Sherwood Forest Railway
Sunday 17th November 2019

Report by James Beal


With our main line tour not starting from Barrow Hill until 12.15 there was plenty of time for another fixture. The third and final day of our AGM weekend saw a band of merry members shooting off to Sherwood Forest in rural Nottinghamshire. Some came in their Lincoln green 'hoodies' and others in scarlet but Marian wasn't made to attend.

This characterful 15" gauge railway is alongside, but lower than, NR's Tuxford Rail Innovation & Development Centre access line (the former High Marnham Power Station branch, ex-Lancashire, Derbyshire & East Coast Railway through to Lincoln, of course). The Sherwood Forest Railway locos are ⅝ sized models of contractors' locomotives, (but no Golden Arrow) giving it a much different look to most railways of this gauge. This was a second visit by the Society, but there had been track changes and a significant extension since our previous 31 Mar 2016 fixture (report BLN 1255.758).


Reaching the parts others can't reach…the shed at Loxley station end of line.
[© Lisa Sheppard 2019]




Guess who? Needless to say some keen members had to do the full extent of the Zip Wire at the railway (there was no age limit). Interestingly no one did the high level version above. Perhaps we might persuade Martyn Brailsford to add zip wires to TRACKmaps?
[© Lisa Sheppard 2019]


We started at Loxley, green still on this mid-Nov day. The party was split into two, each with one loco and a semi-open coach (which Little John might have struggled to fit in), to maximise coverage and haulage. I started with the diminutive Lister, driven by the enthusiastic owner. So enthusiastic, in fact, that he gauge cleared the route into the shed for us by taking a hacksaw to the doorstop, allowing the shed door to open all the way. He certainly had a handle on what we wanted. Maximum coverage achieved, we ran on to the run round loop and back over the other shed road to the doors (this line was chock full of stock on the inside). We then had the run of the run round loop before backing into the platform. The layout has changed here recently, with realignments due to the previous unusual island replaced by a conventional side platform.


Looping the loop on the Loxley station tour and showing the new platform.
[© James Beal 2019]


Soon the other group was back and we swapped over. Saddle tank 'Smokey Joe' took us on a spirited run down the bank. We reversed under a tree house (yes, really) to cover about a chain of the carriage shed branch. This was as far as we could go this time, due to the track condition. There was a bonus to come though... We continued down the running line and all 'went round the bend' past Weldale, the other public terminus and continued. We covered about 4ch of the extension (not open to the public); the single buffer of the loco touched the fifth chain (which fixed the stop block to the track). New track for every passenger left us all a quiver. More of the extension was staked out invitingly ahead…

Another spirited run back to Loxley allowed me to take in the location. The 550yd line is now a hockey stick shape. The completed route, almost doubling the length, will be a 'U', running along both sides of a dry valley, which is open but studded with mature trees. The track is laid part way up the valley side, allowing a clear view of the new formation from the existing running line on the opposite bank.

Back at Loxley, there was time for extra trips and a walking tour of the lengthy carriage shed, which had a row or two of stock (they have a large number of coaches for such a small railway). Then it was time to bid a fond farewell. For most it was back to Barrow Hill for our main line tour with even time to 'Tuck' into a 'Friared' breakfast as well at the café there before departure. We will return, when the time is right, to do the extension and full extent of the carriage line. The owner, David Colley, and his son Bob were most friendly, made us very welcome, and really seemed to 'get' what we want.

If you are looking for a mid-week minor railway fix, they run daily from Feb half-term to the end of Nov, 11.30 to 16.30 (last train) - check first. Many thanks to Neil Lewis for his meticulous organisation, right on target, and to Archie & Ruby Lewis for their excellent stewarding. Take a 'bow'. [By rights this item should, perhaps, have been in a 'Sans-sheriff' font as he didn't put in an appearance - Ed.]


The loco and coach for the main run, again showing the new platform at Loxley, behind the trees at a much lower level can be seen part of the roof of the very long carriage shed.
[© James Beal 2019]

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