Wensleydale Railway

[Tom F]

Afternoon all

I have always had a soft spot for the branch, especially seen as I live in Wensleydale (further up the dale where sadly there is just a track bed)

I have decided in 5 years or so time, when I have my current Model Layout pretty much finished, I intend to make an exhibition layout of a section of the Wensleydale line, including Aysgarth Station (my station) with a section of open line.

Although they layout will not commence soon, im interested in info or pics of the line in the early 50s, I know passenger services ceased in 1954, although briefly re opened for a few months during the awful winter of 1963.

I do know J21s, D20s and G5s worked the line, particular G5 'Old Faithful' hauling the passenger trains, and from what I have seen in pictures K1s on the pickup goods with J21s, and I have a postcard of a WD 2-8-0 passing through Leyburn station in the 1960's.

Anyhow anymore info/pictures...much appreciated

Tom

[PGBerrie]

Try Railway Memories No 7, Airedale and Wharfedale (Bellcode Books). There is a small potted history of the development of the system and good black and white pictures from the start of British Railways to the end of steam,

Peter

[50A]

Hi Tom.

You could search out a copy of the Oakwood Press book of the line "The Wensleydale Branch - A newhistory" it is a hardback book with a very comprehensive history,maps and photos from your era. I am not sure if it is still in print (my copy is printed 1993) but you should be able to get a copy somewhere.

Andy

[Tom F]

Hi Tom.

You could search out a copy of the Oakwood Press book of the line "The Wensleydale Branch - A newhistory" it is a hardback book with a very comprehensive history,maps and photos from your era. I am not sure if it is still in print (my copy is printed 1993) but you should be able to get a copy somewhere.

Andy

Thanks Andy, as it happens I have the book nice read and some great pictures.

As it happens I have got in contact with Wensleydale Railways historian, who has over 80 photographs and track and signaling plans for Aysgarth Station..... keep you posted with developments

Tom

[Tom F]

Changed the name of the thread to better reflect the topic now

As a member of the Wensleydale Railway Association, I felt with the latest developments currently happening, it was worth posting.

Since it started working passenger trains in 2004, the railway has been very much geared as a community railway running DMU's and recent years loco hauled trains with a Class 47 and Class 20. For the last 4 years a steam loco (Standard 4 Tank) has come to the line each summer.

2011 will show a change is a afoot.

1st-3rd July, the Railway is hosting it's first Steam Gala, featuring the GCR's Black 5 45305 Alderman.A.E.Draper, plus Langollen's GWR 5643. The Black 5 is staying for the summer, with the possibility of another coming, and possibly staying on for Santa Specials.

For Diesel fans there is at least 1 Deltic booked, with possibly more too.

Feels like a turning point for the railway, with 2011 feeling like a brand new start!

and to add to that, I've set up a youtube channel for the railway, and I'm proud to show Version 1 of our Promotional Video, needs tweaking with a final video coming out in the next few weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP_c9OU7tU8

enjoy

[Atlantic 3279]

Sounds interesting. May be another weekend destination to add to the list, if I can still afford to travel this summer.........
Why is there not a mass uprising against the pricing of road fuel at £6 a gallon!

[manna]

G'day Gents

As most members of the downtrodden mass's are poor they can't afford the petrol to go to the rally

manna

[woberty]

I been a couple times to the Wensleydale and throughly enjoyed the trips.

Currently there is an email doing the rounds suggesting no-one buys fuel on a certain day.

Rob

[PGBerrie]

Wondering why I had Airedale and Wharfedale on my earlier post. Still there now is a Railway Memories on Northallerton, Ripon and Wensleydale (Nr 23, Bellcode Books, Stephen Chapman). 28 pages covering the journey from Northallerton to Hawes. Quite a lot of pictures from the early fifties,

Peter

[Tom F]

Evening Gents

Thanks for the feedback, as promised, a slight update

New promotional video uploaded to the channel in HD...hopefully will entice people to have a look at the railway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raR6w3Mbwws

Tom

[woberty]

Thanks for the link Tom, excellent promo vid.

[cambois]

A great little clip. Brings back memories of when it was part of my patch. They deserve to succeed.

[Tom F]

Many thanks chaps

Some more videos uploaded on the Wensleydale Railway channel, both should be of interest

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_2zVg7vJAc

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFTZ3p0Zq7w

[Tom F]

New video up...regarding the new build LNER G5....fingers crossed she will be serving the Wensleydale Railway when built!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV4q6PbNBuw

[Tom F]

Evening all

Some footage of mine of steam on the Wensleydale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D2Um5oI ... ideo_title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJvU9EYk ... ure=relmfu

things are going really well this summer... I have fingers crossed when the G5 is completed we will see it on the branch for some time....plus the J21 when it's fully restored....just a shame no D20....the trio would be completed!