Timetabled goods trains on the Isle of Wight

There was a comment earlier in the thread stating that running unfitted goods trains was something that heritage railways had largely ceased to do. As such it is appropriate to respond and correct any erroneous perception, and that is certainly why I referred to Swanage, and presumably similarly with Tom with the Bluebell.

 

Chris seasons greetings.

Why did you comment only on Tom's post - Foxfield and Swanage were mentioned first

 

I would be interested to know which other railways run unfitted goods trains. Anybody know of any others please?

 

However many railways are doing so, there should be more - the sound of clanking and banging is as truly evocative of the steam era as the bark of a locomotive exhaust or the sound of its whistle. Actually, though, most heritage railway's demonstration freight trains are composed of relatively late fitted or piped BR-built wagons, and if they are fitted, why wouldn't they use those brakes?. It's only the lines with older stock in good condition that can turn out good representations of unfitted goods trains.

 

IIRC the Bowes and the TANFIELD run unfitted goods.

 

P M me please Dave.

Chris:

 

Ffestiniog, Talyllyn, Bala Lake,

 

Thank you spamcan81 and paullad1984

 

Gary - I might be being dense. In your Flickr photos of the 'Brighton box van, you mention a new number. But it looks plain grey to me without lettering yet! Or am I missing something?

What's the history of that vehicle, especially its post-withdrawal history? Was it an Island vehicle, or always a mainland one?

Tom

 

Tom- It is still work in progress, it was only outside while we swopped round a pair of SECR bogies that are having a lot of new steel replaced. The van is still in undercoat for SR brown and we are still awaiting the wood for the doors.

It was purchased from the KESR a number of years ago so sadly no it isn't an Island vehicle, but it is of the same type that was used on the Island. The number allocated is the next available in the Island numbering series. It will be included in the timetabled goods trains.

 

Thanks Gary. It's this one, presumably? http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=9412 That's been an epic job!

Tom

 

That's the one, it was only started in April! During its career it was an oil store for many years, the oil soaked inner framing was in remarkable condition.

We are already planning for the next couple of wagon restorations, one will be LSWR and the other another LBSCR 5 plank

 

NVR goods rake is also unfitted, although this is something we might change eventually. Most of our wagons are of the fitted type historically, but lost their vac cylinders, particularly the BR vanfits that came to the railway from British Sugar.

 

Vale of Rheidol can turn out an unfitted freight train as can the Welshpool & Llanfair. The latter is wooden framed as well but neither are loose coupled. As befits C20th narrow gauge lines both originally had "Norwegian" centre buffer couplings although the W&L has changed to the Grondana system as used on Italian street tramways and in Sierra Leone which has certain operational advantages.

Paul H.

 

Thanks Paul H and B17 61606

 

A question, whilst many have given examples of where unfitted trains can be run, how many railways regularly do so (outside galas or charters)? The IOW is the only railway I know of that plans to run regular goods trains, does anyone else?

 

Very likely you are right.. Hope it becomes general as it is much more to my taste than a branchline train of 5 Mark 1's with a Class 7 or 8 in charge!

Paul H.

 

Having cut my teeth on the Middleton Railway in the days when it only operated a goods train service, I really miss those times. Playing with 3-link couplings, mineral wagons, plate wagons, bogie-bolsters and trestrols (plus others) was so much more fun than having to contend with passengers. You soon learn that unfitted trains don't stop on a sixpence (or even the track, sometimes!) and there's not much more unnerving that realising that you aren't going to stop; in fact, you are going ever faster! How many people these days can use a shunting pole or even a brake stick?

 

Not qualified as a freight guard these days so must go back to KESR experience. I found the trick was to pin more down than necessary and get the loco to drag the raft down the bank. To stop just shut off steam and apply the guards brake which contary to popular opinion is not used on a steep bank. You rely on what is pinned down.

Never got the knack of coupling with a pole but can cut wagons off. I have used a brake stick in demonstration shunting, also used the back end of a shunting pole. Mind not as good as these lads

 

Mangapps has a good selection of unfitted wagons which are regularly run. Includes 4 GER vans, the most recently restored dating from 1881.