Wren 3114 - First Steam at Bromyard & Linton Railway

It is planned that the Vale of Rheidol Railway's Kerr Stuart "Wren" locomotive No 3114 will visit the Bromyard & Linton Railway to operate a photographic charter, promoted by David Williams.

David Williams writes:
"The Bromyard & Linton Railway is not a line that is on the radar of many enthusiasts, albeit that it has been in existence since the 1960s as a concept and since the late 1970s as a preserved railway. It is laid on the track bed of the former Great Western/Western Region line from Worcester to Leominster to two foot gauge though, save for a couple of original bridges, there is by now nothing to indicate the line's previous standard gauge pedigree and the line has all the appearance and ambiance of a narrow gauge backwater, which is why it is so attractive photographically.

The Railway is not open to the public and very rarely hosts private visits. The last time steam ran on the line was when it was standard gauge and still open to Western Region traffic. The line has not been modernized (spoilt!) in the way that many preserved railways have and as such presents something of a unique opportunity. One never likes to say ‘this won't happen again' but it is unlikely to be even a semi-regular occurrence. At a time when many are saying they have ‘been there, done that' this is definitely an opportunity that has not occurred before!

Therefore, we are offering a choice of two days with the opportunity to photograph Wren 0-4-0ST No.3114 when it ‘calls in' at the Railway en-route to a season-long loan in the South of England. There are no public services planned, so whether it happens is entirely dependent on whether we as photographers are between us wish to make it happen.

In terms of attendance, this really will be extremely limited numbers, hopefully just sufficient to cover the cost of the venture and nothing more (transport, labour, crew accommodation and similar), so there should be some fairly rare pictures to be obtained. In any case, the lineside does not lend itself to very large gatherings! Very few sites such as this still exist in modern preservation, so if you like attempting to recreate the unusual and unspoilt in your pictures, this is an opportunity to seriously consider. The charter style will be laid back, centring on recreating cameo rural and industrial narrow gauge scenes. Just to emphasize, this is not a wide open scenic landscape type of charter so please do not expect that; what it is, is something rare and unusual where very different pictures can be obtained."

Further information and a booking form can be found at: http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/bromyard.htm

The Vale of Rheidol Railway is the owner of locomotive No 3114. The charter is being promoted by David Williams.

 

Not sure - just going by the information given to me by the charter organiser. Happy to be proved wrong! Someone on Nat Pres is bound to know!

Nevertheless, this is a very rare and unusual opportunity to visit the line and we hope it will be of interest to forum members.

 

Does anyone know which is the railway in the South that the Wren is going on loan to, as alluded to in the article?

 

Unfortunately, Mezosoic has been dismantled at Bromyard for decades, is the loco still there?

Cheers,

Alan

 

Google street view seems to show an inverted saddle tank and a set of frames in the undergrowth

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.1...4!1sBRe6Np1MetioFYB4dQuNMg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

The view is dated Sept 2009 so mutch could have changed in the last 6 years

Cheers
Colin

 

Yes indeed . . . 3114 will be spending 2016 at the London Museum of Water and Steam (formerly Kew Bridge Steam Museum) operating on the Waterworks Railway.

 

Mesozoic's frames were there two weeks ago I think- drove past in the dark and think they were still sat in the corner near the fence.
Chris

 

There are a couple of shots here of a PLEG charter on the line in 2013. I especially like the one of the Simplex elbowing its way though the undergrowth.

http://www.pleg.org.uk/events/misc/1/misc_g1.html

 

Sounds great, really admire the Bromyard and Linton

 

3114 will be spending the rest of the 2016 season working at the London Museum of Water and Steam (Kew Bridge) whilst the resident Wren "Thomas Wicksteed" undergoes maintenance.

With the Wren away, recently restored Quarry Hunslet "Margaret" 605/1894 will be used on Driver for a Fiver duties at the Vale of Rheidol. Driver for a Fiver operates on the demonstration line at Devil's Bridge. For dates of operation see: http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/driverfiver.htm

 

Spaces are still available for this unusual opportunity to visit the Bromyard and Linton Railway as they welcome a working steam locomotive for the first time in the line's history.

You will have the opportunity to photograph an industrial locomotive working in an unspoilt, rustic location, oozing with unspoilt narrow gauge charm.

For bookings, please contact David Williams - a booking form can be found here: http://www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/bromyard.htm