Crowle Peatland Railway - News

Yep all 3 locos and 3 tandems! And 5/6/2019.. some more photos from the day.

 

Schömas 5130 & 5129 was put on to some rails today, 5129 currently is a non runner so it was up to 5220 “The Thomas Buck to tow both locos on to the rails! I’ve had a fun day doing some driving that’s for sure!

 

Absolutely splendid progress and looking very settled as an operational site. Really pleased to see all of the Schomas back together as a fleet, just some wagons and a peat bog for some extraction and back to the old days........ just dreaming.....

Cheerz,

Alan

 

Our site is on Crowle Moors which is a peat bog, its a SSSI site in fact, we've only got 1 peat tub wagon, and to my knowledge the only surviving one from the system! Would have been good if we could have got 5-10 of them for photo charters but ah well..

Here is a short video from the day.


Oh yes I got the wasps stripes finished on the front.. I'm quite impressed with myself!

 

More track down.. Just needs screwing in and we can run locos on it.
We are looking for a point leaver as well, if anyone knows of any going for a reasonable price!

 

The Thomas Buck has been progressing very quickly recently now and isn’t far from being completed. Hopefully 2 of the Schömas will be outside running.

We are having multiple open days in September
Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th
Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd




Thought I’d include this photo.. The naming ceremony of The Thomas Buck, the man himself is leaning on the front of the loco.

 

Bit slow with the updates I know.. The open weekends was great, we are looking to do the same next year, possibly May - October, with a possible gala day as well. Work is progressing on trying to find a suitable base for a coach and extending the line further.
5220 was running both weekends (Yes slave is operational) although its out of traffic for some winter maintenance currently, but should be back in service soon!

 

If anyone happens to know of any 3’ or 900mm gauge wheelsets could you please let me know.. I was daft enough to take on the job of finding 3’ gauge stock. It is resulting in many headaches and sleepless nights. And before anyone mentions it Bord Na Mona still have a while left.

 

According to the latest edition of Railway Magazine that arrived today, they seem to have aquired a former Lisbon tram as passenger stock from the "Collection" in the Walton-on-Naze area...

 

Yes there is a photo of it on their Facebook. Looks in good condition, I know they were having issues sourcing suitable gauged passenger stock. Think it fits the bill rather well.

 

Well it is 900mm gauge, which is near enough....!!
Doubt whether Mr H will ever do anything with the other Lisbon cars he owns, so at least one has "escaped".....

 

Image of the new passenger vehicle from Facebook.

 

I've been meaning to post a update as to what we've been up to but yes the Lisbon Tram Car No.711 will become our passenger carrying vehicle, it hopefully is arriving next Saturday.. Watch out for photos if I remember! It's quite immaculate inside to say its been outside 20 odd years.

 

Excellent

Excellent news and massive congratulations to all of you.

 

Ex narrow gauge trams can make surprisingly good looking carriages.
Here are three ex metre gauge trams forming a train on 600 mm gauge Pithiviers in France.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhm0284/15046526260/

 

After seeing Fintown Railway previously using Belgium trams for coaches (One now purchased by Southwold) I looked in to the idea, then found out about the ones in Roger's yard! It definitely is a good alternative for us 3' Gauge railways where existing stock is limited. Ours will not be changed cosmetically much minus the bits on the roof being removed.

 

Safe and sound at its new home. The Schoma's don't look so big now..

 

Looks great!

 

Should anyone wish to visit we are open as part of the heritage open weekends in September. There will be two Schoma's running, While we have our Lisbon Tram 711, Simplex 40s302 and the 3rd Schoma 5130 All sat inside on display. Face masks are required indoors..

Dates - 12th-13th & 19th-20th, Opening times 10:00 - 16:00
Address - ‘The Old Peat Works’, off Dole Road, Crowle, North Lincs. DN17 4BL


We are also holding a photo shoot on the evening of the 12th of September its £10 per person, should anyone be interested here's a link to book https://peatland.co.uk/website/photo-charters

5129 was out doing some shunting the other evening.. Still a few little bits to tidy up on our two operating Schoma's, but most of that is making the cabs a bit more tidier.

 

Any news?