Kirkham/Millbanke Miniature Railway

I have come across these photos on the web, but Googling doesn't bring up much else about the railway -

http://www.amounderness.co.uk/john_leyland_birley_1906.html
http://www.lancashirepioneers.com/birley/homes.asp

Is there a write-up of it anywhere ? Anyone know what became of the loco(s) and rolling stock ?

Richard

 

My attention has been drawn to an article in the July 16th 1903 issue of "The Model Engineer and Electrician" on the railway and the other engineering items on the estate. It turns out the railway was 20 ins. gauge, so strictly doesn't belong in the "miniature" category, although being only 400 yards in length, running in a basic "L" shape, it is difficult to see it as anything else. I assume the loco and rolling stock were scrapped after the death of the owner, unless anyone knows otherwise ?

Richard

 

Hello, Richard.

I have just come across your note about John Birley's miniature railway. If you are still interested, please feel able to get in touch at martin.ramsbottom@btinternet.com and I will let you know what information I have.

Best wishes.

Martin Ramsbottom

 

The photograph in the Model Engineer showing Mr. Birley with his first locomotive also appears in 'The Locomotive Magazine' September 5th 1903 where it is described as 'An unique locomotive for a narrow gauge railway'. The compound vertical engine in this locomotive was built by Willans and Robinson Ltd., a company originally established in Thames Ditton to manufacture high speed marine engines, by 1903 they had moved to Rugby.

 

Following permission from the original poster on an e-group, the full scans including details of both locos and the stock can be found on the excellent Miniature Railway World forum.

If you are interested in miniature railways of any gauge, you'll find the forum very interesting and staffed/posted to by a great number of railway operators, professionals, manufacturers and enthusiasts.

The gauge of 20" of course does not preclude it as being considered "miniature". Whilst the 'debate' has been had dozens of times previously, there are indeed 'miniature' representations of full-sized prototypes of up to 3ft gauge in some instances. The railway at Millbanke is something akin to 'miniature' with some scaled-down equipment; other elements of it are what one might describe as 'minimum gauge' or Heywood-style.

http://s9.zetaboards.com/MRW_Forums/topic/7255075/1/

 

Facinating read. Did any of the material survive, not just the railway but also the collection of broad gauge photos?