Durley up for Auction

I see that what remains of the Durley Light Railway are up for Auction on the 6th October, the Hunslet and theFeldbarn, O&K diesal and stuff. Southern Counties Auctioneers are doing the sale. Looks intersting

 

have you a link to the web site please.

That is a shame I was speaking to the owner a few years ago, and he was so impressed with what had happen at the Lynton and Barnstaple in Devon he was thinking of donating the whole lot to them when he died, it would be a shame to brake up the collection, I don't know of many places, that it could go to, unless someone wanted to start a new railway.

Also do you happen to know why now?

Regards

Colin

 

Yes more details would be most welcome please!

This is a very interesting collection and a lovely railway with friendly staff when I visited in 2010. I hope the the collection goes to a good home!

The Feldbarn wasn't there when I visited (on loan to Hollycombe) but the Hunslet Josephine was working the line. She's a reasonably big engine for 2ft gauge, converted from a 3ft gauge saddle tank (ex- British Aluminium). The O&K Diesel was also there, with some skip wagons. There were also two coaches, one ex-admiralty toast-rack with no roof and an ex-WHHR closed coach.

I'm not too sure on the history of the site, as it had connections with the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Trust who had stock there for a time. It was a loop of track with sidings, turntable and sheds. The ultimate garden railway!

-Rob

 

Sadly Barry the owner passed away earlier this year, this is why the collection is now being sold. I too was looking for details of this auction, I knew the Feldbahn which is at hollycombe was due to be auctioned soon, but could not (and still can't) find any details online.

I did meet Barry once at hollycombe on one of my few days volunteering there, at the end of the day Rob Gambril and I gave him a footplate trip round the railway on TOURSKA, Rob offered Barry a drive of the loco, but being a small chap, he was unable to operate TOUSKA's stiff regulator, so I got a go at driving the loco.

Hopefully I should be at Hollycombe one day later this week, so will see if I can find out any more details.

 

That is sad news about Barry. He was a very friendly chap, giving lots of time to tell us about the railway and its locomotives. We also had plenty of cake and tea in the little tea-room there. Such a great visit
He had also taken the time to make a display about the DLR, with lots of pictures and info. It would make a good book!

 

Hi Rob

It must have been Barry that I spoke to when we where both at Woody Bay a few years ago then, it is a great pity, is there a stock list anywhere not so much of the locos but the rolling stock. It is one of those railways I so wanted to visit, but never got around to going to.

Does any one have any photos of the site, I have seen a you tube clip from the early days but I was wondering about the grounded coach bodies are they still there?

If anyone has any more information about this railway I would like to know.

Regards

Colin Rainsbury

 

Colin,

There was an old coach body that I think was Drummond's old inspection coach. I was on the platform. This is passed onto the Drummond society I believe.

I have pictures from the site, I will flickr these and put up the link.

From what I can piece together, from talking to people and the Middleton Press book 'Hampshire Narrow Gauge' the site was built by Barry and his family. The Hampshire Trust also came and brought there locos and knowledge (including Hunslet Cloister and Bagnall Wendy and the ex-ramsgate coach).

Two saddle tanks arrived from British Aluminium (Fort William- see the book THE PUGGY LINE- The Lochaber Narrow Gauge Railway by Patrick Howat). The Hunslet (formally Lady Morrison) became 'Josephine', her saddle tank being mounted on stilts to form a water tower! She was given tanks as she is now.
The other (formally Sir Murray Morrison), similar design (Brazil class?) but built by Kerr, Stuart was raided for parts (I think for Excelsior at Whipsnade). The frames, wheels and other bits were then used by Alan Keef to make No.1 'Dromad' at the Cavan & Leitrim Railway.
I don't know the history of the Feldbahn, but track was improved for the loco could transverse the points.
The HNGRT did leave the site, but I think there were few open days after this.

Naturally please correct me if any of this is wrong, but this is what my fried brain has managed to piece together on a Monday!

-Rob

 

The Durley Light Railway 2010 - a set on Flickr

my pictures on flickr, to serve at a memory of a very enjoyed day!

-Rob

 

Thanks Rob

I know very little about the railway itself, except what I may have read in the railway press, as you say there have not been to many open days to get to.

Do you happen to know how long the running line was? I think I read somewhere that they had relaid the whole site with concrete sleepers, that being the case may be the boys at the L&BR may be interested in them if they can accommodate 50 ilb rail that is.

Colin

 

The running line was a complete loop, at a guess 500 yards, maybe slightly more?

Lots of concrete sleepers, but you may be able to see form the pics that is was a fairly light rail. Not sure what weight, but lighter than your track at Woody Bay.

 

I'm writing this on behalf of my father, who has been sorting the site out for Mrs Curl.
The site has been tidied up and lotted for the auction.
The Hunslet Brazil has a new boiler ticket and was steamed last Thursday.
The Feldbarn is having its boiler survey this coming week, thanks to the kind people at Hollycombe, the loco will be returned to Durley for the auction.
The O&K is running well and has seen a lot of use in the past few weeks.
Included in the sale is a large quantity of spares for the hunslet and the O&K diesel, including a spare engine and gearbox.
Also in the sale are a number of items of rolling stock, including the two coaches mentioned previously in this thread.
Over 300 concrete sleepers, all of the rail, point work and turntable.
A Hunslet quarry loco boiler, ex cloister no 524 (repairable).
A small Westinghouse pump, suitable for a narrow gauge or small standard gauge locomotive (i.e. A1x Terrier).
A great number of steam spares including whistles, injectors, water gauges, pressure gauges etc.
There are also some unused BR firing irons/clinker shovels, BR 12 tpi boiler plugs and taps.
Plus Lathes, Milling machines and 50 years accumulation of tools and accessories.
My father has found it very sad sorting this site, having been a friend of the Curls since the early 70's.
The auctioneers are currently writing the catalogue, which will be available online soon.

Feel free to ask questions, preferably by PM. Responses may take a while as I have to be able to relay back to my father.

 

Hogger,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply to this thread. That is quite a collection! I am sure we will all be following the auction with interest, however I will not forget the Curls kind hospitality and friendliness during my visit to Durley. My kindest regards to all those involved.

-Rob

 

Sad news indeed. I hope the equipment finds good homes.

Some old photos of the line can be found here:
LOCATION UNKNOWN Narrow Gauge & Industrial - a set on Flickr

 

Hi Hogger

While I cant speak for every one on this list, would you please be kind enough to send all our condolences to Mrs Curl from this list via you Dad thank you.

Regards

Coin Rainsbury
The Little River Loco Group

 

yes indeed, please do!

 

I will, Thank you very much. I have fond memories of the site and will be sad to see it go.

 

I stunned! I used to live in Bishops Waltham and knew Barry well but I had no idea he had passed away! It will be a great shame if the collection gets broken up, or worst still ends up never seeing the light of day again somewhere!

Durley was where I had my first ever footplate ride back in HNGRS days, and I have great and happy memories of visiting. The Great Durley Train Disaster (the quarryman's coach derailed) is a popular story in my family, but you had to be there! What a great shame!

 

Barry and His Wife in the early 70s were responsible for saving a large quantity of rail, waggons and locos from the clay workings at Norden. If it hadn't been for them, virtually nothing would have been left of the narrow gauge system that existed on Purbeck since the second World War. We thank both of them for all the effort they did at that time and for the record supplied of where all the stock and rail was disposed to.

John Rowley
Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum

 

Catalogue (though it does not list the items individually!): http://www.salisburyauctioncentre.co.uk/uploads/7/8/2/9/7829616/catalogue_310812.pdf

Scroll to page 19

 

I believe that is just an advert for the auction, a full catalogue will be available some time next week.