[Photoplug] Stainmore Rly, Cumbria

Here are 23 photos taken during a flying visit to the Stainmore Railway last week which may be of interest.

http://andrewsheritagetransport.fotopic ... 25775.html

Although the railway is still some way off operating trains, it has a variety of main line diesels and an excellent museum in the former Kirkby Stephen East Station. Well worth a visit if you are in the Settle & Carlisle area.

Despite its name, Kirkby Stephen East is on the western side of the town, at the foot of the long steep hill from the station on the S & C (which used to be Kirkby Stephen West.)

The Stainmore's website is:

http://www.kirkbystepheneast.co.uk/

Cheers

AN

 

Just been today, I'd echo the comments, great project, nice folk and deserving of support!

 

Thank you for you kind words :smt023

 

A place I still need to visit. I am concerned about the LNER coaches though. Is it likely these will all eventually be restored? Did you note the condition of the 'flying Scotsman' RB 1852?
The rare Brake Van example looks great though!
I don't want to be picky 'wcmlbls1846' but your unidentified GUV is a SR full Brake no 207.
Steve

 

Don't be concerned Steve, all the coaches are in the restoration queue and having talked through them all yesterday, it'll not be too long! The RB is inside the station building and in use as a buffet facility - just the job and I had my lunch in it!

 

Is there a map showing exactly where the length of track under restoration is? I couldn't find one on the website.

The society's stated aims are entirely local to Kirkby Stephen, but does anyone harbour wild dreams of reconnecting with the Eden Valley Railway some distant day, and running into Appleby?

In any case, it's nice to see a group quietly getting on with it and achieving. They've also amassed quite a useful list of traction and rolling stock assets. I hope they can realise the potential of these one day.

 

Thanks to Steve for the info re the Southern brake.

I do not have a photo of coach 1852, but did photograph the other two Gresley coaches inside the museum in 2007:

http://andrewsheritagetransport.fotopic ... 04454.html

The track work was taking place at the west end of the station yard. I do not think there is much prospect of reinstating the line to Warcop. Bridges have been removed and, even if the route is still available I think it would be beyond the resources of the Stainmore.

The Eden Valley Rly at Warcop are committed to reopening to Appleby - ie away from KSE - because the track was never lifted after the line closed in 1989 or thereabouts and is still in place. Indeed, they were hoping to have trains running between Warcop and Appleby this summer, but have decided that there is a section that needs relaying. I do not know why they did not do this while everything was at a halt last year following a bridge bash near Warcop.

So I think the die is cast for the future, with two smallish groups based at Warcop and Kirkby Stephen and no rail connection between them.

Cheers

AN

 

Im a member at warcop, when i recently moved back to Kirkby Stephen i went to look at both projects, decided on Eden Valley within 10 seconds of walking in! Yes there is a slight delay with the extension to Appleby, but they do run trains every sunday, interesting mix of stock as well ranging from a thumper, to MLV powered 4CEP's.

 

Couldn't agree more with all the positive comments

 

Dunno if it's of interest, but the unidentified DMU is 56274, ex Rutland Railway Museum.

Does anyone know when the two DMU cars arrived? I know the trailer car was there by Nov 08 and the powercar by Mar 09, but didn't know if either had arrived earlier than then?

I'd also be interested in hearing about any work done on or future plans for these vehicles

 

I think that the power car arrived about a week or so after the trailer. Am sure that I've read it somewhere before but can't seem to think of where.