Back to the past at Moseley anniversary event

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MOSELEY Railway Trust (MRT) harked back to its roots during its September 21-22 50th anniversary celebration at Apedale Valley Light Railway by operating passenger rides on its ‘Field Railway’. 

These basic rides, recalling the spirit of operations half a century ago, were undertaken using skip wagon underframes fitted with back-to-back seats and safety chains. 

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This was the first, and probably only time passengers had been carried on this otherwise demonstration line. 

Trains were worked top-and-tail by pairs of internal combustion locos, six locos being involved at various times during the event.

Operations on the primary Apedale Valley LR were handled by Hudswell, Clarke ‘Ganges’ 0-6-0WT No. 104 (1238/1916), Kerr, Stuart 0-6-0T+WT ‘Joffre’ 3014/1916, ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No. 303 (HE1215/1916), John Sutton’s new-build three-ton Decauville 0-4-0T  Edgar (making its debut hauling passenger trains), and three visiting locos. 

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Pictured in this September 21 passenger operation on Moseley Railway Trust’s ‘Field Railway’ are Ruston 223667/1943 No. 65 (leading) with Hibberd 3465/1950 No. 11  on the tail. MARK SMITHERS

The guests comprised Baguley 0-4-0T  Rishra (Leighton Buzzard Railway), Bagnall 0-4-0ST Kidbrooke (Yaxham Light Railway), and Kerr, Stuart ‘Wren’ 0-4-0ST  Roger (Statfold Barn Railway).

Displayed following cosmetic restoration was 20in-gauge 20DL Ruston diesel 354013/1953, which was effectively MRT’s original loco No. 1, rekindling memories for trust members who first learned to drive locomotives in the 1970s using this loco. 

It was acquired in July 1970 and ran at MRT’s old Cheadle Hulme school line until 1977, when the decision was made to change to 2ft gauge. 

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The steam trio that visited Moseley Railway Trust’s anniversary event are pictured during a September 19 pre-event photo charter. From the left are Bagnall 0-4-0ST Kidbrooke, Baguley 0-4-0T Rishra with a train of skip wagons, and Kerr, Stuart ‘Wren’ 0-4-0ST Roger. STUART CHAPMAN

The loco was sold back into industry and subsequently returned to preservation under the care of Darlington Railway Preservation Society (DRPS). 

DRPS has placed it on loan to MRT, which will restore it to full operational condition.

Read more News and Features in the November 2019 issue of The Railway Magazine –on sale now!

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