Foxfield Railway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Foxfield Railway |
|
|---|---|
Wimblebury seen working a train at Dilhorne Park
|
|
| Locale | Staffordshire |
| Terminus | Caverswall Road |
| Coordinates | 52°58′33″N 2°03′52″W / 52.97570°N 2.06454°W |
| Commercial operations | |
| Original gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Preserved operations | |
| Stations | 2 |
| Length | 2+1⁄4 miles (3.6 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| 1893 | Opened |
| 1965 | Colliery closed |
| Preservation history | |
| 1965 | Railway preserved |
The Foxfield Railway is a special kind of railway that keeps old trains running. It's located in Staffordshire, south east of Stoke-on-Trent. This railway was first built in 1893. Its main job was to carry coal from the coal mine at Dilhorne.
The railway connected to the North Staffordshire Railway line near Blythe Bridge. Today, the Foxfield Railway is open on weekends. You can ride the trains on Sundays, Bank Holidays, and some Saturdays from April to October. They also have fun Santa Special trains in December!
Contents
History of the Railway
Building the Line
The Foxfield Railway was built between 1892 and 1893. It was created to link the Foxfield Colliery (coal mine) to the main North Staffordshire Railway. Local workers helped build the railway. Many were North Staffordshire Railway employees who worked on it during weekends.
Noah Stanier, a foreman from the North Staffordshire Railway, oversaw the construction. They used recycled materials, including tracks, from the North Staffordshire Railway. This helped them build the line efficiently.
Saving the Railway
From Coal to Passengers
When the coal mine closed in August 1965, local volunteers stepped in. They formed the Foxfield Light Railway Society. Their goal was to save the railway line from being removed.
At first, passengers rode in old, converted coal trucks. These trips went up a very steep hill out of the mine site at Dilhorne. A special steam engine, called a tank engine, pulled them up this challenging slope.
New Stations and Services
Later, the railway bought new passenger coaches. They also built a new station at Caverswall Road in Blythe Bridge. This station is about half a mile from the main Blythe Bridge station.
The trains now run for about 2+1⁄4 miles (3.6 km) from Caverswall Road. They go all the way to the top of Foxfield Bank. Workers are currently fixing the last half mile of track. This will allow passenger trains to go right into the old coal mine area again.
Where to Find the Railway
The Railway's Location
The original railway line used to connect to the Crewe-Derby Line near the station. That connection has been removed now. However, you can still see some old, abandoned wagons in the sidings from passing trains.
The main station and depot are at Caverswall Road. This is about half a mile north of Blythe Bridge railway station. You can find it along Blythe Bridge Road.
Filming Location
Even though the railway is in Staffordshire, it has been used for TV shows! Parts of the BBC series Cranford were filmed here. That show is set in Cheshire.
The railway appeared in a special Christmas episode in December 2009. The character Matilda 'Matty' Jenkyns, played by Judi Dench, invited other characters to ride the train. She wanted to show them how useful the railway could be for their town.
Visitor Facilities
The station at Caverswall Road has great facilities for visitors. There's a Buffet where you can get hot and cold food and drinks. There's also a Real Ale bar called "The One Legged Shunter."
You can also visit a museum building at the station. It displays many interesting items related to local railways. You can also see locomotives that are not currently running there.
The railway runs trains on Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to October. They also have special Santa trains in December.
Locomotive Fleet
The Foxfield Railway has the biggest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives in Staffordshire. Most of these engines used to work in factories or mines. They also have a good collection of industrial diesel engines. A Class 142 Pacer train, number 142055, arrived in August 2020 and is working.
Steam Locomotives You Can Ride
These are the steam engines that are currently working and pulling trains.
| Origin | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement |
Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyer, Peacock & Co. | 1827 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1879. It started running again in 2013. | .jpg) |
| Hunslet Engine Company | 3839 Wimblebury | 0-6-0ST | Built in 1956. It returned to service in July 2017 after a big check-up. |  |
Steam Locomotives Away from Foxfield
These engines are owned by the Foxfield Railway but are currently on loan to other railways.
| Origin | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement |
Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. | 1984 Boots No. 1 | 0-4-0F | Built in 1930. It's on a long-term loan to the West Somerset Railway. It is waiting to be fixed up. | |
| Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns | 7063 Eustace Forth | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1942. It started running in July 2017 after a big repair. It is on loan to Peak Rail. |  |
Steam Locomotives Being Fixed
These engines are currently being repaired or restored to run again.
| Origin | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement |
Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunslet Engine Co. | 3694 Whiston | 0-6-0ST | Built in 1950. It worked in coal mines for many years. It's getting a new smokebox and saddle tank. | .jpg) |
| Avonside Engine Co. | 1563 John Paton | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1908. It is undergoing a long-term restoration. | |
| Peckett and Sons | 1567 Ackton Hall No 3 | 0-6-0ST | Built in 1923. It's a very rare type of engine. It was taken apart for restoration. | |
| W. G. Bagnall | 2623 Hawarden | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1940. It is undergoing a major repair. Its boiler has been sent away for work. |  |
| W. G. Bagnall | 3059 Florence No. 2 | 0-6-0ST | Built in 1953. It ran again in 2008 after a big restoration. It is expected back in 2021. | .jpg) |
| Hawthorn Leslie and Company | 3581 Marston, Thompson & Evershed No. 3 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1924. It is undergoing a long-term repair. It is expected back in 2021. | |
| Kerr Stuart | 4388 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1926. It is being repaired after a change in ownership in 2020. |  |
Steam Locomotives on Display
These engines are currently stored or on display and are not running.
| Origin | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement |
Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haydock Foundry | C Bellerophon | 0-6-0WT | Built in 1874. This is the oldest engine in the collection. It is owned by the Vintage Carriage Trust. |  |
| North Staffordshire Railway | 2 | 0-6-2T | Built in 1923. It is on display in the museum building. It arrived at the railway in 2016. |  |
| Robert Heath & Sons Ltd. | 6 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1886. It was rebuilt in 1934. Funds are being raised to fix it up. |  |
| Peckett and Sons | 933 Henry Cort | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1903. It is on display in the museum, waiting for repairs. |  |
| Peckett and Sons | 1803 Ironbridge No. 1 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1933. It is on display in the museum, waiting for repairs. |  |
| Peckett and Sons | Works No. 2081 No. 11 | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1947. It is on display in the museum, waiting for repairs. |  |
| Kerr Stuart | 4127 Moss Bay | 0-4-0ST | Built in 1920. It is on display in the museum building. |  |
| Sentinel Waggon Works | 9535 | 0-4-0 | Built in 1952. It is on display in the yard. Repairs are being thought about. |  |
Operational Diesel Locomotives
These are the diesel engines that are currently working.
| Builder/class | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W.G. Bagnall | 3150 Wolstanton No. 3 | 0-6-0DM |  |
|
| Bagnall | 3207 Bagnall | 4wDH |  |
|
| BR Class 142 | 142055 | Two car unit | It arrived in 2020. It is being prepared for service. |  |
Diesel Locomotives Being Fixed
These diesel engines are currently being repaired or restored.
| Builder/class | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Barclay | 486 Clive | 0-6-0DH | It is being returned to working order. Its bodywork was repainted in 2016. |  |
| English Electric/Drewry Cars | WD820 | 0-4-0DM | This engine was used during the D-Day landings in 1944. It is being repaired. |  |
| Janus class | 2868 Ludstone | 0-6-0DE | Restoration started in 2015. Work is now focusing on the mechanical parts. |  |
| Ruston and Hornsby 165 | 424841 Roman | 0-4-0DE | New parts have been fitted. Its bodywork has also been worked on. |  |
Stored Diesel Locomotives
These diesel engines are currently stored and not running.
| Builder/class | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Rail Simplex | 2262 Helen | 4wDM | It is stored and waiting for restoration. |  |
| Kerr Stuart | 4421 | 6wDM | It is on display in the museum. |  |
Electric Locomotives
The railway also has one electric locomotive.
| Builder/class | Number/Name | Wheel arrangement | Notes | Photograph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Electric | 1130 | 4wBE/WE | It is not working because it needs batteries or overhead power lines. |  |
Passenger Carriages
The railway has many different carriages from various years. These are used to carry passengers along the line.
- Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) No. M25607. (Working, fixed up in 2019).
- Mk 1 Brake Corridor Second (BSK) No. M34672. (Being fixed up).
- Mk 1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) No. M4762. (Being fixed up at the Llangollen Railway).
- Mk 1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) No. M4243. (Working, privately owned. Bought in March 2021).
- Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) No. M25225. (Stored at Dilhorne Park. Needs a lot of work. Privately owned).
- LMS Theatrical Scenery Van No. 37519. (Changed into the "Bass Belle Observation Bar Car" for passengers). It is on display. It will be fixed later.
- LMS third class gangwayed vestibule coach No. 27249. (Stored, waiting for repairs).
- LTSR PMV No. 1. (Rebuilt in 1920. Stored, not in use. It was used as a kitchen car before).
The NSR Rolling Stock Restoration Trust
In 2008, a small group started to restore two old North Staffordshire Railway coaches. Their dream was to create a Victorian train, just like ones that used to run in the area. This group became known as the Knotty Trust.
In 2012, they received a grant of £30,000. This helped them finish the first coach, No. 127. Since then, they have found and collected more old "Knotty Coaches." They also have other important historical vehicles.
| Number | Type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 228 | First (FY) | Undergoing Restoration | Owned by the NSRC. It is at the Churnet Valley Railway. It was given to the Knotty Trust in 2014. They are raising money to fix it. |
| 61 | Third (TY) | Operational | This was the second coach fixed by the Knotty Trust. It started running in August 2014. |
| 127 | Third (TY) | Operational | This was the first coach fixed by the Knotty Trust. It started running in August 2014, with coach 61. |
| 23 | Brake Third (TB) | Operational | This coach was found in a forest near Rudyard Lake. It was fixed as part of the "ABC" project. It started running in May 2019. |
| First (FY) | Stored | This coach was also found in the forest. It is stored while other projects are completed. | |
| First (FY) | Stored | Only half of this coach exists. It was found in the forest and is stored for now. | |
| MR Six-wheel Composite Luggage (CLZ) | Stored | This is one of only three left of its kind. It is planned to be fixed once a full Knotty Train is running. | |
| 1108 | MR Bogie Third (T) | Stored | Only the body of this coach remains. It is planned to be fixed once a full Knotty Train is running. |
| 348 | MR Picnic Saloon (FOZ) | Stored at [Peak Rail] | Only the body of this coach remains. It is planned to be fixed once a full Knotty Train is running. |
| NSR Brake Van | Stored | The sides of an original NSR Brake Van were found being used as a barn. They are now stored at Foxfield. | |
| 4384 | LMS Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) | Stored | Donated to help with the restoration of the CLZ coach. |
| 731945 | LMS Goods Brake Van | Stored | Only the frame remains. It will be changed for use with the ABC coach. |
| 1703 | SR Parcels & Miscellaneous Van (PMV) | Stored | Donated to the Knotty Trust. Its frame will be used for Saloon 348. |
Freight Wagons
The railway also has a collection of freight wagons. These help to preserve the history of Britain's industrial past.
These include the common '16 ton' mineral wagons. These wagons were often used for coal trains in the 1960s. There are also '21 ton' hopper wagons, also used for coal. A rare 21-ton tippler wagon from the Central Electricity Generating Board is also here. It worked its whole life in the North Staffordshire coalfield.
