2. Trains

Bolton Fell, 18th June 2011

A visit made to the Bolton Fell peat works of William Sinclair Horticulture on 18th June 2011, organised by the Cumbrian Railways Association. The weather was atrocious with the rain never stopping, although it eased towards the end of the visit. As a result of this I only used my point & shoot camera and some of the shots have clear evidence of the rain and its effects. Many thanks to the CRA for organising the visit and to the employees of William Sinclair for their welcome and willingness to engage in conversation.
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  • Looking along what might be termed the "main line" at Bolton Fell. This is the line running east from the main buildings on the site.

    Looking along what might be termed the "main line" at Bolton Fell. This is the line running east from the main buildings on the site.

  • Alan Keef 5/1979 and an unknown loco in states of unreadiness near the site workshop. I could not find any identification on the unknown loco at all.

    Alan Keef 5/1979 and an unknown loco in states of unreadiness near the site workshop. I could not find any identification on the unknown loco at all.

  • A closer view of the unknown loco.

    A closer view of the unknown loco.

  • And a closer view of Alan Keef 5/1979

    And a closer view of Alan Keef 5/1979

  • Another view of the two locos near the workshops,

    Another view of the two locos near the workshops,

  • And a side view of the two locomotives.

    And a side view of the two locomotives.

  • One of the wagons used for transporting the peat. If I heard right, the staff refer to these wagons as "bogies".

    One of the wagons used for transporting the peat. If I heard right, the staff refer to these wagons as "bogies".

  • Two of the peat wagons seen on the lines near the workshops.

    Two of the peat wagons seen on the lines near the workshops.

  • The first moving locomotive seen was 70 year old Gelt (Motor Rail 8696/1941) bringing one wagon to the tippler.

    The first moving locomotive seen was 70 year old Gelt (Motor Rail 8696/1941) bringing one wagon to the tippler.

  • More waggons parked in the main storage area near the workshops.

    More waggons parked in the main storage area near the workshops.

  • Esk (Motor Rail 7498/1940) was in the scrap line, having recently suffered a bent axle, apparently caused by a broken chain. Whether it will be repaired is not yet known.

    Esk (Motor Rail 7498/1940) was in the scrap line, having recently suffered a bent axle, apparently caused by a broken chain. Whether it will be repaired is not yet known.

  • Another view of Esk (MR 7498/1940)

    Another view of Esk (MR 7498/1940)

  • The rest of the locos in the scrap line were rathwe woebegone: This is Becky (Motor Rail 7215/1940).

    The rest of the locos in the scrap line were rathwe woebegone: This is Becky (Motor Rail 7215/1940).

  • SO 39 (Motor Rail 7190/1937) in the scrap line.

    SO 39 (Motor Rail 7190/1937) in the scrap line.

  • A side view of the youngest locomotive on site, Alan Keef No 26 of 1988, sitting on the scrap line.

    A side view of the youngest locomotive on site, Alan Keef No 26 of 1988, sitting on the scrap line.

  • The only identification on this loco was a plate bearing "Plant No 87025". It is Motor Rail 22238/1965, and is clearly a non-runner.

    The only identification on this loco was a plate bearing "Plant No 87025". It is Motor Rail 22238/1965, and is clearly a non-runner.

  • The locos on the scrap line: from left to right they are Esk (MR 7498/1940), Becky (MR 7215/1940), SO 39 (MR 7190/1937), Alan Keef 26/1988 and 87025" (MR 22238/1965).

    The locos on the scrap line: from left to right they are Esk (MR 7498/1940), Becky (MR 7215/1940), SO 39 (MR 7190/1937), Alan Keef 26/1988 and 87025" (MR 22238/1965).

  • What appeared to be the only passenger carrying stock on the railway was this rather neglected coach, seen at the end of the scrap line.

    What appeared to be the only passenger carrying stock on the railway was this rather neglected coach, seen at the end of the scrap line.

  • Another view of Alan Keef 26/1988.

    Another view of Alan Keef 26/1988.

  • Gelt (MR8696/1941) at the tippler.

    Gelt (MR8696/1941) at the tippler.

  • A view of Gelt from the other side of the tippler, just after the wagon had been emptied.

    A view of Gelt from the other side of the tippler, just after the wagon had been emptied.

  • Another view of the locos on the scrap line: from left to right "87025" (MR 22238/1965), Alan Keef 26/1988, SO 39 (MR 7190/1937), Becky (MR 7215/1940) and Esk (MR 7498/1940)

    Another view of the locos on the scrap line: from left to right "87025" (MR 22238/1965), Alan Keef 26/1988, SO 39 (MR 7190/1937), Becky (MR 7215/1940) and Esk (MR 7498/1940)

  • A view of the track leading to the tippler and the points at which the loop rejoins the "main line"

    A view of the track leading to the tippler and the points at which the loop rejoins the "main line"

  • Looking the other way, in a southerly direction. The line on the left is the "main line", the one ofn the right was being used by the empty trains to return to the stockpile of peat being collected.

    Looking the other way, in a southerly direction. The line on the left is the "main line", the one ofn the right was being used by the empty trains to return to the stockpile of peat being collected.

  • A closer look a the right hand line from the previous photograph.

    A closer look a the right hand line from the previous photograph.

  • And a view of the "main line" a few yards further south and away from the tippler.

    And a view of the "main line" a few yards further south and away from the tippler.

  • This line made quite a sharp turn beyond the end of the peat stack and headed off in a south-westerly direction

    This line made quite a sharp turn beyond the end of the peat stack and headed off in a south-westerly direction

  • Another view of this line.

    Another view of this line.

  • Back on the main line, looking south.

    Back on the main line, looking south.

  • Many of the sleepers on which the track rests are old standard gauge ones: This one has a 1927 LNER four hole chair still attached.

    Many of the sleepers on which the track rests are old standard gauge ones: This one has a 1927 LNER four hole chair still attached.

  • The rather temporary looking curve leading fro the "main line" to the large peat stack which was being loaded onto trains on this day, a derailment having meant plans were changed at short notice. The use of sleepers of various lengths and various planks is interesting.

    The rather temporary looking curve leading fro the "main line" to the large peat stack which was being loaded onto trains on this day, a derailment having meant plans were changed at short notice. The use of sleepers of various lengths and various planks is interesting.

  • A dead end line running across the fell, and terminating within about 20 yards of the "main line".

    A dead end line running across the fell, and terminating within about 20 yards of the "main line".

  • Irthing, a seventy year old locomotive (Motor Rail 8655/1941) surrounded by members of the Cumbrian Railway Association as it waited for another loco to clear the line from the peat stack.

    Irthing, a seventy year old locomotive (Motor Rail 8655/1941) surrounded by members of the Cumbrian Railway Association as it waited for another loco to clear the line from the peat stack.

  • Another view of Irthing (MR 8655/1941)

    Another view of Irthing (MR 8655/1941)

  • Waiting behind Irthing was Sark (motor Rail 8825/1943), two years younger than Irthing

    Waiting behind Irthing was Sark (motor Rail 8825/1943), two years younger than Irthing

  • Another view of Sark (MR 8825 1943), this time with it's train in view.

    Another view of Sark (MR 8825 1943), this time with it's train in view.

  • 74 year old Liddel (Motor Rail 7188/1937) seen heading up towards the "main line" with a train of 5 loaded wagons. Just after I took this shot the loco ground to a halt following much wheelslip.

    74 year old Liddel (Motor Rail 7188/1937) seen heading up towards the "main line" with a train of 5 loaded wagons. Just after I took this shot the loco ground to a halt following much wheelslip.

  • The drivers of Irthing and Sark came to the assistance of Liddel by hand sanding the wet rails in front of the loco.

    The drivers of Irthing and Sark came to the assistance of Liddel by hand sanding the wet rails in front of the loco.

  • With much effort, noise, clag and smoke (from the wheels) Liddel managed to restart its train, with sanding continuing.

    With much effort, noise, clag and smoke (from the wheels) Liddel managed to restart its train, with sanding continuing.

  • Liddel (MR 7188/1937) making her way around the curve towards the "main line".

    Liddel (MR 7188/1937) making her way around the curve towards the "main line".

  • A closer view of Liddel (MR 7188/1937) as it passed (very slowly)

    A closer view of Liddel (MR 7188/1937) as it passed (very slowly)

  • Sark's driver changing the points to allow Irthing to pass over them and set back onto the line Liddel had just emerged from.

    Sark's driver changing the points to allow Irthing to pass over them and set back onto the line Liddel had just emerged from.

  • The wagons of Irthing's train being propelled down the branch to the peat stack.

    The wagons of Irthing's train being propelled down the branch to the peat stack.

  • Irthing (MR 8655/1941) propelling its train down the branch.

    Irthing (MR 8655/1941) propelling its train down the branch.

  • A more distant view of Irthing (MR 8655/1941) as it propels its train past the peat stack

    A more distant view of Irthing (MR 8655/1941) as it propels its train past the peat stack

  • Irthing (MR 8655/1941) propelling its train towards the waiting digger at the far end of the peat stack.

    Irthing (MR 8655/1941) propelling its train towards the waiting digger at the far end of the peat stack.

  • Another view of Sark (MR 8825/1943).

    Another view of Sark (MR 8825/1943).

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    Two of the peat wagons seen on the lines near the workshops.
    The first moving locomotive seen was 70 year old Gelt (Motor Rail 8696/1941) bringing one wagon to the tippler.
    More waggons parked in the main storage area near the workshops.