Mountsorrel Railway

Trainfan344 · 21 Mar 2017

What sort of wagons does the coal traffic use, are they suitable for the tight curves of the mountsorrel branch? With regards to the reversal, top and tail with shunters down the branch, and swap them for the mainline loco and a GCR loco at Swithland? It's beginning to sound a little too much like fantasy I fear.

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Tomnick · 21 Mar 2017

AndyW33 said:
The current permission also has a very tight cap on the number of days of operation that are permitted per year,
It also does not permit through operation onto/off the GC main line with farepaying passengers on board. This could be resolved with track and signalling alterations at Swithland, and funds are being raised to do this.

I'd understood that the restriction on the number of days of operation related only to passenger trains working over the (short) through siding at Swithland to access the branch. I'm open to correction, but I thought that they (when everything's finalised at least) could do what they want on the branch itself.

Regarding commercial freight traffic - my opinion is that the vastly increased maintenance requirements would probably outweigh the revenue received, the alterations necessary would destroy the authentic atmosphere at Swithland, the operational constraints would be too restrictive to the existing heritage operation and the branch would need to be completely rebuilt. Not a positive development, in my view.

AndyW33 · 21 Mar 2017

Tomnick said:
I'd understood that the restriction on the number of days of operation related only to passenger trains working over the (short) through siding at Swithland to access the branch. I'm open to correction, but I thought that they (when everything's finalised at least) could do what they want on the branch itself.

Since no train conveying fare-paying passengers has ever worked over the connection between the main line and the branch, because it isn't passed for this at all in its current condition, no, the restriction applies to the use of any part of the branch by passenger trains.
There was the inaugural train run for the volunteers and corporate sponsors who made the revived Branch possible, which did run onto the branch with passengers onboard, but no fares were charged. That was when it was discovered that the curves were really too sharp for the liking of 63ft coaches.
When the branch does run passenger services (12 days a year, if I remember correctly, is the maximum permitted) the train runs ECS over the connection and then shuttles up and down on the branch.
Come and have a look this weekend 25 & 26 March - the first two Branch Running Days of the year!

Cowley · 21 Mar 2017

Andy - I will get a run on it at some point (I've already had a nice meal at the new cafe). Out of curiosity what happened when it was realised that the carriage was too long, did it cause damage to the flanges?

pmh_74 · 22 Mar 2017

I believe it was found that the buckeye couplings suffered some damage.

Tomnick · 22 Mar 2017

AndyW33 said:
Since no train conveying fare-paying passengers has ever worked over the connection between the main line and the branch, because it isn't passed for this at all in its current condition, no, the restriction applies to the use of any part of the branch by passenger trains.
There was the inaugural train run for the volunteers and corporate sponsors who made the revived Branch possible, which did run onto the branch with passengers onboard, but no fares were charged. That was when it was discovered that the curves were really too sharp for the liking of 63ft coaches.
When the branch does run passenger services (12 days a year, if I remember correctly, is the maximum permitted) the train runs ECS over the connection and then shuttles up and down on the branch.
Come and have a look this weekend 25 & 26 March - the first two Branch Running Days of the year!

There's no operational reason for passenger trains being barred from the connection between the main line and the branch proper - in its current state, it'd only need a couple of point clips, a movements inspector or similar, and some special arrangements published. I've just checked, and that is indeed what the arbitrary limit applies to. At least once everything's finalised and the branch finally signed off for regular operation, they could run a self-contained passenger service (with associated ECS movements onto and off the branch) every day of the year if they felt so inclined! Hopefully the proposed minor resignalling will make things very much easier and allow a Quorn - Swith - Mountsorrel - Rothley - Quorn service on a semi-regular basis before too much longer.

ryan.hogg1890 · 22 Mar 2017

Flying Phil said:
Yesterday I had a ride on a DMU along the new GCR Branch Line - the Mountsorrel Railway.

Despite being just over a mile long, there are two stations, a large cafe with an adjoining museum section and the beginnings of a quarry museum section with sidings, a large shed and three restored local private owner railway wagons.

There is also a good nature trail with outstanding views over the countryside to Bradgate Hill.

This was the weekend of first public running and provided a very worthwhile visit, which many families were enjoying.

Well done to Steve Cramp (who was/is a huge driving force to the project, the local community,GCR and all other supporters and sponsors.

It remains to be seen how the Branch will integrate with the main GCR in terms of direct connection via Rothley??

......But it is an excellent addition to the railway preservation scene.

Never visited but would be interested to!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Flying Phil · 22 Mar 2017

Re the operation of the Branch - would it be an idea to have a simple "Interchange platform" on the outside of the South bound Loop line - North from the Signal Box, at Swithland Sidings. Then extend the "Branch" to that platform on the other side. The track is already in place so, not too much, would need to be changed signalling wise?
Then there could be connection services from Lbro and Quorn and departures to Rothley and Leics North.
Also the Branch line is a bit longer and passengers will get to see activity at Swithland during the out and back trips.

Tomnick · 22 Mar 2017

Flying Phil said:
Re the operation of the Branch - would it be an idea to have a simple "Interchange platform" on the outside of the South bound Loop line - North from the Signal Box, at Swithland Sidings. Then extend the "Branch" to that platform on the other side. The track is already in place so, not too much, would need to be changed signalling wise?

I'd really rather not see that, myself. Any sort of permanent passenger station at Swithland, with the facilities necessary for interchanging passengers, would destroy the authentic and brilliant atmosphere of the place. Far better, in my view, to concentrate on running some sort of through service onto the branch when we can, and continue recessing some passenger services in the loops during special events so that the public can see what's going on (even better would be some sort of viewing area, perhaps accessed from Rothley station via the fields to the west of the line?).

In any case, during the busiest special events, when there's some regular activity to see at Swith, there just isn't the capacity in the Up Loop to have any sort of meaningful passenger service going in there for interchange opportunities, nor can we really afford to lose the option to drop a loco onto the through siding towards the branch - a very useful hideyhole.

tjlrailblue · 23 Mar 2017

They had a leaflet in the cafe / visitor centre about trying to raise the money (about 75 grand I think it was) for signalling changes to enable passenger trains to run from the GCR to Mountsorrel. I should have picked up one to read in full but totally forgot. Anyway there evidently is a plan to sort out through running for passenger trains.

Tim

Flying Phil · 25 Mar 2017

Tomnic - I agree that the atmosphere at Swithland is great but relatively few people get to experience it. If there was a simple basic interchange platform - only a couple of coaches long, North from the signal box, and a spur from the branch going over the other bridge span into the yard, then all the existing operational functionality would be retained.
The branch line would keep its frequent DMU shuttles, The main line would have some services stop in the loop line to connect and all existing functions are retained.

Trainfan344 · 25 Mar 2017

I like the idea of a viewing platform somewhere, Perhaps with a heritage bus service running Rothley-Swithland-Quorn?

pmh_74 · 26 Mar 2017

Quite apart from spoiling the atmosphere of the place, I think if you built a 2 coach platform under modern rules you'd only be allowed to stop a 2 coach train at it. No grandfather rights would apply! So your idea doesn't work except for stopping the branch DMU there, and we don't need a platform to do that if nobody on it is changing trains.

LowLevel · 27 Mar 2017

Of course if it started to run more regularly another thing to be considered is the traction - the gradient and tight curves involved mean it's very punishing for the DMU vehicles involved (and indeed attracts a premium payment for the owners).

Flying Phil · 3 Jun 2017

tjlrailblue said:
They had a leaflet in the cafe / visitor centre about trying to raise the money (about 75 grand I think it was) for signalling changes to enable passenger trains to run from the GCR to Mountsorrel. I should have picked up one to read in full but totally forgot. Anyway there evidently is a plan to sort out through running for passenger trains.

Tim

In the latest issue(171) of the GC magazine "Main Line" it is reported that £70,000 has already been raised, in two months, for this work.
In its first year of opening, the visitor numbers to the heritage centre are over 100,000 - which is nearly 3 times the anticipated numbers!

Cowley · 3 Jun 2017

Flying Phil said:
In the latest issue(171) of the GC magazine "Main Line" it is reported that £70,000 has already been raised, in two months, for this work.
In its first year of opening, the visitor numbers to the heritage centre are over 100,000 - which is nearly 3 times the anticipated numbers!

Wow. As a project it's obviously caught peoples imagination, it's a nice idea having a preserved branch line off a preserved main line.

DarloRich · 6 Jun 2017

I do hope it is possible to, one day, travel onto the branch as part of the GCR services. I think it would be an interesting day out along with the opportunity to pass through and see more of the Swithland sidings area.

LowLevel said:
Of course if it started to run more regularly another thing to be considered is the traction - the gradient and tight curves involved mean it's very punishing for the DMU vehicles involved (and indeed attracts a premium payment for the owners).

i know where I can get you two bubble cars

Flying Phil · 7 Jul 2017

DarloRich said:
I do hope it is possible to, one day, travel onto the branch as part of the GCR services. I think it would be an interesting day out along with the opportunity to pass through and see more of the Swithland sidings area.

i know where I can get you two bubble cars

Well it is happening on July 22/23rd, details on GCR website, but Through running from Quorn to Swithland/Mountsorrel Branch to Rothley to Quorn by DMU set.

Flying Phil · 23 Jul 2017

Very good to be able to join the DMU at Quorn, run up to Swithland and back up the branch line to Nunckley Hill and watch the quarry wagons being shunted. then back down to Swithland, on to Rothley and return to Quorn. An excellent morning (With Real Ale in the Tin Shed at Quorn a welcome addition!)

tjlrailblue · 24 Jul 2017

just wondered did the dmu have to run wrong road for any of the journey on the gcr? how did they timetable it to get out the way of the other services that day?

Tim

Flying Phil · 24 Jul 2017

Hi Tim
The DMU ran on the correct roads. At Rothley (southbound) it went just up the single track a short distance, then back on the other platform(N). At Quorn it left the platform(N) and came back, over the cross-over, to it's original platform(S). There was plenty of time to fit the DMU in-between the regular service trains. There is/was a downloadable timetable on the GCR website.
It was great to watch Sir Lamiel steaming through to Swithland from the DMU as we went up the branch.

Flying Phil · 30 Sep 2017

The funds (£75K) have been raised and the S & T work to signal Swithland, to operate the branch line, is progressing well, they hope to have it operational for 2018.

tjlrailblue · 3 Oct 2017

ok great thanks for previous reply and subsequent update

Tim

DJ_K666 · 8 Oct 2017

An interesting aside regarding Swithland

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/swithland/index.shtml

STEVIEBOY1 · 10 Oct 2017

Flying Phil said:
The funds (£75K) have been raised and the S & T work to signal Swithland, to operate the branch line, is progressing well, they hope to have it operational for 2018.

That is good to hear. GCR seem to have a very forward thinking operation.

Flying Phil · 18 Oct 2017

The Mountsorrel Branch will be operating with the DMU set this weekend (Oct 21st, 22nd). It is only on the branch though, with no running to and from the " GC Main Line". More details on the GC website.

Flying Phil · 24 Mar 2018

There is steam on the Branch this weekend - 0-6-0 Austerity with two coaches I believe. It is not running through to and from the GCR, just the branch line and the narrow gauge is also running.

38Cto15E · 24 Mar 2018

Is the Granite cafe/restaurant anything to do with GCR?

Flying Phil · 24 Mar 2018

Gus said:
Is the Granite cafe/restaurant anything to do with GCR?

It is on the same site as the Mountsorrel Station so it is part of the GCR - But I suspect it is rented in some respect, so operationally, not run by the GCR. It is open all year round and is very popular. There is a good display room of local history there as well.

LowLevel · 24 Mar 2018

Gus said:
Is the Granite cafe/restaurant anything to do with GCR?

Nothing at all to do with the GCR as in the preserved railway operating company.

It's run by the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre which is the group that owns and operates the Mountsorrel branch line and facilities on it. The GCR operates the trains for them on running days and provides traincrews.

Profits are reinvested into the heritage centre.

It's a fantastic little establishment with really nice food, good service and surroundings. It's extremely popular with the locals of a lunchtime despite it being located quite a way out of the villages.

Mountsorrel Railway

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