Saturday 1st Oct:

On a lovely sunny morning our merry band of 30 members converged at Brockford station on the Mid Suffolk Light Railway (MSLR), 'The Middy'. It is located in deep rural Suffolk about 8 miles from Stowmarket. Most were there around 09.30 or earlier for the 10.00 start. Most welcome complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits were available from the canteen. After a brief safety briefing (!), when the plan of action was confirmed, we made our way to the platform, where the train was waiting, Ruston Hornsby No5 'Alston' along with two brakevans. Sadly departure was delayed by a medical emergency involving one of our participants (luckily two other participants were medically qualified). Two stayed behind to assist our stricken member and his wife. Fortunately, an emergency ambulance arrived promptly and the two were only delayed by about an hour - the driver knew exactly where to go as he had recently visited the railway with his children.

First was the 21ch passenger run to Dovebrook station where everyone decamped. Several of the Mid Suffolk Light Railway team then led us on a walk past the end of the platform along the new extension past a rake of stored stock, including their 'baby' Ruston 48DS, of the same type as the only diesel loco ever to traverse the 'Middy'. This branch, from Haughley Jn - Laxfield, CP/CG 28 Jul 1952 and the track was lifted between Sep 1953 and Apr 1954. The diesel, ironically, was a contractor's engine for this!

We walked along the ballasted trackbed to a stop block at Aspall, 45ch from Brockford, more than doubling the passenger ride (TRACKmaps 2 p12E 2020). The plan is to lay track by Feb 2023 and build a small halt at this end based on Wilby, which was the last station before Laxfield. (After Brockford the next station eastward on the 19 mile standard gauge branch was actually Aspall & Thorndon).



Re-boarding the brakevans, a shunt was then made to cover the siding behind Dovebrook platform. Returning to Brockford we were routed right into the 'Loop Line'. Then our tour took the specially cleared 'Back Road' (far right), past the Wickham shed road (at right angles to our line, the Wickham is man handled between the two) - up to a stabled coach. We were told it was the first passenger train ever to do this line, also a first for some of the MSLR staff on our train. (That's what we like to hear.)

We returned to Brockford platform via the loop, running to the buffer stops (not possible on public running as the loco is always this end). The final move was the Loading Line towards the gate (far left facing the end of line). The plan to go through the gate to the end was scuppered by several one tonne bags of ballast dumped on the line! It was of special significance being on the original running line.

Returning to the platform we were given an interesting conducted tour of the locos and various stock in the single road well equipped shed. They have a loco that can be steamed from stone cold to run in 40 minutes. Thanks to the Middy Volunteers for accommodating us on such a comprehensive visit and being so receptive to our requests! They also dealt with the earlier medical emergency very well.

In convoy we then made the 37 mile road journey by car to the East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, on the southwest outskirts of Lowestoft. It is near Oulton Broad North and South stations but there were no trains due to a strike. There are standard gauge tram and trolleybus networks with the recently extended 2ft gauge East Suffolk Light Railway. Excellent refreshments were on sale at the café before we joined double Deck Tram Blackpool 159 at Chapel Road terminus.

A normal run to Hedley Grove was first; what wasn't normal was doing the complete loop and end of line. The public alights on the right and joins on the left side; the run to the end of line to change sides in the loop is ECS. The headshunt was realigned in 2009, the old route (off sharp left) could be seen.

After a reversal at Woodside came the track highlight, the presently unwired stub which crosses the 2ft gauge line on the level; colour light signals to control it were being commissioned actually while we were there. The tram extension will eventually lead down to a new tram depot under construction as part of a significant expansion of the site and facilities. TRACKmaps 2 p7 Sep 2020 has the new layout with a large triangle which will be done in service for turning. The only thing holding it up is money! Our tram's collector pole was stretched to its limit to go as far as possible while still 'on the juice'! However, our enthusiastic crew went a bit too far and we were stranded without power. The site's tractor unit, (registration '795 FLK') was called into action to drag us back under the wires, so counted for motive power. Suitably reenergised we then covered all three roads of the present tram depot fan, including most of the way inside on middle Road 2 with coverage of the other lines to the doors.



The 2ft gauge Railway had prepared Simplex No6 'Thorpness' for our train at Chapel Road terminus. Rare track included the run round loop and both ends of line here before proceeding through the previous Woodside terminus onto the extension (dashed on TRACKmaps, there is no-pre-station loop or shed road yet) opened in 2021 to Mutford Thorpe. This station is not yet open to the public; rides are non-alighting. More red pen moments followed: the run round loop and headshunt end of line. The original Woodside station loop (the outer one is still a dead end siding) was then covered as well as the shed headshunt there before motive power was changed to RH No4 'Leiston' (by request) for the return. Approaching Chapel Road, there is nothing to see of the pre-2005 alignment (to the right).



A final tram run was made with the very plush Blackpool Marton VAMBAC 'Sun Saloons' (Variable Automatic Multinotch Braking and Acceleration Control - see item 2623), No11 to do the other Chapel Road end of line. Then it was the turn of the trolleybuses to take centre stage! Ironically the Society's last Trolleybus fixture at Sandtoft (the world's largest trolleybus museum near Scunthorpe) had only been three months earlier. Star Billing was Derby 237 (SCH 237) and the crew (after prompting) had a plan to cover every inch of trolleybus wire that was possible! As well as the normal run (around the perimeter of the tram and trolleybus sheds) we made various reversals, three point turns etc, to achieve this. We finally alighted inside the trolleybus shed (with its separate independent wire, the pole has to be lifted across). Also separate was a short trolley bus stabling wire which we did and our route included the start of the extension to the new tram shed, again crossing the 2ft gauge railway. This was a fantastic visit and we thanked the staff for going the extra mile everywhere (actually inch).

Most participants stayed in nearby Lowestoft that evening, two explored parts of the former line to Yarmouth South Town (ex-Norfolk & Suffolk Joint Railway), which was surprisingly heavily engineered. One of them had first visited Yarmouth only 3 months after it CP/CA 5 May 1970 - one that got away.

Sunday 2nd Oct:

After a pleasant night in Lowestoft, on an equally sunny Sunday 2 Oct a select gathering met up in Southwold, a delightful Suffolk town and, for most their first visit to it. The target was 'Steamworks' for the Blyth Valley Light Railway Trust. To reach it you pass the site of the 3ft gauge, 8m 63½ch long, Southwold Railway (1879-1929 RIP) station. Its site now has a different type of station on it - a Police Station! Access is then along Blyth Road a decent length of the former railway trackbed which then becomes a trackbed walk. The volunteers were preparing the 7¼" gauge railway. Hot drinks and refreshments, including tasty early mince pies, were on sale at the very pleasant small Café/shop.

Rides are not yet available on the 3ft gauge line, actually just north of the original railway, so participants had to be content with viewing the replica 2-4-0 steam loco 'Blyth' as well as one of the Former Charleroi Tramcars, previously based at the erstwhile Shane's Castle Railway and then at Fintown, County Donegal. This is currently stored in the open on one side of the main workshop. After some modifications it will be used as the main passenger carrier when (not if!) public services start.

Presently 0-4-2 steam loco 'Opal' and 2 x 3 seat sit astride coaches were ready and began running round the 165yd simple circuit around a large pond/small lake. Everyone was pleased to see that each run was routed via the station loop line avoiding the platform, not done in public service! Progress was a little slow as the loco was perhaps underpowered for the load and low on steam; it struggled on the slight uphill sections, needing human intervention. Once everyone had ridden, a coach was detached and 'people power' swung into action to do as much of the shed branch as possible. We also saw the only surviving original Southwold Railway Vehicle but actually the afternoon before at Carlton Colville, where 4-wheel van No14 was on display adjacent to Chapel Road station on the 2ft gauge there!






Discussion then turned to the rest of the day. With time in hand before the second visit to Norwich MES, people headed off in different directions. Locations visited included the Whitwell & Reepham Railway (we know, Norfolk, not Suffolk) for their monthly steam running day with extra track on the 'driver for a tenner' diesel loco (for a driver and a passenger) - quite a few did it. The nearby 'elevated' 7¼'' Top Field Light Railway was also running, actually at ground level but a much higher ground level.

Your reporter, along with the BLN Editor and General Secretary, went to Lowestoft, discussing options en route. A plan to 'scratch' the Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park minor railways was scratched as the park was shut! A shame as the 2ft and 7¼'' lines are both 1,100 yd long. Instead, we explored more of the Lowestoft - Great Yarmouth trackbed where the Park cuts across a former high embankment.

Approaching Brundall, your reporter had an inspired idea if I may say so myself... [You may, Duncan.] The 1' 11½" gauge (as it apparently is) Strumpshaw Steam Museum Railway.

Google found Strumpshaw was open for the final time in 2022. The next turn off the A47 and 10 mins later we were in the car park - the site was very quiet. Normal entrance fee is £6 including a train ride but when our esteemed Editor mentioned that we only wanted a ride on the Railway, we were charged £1 each (BLN in 2005 reports that a member was charged the same!). Taking a seat on the train, soon a driver, accompanied by his granddaughter, arrived and started up resident locomotive No5 'Jimmy', a 4wDM (despite the Museum name) but it was a steam outline, Motorail 7192 of 1937. Trains run on demand (we actually politely requested) and at 13.00 it was the first trip that day. The Museum is only open one Sunday a month and Bank Holidays. In the 1990s/early 2000s the Railway wasn't in favour. It only ran once or twice a year for the really big events and even had a fence erected across for a while. Sometimes there is no one who can drive (our driver appeared to be in his 80s).



No problems today though, as our three members enjoyed a personal ride on the 680yd circuit around Strumpshaw Hall. Rolling stock is a rake of enclosed coaches. The shed/tunnel shown on Peter Scott's track plan was removed in 2021 after becoming unsafe. The driver (and young co-driver) were happy to give us a second run for overlap! Reading old BLNs, some have had several unsuccessful visits here.

After this we headed for Eaton Park, Norwich where Norwich Model Engineers had generously agreed to give our participants unlimited free rides here during their normal Sunday Public Running. It is a 900yd complex 7¼" gauge circuit around the picturesque park. Train crews were receptive to our requests to remain on the trains as they proceeded between the Arrival and Departure Platforms.

The dedicated wheelchair coach was in use, so the rarer P2 was as well! Your reporter bagged haulage with Lister 2010 and 0-4-0 Steam 'Iceni'. Business was very brisk with fair queues most of the time. Tickets are issued from Bus Style Setright Machines. Infrastructure alterations since Peter Scott's last visit in Jul 2013 include the station 'throat' remodelled with new connections and crossovers. Two members stayed until the end and were able to do the two rare connections on the 'country' section away from the station. Clearly a Society visit will be needed on a non-public day with all the interesting track to do. We were told that the non-public 3½/5'' elevated line requires some work, it cannot run at the same time as the ground level as the latter is blocked by two moveable elevated sections over it.

This concluded a great weekend. From my point of view far better than I could have hoped for. Thanks to Bill Davis for most of the legwork and organisation (even though sadly and frustratingly, he was unable to enjoy the fruits of his labours). My personal thanks to Paul Stewart and Tim Wallis for their great company (and to Paul for chauffeuring me all weekend including from/to home after rail strikes struck out my original plan). [As travel between the sites was impossible in the available time by public transport, lifts were coordinated, resulting in extra bookings which maximised donations to our hosts.]