Known for having the longest end-to-end run (1m 380yd*) of any 7¼" gauge railway, this sounded like a 'must do' for me, despite the possible challenges of a 10.30 Sunday start by train. On this occasion, the three train companies I used performed very well and I arrived to join the 29 other members for the fully booked event. Good use was made of the catering facility, providing extra revenue and keeping visitors fed and watered. [*Southfield Light Railway is 1¼ miles but a circuit.]

http://www.minorrailways.co.uk/trackplans/barnards.pdf is Peter Scott's 24 Jul 2024 track plan.

With a screen monitor indicating that we had three routes to cover by 'dedicated' trains, it was explained that we should ride each one out and back before lunch, leaving the 'bits and pieces' for the afternoon. The main terminus at Burtonshaw has two covered platforms, with a third line (and run round) outside.

Our three train diagrams: ➢Burtonshaw to Sitooterie Sidings ➢Burtonshaw to Lake End and Belvedere Bays and ➢Burtonshaw to Angel Green Sidings (the longest trip). A full description of all that activity would overfill BLN. However, this well produced video https://youtu.be/UnUWGcxfLDY (1 hour) is an excellent recording by Howard H, which shows everything. Highlight of the event was full coverage of all four turntables and their stubs. It was cleverly achieved by detaching the end vehicle of the visiting train to be people-powered in true BLS fashion, with much chopping and changing between the vehicles.

At the three sheds (one with four tracks was served separately to the other five fanning from a turntable), all possible vehicles (14) had been removed and stabled on the left-hand main line. This in itself provided single-line working between Burtonshaw and Pardoe Lane overhead signal box. The aforementioned turntable has eleven stubs, all of which were covered. One of them led to a 6-track traverser, initially off-limits, it was available later after 'authority' approved a safe operating practice! Two lines in the traverser-fed shed were also accessible from the other side (track plan), included in our meticulously planned and well executed visit by Luke's & Will's team of BMR members. It was good to see the large number of young volunteers and newer ones being given guidance during the event.

On the signalling side, the main box is at Burtonshaw Terminus with 30 three-quarter sized levers. It also oversees a gated level crossing. The single gate is traditionally operated by a large gate wheel outside the box. The road leads to the car park and runway (as shown in Peter Scott's plan), with a small plane parked; (a Cessna 182Q; the property of landowner Bernard Holms, for the aero-minded).

The most prominent signalling feature is the three post gantry of home signals (together with calling-on arms). A second nicely restored over-track box, Pardoe Lane, controls the accesses to the sheds and is normally switched out. It would not look out of place at Wylam, Hexham or Haltwhistle! Trackside, auto signals are used on the double track section to Belvedere, while single sections have a locally invented system of axle counters (most unusual on a miniature railway) and track circuits. Remote points are triggered by lineside plungers. Trains on the Glen Dowd single line branch (opened on 12 May 2024) are propelled in the 'Up' direction to Lake End and hauled back. This line was named in honour of its main engineer who sadly passed on recently, recognising his work in developing and laying its track.

The comprehensiveness of the train plan and completeness of coverage achieved was remarkable and is shown by Martyn Brailsford's 'marked up' track plan, available on Kev Adlam's AGM Fixtures Secretary presentation (page 29) on our website. This impressive railway supports The Christabella Charitable Trust in its fundraising activities at Barnards Farm which is home to the National Crab Apple collection! Hopefully there might be a repeat visit, not least as many of our keen members were in Scotland.