The Saltburn Miniature Railway is a

gauge Gauge ( ) may refer to: Measurement * Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments * Gauge (firearms) * Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire ** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, especia ...

railway at Saltburn, in

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History

The railway opened in 1947 as a tourist attraction. It was originally a simple out-and-back line with a station at each end. During 1953, the line was adapted to allow the simultaneous operation of two trains, though without the provision of a

passing loop A passing loop (UK usage) or passing siding (North America) (also called a crossing loop, crossing place, refuge loop or, colloquially, a hole) is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at or near a station, where trains o ...

. Instead, a single

siding Siding may refer to: * Siding (construction), the outer covering or cladding of a house * Siding (rail) In rail terminology, a siding is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line, branch lin ...

was provided into which one train had to reverse to allow the other to pass by. During the 1980s the operation of the railway was taken over by an Association of supporters, all of whom are volunteers. A decision was made to extend the railway, relocate one terminus from the west to the east side of the

Skelton Beck Skelton Beck is a small river in North Yorkshire, England. The beck only runs for and feeds directly into the North Sea on the south side of Saltburn beach. The beck is noted for occasionally being polluted with wastewater from the abandoned i ...

valley, and provide new sidings and engine sheds. This major project, known on the railway as 'The Big Transformation' took place between September 2000 and April 2003.

Route

The line runs south from ''Cat Nab Station'' (by the beach) for about inland to ''Forest Halt'', where there is a woodland walk and gardens. There is a run around loop at each end of the line and an engine and rolling stock depot near the midpoint.

Locomotives

''Prince Charles'' was the only serviceable mainline locomotive on the railway, and had been the principal engine continuously since 1953. However, the new operators have provided a lightweight engine for works trains, and have also obtained a new mainline engine, "Saltburn 150", bought from the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway as derelict has been rebuilt by SMRA and is now in service. A part-built steam engine, a 4-4-2 Atlantic type, has been purchased and rebuilt by SMRA and is now in service as "Blacklock R" .

Other rolling stock

The passengers carried in the first season (1947) were obliged to sit in freight wagons – scale model 7-plank open wagons, with crude cross-bar seats fitted. However, for the 1948 season the railway acquired two bogie

passenger coach A passenger railroad car or passenger car (American English), also called a passenger carriage, passenger coach (British English and International Union of Railways), or passenger bogie (Indian English) is a railroad car that is designed to ca ...

es with reversible seats whose backs could be tipped to allow the passenger to face the direction of travel. In 1953 the railway took delivery of four new passenger coaches, each seating 16 passengers (in 4 compartments of 4 seats each); at a subsequent, but unknown, date the two earlier coaches were withdrawn. When the current operators took over the line they made temporary use of the last two serviceable coaches of 1953 vintage, though these have since been withdrawn. There are now four passenger coaches, all of modern build and metal construction. Three are enclosed, and one is open. Three of these coaches have exterior platforms for a guard or guards to travel upon.See full details o
the railway's own website.
/ref> The 1948 coaches operated with a replica

brake van Brake van and guard's van are terms used mainly in the UK, Ireland, Australia and India for a Rolling stock, railway vehicle equipped with a hand brake which can be applied by the Conductor (transportation), guard. The equivalent North Americ ...

, since withdrawn. Today the railway has three works wagons – a general works truck, a tanker truck, and an air compressor wagon.

References

External links

Aerial view of routeAerial view of Cat Nab StationAerial view of locomotive and carriage depotAerial view of Forest Halt
{{coord, 54.582571, -0.968728, type:landmark, display=title Miniature railways in the United Kingdom 15 in gauge railways in England Tourist attractions in North Yorkshire Saltburn-by-the-Sea