Foxfield Railway

For the railway station in Cumbria, see Foxfield railway station.

Foxfield Railway
Wimblebury seen working a train at Dilhorn Park
Locale	Staffordshire
Terminus	Caverswall Road
Commercial operations
Original gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Stations	2
Length	2+1⁄4 miles (3.6 km)
Preserved gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
1893	Opened
1965	Colliery closed
Preservation history
1965	Railway preserved

Foxfield Railway
Banktop (section closed 1944) Foxfield Colliery Dilhorne Park Caverswall Road Blythe Bridge Crewe-Derby Line to Stoke-on-Trent │ to Derby

The Foxfield Railway is a preserved standard gauge line located south east of Stoke-on-Trent. The line was built in 1893 to serve the colliery at Dilhorne on the Cheadle Coalfield. It joined the North Staffordshire Railway line near Blythe Bridge.

History

The Foxfield Railway was built in 1892-1893 to provide a link to the North Staffordshire Railway for the Foxfield Colliery. The railway was built by local labour provided by North Staffordshire Railway employees at weekends and supervised by the North Staffordshire Railway foreman plate layer Noah Stanier, using second hand material, again obtained from the North Staffordshire Railway.

Preservation

When the colliery closed in August 1965, local volunteers formed the Foxfield Light Railway Society to preserve the line. At first, passengers were taken in converted trucks up the formidable 1:19 to 1:26 gradient out of the colliery site at Dilhorne, accompanied by a tank engine.

Eventually, new coaches were purchased and a station was built at Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, half a mile from Blythe Bridge station. The service runs for 2+1⁄4 miles (3.6 km) from there to the top of Foxfield Bank. The last half mile into the colliery is currently being relaid to suitable standards for passenger trains to be re-introduced.

Location

The original line left the Crewe to Derby Line a little west of the station. The link has been lifted, but several abandoned wagons can be seen in the old sidings from passing trains. A station and depot have been built at Caverswall Road, half a mile north of Blythe Bridge railway station along Blythe Bridge Road.

Although located in Staffordshire, the railway has been used for the filming of sequences for the BBC Television series Cranford, which is set in Cheshire. The railway featured in the two-part Christmas special that was first broadcast in December 2009. Judi Dench, who played the part of Matilda 'Matty' Jenkyns, invited several of the main characters to ride on the train in an attempt to alter their opinions about the benefits of the railway being extended into the town of Cranford.

The station at Caverswall offers visitor facilities such as a Buffet serving hot and cold food and drinks and a Real Ale bar "The One Legged Shunter". Also a museum building displaying a variety of artifacts relating to local railways and locomotives currently out of service.

The railway operates Sundays and Bank Holidays from April to October and Santa Special trains during December.

Locomotive fleet

The Foxfield Railway has the largest collection of standard gauge steam locomotives in Staffordshire, most of which are of industrial origins.

Operational steam locomotives

• Hunslet Engine Company Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 3694 "Whiston" built in 1950. Arrived 26/03/83 and overhauled with entry into service 19/04/86. Ran until withdrawal in October 1994 when overhauled again returning to service in July 1996. Second period in service until July 2006 when once again withdrawn for overhaul. Latest overhaul completed July 2010 and returned to service. A regular venturer to other heritage lines and back into industry.
• W. G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST No. 2842. Entered service in July 2010 following extensive overhaul.
• Dübs and Company crane tank 0-4-0T No. 4101 "Dubs". Major rebuild finished in September 2010. 2010 winner of the Heritage Railway Association John Coiley awarde for Locomotive restoration.
• Beyer, Peacock & Co. 0-4-0ST No 1827, built in 1879.Re-entered service during 2013.
• Haydock Foundry 0-6-0WT No. C "Bellerophon", built in 1874. The oldest locomotive in the collection. Returned from axle box repairs at the South Devon Railway in 2013.

Steam locomotives undergoing overhaul or restoration

• Robert Heath & Sons Ltd. 0-4-0ST No 6 built in 1885, rebuilt in 1934. Undergoing overhaul.
• Hawthorn Leslie and Company 0-4-0ST "Marston, Thompson & Evershed No 3". (works number 3581 of 1924). Undergoing long term overhaul.
• W. G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST No 2623 "Hawarden", built in 1940. Undergoing overhaul as of September 2011. Restoration work well under way, tyres turned, 60 new frame rivets fitted, new springs fitted, brake system overhauled - awaiting axle boxes (13 April) before the wheel sets can be replaced. Boiler to be sent to LNWR crewe for attention to the firebox. Return to steam planned for June 2017
• Avonside Engine Co. 0-4-0ST No. 1563 "John Paton". Partly dismantled, undergoing long term restoration.
• Hunslet Engine Company Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 3839 "Wimblebury" built in 1956.- In for 10 yearly overhaul. Taken out of service Dec 2013.
• W. G. Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 2 "Florence". Withdrawn at end of 2014 for overhaul.

Stored steam locomotives

• North Staffordshire Railway 0-6-2T No 2 built at Stoke works in 1923. On static display in the museum building. Transferred from the National Railway Museum to Foxfield and arrived at the railway on the 21 April 2016
• Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST No. 933 "Henry Cort". built in 1903. On static display in the Museum building awaiting overhaul.
• Kerr Stuart 0-4-0ST No. 4127 "Moss Bay". built in 1920. On static display in the museum building.
• Kerr Stuart 0-4-0ST No. 4388. Stored in the yard awaiting overhaul.
• W. G. Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 2221 "Lewisham". built in 1927. Stored awaiting overhaul after its boiler ticket expired in late 2007.
• Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-4-0F No. 1. (works number 1984 of 1930). Awaiting a cosmetic restoration for display in the museum.
• Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST No. 1803 "Ironbridge No. 1". built in 1933. Awaiting overhaul and is on display in the museum.
• Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns 0-4-0CT No. 7006 "Roker". built in 1940. On static display in the museum building awaiting overhaul.
• Peckett and Sons OY Class 0-4-0ST No. 11. built in 1947. Awaiting overhaul.
• Sentinel Waggon Works 4w No. 9535. built in 1952. On static display in the yard.
• Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns 0-4-0ST No. 7063 "Eustace Forth", built in 1942. Stored awaiting overhaul. On loan from the National Railway Museum.
• Peckett and Sons 0-6-0ST No 1567 "Ackton Hall No 3", built in 1923. Acquired from the National Coal Mining Museum in July 2015.

Operational diesel locomotives

The Foxfield Railway also has an extensive accumulation of industrial diesel locomotives, of which three are operational.

• Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 8366/Bagnall 0-4-0DH. 530003, Myfanwy tube gauge.
• W. G. Bagnall 3150 0-6-0DM, Wolstanton No 3
• W. G. Bagnall 3207 0-4-0DH, Named Bagnall
• Thomas Hill 111C 4wDH (Rebuilt from Sentinel 4wVBT) The loco is now operational after an extensive restoration through 2013/2014.

Diesel locomotives undergoing overhaul or restoration

• North British 27097 0-4-0DH Coronation - (2010 arrival) Currently undergoing major mechanical overhaul at Peak rail. The loco whilst there will be fitted with a new engine and is expected to return in 2014.
• Andrew Barclay 486 0-6-0DH Clive, ex Meaford Power Station Locomotive No 4 (In process of being returned to working order) Bodywork repaint in BR warning yellow as per Central Electricity Generating Board livery completed 5th November 2016. Lettering saying CEGB, Meaford Power Station and varnishing to take place in Spring 2017 and the frames will be blacked with red wheels. New engine mounts currently being furnished.
• Yorkshire Engine Company 2868 0-6-0DE Ludstone. Restoration started in 2015, which mainly focused on cosmetics, and the prevention of further corrosion to the locomotive. However, mechanical work is hoped to commence during late 2015, or early 2016.

Non-operational diesel locomotives

• Thomas Hill 103C 4wDH (Rebuilt from Sentinel 4wVBT)
• English Electric/Drewry Cars WD820 (ex MOD A7 class number 70030) 0-4-0DM
• Motor Rail Simplex 2262 4wDM Simplex Helen
• Kerr Stuart 4421 6wDM ('90 hp' class)
• Ruston & Hornsby 242915 4wDM ('48DS') Hercules
• Ruston & Hornsby 408496 4wDM ('88DS')
• Ruston & Hornsby 424841 0-4-0DE ('165DE') Roman

Non-operational electric locomotives

The Foxfield Railway also has one industrial battery electric locomotive. The locomotive is currently non-operational due to a lack of batteries or overhead lines on site.

• English Electric 1130 4wBE/WE (built 1939)

Passenger carriages

The railway has a collection of carriages from a wide range of years which are used to take passengers up and down the line.

• Operational passenger carriages
  • Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) No. M25607.
  • Mk 1 Brake Corridor Second (BSK) No. 34672.
  • LMS third class gangwayed vestibule coach No. 27249.
  • NSR 4w Third class compartment carriage No. 61.
  • NSR 4w Third class compartment carriage No. 127.
• Passenger Carriages undergoing overhaul, restoration or light work

Two Wagon underframes currently being converted for use under the two NSR Coach bodies.

• • Mk 1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) No. W4762.
• Stored passenger carriages
  • MR 6w Luggage/First/Third class compartment carriage no. unknown (body only). Awaiting restoration.
  • MR bogie third class compartment carriage No. 01101 (body only). Stored awaiting restoration.
  • Mk 1 Corridor Second (SK) gangwayed carriage No. M25225. Stored at Dilhorne Park awaiting major restoration. Unlikely to be restored.
  • LMS Theatrical Scenery Van No. 37519 (converted to the passenger carrying Bass Belle Observation Bar Car). On static display but eventually planned to be overhauled to working order.
• Passenger carriages on loan elsewhere
  • Mk 2 Tourist Second Open (TSO) gangwayed carriage No. M5175. On loan to the Churnet Valley Railway.
• The NSR Rolling Stock Restoration Trust

In 2008 a small group was formed with the aim of restoring the two surviving North Staffordshire Railway 4-wheeled coaches, with a long term aim of recreating a proto-typical Victorian train that would have once operated in the local area. The Knotty Trust, as it has become known as, was registered as a charity in 2009 and in 2012 received a £30,000 grant for the completion of the first vehicle (no. 127). This was completed at Stanegate Restorations, who have become a major supporter in the recreation of a Knotty Train. Since then the collection has grown to include other former 'Knotty Coaches' that have been discovered, as well as other historically important vehicles.

Number	Type	Status	Notes
28	First (FY)	Awaiting Restoration	Owned by the NSRC, based at the Churnet Valley Railway. Given to the KCT on a 99-year loan in 2014, and so an appeal has now been launched for this vehicle's restoration.
61	Third (TY)	Operational	The second vehicle to have to have been restored by the KCT. Entered service in August 2014, after a visit to the CVR to launch the "Project 28 Appeal".
127	Third (TY)	Operational	The first vehicle to have to have been restored by the KCT. Entered service in August 2014, alongside 61.
	Brake Third (TB)	Under Restoration	One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, with the Brake Third being sent away immediately for restoration to begin at Stanegate Restorations. Plans for conversion into an 'Accessible Brake Coach' were announced in November 2014 ahead of the Warley Model Railway show, which will include disable access to the vehicle.
	First (FY)	Stored	One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, and put into store whilst other projects take priority.
	First (FY)	Stored	One of three newly discovered vehicles found in woodland alongside Rudyard Lake, though no number has presently been identified and only half of this vehicle really exists following numerous years in the open. These vehicles were recovered in October 2014, and put into store whilst other projects take priority.
	MR Six-wheel Composite Luggage (CLZ)	Stored	One of two former Midland Railway vehicles donated to the KCT. One of only three survivors, the other two having been restored at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and National Railway Museum respectively. No recognisable number has been found on the body to date. This vehicle is planned to be restored once a fully operation Knotty Train is operational.
1108	MR Bogie Third (T)	Stored	One of two former Midland Railway vehicles donated to the KCT. This vehicle is planned to be restored once a fully operation Knotty Train is operational.
	NSR Brake Van	Stored	The sides from an original NSR Break Van was found being used as a barn on Kingsley Moor, including the original painted Knotty emblem. These have been recovered and are now stored at Foxfield.
4384	LMS Covered Carriage Truck (CCT)	Stored	Donated to the trust to assist with the eventual restoration of the CLZ.
731945	LMS Goods Brake Van	Stored	Frame only. To be modified for use with the ABC.
DB 993867	Shark Brake Van	Operational	On loan to the KCT. Has been painted in fictitious Victorian Brown livery to operate with 61 + 127 until the ABC is complete.

As of December 2014, the Knotty Coach Trust had 3 main projects underway.

• Project 28 - Restoration of First Class no 28
• ABC Appeal - Restoration of former Brake Vehicle, including provision for disabled passengers
• Shed Project - The KCT has always wished to build accommodation for the restored train. Originally plans were proposed for a new shed at the former colliery, but in Autumn 2014 the Foxfield Railway agreed for the KCT to take charge of plans for a new two-road shed at Caverswall Road. This will see sufficient storage spaces created to keep the KNOTTY HERITAGE TRAIN permanently under cover & available for viewing access to the public when not in operation.

Freight wagons

The railway also has a selection of freight wagons, in order to preserve what remains of Britain's industrial history.

These include the ubiquitous '16 ton' mineral wagons which were associated with coal trains and the railway in the 1960s, and also examples of 21 ton hopper wagons also used for coal traffic.

External links

• The Railway website
• Foxfield Virtual Stock List
• BBC Staffordshire - Out & About: Foxfield Railway