Beeches Light Railway Explained

The Beeches Light Railway was a private narrow gauge railway in Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire, England, in the garden of the late Adrian Shooter, the former director of Chiltern Railways. The line contained one station, Rinkingpong Road (Bengali: রিনকিংপং রোড) at an elevation of 351feet above sea level.[1]

History

In 2019, Shooter announced that the Beeches Light Railway would close at the end of the year. It was planned to move the railway to a new, larger location, reopening in spring 2020.[2] [3] [4] [5] the railway remained in situ, but was dismantled in the months following, after Adrian Shooter's death. The house, including the station building and sheds were put up for sale in 2023.[6]

Track

The nearly 1miles railway track with a gauge of was built between 2002 and 2004.[7] It resembled a figure of eight, with a loop around the back garden and another around the front, where it crossed the main drive. An Indian-style railway station and sheds were behind the house. The theme of an Indian railway was present throughout, including the name of the station ("Ringkingpong Road Station"), fare evasion signs citing Indian rupees, and some interior decorations as well. Although the railway was private, and not subject to rail regulations, it was run professionally by Shooter and experienced volunteers with railway rulebooks and regulations, and the steam engine had to be certified each year.[8]

Rolling stock

Steam locomotive

The railway's primary motive power, a Class 'B' steam locomotive 778,[9] [10] was built by Sharp Stewart in 1888, works number 3518. 778 was built for India's Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. where it ran until either 1960 or 1962, when it was sold to Elliot Donnelley, a railway enthusiast in the US,[11] who was the major shareholder in RR Donnelley Co, a large printer and publisher in Chicago. After Donnelley died in 1975 the locomotive passed to the Hesston Steam Museum,[7] where it stayed until it was bought by Adrian Shooter in 2002 and restored to working order.

Carriages

Two modern replicas of the carriages used on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway were occasionally used to transport invited guests.[7] [8] [12] [13] [14] These carriages were commissioned from Boston Lodge works, to accompany the locomotive.[15] [16] [17]

Draisine

Shooter owned also a replica Ford Model-T motorcar that he ran on the tracks. It is based on a modified car used by the USA railway to inspect tracks[8] on the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. The replica was commissioned from the Statfold Barn Railway.[18] It includes a jacking system that will lift the wheels free of the rails and allow it to be rotated on its axis in order to go the other way round.[19]

Additional rolling stock

Stored in the railway shed there was some rolling stock from the London Mail Rail, an underground goods railway line, which was used to transport letters and parcels between sorting depots before it was mothballed.[8]

Visiting locomotives

On 1 July 2018 the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society celebrated its twentieth anniversary at the line. Two visiting locomotives were in steam: W. G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST Woto, and Baguley 0-4-0T Rishra (formerly of a Kolkata (Calcutta) water works in India).[20]

List of former rolling stock

data-sort-type=numberNumberTypeNamesBuiltBuilderNotes
DHR 7781889 Sharp, Stewart and CompanyWorks #3518; DHR No.19. Rebuilt at Tindharia Works (1908). Overhauled (1956). Withdrawn (30 September 1960). Purchased by Elliot Donnelley (1962) for Ampersand, Reset and South Eastern Railroad, Lake Forest, Illinois, US. Relocated to Hesston Steam Museum, US (1967; 1982‒). Damaged by fire (26 May 1985), restored (1985), retired (1988). Purchased by Adrian Shooter (2002). Arrived at Tyseley Locomotive Works (19 January 2003‒). Rebuilt with tender and railway air brakes (2003). Beeches Light Railway, England (2004‒2023). Purchased by Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust (21 June 2023). Relocated to Statfold Barn Railway, England (2023‒). Planned overhaul (2024).[21]
73 Carriage (Replica) 2004 Boston LodgeBeeches Light Railway, England; 4 windows, door, 5 windows[22] Purchased by Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust (21 June 2023). Relocated to Statfold Barn Railway (2023‒).[23]
154 Carriage (Replica) 2004 Boston LodgeBeeches Light Railway, England; 1 window, door, 6 windows, door, 1 window; end window[24] Purchased by Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust (21 June 2023). Relocated to Statfold Barn Railway (2023‒).[25]
Parlor Car (Replica) Carrabassetdata-sort-key="2005"2004 Boston LodgeDelivered 2005. Modelled on Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Parlor Car #9 Rangeley. Sold to Statfold Barn Railway (2022‒)
Diesel-Hydraulic Frederick Wylie 1994 Hunslet Engine CompanyWorks #9349. Originally Stacy. Rebuilt by Alan Keef Ltd (2004). Sold to Ffestiniog Railway (2023‒), renamed Mol yr Hudd[26] [27]
37 1930 English ElectricWorks #760. Originally Post Office red, repainted green.[28]
44 1930 English ElectricWorks #812. Motor bogies only
Diesel locomotive Major Gerald Scott 1957 Motor RailWorks #21619. Painted same green as Mail Rail No. 37 Formerly at Solway Moss peat works. Subsequently at Bressingham Steam and Gardens (2023‒)[29] [30]
Diesel locomotive 1930 Robert HudsonWorks #38384
Scindia State Railway (Replica) Replica carriage with observation deck.[31] Little Braxted Bakery railway (2023‒). Refitted for Pullman dining (2024‒).[32]
RNAD Van (Generator) 1942 CravensPainted in Darjeeling blue. Generator van for Carrabassett kitchen + carriages. Purchased by Statfold Barn Railway (2023‒).[33] [34]
Ford Model T rail car 2008 Statfold Barn RailwayWorks #9901 (Hunslet)[35] [36] Vale of Rheidol Railway Museum, Wales (2024—)[37]

[38]

Brake van Robert HudsonGray, with "BLS" in white text.[39]
Flat wagon CravensPainted black[40]
4-Plank wagon CravensDarjeeling red.[41]
RNAD Van CravensDarjeeling red.[42]
RNAD Van V2 CravensDarjeeling red.[43]
Flat wagon FL2 CravensDarjeeling red.[44]

Closure

, after Adrian Shooter's death, the 1mile of track, plus rolling stock from the railway were auctioned for sale in June 2023.[45] The winning bid for 778 was by The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust, who managed to buy both 778 and the two replica coaches, which are now based at Statfold Country Park.[46]

References

  1. Web site: http://plumbloco.smugmug.com/Trains/BeechesLightRailway/i-4bsMQzS/0/XL/GMPI4920_StationNameboard_BLR-XL.jpg. bn:রিনকিংপং রোড . Rinkingpong Road. JPG . Geoff. Plumb. 24 June 2011. 25 February 2013.
  2. Web site: Private steam railway set for closure . RailAdvent . 12 February 2019 . Michael . Holden.
  3. Web site: The Railway Magazine . Beeches Light Railway moving to new site . 6 March 2019 . Nigel. Devereux.
  4. Conclusion. Samuel. Davis. Heritage Collection. Heritage Assessment The Beeches, Steeple Aston. 2019-07-30. 4803. Cherwell District. 18, 26. The railway that runs around this field and the garden is unusual, but it was built in the 21st century and so has no heritage interest. … The Beeches consists of a house built c.1908, a number of outbuildings, a field to the west of the site and a miniature railway built between 2002 and 2004. The proposal is for the construction of eight residential properties. Two replacing the outbuildings to the north-east of the site and six within the field to the west..
  5. Indicative Layout. 2019-07-26. 372A01–101–C. plan. The Beeches, Steeple Aston. Malcolm Payne Group. Cherwell District. Existing buildings/structures to be removed.
  6. The Beeches. Savills. Savills. brochure. Guide Price £2,250,000 … two generous steel frame corrugated metal sheds with full height double doors to one end, one with a full inspection pit … A railway station (replica of one on the Darjeeling/Himalayan railway line), … with four sets of double doors to the platform/terrace and paddock … brochure prepared July 2023.
  7. News: Love for Darjeeling toy train makes Briton buys off world's oldest surviving locomotive. Times of India. 18 September 2014. 13 January 2016. Kounteya. Sinha. model number 778 … run it in his personal garden … tracks over 1.5 km is in the form of a loop … Ambassador car that runs by the train when it chugs through his garden to give it a real feel of Darjeeling. … station that looks exactly like the original Sukna station.
  8. Ian Mansfield: The Beeches Light Railway – a private steam railway. Uploaded on 10 July 2011. Retrieved on 19 February 2016.
  9. Web site: One of the original "B Class" Sharp Stewart Steam Locomotive Comes Home.. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society. 25 February 2014.
  10. News: Interview: Adrian Shooter. Alice. Yang. 11 November 2011. 25 February 2014. Felix Online.
  11. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society: DHR B class Number 19 celebrates its 120th Birthday.
  12. News: Rail boss with a special train set. Dan. Hearn. 28 May 2010. Oxford Mail. three-acre estate at Steeple Aston, near Bicester.. 10 December 2015.
  13. News: Locomotive number 778. Bibek. Debroy. 1 January 2016. Business Standard. India. owns Beeches Light Railway. Indeed, it operates out of his residence in Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire..
  14. News: An Indian Relic in Oxfordshire. 14 August 2014. 13 January 2015. Forbes India. Anuradha. Sharma. Shooter bought an "arts and crafts" style house in Steeple Aston village, shipped in a Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) steam locomotive and set up his own private railway—the Beeches Light Railway—in his three-acre garden..
  15. Book: Dimmick, R. New Build - Darjeeling Himalaya Railway Carriages. 9, 11. Boston Lodge Engineering. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. brochure. 4 May 2012. 10 December 2015. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305135714/http://www.festrail.co.uk/ebrochures/pdf/bl_portfolio.pdf.
  16. News: Oldest toy train chugs through British garden. Times of India. 19 September 2014. 13 January 2016. Kounteya. Sinha. two replicas of DHR carriages were constructed at the Boston Lodge Works of the Ffestiniog Railway. These and the locomotive run in Adrian Shooter's private garden railway..
  17. News: A Darjeeling joyride in a British garden. Times of India. 20 September 2014. 13 January 2016. Kounteya. Sinha.
  18. News: July fun for all the family on the rails!. rail.co.uk. 27 May 2015. 13 January 2016. Model T railcar … based on a Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railway (Maine, USA) Superintendent's Inspection Car. … built for Adrian Shooter at the Statfold Barn Railway in 2008 and resides at Adrian's private Beeches Light Railway.
  19. Chris Allen: Beeches Light Railway - interesting vehicle. The Geograph No 4111684.
  20. Web site: Darjeeling society marks its 20th anniversary at Beeches. News. Railway Magazine. Sam. Hewitt. 2018-08-15. 2024-06-20. Mortons Media. Bagnall 0-4-0ST Woto worked a train of replicated DHR goods stock, while Baguley 0-4-0T Rishra steamed back and forth along the station loop line; a wheel profile incompatibility with the station turnouts preventing running on the main line circuit..
  21. Web site: Lot 161: The 19B Darjeeling 'B' Class locomotive. 1889.. Sharp Stewart & Co, Glasgow engine number 3518 of 1889 … original roof. The locomotive has 8 replica plates attached to it, the original plates are to be sold as separate lots after the sale of the 19B. The plates also show the Hindi equivalent. … Hammer: £250,000. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  22. Web site: Beeches Light Railway 73. Roger. Marks. 2007-07-21. 2022-06-25. Beeches Light Railway coach 73. Based on an existing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway coach, it was built by the Festiniog Railway's Boston Lodge Works in 2004.. Flickr.
  23. Web site: Lot 163: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway replica passenger guard's coach No. 73. built by the Ffestiniog Railway at their Boston Lodge Works for the Beeches Light Railway in 2004. Fitted with dual brakes, Vacuum and twin-pipe air brakes. 24ft. Hammer: £15,000. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  24. Web site: Beeches Light Railway 154. Based on an existing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway coach, it was built by the Festiniog Railway's Boston Lodge Works in 2004.. 2011-07-09. 2022-06-25. Roger. Marks.
  25. Web site: Lot 162: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway replica passenger coach No. 154. built by the Ffestiniog Railway their Boston Lodge Works for the Beeches Light Railway in 2004. Fitted with dual brakes, Vacuum and twin-pipe air brakes. 24ft. Hammer: £20,000. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  26. Web site: Moel yr Hydd. Festipedia. 2024-06-20. Ffestiniog Railway.
  27. Web site: Hunslet Diesel Locomotive 9349 of 1994 originally built as tunnelling contractors locomotive. H J Pugh. cab being modified for the Beeches Light Railway. Originally used for construction of the Jubilee underground line. It weighs approx 12 ton and is rated at 85 hp, it is fitted with twin pipe air brakes. 15ft … has to stay onsite until all the other trains are cleared as this is being used for shunting Hammer: £14,000.
  28. Web site: London Post Office Railway Car Number 760 (latterly renumbered 37) built by English Electric in 1930. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20. Hammer: £1,600.
  29. Web site: Major Gerald Scott Simplex 21619/1957 4wDM. Bressingham. 2024-05-21. 2024-06-20. Gezza's Gallery. Flickr.
  30. Web site: Lot 167: Simplex diesel locomotive 21619 of 1957, re-gauged and fitted with a replacement Perkins diesel engine by Alan Keef Ltd.. 2024-06-20. Hammer: £15,000.
  31. Web site: Lot 164: replica carriage of the Scindia State Railway in India.. It was reputedly used by the Maharaja of Gwalior on a visit. fitted with a drop-down zinc wash basin. On 2 Hudson bogies fitted with twin-pipe air brakes. 19ft. Hammer: £5,000.
  32. Web site: Our first trip on the Pullman style carriage…. 29 June [2024] … Brunch at 10.30 am … Lunch at 1.30pm. The Braxted Bakery. Witham. Facebook.
  33. Web site: Lot 175: Now being sold with lot 176.. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  34. Web site: Lot 176: Swan generating set with Perkins engine and automatic change over panel. 30KVA.. The lot includes a Clarke air compressor. All fitted inside a 4 Wheel ex-RNAD Box Van built Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited fitted with twin-pipe air brakes. 11ft. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  35. Web site: The Beeches Light Railway. 2018-08-25. 2024-06-20. Andrew. Murray. The Branch Line Society. Fixture Reports. Branch Line Society website.
  36. Web site: Lot 168: Model T petrol car modified to run on 2ft gauge railway.. 2024-06-20. Fitted with a turntable allowing the car to be lifted from the rails turned and then lowered to face in the opposite direction. Still with its original engine. The Ford Model T was converted by Neil Tuckett of Tuckett Brothers Model T specialists. This vehicle was modelled on an inspection car from the Maine (USA) Narrow gauge railway. Hammer: £25,000.
  37. The late Adrian Shooter's rail-mounted Ford Model T vehicle, … in the new museum at Aberystwyth. 2024-04-09. 2024-07-17. Heritage Railway. Owen. Hayward. Social Sciences / Arts.
  38. New rail museum! Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth. offset 11:28. 2024-06-01. 2024-07-17. Ian. Seabrook. Miss HubNut. HubNut. YouTube. …this is a recreation that someone built, for their own garden railway … based on a Model T Ford … has a turntable mechanism built into it..
  39. Web site: Lot 169: A brake van built on a Robert Hudson Wagon chassis fitted with twin-pipe air brakes.. 8ft 6" Hammer: £1,100.
  40. Web site: Lot 170: 4 Wheel flat wagon built by Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited fitted with twin-pipe air brakes.. Hammer: £500. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  41. Web site: Lot 171: 4 Wheel 3 plank open wagon built by Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited. 11ft. Hammer: £400. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  42. Web site: Lot 172: 4 Wheel ex-RNAD Box Van built Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited. 11ft. Hammer: £1,000. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  43. Web site: Lot 173: 4 Wheel ex-RNAD Box Van built Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited. 11ft. Hammer: £1,100. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  44. Web site: Lot 174: 4 Wheel flat wagon built by Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited. 11ft. Hammer: £700. H J Pugh. 2024-06-20.
  45. Web site: The Beeches Light Railway Dispersal Sale of the Late Well Renowned Adrian Shooter's Private Collection of Darjeeling Steam Locomotive, Locomotive Literature and Railway Memorabilia. 2023-03-28. Upcoming auctions. H. J. Hugh. Ledbury.
  46. Web site: Home . Darjeeling Tank . 8 October 2023 . en.

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