Battlefield Line Railway

Battlefield Line Railway
Commercial operations
Name London and North Western Railway
Midland Railway
British Rail
Built by London and North Western Railway
Original gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Preserved operations
Owned by Shackerstone Railway Society
Operated by Shackerstone Railway Society
Length 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Preserved gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Commercial history
Opened 1873
Closed 1970
Preservation history
1973 Partial re-opening
Headquarters Shackerstone
Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway
Legend
Leicester–Burton Line
Overseal and Moira
Moira
Donisthorpe
Measham
Snarestone
Coalville Town
Charnwood Forest Railway
Leicester–Burton Line
Hugglescote
Heather and Ibstock
Shackerstone Junction
Shackerstone
Market Bosworth
Shenton
Stoke Golding
Birmingham to Peterborough Line
Hinckley
Higham on the Hill
Trent Valley Line (WCML)
Nuneaton Abbey Street
Birmingham to Peterborough Line
Nuneaton
Coventry to Nuneaton Line
Trent Valley Line (WCML)

The Battlefield Line Railway is a heritage railway in Leicestershire, England. It runs from Shackerstone (Grid ref SK 379 065) to Shenton (SK 396 002), via Market Bosworth, a total of 4.5 miles (7.2 km). Shenton is near Bosworth Field, (the location of the final battle of the Wars of the Roses immortalised in Shakespeare's Richard III), giving the railway its name.

Contents

Overview

The railway runs steam and diesel-hauled trains every weekend from April to October, as well as a summer mid-week service on Wednesdays in July and August; the latter is operated by their Heartlander diesel railcar service. They also operate special events: the Christmas Santa Specials (which operate on all weekends throughout December) and the bi-annual diesel galas. Family focused events are held throughout the year; "Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine", Models Weekend and Shackerstone Family Festival in September.

Also Market Bosworth Station is Home to GB2MBS a Special Event Station operated by members of Leicester Radio Society for the Railways On The Air Weekend 2011 (Sept 24th and 25th), Promoting both the Battlefield Line Railway and Amateur Radio in the UK and all around the world, with over 200 contacts made in more than 25 countries, including several Special Event Stations run at Railways all over the UK!

History

The railway used to be part of the London and North Western Railway and the Midland Railway, who operated the line jointly between Moira West Junction and Nuneaton. The first trains ran along this section in 1873. At Shackerstone station, there was once a junction where one section branched off towards Moira and Ashby and the other went towards Coalville Junction. In 1883, the Charnwood Forest Railway was opened, which extended the branch from Coalville Junction to Loughborough's Derby Road station, passing through the villages of Whitwick and Shepshed. In the 1923 Grouping, these lines were assigned to the London Midland and Scottish Railway. In 1931 the last scheduled passenger train went down the Charnwood Forest branch, with the line then only being open to freight and excursions until the 1960s. The Coalville Junction – Shackerstone section was dismantled and closed completely in 1964. The Ashby – Nuneaton line had its last passenger service in 1965, which was an enthusiasts' special, before British Rail pulled the rails up in 1970. In its heyday, Shackerstone was a busy station, with steam trains doing the workings between Ashby and Nuneaton, whilst a railcar did the service between Shackerstone and Loughborough Derby Road.

The line was originally double track but was later singled. Confusingly, part of the line was called the Bluebell Line (the Charnwood Forest Line, Hugglescote to Loughborough Derby Road station; this line was only accessible via the ANJR).

The royal train now in the National Railway Museum went to Shackerstone on its first outing in December 1902. It conveyed King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria on their way to Gopsall Hall, where Handel is reputed to have composed his oratorio Messiah.

Renovation project

The Shackerstone Railway Society was set up in 1969 at Market Bosworth, but soon moved to Shackerstone in 1970, as they needed a proper home for their first steam engine. When they got to Shackerstone they found one through line still intact, and their first aim was to build some sidings. Later they reinstated the "down" platform and connected the sidings to the line to Market Bosworth.

In 1973, to celebrate the centenary of the line, a small train of open wagons was hauled to Market Bosworth. Following the successful conclusions of the negotiations with British Rail, a start was made on track rearrangements which created run-round loops at both ends of the line and a number of sidings at Shackerstone.

In the 1980s, the Battlefield Line launched a campaign to extend their line to Shenton. This involved buying one and a half miles of track and in 1992 after a successful campaign, the inaugural service arrived, hauled by the appropriately named 0-6-0 tank engine "Richard III."

Journey

Leaving the platforms at Shackerstone, the first sight to be seen from the train is the old goods yard. This is situated on the right-hand side of the running lines. This first section of the journey is located on a climbing gradient which continues until the train is clear of the station limits. Near the goods yard, passengers can see the Station House (now a private residence). Approaching the signal box, the train passes a large building. This is the steam locomotive and carriage shed. The signal box, situated on the left of the train, is passed shortly, and once the driver has received the single line token, the train may proceed into the section. The signal box is the oldest Midland Railway Co. type one box still in operational use. Once past the shed the steam locomotive yard is in view. The chassis of 0-6-0 RSH No3 "Richard III" is a current project and can be seen on the 1st Road at the back of the shed. Passengers can also (from the train) see the inspection pit and preparation area. Continuing further up the gradient, the train shortly passes the railway's DMU siding on which are usually stored the 2-car 'hybrid' set and the Bubblecar. Behind these stand other items of railway origin which are either in store or awaiting overhaul/restoration. Locomotives to be seen from the train in this siding are currently Class 45 (45 015), Class 31 (31 461) and Ruston shunter "Hercules".

Once the end of the "DMU Siding" is reached, the train passes under the first bridge which carries the road to Barton-in-the-Beans over the railway. From here on, the railway passes into open farmland and countryside. Here, the track changes from the left-hand side of the trackbed, to the right-hand side. The railway curves to the left here on a long sweeping curve which takes the train under James Farm Bridge and on towards Hedley's Farm Crossing. It then crosses a separate foot-crossing, at each of which locomotives must give a warning whistle.

After the crossings, the track straightens for a while. On the left can be seen the Italianate style church tower of Carlton and shortly after this the Market Bosworth golf course can be sighted under construction.

Market Bosworth and beyond

A local private airstrip can be seen on the left. The approach to Market Bosworth, three miles from Shackerstone, is on a sweeping right-hand curve. To the right of the train can be seen new housing developments whilst the left-hand side has countryside scenery. Market Bosworth station is soon approached and trains pass under the Station Bridge which carries the main road into Market Bosworth over the line. The train passes through the disused platforms.

To the left-hand side of the train here there are usually stored locomotives or wagons. To the right can be seen the old buildings and signal box which used to control part of the operation of the station.

Once clear of Market Bosworth station, the train accelerates again towards Far Coton road bridge and then passes into a left-hand curve in a cutting. Out of the cutting, the train continues on a long, straight section of track on top of an embankment. To the right hand side can be seen Aqueduct Cottage and the actual Ashby Canal aqueduct beyond it. Trains slow as they cross the bridge which carries over the road between Shenton Village and Sutton Cheney. As the line curves to the right slightly, the train approaches Shenton Station, just over 4.5 miles (7.2 km) away from Shackerstone.

The trains slow to enter the platform and the station pottery and car park can be seen to the right. The pottery is the only surviving part of the original station. The current station is the reconstructed Humberstone Road station from Leicester. To the left, the "Flag of the Boar" can be seen flying above the field on which the Battle of Bosworth was fought. Shenton station is a convenient starting point for walks in the Battlefield Country Park.

At the end of the line is a headshunt underneath an old cattle bridge. The small bridge was previously used to allow safe passage of farm traffic over the route of the old Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway. Evidence of the old line between Shenton and Higham on the Hill via Stoke Golding still exists though due to financial issues, no current extension work has currently been planned yet, as of 2011.

Steam locomotives

Over the years, many different steam locomotives have graced Shackerstone Locomotive Works from massive beasts such as 34027 "Taw Valley" & a pair of LMS 5XP Jubilee's to smaller examples such as the tiny Peckett "Ivor The Engine" and other industrials. Today, the select fleet of locomotives operate the line's steam services. Smaller industrial engines are more common amongst the fleet due their raw power, ample size and relative ease of maintenance though the biggest of the fleet is a main line giant!

Operational

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
No.9449
The Blue Circle
Aveling and Porter
2-2-0WT
The locomotive is currently operational and is steamed on selected occasions throughout the season. The engine received various repairs and mechanical improvements during the winter of 2008-2009 to aid better running. The engine is also steamed on Thomas events as she plays the character "Fergus". This wonderful locomotive was built in the 1920s to a dated design of the 1860s and provides a unique sight to visitors. BCC Blue. Private Owner. 1926
Sir Gomer Peckett and Sons 0-6-0ST This locomotive is currently operational, and operating at the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway. The frames of the engine have recently been reunited with the boiler after repair in wales. Designed as a powerful industrial, "Sir Gomer", according to findings, is capable of moving a 928 ton train at slow speed on level ground: quite an achievement for an engine of relatively small stature! This hansome machine is the railway's flagship locomotive and her return to service was an event that was greatly looked forward to. Lined Green. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1932

Undergoing overhaul, restoration or repairs

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
No. 1306
Mayflower
LNER Thompson Class B1
4-6-0
61306 was built at North British, Glasgow and delivered after Nationalisation of the four British railway companies. Spending most of her career at Hull sheds, she was withdrawn in 1967 and went into preservation at Steamtown, Carnforth where she was given a fictional LNER Guise and the name Mayflower, previously held by classmate 61379. In 1978 Railfan Gerald Boden purchased her for active use and sent her to the Great Central Railway, but when an overhaul was required she moved to the Nene Valley Railway in 1989 for completion. She is currently used on certain days of the year and frequently on special event days. She recently had a light overhaul and is now operational again. LNER Apple Green. Private Owner. 1948
Waleswood Hudswell Clarke
0-4-0ST
A long term restoration project, the locomotive wheels and frames currently resides outside the works but is sheeted up to protect her from the elements. N/A. Private Owner. 1906
No. 3
Richard III
Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
0-6-0T
This locomotive is currently 2nd in the queue for overhaul at Shackerstone Works, behind the flagship locomotive No1859 "Sir Gomer" (currently undergoing her overhaul). Once "Sir Gomer"s overhaul is complete, the focus will be on "Richard III". Therefore, when "Sir Gomer"s boiler ticket expires it is hoped that "Richard III" will be back in steam & ready to step in to replace her. "Richard III"s boiler has already been sent away for work. Light Blue. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1949

Stored or static

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
Lamport
No. 3
W.G. Bagnall
0-6-0ST
Although 'out of ticket', "Lamport No3" has been kept inside Shackerstone Works to shield her from the elements Lined Green. Leicester Industrial Locomotive Group. 1942 ~
No. 7 Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST Having not steamed since the early days of the railway, this locomotive has been stored in the North End Yard in recent years N/A. Private Owner. 1949 ~

Diesel shunters

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery
No. 9921 'Caroline'/'Rusty' Motor Rail Simplex Only used on special events because of its size. Non-operational due to clutch failure (Privately owned). Undercoat Grey
Hercules Ruston 0-4-0 Currently undergoing bearing work and a bodywork overhaul (Railway owned) Yellow and Pink
No. 2 Nancy Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0 Operational but does not see much use (Privately owned) Dark Blue
6684 Hunslet Stored out of use (Privately owned) N/A
No. 8431 Stephenson English Electric Stored out of use (Privately owned) Orange
Big Momma Barclay Shunter 0-6-0 Stored out of use at Market Bosworth station (Privately owned) Light Green
No 422 Hot Wheels Andrew Barclay Stored out of use at Market Bosworth station (Privately owned) Blue
No. D2867 Diane Class 02 Operational-Under Restoration while still used regularly used as shed shunter for steam locomotive department (Privately owned) Green Primer
No. 03170 Class 03 Operational and used regularly (Railway owned) BR Blue
No 03180. Class 03 Stored out of use (Railway owned) BR Blue
No. 11215 Class 04 Out of service, undergoing engine refit inside the steam locomotive shed in front of "Waleswood" (Railway owned) BR Black
No. 04110 (D2310) Class 04 Operational (Railway owned) BR Blue
No. 13236 Class 08 On loan to the Bluebell Railway BR Black
No. 08576 Class 08 Awaiting restoration (Railway owned) BR Blue
No. 08825 Class 08 Stored out of use (Railway owned) BR Blue
No. 12083 Class 11 Under restoration (Privately owned) BR Blue

Ex. mainline heritage diesels

Despite being a relatively short route, the Battlefield Line host 2 intensive diesel galas each year which run a dozen or more or these locomotives throughout a single weekend.

Operational

Number & Name Description History & Current Status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
No. 31101 British Rail Class 31
A1A-A1A
Operational BR Rail Blue (Bescot TMD) Suburban Preservation. 1958
No. 31130
Calder Hall Power Station
British Rail Class 31
A1A-A1A
Operational Railfreight Trainload Coal. Suburban Preservation. 1959
No. D6508
Eastleigh
British Rail Class 33
Bo-Bo
Under Overhaul BR Green. Private Owner. 1960 ~
No. D6593 British Rail Class 33
Bo-Bo
Visiting For Repair From The Watercress Line BR Green. Watercress Line. 1960 ~
No. 33019
Griffon
British Rail Class 33
Bo-Bo
Operational DCE Grey & Yellow. Private Owner. 1960
No. 33053 British Rail Class 33
Bo-Bo
Visiting The Watercress Line BR Rail Blue. Private Owner. 1961 ~
No. D5217 British Rail Class 25
Bo-Bo
Operational BR Green. Private Owner. 1963 ~
No. 37905
Mirrlees Pioneer
British Rail Class 37
Co-Co
Visiting The Watercress Line Railfreight Trainload Metals. Private Owner. 1963 ~
No. 37227 British Rail Class 37
Co-Co
Under Repair Railfreight Trainload Metals. Private Owner. 1964 ~
No. 47640
University of Strathclyde
British Rail Class 47
Co-Co
Operational BR Large Logo Blue. Private Owner. 1966
No. 56086
The Magistrates' Association
British Rail Class 56
Co-Co
Operational BR Large Logo Blue. Private Owner. 1980 ~
No. 56040
Oystermouth
British Rail Class 56
Co-Co
Scrapped 2011[1] Railfreight. Class 56 Group. 1980 ~
No. 56098
British Rail Class 56
Co-Co
Operational Load-Haul. Private Owner 1981 ~

Diesel multiple units

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery
DMBS No 51131 Class 116 Operational, used with No 51321 on passenger trains regularly (Privately owned). BR Blue
DMS No 51321 Class 118 Operational, used with 51131 on passenger trains, operates regularly (Privately owned). BR Blue
DMBS No 55005. Class 122 Non-operational, awaiting bodywork repairs and a repaint (Privately owned). BR Green c/w cats whiskers

Coach stock

British Railways Mark 1 coaches

The original A&NJR closed long before the formation of British Railways, but as very few suitable period carriages were preserved, BR Mark 1 coaches form part of all Battlefield Line passenger trains today. They are a renowned design of standardised rail stock, being both durable and high-capacity vehicles.

Number & Name Description Current Status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
No. E1104 Mark 1 RF Converted into a Griddle buffet from RF No. 301 while working for BR, and was later preserved. After further modifications made by the restoration group it is now back in service, providing food and drinks to passengers. BR Lined Maroon. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1952
No. ADB975459 Mark 1 BSK Originally numbered 34136 until conversion into a departmental coach. Docked in the Shackerstone bay siding as volunteer accommodation, but will require heavy amounts of remedial work in the coming years. BR Lined Maroon. Shackerstone DMU Group. 1952
No. 3050 Mark 1 FO Stored at the end of the Shackerstone north siding complex. All the seats are gone and it is virtually empty except for a few small parts, It's partly for this reason that this coach is at great risk. BR Blue & Grey. Private owner. 1954 ~
No. W34935 Mark 1 BSK Operational and one of the handful of Battlefield Line coaches with two separate liveries. BR Blood & Custard (West side).
BR Chocolate & Cream (East side).
Private owner. 1956
No. 34953 Mark 1 BSK Awaiting a major overhaul in the Shackerstone south siding, though it could take years (if ever) for work to commence. Maroon. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1956 ~
No. 35027 Mark 1 BSK Awaiting restoration in the Shackerstone south siding. Maroon (lined in Cream). Private owner. 1956 ~
No. W81227 Mark 1 BG Operational as the support and storage vehicle for the owning group's British Rail Class 31 locomotives. BR Rail Blue. Suburban Preservation. 1957 ~
No. M81428 Mark 1 BG Awaiting repair work, but thankfully it is structurally in-sound so not much work will be required. BR Blood & Custard. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1957 ~
No. ADB977084 Mark 1 RKB Numbered 1505 until becoming part of the original Crewe Test Train. In storage in the Shackerstone north siding complex. It will be most likely a long-term restoration project, even after contracted Asbestos stripping. N/A. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1958 ~
No. 81470 Mark 1 BG At present only available in use as a part store. InterCity. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1958 ~
No. 1816 Mark 1 RMB In use as a storage shed at Shackerstone, but is a good restoration project as it still has its underframe and is relatively complete body-wise, just a bit worn. N/A. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1959
No. ADB977450 Mark 1 FO Numbered 3087 until becoming part of the original Crewe Test Train. In storage at Shackerstone until restoration can begin, which will require replacement of all the windows and some major fittings. N/A. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1959 ~
No. W93701 Mark 1 GUV Presently at the end of the Shackerstone north siding complex as a storage vehicle. BR Rail Blue. Private owner. 1959 ~
No. 94142 Mark 1 CCTY Awaiting a major overhaul in the Shackerstone south siding. Maroon. Private owner. 1960 ~
No. M25729 Mark 1 SK Operational and one of the handful of Battlefield Line coaches with two separate liveries. Numbered M25729 on the west side and ADB977982 on the east side. BR Blood & Custard (West side).
BR Chocolate & Cream (East side).
Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1961
No. M4918 Mark 1 TSO Operational, though in need of minor interior refurbishment. BR Lined Maroon. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1962
No. 4939 Mark 1 TSO In storage among the pile-up of rolling stock and locomotives in the Shackerstone north siding complex. InterCity. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1962 ~
No. M4989 Mark 1 TSO Operational. BR Blood & Custard. Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd. 1962
No. 13341 Mark 1 FK Parked alongside 1816 for additional storage. Departmental Livery. Private owner. 1962
No. 80374
NSA
Mark 1 POS In use as British Rail Class 37 37227's support vehicle, but is still available for occasional photo charters. Royal Mail. Private owner. 1972 ~

External links

References