Great Bush Railway

Great Bush Railway
Locale England
Dates of operation 1971–Present
Track gauge 2 ft (610 mm)
Length 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km)
Headquarters Hadlow Down

The Great Bush Railway is a private, 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge running round the edge of Tinkers Park, Hadlow Down, Sussex. The railway is operated by the Claude Jessett Trust Company.[1] The line is 1/4 mile long and has a single station at Hadlow Down.

History

The line was laid down by Claude Jessett as an attraction to accompany the yearly steam rallies. Locomotives and rolling stock was acquired from Alpha Cement Company and Ludlay and Crowborough Brickworks. Locomotives Alpha and Aminal were used for motive power, the carriages being built from Crowborough supplied brick wagons. As the trackwork extended, Aminal was deemed problematic due to the suspension sprngs being welded up and derailed constantly. Thus ending up out of use. Laterly the coaches were retired and a bogie coach built to take their place. Later joined by three coaches from the Hayling Seaside Railway.

Over time, the track has been extended further and the locomotive fleet expanded. The railway only runs on Tinkers Park events.

Current Locomotives

Number Name Builder Type Date Works

number

 Notes
1 Aminal Motor Rail 4wPM 1931 Purchased from the Ludlay Brick and Tile Company
4 Mild Motor Rail 4wDM 1941 8687 Purchased from the Crowborough Brickworks
5 Alpha Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM 1937 183744[1] Purchased from the APCM Rodmell Works
12 Wolf Motor Rail 4wDM 1940 7469
14 Albany Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM 1941 213840[1] Purchased from the 18 in (457 mm) gauge Royal Arsenal Railway, converted to 2 ft (610 mm) gauge in 1973
22 Lama BEV 4wBE 1953 5033[1] Purchased from the Crowborough Brickworks
24 Titch BEV 0-4-0BE 1972 M7535[1] Purchased from the Crowborough Brickworks
3 SAO DOMINGOS Orenstein & Koppel 0-6-0WT 1929 11784[1]
24 RJ Brown Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM 1955 382820 Worked at Penrhyn Quarry Railway
25 Drusilla Motor Rail 4wDM 1965 22236 Worked at Drusillas Zoo Park

Former Locomotives

Number Name Builder Type Date Works

number

 Notes
2 Sezela No. 2 Avonside 0-4-0T 1915 1720
3 Goat Lister 4wDM 1936 8022 Purchased from the Crowborough Brickworks, sold to the Surrey Light Railway, 1977
6 Sezela No. 6 Avonside 0-4-0T 1928 1923
7 Fido Motor Rail 4wPM 1931 5297 Purchased from the Surrey Light Railway, 1976; sold to Ian Jolly, 1977, Now at Old Kiln Light Railway[2]
8 Tuesday Hibberd 4wDM 1941 2586 Purchased from the Surrey Light Railway, 1976; sold to the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway, 1988
9 Smifsagit Hunslet Hudson 4wDM 1944 3109 Purchased from the Surrey Light Railway, 1976; sold to Alan Keef, 1979
10 Cape Orenstein & Koppel 4wDM 1935 5925 Purchased from Cape Universal Products, 1976; converted from 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge; sold to Amberley Chalk Pits Museum, 1978

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Industrial Railway Society (2009). Industrial Locomotives (15EL). Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 978-1-901556-53-7.
  2. ↑ http://www.oldkilnlightrailway.com/mr5297.php

See also