The Gartell Light Railway - 30/10/11 - Part 1

The Gartell Light Railway is a 2ft gauge miniature railway which runs for 3/4 of a mile on part of the former track bed of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway near Templecombe. Opened in 1990 the line runs from the main base at Common Lane Station, climbing on a 1 in 32 gradient the line runs under itself the gradient then eases to 1 in 50 on the approach to Pinesway Junction Station. After leaving Pinesway Junction the line descends south on 1 in 132 gradient then starts climbing at 1 in 190 briefly and arrives into Park Lane Station. At present they are working on a northern extension from Pinesway Junction where the line will continue for another 200 yards to a new station. It is hoped the new extension will be opened in early 2012. We visited the line on one of their open days where there were trains running from 10:30 - 16:30 departing Common Lane every 15 minutes, this was being their last open day of the year.

Locos operating throughout the day were:

- Ex- Southend Pier Railway Bo-Bo DH no.1 'Amanda' re-built by the GLR in 2000 to resemble a BR Class 33.
- 4wDH no.5 'Alison' built by Alan Keef ltd in 1993 (On station pilot duties)
- 0-4-2T no.6 'Mr.G' built by the North Dorset Locomotive Works in 1998, she is based on the W.G. Bagnall locomotive 'Polar Bear' which runs on the Amberley Museum Railway.
- 0-4-0TT no.9 'Jean' built by the North Dorset Locomotive Works in 2008

Shots included in this video are:

- Mr.G departing Common Lane with the S&D Blue set.
- Jean running round her train carrying the 'Pines Express' headboard, then moves the stock into position. The stock being the SR Malachite Green set, complete with 'Pines Express' boards.
- Amanda arriving into Common Lane with the Midland Maroon set.
- We join 'The Pines Express' for a journey along the line, climbing the gradients to Pinesway Junction then rolling down to Park Lane. Jean then runs round and we make our way back, passing Amanda at Pinesway Junction and arriving back at Common Lane where Mr.G waits to take out her train.
- Amanda arriving into Pinesway Junction from Park Lane.
- Mr.G slogs up the 1:32 & 1:50 gradients to Pinesway Junction.
- Amanda departs Pinesway Junction.

Filmed on a Panasonic HDC-HS60 HD Camcorder

Enjoy

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• glr
• the gartell light railway
• s&djr
• the pines express
• 2ft gauge
• miniature railway
• narrow gauge
• steam
• diesel
• templecombe
• common lane
• pinesway junction
• park lane
• gradient
• letmadnessbegin
• yt:quality=high

[dwkcamman611]

This is awesome!!!

[letmadnessbegin]

@dwkcamman611 thanks =)

[EMuksteam]

Very interesting little railway.Ideal for the family

[letmadnessbegin]

@EMuksteam cheers Em =) It is a lovely railway.

[balmesh]

Very interesting - I had never heard of this line. Good luck to it and thanks to you! . . . . . Alan

[letmadnessbegin]

@balmesh thank you Alan =) Tis a great little line, especially with the climbs to Pinesway Junction.

[letmadnessbegin]

@Firrboxfryup looks bad but the camera exaggerates it, I presume it's there so they can have a straight run into Park Lane Station. It is a lovely line, hope to visit when their northern extension is complete. Thanks for watching & commenting Jamie =)

[Firrboxfryup]

That's a rather nasty kink they've got in the track on the entrance to Pinesway!

Great video of a great little railway!

J

[letmadnessbegin]

@SuperWHIZZO it really is a great little railway, one I recommend =) Thanks for watching & commenting mate.

[SuperWHIZZO]

Super little line I hope it does well , engines , rolling stock ,etc look spot on .Those like myself not fortunate to travel on the old S+D now can enjoy some of its pleasures.