Latest News
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Winter Works update
26th January 2012
Whilst the railway is closed for the winter, it remains a hive of activity as a number of maintenance tasks are completed to ensure the safe running of trains during the summer season.
Carriage no. 1 - one of the two Isle of Man style carriages known as 'toastracks' - is currently being refurbished. The steelwork has been repainted, and the original seat slats have been removed and are currently being replaced with new iroko slats.
Velinheli is currently being dismantled for a full inspection by our boiler inspector. Whilst our locomotives all receive an annual boiler inspection with the boiler fitted, every ten years we are required to remove the boiler and strip it so that our boiler inspector can thoroughly examine both the outside and inside of the boiler and recommend any work required to the boiler. As Velinheli is used less than Lilian and Covertcoat, and had major boiler work completed 20 years ago, it is hoped that relatively little work will be required.
Work continues on the diesel railcar currently under development. Unfortunately supply issues mean that the alternator, which will be connected to the railcar's engine, has not yet arrived. However the couplings have been manufactured and a mock-up of part of the bodywork will be fitted shortly.
The remaining tasks to complete Dorothea - fitting couplings and air brake equipment, and final painting - have progressed steadily. It is planned that she will haul her first ever public passenger trains this summer; further details of her launch into service will be published here nearer the time.
Away from the trains, work has progressed on refurbishing a building at Launceston for use as part of an enlarged museum. Our current museum features a range of vintage cars and machinery, but space is at a premium and we are unable to display all the items in our collection. The new building would double the available space in the museum, allowing some more of our vintage cars and workshop machinery to be put on public display.
Railcar engine
23rd December 2011
The diesel engine for the railcar currently being built has been mounted in its carrying cradle. The cradle will sit underneath the chassis of the railcar, and will be able to slide out to allow easy access to the engine and alternator for maintenance. The engine itself is a 2 litre Peugeot turbo diesel engine; the alternator it will be mated to is currently on order.
Dorothea returns to steam!
1st December 2011
Hunslet steam locomotive 'Dorothea' has celebrated her 110th birthday by being steamed as a complete locomotive for the first time in preservation.
Built in 1901 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds, Dorothea spent her working life at the Dorothea Slate Quarry in North Wales. Last used at the quarry in the early 1940s, she was abandoned in her shed which later fell down around her. A number of parts were removed from Dorothea during the 1960s for use restoring other Hunslet steam locomotives, and many experts thought it would be impossible to even remove Dorothea from the quarry - let alone restore her to working order.
However, in 1970 the remains of Dorothea were rescued from the quarry by enthusiast David Walker. Over the next two decades he collected as many of the remaining parts as possible, sourced copies of most of the original engineering drawings of Dorothea and made some new replacement parts. Originally stored at Dave Walker's house, Dorothea later spent some time at the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales before moving to Launceston in the late 1980s. In 1989 she was offered for sale and bought by Kay Bowman as a 'kit of parts' - albeit with a number of parts still missing.
Since then Kay has undertaken a painstaking restoration of Dorothea to working order. By 2001 work had reached a stage that enabled 'Dorothea' to celebrate her centenary by steaming with a boiler and saddle tank borrowed from sister locomotive 'Covertcoat'. Continued work has seen her own boiler restored and passed for service, and her saddle tank repaired, as well as a number of parts either being acquired or made.
Kay has used as many original parts as possible in order to retain Dorothea's history and character, and this has led to the restoration taking much more time than otherwise would have been the case. For example, a new saddle tank could have been made in far less time than carefully replacing just those sections which were unfit for further service, yet the longer route has resulted in a locomotive that oozes character.
Throughout the restoration Kay has been able to call upon the expertise of her engineer husband, Nigel, who has been involved with this type of locomotive since purchasing his own - 'Lilian' - as a teenager. However, she has been determined to do as much of the work herself as possible. "There are some tasks where I just don't have the physical strength required" she says, "so I have been grateful for the help I have been given. In any case, sometimes two (or more) pairs of hands are needed, but otherwise I have restored, made or fitted the various parts myself."
'Dorothea' was steamed on Sunday 13th November and taken successfully the full length of the railway to Newmills. All went well and without incident, the engine performing very well. "It gives a real sense of achievement to be at the regulator of a live engine after so many years of work." said Kay; "It will take me a while to become used to the engine and how it needs to be managed, but I am very pleased with the way that everything has gone today."
A certain amount of finishing work is required before 'Dorothea' can enter full service - draw-gear needs to be fitted, together with an air-pump for the continuous brakes throughout the train. The cab has to be completed, and then the locomotive is to be painted in its original green livery. Having started life hauling slate wagons in the Dorothea Quarry in North Wales, a new life will soon start, hauling passenger trains on the Launceston Steam Railway.
LSR withdraws from TRAC Project
31st October 2011
The Launceston Steam Railway has today publically announced its withdrawal from the TRAC Project - a scheme led by Cornwall Council to build a new multi-use trail between Launceston and Egloskerry.
As part of the project it was intended to extend the steam railway for a further two miles to the village of Egloskerry. In return for Cornwall Council making the land available for this extension, the steam railway company would allow the trail to run along land it owns between Launceston and Newmills.
Negotiations between the Council and the railway have been taking place for the past three years. Throughout this period the railway has firmly committed itself to the original plan for a railway and multi-use trail from Launceston to Egloskerry. This original plan has also been supported by the local town and parish councils, local businesses and numerous local residents.
The railway has demonstrated its commitment to the scheme by investing nearly £100,000 in new track and developing a diesel railcar for the Egloskerry extension. The railcar was intended to provide an off-peak tourist and public transport service to Egloskerry, which would be of particular benefit to the local community at a time when public transport links are under threat due to spending cuts imposed by Cornwall Council.
To date Cornwall Council have spent £500,000 on the multi-use trails it intends to build in North Cornwall at Launceston and Bude. No physical work has started on the trail at Launceston and no land for the trail has been purchased except for a road overbridge at Newmills, bought from British Railways Residuary Board for £1 and only necessary for the project if the railway was to be extended - a trail could easily be diverted a short distance to cross the road on the level. A very small section of the Bude trail has been built, through an already-existing bridge under a main road.
As a result of the railway's withdrawal from the project, Cornwall Council now intend to build the trail on an alternative route. This route would mainly be along the existing narrow minor road between Launceston and Newmills - which is likely to be a major safety hazard for the cyclists, horse riders and walkers who would use the trail.
Cornwall Council's TRAC Project officers, Chris Hariades and Kate Gason, last visited the railway for a meeting on the 11th October, during which they enjoyed a test trip on the diesel railcar being developed for service to Egloskerry, as seen in this photograph:
The formal notice of the railway's withdrawal can be read here. To date this letter has not had the courtesy of a reply or acknowledgement by Cornwall Council. The Draft Heads of Agreement mentioned in the letter can be read here.
Nigel Bowman, chairman of the Launceston Steam Railway, commented "The Launceston Steam Railway only exists due to the pro-active involvement of the abolished North Cornwall District Council and Cornwall County Council and it is a shame that the new unitary authority, Cornwall Council, has proved so difficult and obstructive to deal with. This sorry situation must serve as a dreadful warning to any parties wishing to invest in Cornwall, and is in stark contrast to Cumbria where the South Tynedale Railway is currently building an extension alongside a multi-use trail with full co-operation from the local authority."
Return of the tram!
28th October 2011
The Roanoke steam tram which visited us last year paid a return visit for the October half term week. This quirky locomotive is normally based on the private Trevaylor Farm Tramway, and is very rarely seen in public. The tram spent the week entertaining passengers by operating a small train of slate wagons around Launceston station.
We are now closed for the winter and reopen next Easter; details of operating dates for 2012 will be available on the 'Times & Fares' page soon.
Railcar chassis test runs
27th October 2011
The experimental chassis for the diesel electric railcar under development at the railway has made a number of test runs during October. The tests were carried out using the Lombardini diesel generator which had been used to test the railcar's power bogie last year; it is planned that the railcar will be fitted with a Peugeot turbo diesel engine and alternator under the floor. The test runs to date have so far been very succesful.
End of the peak season
23rd September 2011
Today was the last day of the peak season, and both 'Lilian' and 'Velinheli' were in steam, taking turns to haul the trains and occasionally double heading. At 128 and 125 years old, the "two grand old ladies" are the oldest Hunslet steam locomotives in the world still in working order. Amazingly at their respective ages Lilian and Velinheli have both only had two owners from new!
At the end of each season a "megashunt" takes place, where the four carriages are put into store. The following video shows this shunting exercise, and also the last train of the day, double headed by Lilian and Velinheli.
We are now closed for a few weeks, but reopen on the 23rd October for our half-term trains.
Railcar chassis
9th August 2011:
Work has now started building the chassis for the railway's new diesel electric railcar. The railcar is primarily being built for use in the quieter parts of the tourist season, when it is not economical to run a steam locomotive but there are still a number of visitors who would like to ride on the railway. However the railcar could also be used, as part of the railway's proposed extension to Egloskerry, to provide a public transport service from Egloskerry to Launceston, which would be of particular benefit to the local community at a time when rural bus services are under threat due to a reduction in the subsidy available from the local authority.
The chassis will be constructed with two 36 feet (11m) lengths of steel channel as side members, joined by a number of steel box section cross members. On top of the channel side members will be a truss structure, made from steel box section. The photographs below show the steel as delivered, and work on the first truss structure.
25th August 2011:
The two side sections of the chassis have been completed. The cross members, and the bogie bolsters, have also been fitted into place.
8th September 2011:
The chassis is now nearing completion and will soon be fitted to the two bogies. Recently completed was the diagonal bracing in the truss structure, and the addition of more cross members.
14th September 2011:
The chassis has now been fitted to the two bogies. Test runs of this bare chassis will take place shortly after the end of the season, using the Lombardini generator which was used to trial the power bogie last year.
