Wensleydale Railway Rail Link Photos

Wensleydale Railway - Photo Archive

May 2024 (Page 1)

Photographs

During May lots of things has been going on on the railway, especially on the early May bank holiday when we had our annual Model Railway Exhibition. This month we have:
1. Various trains and locos on the line.
2. Some nice views along the line.
3. The Infrastructure Team doing drainage work beyond Leyburn
4. A works train taking equipment etc. for the drainage work.
5. The Fencing Team have been kept very busy.
6. The Infrastructure Team building a sleeper wall to prevent landslips onto the track.
7. The Vegetation Team have been kept very busy trying to keep the vegetation along the line under control.

For photos of the following see page 2 of May 2024 photos:-
1. Model Rail Exhibition.
2. The repainting of loco 37 250 in EWS livery.
3. Work by the Direct Works Team.

For recent photos of the continuing restoration of the Railway Crane see here.

For recent photos of the Works Mess van that is to be restored as a mess van for our railway crane see here.

For recent photos of the continuing restoration of the 0-6-0 Steam Tank Engine see here.

For recent photos of the continuing restoration of the Mk2 Coach see here

Ref - 14009

Photo - Alan Graham
A pacer train bound for Leeming passing a member of the veg team east of Finghall on 1st May. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo

Ref - 14009

Photo - Alan Graham
A pacer train bound for Leeming passing a member of the veg team east of Finghall on 1st May. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14010

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
WL4 (ex Tyneside and Wear diesel shunter) approaching Harmby with the 09.30 from Leeming Bar on the first train day during the Model Railway weekend. D9523 is on the rear of the train. This was the first time that this loco had hauled a passenger service on our line (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14011

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
WL4 (ex Tyneside and Wear diesel shunter) stood in Leyburn station. (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14012

Photo - John Slaughter
Leeming Bar Yard: Sentinel 0-6-0 industrial diesel shunter recently acquired from Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire. (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14013

Photo - John Slaughter
Leeming Bar Station at the end of the first day of the Model Railway Weekend: D9523 has just been uncoupled from the last train. (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14014

Photo - John Slaughter
Leeming Bar Station at the end of the first day of the Model Railway Weekend, with operating staff discussing how the day had gone, with D9523 behind. (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14015

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco D9523 standing in Leeming Bar platform between stints of duty on the first day of the Model Rail Exhibition (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14016

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Loco D9523 standing in Leeming Bar platform between stints of duty on the first day of the Model Rail Exhibition (04/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14017

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Model railway enthusiasts pulling in to Leyburn Station hauled by loco 33 035 (05/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14018

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Some Austin-Healey 3000 club members dropping in at Arthur's for a cupper and a chat. (05/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14019

Photo - Alan Graham
Veg team PICOW Bill Briggs observes driver Sue Threadgold piloting her Pacer past the May blossom at Rand Grange 2 crossing east of Crakehall on 15th may. (15/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14020

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Plenty of people waiting to join 55032 Bubble Car single unit heading for the Teddy Bear event at Scruton on the first train of the day from Leyburn. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14021

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Due to the large number of people waiting at Leeming Bar to go to Scruton the decision was taken to replace the Bubble Car with two car Pacer 143623.
Here it stands at Scruton waiting to take the masses back to Leeming Bar. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14022

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Just time to check on those emails! (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14023

Photo - Andy Glendinning
To increase capacity the now redundant Bubble Car was added to the formation of the loco-hauled coaches which formed the second and third trains of the day.
Here it waits at Bedale for the crossing gates to be opened. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14024

Photo - Andy Glendinning
D9523 ready to run round its train at Leyburn to head back to Leeming Bar. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14025

Photo - Andy Glendinning
143623 on a Driver Experience day passes Peter Blacks User Worked Crossing at Leyburn. (30/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14026

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Normally driving or in hiviz with the Vegetation Gang, Sue in her Sunday best during a Ruby Wedding private party on the train. (19/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14027

Photo - Timothy Edwards
Bedale station group's gardener, Paul, busy at work (07/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14028

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Leaflets and updated signage at Redmire including details of what was the forthcoming Model Railway Weekend. (03/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14029

Photo - Alan Graham
A new view for the passengers; a small but delightful steep ravine east of Finghall. During May, the heady scents of woodland plants like wild garlic and wood anemones create quite a powerful perfume for the veg team to work in amongst. If only a screen could convey scents! (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14030

Photo - Alan Graham
View from the line. Sometimes when you're hard at it you can easily forget the scenery but I looked up and saw this gap in the trees. Looking north with the A684 in the far distance between Akebar and Patrick Brompton. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14031

Photo - Alan Graham
View from the line. Between Crakehall and Newton Le Willows during the last week in May. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14032

Photo - Alan Graham
View from the line. Between Crakehall and Newton Le Willows during the last week of May. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14033

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Mini digger is clearing out the U tubes for the pipe removal. The sleeper wall has been finished in an area where bed rock didn't allow the posts to be fitted. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14034

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
The sight of the U tube cleared out cannot have been seen for decades. We will refit a pipe and clean ballast. (14/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14035

Photo - Alan Graham
A varied and miscellaneous mix of rolling stock found in Leeming Bar station on Friday 17th May. "Eclectic" is the modern buzz word. This was to form a works train the following week (17/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14036

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Works train stabled loaded with materials for Return to Redmire work west of Leyburn on the following Monday. (18/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14037

Photo - Nick Keegan
The ex Tyne and Wear diesel shunter in Leeming Bar platform at the head of a works train (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14038

Photo - Nick Keegan
Our works train with a load of drainage tubes. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14039

Photo - Nick Keegan
Our Shark brake van at the rear of a works train in Leeming Bar platform (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14040

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Tubes and materials arrived on site on a works train. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14041

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
View from the Shark end of the works train. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14042

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
WL4 at the head of the works train delivering materials. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14043

Photo - Michael Metcalfe
Dumpy bags of fine ballast being lift off the rail wagon. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14044

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Christmas has come early. All the damaged pitch fibre pipe containing asbestos which had been removed from the Utubes between Bridges 28 & 29 west of Leyburn wrapped in plastic ready to be taken to Leyburn for collection by our approved disposal company. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14045

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Works train ready to set back to Leyburn to drop off the pipe,run round and return to Leeming Bar.
Thanks gentlemen for your assistance on this (and other) days. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14046

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Checking for high spots in the open ditch section of the drainage to make sure there is an even fall from the end of the Utubes to the cross drain further west. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14047

Photo - Andy Glendinning
Taking a level. Newly delivered pipe which will be installed in the Utubes that are just visible to the left of the track. (20/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14048

Photo - Richard Kirk
Spruce Gill (just east of Finghall Lane). Sheep have been getting onto the line in this area and delaying trains. Wire mesh has been fitted to the lower section of the field gate in case lambs were getting through here. A few other gaps were closed off. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14049

Photo - Richard Kirk
Spruce Gill - The problem identified. The west side slope of Spruce Gill has a section of collapsed fencing. The sheep are going down the east side of the gill, crossing the water, then going up the west side and through this collapsed fence onto the line. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14050

Photo - Richard Kirk
Spruce Gill - The trespassers have come to have a look. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14051

Photo - Richard Kirk
Spruce Gill - Fencing reassembled as best we can and reinforced with wire mesh and barbed wire along the fence. Not the easiest place to work on a slope like that. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14052

Photo - Richard Kirk
Spruce Gill - Fencing repairs completed for the time being. Hopefully now sheep proof. Will likely need to plan to replace this whole section in due course. (13/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14053

Photo - Richard Kirk
Leeming Bar - Additional fencing needed to fill the gap (21/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14054

Photo - Richard Kirk
Leeming Bar - The posts were bolted to the platform wall rather than set in the ground so that they can be removed if the carriage needs to be moved at any point. (21/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14055

Photo - Richard Kirk
Leeming Bar - Fence finished apart from a coat of paint. (21/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14056

Photo - Richard Kirk
Rand Grange 3 User Worked and Footpath Crossing (between Bedale and Crakehall) - new gate post installed and gate rehung on the north side of the crossing. The old post had rotted away at the base and fallen over. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14057

Photo - Richard Kirk
Rand Grange 3 User Worked and Footpath Crossing (between Bedale and Crakehall)- new gate post installed and gate rehung on the south side of the crossing. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14058

Photo - Andy Glendinning
47785 lurking at Leeming Bar. Flat bottom rail from Eggborough in the foreground. (25/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14059

Photo - Andy Waite
Bedale Pway Team digging out to provide a base for a sleeper wall to retain ballast on the sleeper ends. (08/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14060

Photo - Andy Waite
Finished result. (08/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14061

Photo - Alan Graham
'Deep in the woods something stirs'. The vegetation team arriving east of Finghall on 1st May to remove dead trees on the left of your picture. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14062

Photo - Alan Graham
An 'after' picture, showing the remains of dead trees which have been removed between Finghall and Primrose Crossing. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14063

Photo - Alan Graham
A chainsaw operator of the veg team at work. Removal of the dead trees opened up a view of a deep ravine alongside the railway. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14064

Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team hauling up logs beside the track east of Finghall. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14065

Photo - Alan Graham
Hauling up felled logs east of Finghall. They couldn't be left where they'd fallen and risk the culvert below the railway getting blocked. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14066

Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team using ropes to remove fallen tree sections. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14067

Photo - Alan Graham
A member of the vegetation team steps aside to observe a pacer train making its way through the workplace east of Finghall. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14068

Photo - Alan Graham
A picture showing the depth of the area opened up to view by the vegetation team. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14069

Photo - Alan Graham
The vegetation team operating near Finghall on 1st May. A view looking east. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14070

Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team disposing of dead twigs and brash east of Finghall. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14071

Photo - Alan Graham
Home time for the veg team after another hard shift near Finghall. The P-Way team in the distance however are still hard at it. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14072

Photo - Alan Graham
Time to leave for thee veg team near Finghall, and the guys will be looking forward to a wash and a well earned rest. (01/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14073

Photo - Patrick Dalzell
The veg team working between bridge 28 and 29 west of Leyburn on 8th May. Another part of the veg team were working separately at Finghall on that day. (08/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14074

Photo - Patrick Dalzell
Helping prepare the way back to Wensley. The veg team operating near Bridge 29 on 8th May. The extent of the team's work is clearly visible on both sides. This had once been one of the most overgrown areas of embankment and the steep sides made for hard going. (08/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14075

Photo - Alan Graham
The veg team at Rand 2 farm crossing near White Cross Bridge. Here, the team are listening out for an expected train due to pass in the next ten to fifteen minutes. (15/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14076

Photo - Alan Graham
Another end of shift picture of the veg gang thinking about getting ready to pack up and depart at Rand cross 2 crossing on 15th May. (15/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14077

Photo - Alan Graham
Back breaking work. A member of the vegetation team tackling low vegetation with a chainsaw at Rand Grange 2 on 15th May. (15/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14078

Photo - Alan Graham
A month's worth of rain fell on Wednesday 22nd May according to the Met Office. Here, a very sodden veg team find some shelter beneath White Cross Bridge for their lunch break, having earlier taken a quarter of a mile frontage off the soaking greenery in the background. (22/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14079

Photo - Alan Graham
Volunteer Coordinator Bobbi Smith-Hazelton and Veg Team PICOW Bill Briggs discuss the work of the vegetation team during her visit to see the vegetation volunteers at work near Newton Grange on 29th May. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14080

Photo - Alan Graham
Veg team volunteers seeing to overhanging branches near Crakehall crossing on 29th May. After all the wet weather, the team had to wait until the last Wednesday of the month to remain dry. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Ref - 14081

Photo - Alan Graham
A member of the veg team attending to brash removal from a felled dead tree near Fox Park on 29th May. (29/05/2024)
Click here to see higher resolution photo