For more information about the history of the Ashover Light Railway, see the Wikipedia Article.
The line is now long-gone but still inspires enthusiasts, a group of whom have formed the Ashover Light Railway Society. On 9th November 2013 I was invited to a meeting between Henry Frampton-Jones of the Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway and Trustees of the Ashover Light Railway Society at their workshops in Sheffield.
Trustees of Ashover Light Railway Society at a meeting with Henry Frampton-Jones in Sheffield. L-R: Henry, Richard, Andrew, Jonathan, Graham.
The Society has acquired a selection of rolling stock, mainly from the Ashover Light Railway and is carrying out an active restoration programme. I was most impressed with the work I saw and my pictures don't really do justice to the high standards achieved.
The restoration of a Ruston diesel shunter is now nearing completion.
Ashover Light Railway Society: Ruston shunter under restoration.
A battery electric Shunter is also well-advanced. I believe that it originally worked in a power station, having been constructed in the power station workshops. The two electric notors are by British Electric Vehicle, often known as 'BEV', which was originally based in Southport.
Underframe for Battery Electric Locomotive (inverted) under restoration. Note the sprockets on the far wheels for chain drive from the two motors. The underframe appears to have been modified from a mining tub wagon.
Ashover Light Railway Society: One of two electric motors for the Electric Locomotive under restoration. Note the sprocket on the end of the armature for chain drive direct to the wheels.
Body for Battery Electric Locomotive under restoration.
A number of items of rolling stock from the Ashover Light Railway have been acquired and restoration is being carried out, as circumstances permit.
Coach Underframe (inverted) under restoration.
Two Coach Underframes awaiting restoration, together with various wheelsets and Timken axleboxes.
The Society is currently completing a detailed catalogue of the timbers from the dismantled 'End of the Rainbow' Restaurant' which originally was a very distinctive feature of the railway at Ashover.
Timbers from the 'End of the Rainbow' Restaurant in store, pending future rebuilding.
However, perhaps the most improbable artefacts held by the Society are the remaining parts of the 'Sentinel' steam locomotive formerly used on the Jaywick Miniature Railway. But that's another story.
To find out more about the Ashover Light Railway Society, refer to their website here.
Books
'The Ashover Light Railway' by K. P. Plant (Locomotion Paper No. 30) published Oakwood Press.
My Pictures
Ashover Light Railway
