16th October 2004

Branch Line Society
Moreton Park Visit
(Moreton-on-Lugg)

Route :

Notes :
(1) 03 145 Propelling From Rear.
(2) The run into the Tarmac Sidings was done so that the 03 could run-round. The run-round was necessary as the stock could not, safely, be propelled around the curve between the Tarmac Sidings Junction and the 'C' Shed Sidings Junction. It was for this reason that the 03 ran-round between each trip as well.

03145 at the south sidings (photo: courtesy of the D2578 Loco Group)

03145 by the old loco shed (photo: courtesy of the D2578 Loco Group)

...and by the new loco shed (photo: courtesy of the D2578 Loco Group)

...and finally - spot the rainbow! (photo: courtesy of the D2578 Loco Group)

The following text from Alan Sheppard tries to describe the route in relation to Quail.
All reference to 'left', 'right', 'top' & 'bottom' etc. are as you look at map. (North to the right).

In the top left corner of the inset map on p.27B, there are a group of sidings huddled around a Loco Shed, ignore these, they have long gone, (even if they had existed at all). Underneath those is a group of three sidings, connected to each other at both ends, and a small dead-end line immediately above them. That dead-end line has on it, the 'New' Loco Shed, which had the 05 shunter (D2578) stabled outside. The group of three sidings should be FOUR sidings. We started (and finished) on the one nearest the 'New' Loco Shed line. The second line we travelled on was the next line down. The remaining two South Sidings lines (only one drawn in Quail) were not covered, After running to the 'B' Shed Sidings junction, we then traversed the two lines shown above 'A' Shed, starting with the top one, then the one nearest the 'A' Shed. The little spur shown going to 'B' Shed was not seen on the day. The two sidings for the 'C' Shed, were visible but OOU. All of the sidings in the top right corner of the inset map have all gone, except for the odd trace in the ground in a few places. The Tarmac Sidings are on roughly the alignment of the furthest right of these sidings, although they only cover half the distance (and stop well short of the main road (A49), a better example can be seen if you look at an Ordnance Survey map, which shows the sidings as they were). The main Tarmac Siding on the left with the run-round loop on the right. Next we come to the bunch of 7 sidings, these were reduced to the two furthest right about 30 (Thirty) years ago, and since the late eighties, only the furthest right siding has remained. Down at the bottom of these sidings a little spur shown on the right still exists and is where the 'Old' Loco Shed is, which we also covered. On the opposite side of the running line, a small section of siding survives as a cripple siding, which we were supposed to do but it was occupied with two HGA's, 390570 + 390660 (in case you were interested). Finally, the Exchange Sidings at the main line, the top two sidings were still there but were disconnected, leaving only the line nearerst the main line and now listed as 'Reception Road', this line was covered up to the points leading to the main line / and sand drag (which is not shown in Quail).

Source : Alan Sheppard (On Train 3)

Review
(by Ken Strachan)

There were two reasons to travel on this mini-tour. One was a long standing fascination with the Moreton on Lugg site, having passed it frequently {usually at warp speed} while travelling from Cwmbran to visit my parents in Tenbury Wells; the second was a slightly sadistic notion that if my wife would stand for something as off-the-wall as this, no other type of tour should present a problem in future.

We arrived by road, and promptly determined that toilets would be scarce. Back to the gatehouse to use the facilities. The shed in which the D2578 boys keep their loco’ is apparently soon to be demolished; this didn’t seem quite so surprising after observing traces of ivy having grown up its interior walls. Our train comprised an 03 – D2578 being in the middle of a repaint, various cab controls were disconnected – a van, with chairs, and an open wagon. The better half, being sensible, sat in the van; while I joined the boys in the wagon. There was a basic seat available, but we stood throughout the tour. Our first move was parallel to the shed road, to the end of a siding where the rails simply sloped down to the ground. A distinctly military touch. We then ran down another siding, compressing the buffers against a buffer stop. After this, we crossed a road, and just as I thought, “that siding is a bit overgrown”, we reversed and ran down it, to a very solid concrete block stop. Rather like one at Golynos Junction above Pontypool, actually. The car anoraks were heard at this point debating the type of Humber Sceptre seen parked beyond the former site of B shed. It was definitely a 1592c.c. model. There was also a Mini pickup under a tarpaulin, missing its left hand door, but fitted with Cooper wheels. Take my word for it.

            A further siding was not available for use due to undermining by rabbits, so we headed for the main line connection, put in recently to serve Tarmac’s quarry; and served by three EWS trains a week, with a further Freightliner working planned. We kept a respectful distance from Network Rail property, but had a decent view of Moreton signal box on the main line. We then set back to the “new” D2578 loco’ shed, which was considerably older than the “old” shed, but in a less valuable (inaccessible!) position. A decrepit brick platform had a steel pipe protruding out of it, which used to be used to water kettles; we tried not to trip over the pipe. This stop was handy for changing my film – I could take cover in the van! After inspecting the crippled freight wagons, we set off into the Tarmac loading area, where the 03 ran round at what is now the nearest point to the A49 at this end of the site. We set back past the points, and ran back to the shed. Not much track covered for the time spent; but an unusual opportunity, and good fun. Incidentally, although many units passed on the main line, we neither heard nor saw any freight during our visit – unusual for the Marches line.

Ken Strachan

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Sheppard)

 
Back to "The Railtour Files"