9th September 1956

The Railway and Canal Historical Society
(Criggion Branch Special)

Route :

Notes :
(1) Loco and railcar identities required.
(2) Information from the organisers read as follows; The War Department requisitioned the Shrewsbury - Llanymynech line in 1941 and improved it out of all recognition, while continuing to operate a daily goods train for civilian needs. The railway was nationalised on January 1st 1948, becoming part of the Western Region, although the main line is still subject to War Department occupation. Two items connected with the S&M Railway are of more than usual interest. One is the 0-4-25 locomotive 'Gazelle', which weighed only 5t 6cwt and is claimed to be the smallest standard gauge steam locomotive ever built, The other is the ex-LSWR Royal Saloon, a four-wheeled vehicle built in the 1840's. Both these are preserved at the Longmoor Military Museum in Hampshire. The Railway runs in a south-Easterly direction for half a mile from Abbey station, and then turns south-west for nearly three miles, running parallel to the Shrewsbury and Welshpool Joint Line of the former LNW and GW Railways. For the next 14 miles or so it follows a course bearing roughly north-westwards, before turning south-west to join the former Cambrian Railways at Llanymynech. The River Severn is crossed at Shrawardine, nine miles from Shrewsbury, and 4½ miles beyond this lies Kinnerley, the junction for the Criggion branch. This runs south for two miles, then curves west and crosses the Severn near Melverley. After 1½ miles it turns south-west for the last mile to Criggion, situated at the foor of Breidden Hill. Beyond Criggion, the railway runs to quarries at Breidden Hill.

Source : Richard Maund

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Richard Maund)

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