ONWARDS TO CRICKLADE!

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2023 :: RMTnews 24 Formed in 1978, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Preservation Society was one of the first heritage railways to undertake the complete reconstruction of a standard- gauge railway with no legacy of track or buildings. It currently operates between just north of Swindon and just short of Cricklade on a 2.5 mile section of the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway line that used to run from Andover, Hampshire, to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The railway has reopened three stations: Hayes Knoll, Taw Valley Halt and Blunsdon, the headquarters of the line. Hayes Knoll features a restored signalbox that is operational during special events and a running/restoration shed. The line extends north to South Meadow Lane, a few hundred yards from the site of a proposed Farfield Lane halt, near Cricklade, and south to Taw Valley Halt on the outskirts of Swindon, near Mouldon Hill Country Park. Unusually for a heritage railway there are opportunities to expand in both directions. Blunsdon is the main visitor centre, with car parking, Whistle Stop Cafe, picnic area and shop while Hayes Knoll gives visitors the opportunity to see various restoration projects progressing in the engine shed. The engines on their fleet include Diesels of ex-BR Classes 03, Class 08 and a Class 73 electro diesel E6003 'Sir Herbert Walker', plus industrials. The Steam locomotive 6695 recently had a major overhaul and is now back in service. Other steam locomotives may appear as guest locomotives during the year. At just 26 years old S&CR vice chairman Brad Robinson is the embodiment of the new generation of heritage enthusiasts running the line. Brad is Fireman on today’s run working alongside Arron the Driver. Brad helped rebuild the line’s beautiful Class 66 steam engine lovingly restored on- site in the rudimentary engine shed with a team of just eight or so who built her from scratch in under three years. “Winters were hardest as we were pretty much open to the elements and operating in freezing temperatures,” he says with a smile. This spirit is also running through the railway’s chairman Mark Abbott who is actually a year younger than his vice- chairman. Both outline big plans to expand the railway and attract visitors to their extremely friendly little railway. “We are very much a family here,” confirms Brad. The biggest expansion of the railway is the ongoing return to Cricklade and the society has successfully passed the physical and psychological barrier of South Meadow Lane. ONWARDS TO CRICKLADE! Wiltshire's only standard gauge heritage railway has plans to re-connect Swindon and Cricklade