BATTLEFIELD LINE RAILWAY

The 'Battlefield Line Railway' is a heritage railway in Leicestershire, England. It runs from Shackerstone (Grid ref ) to Shenton (), via Market Bosworth, a total of four and a half miles. Shenton is near Bosworth Field, (the location of the final battle of the Wars of the Roses immortalised in Shakespeare's ''Richard III''), giving the railway its name.

Contents

Overview

History

Trivia

Steam Locomotives

Heritage Diesel Locomotives

Diesel shunters

Diesel Multiple Units

External links

Overview

The railway runs steam and diesel-hauled trains every weekend from April to October, as well as a summer mid-week service on Wednesdays in July and August; the latter is operated by their ''Heartlander'' diesel railcar service. They also operate numerous special events such as the Christmas Santa Specials (which operate on all weekends throughout December) and bi-annual diesel galas plus Annual Diesel Railcar Weekends (There is usually a visitor), And of course a few "Days out with Thomas" throughout the year as well as Postman Pat Days, and new this year "Ivor the Engine."
The railway line has numerous locomotives, but currently (May 2007) has four steam locomotives and seven diesel locos as well as railcars and some shunters in operation.

History

The railway used to be part of the London and North Western Railway and the Midland Railway, who operated the line jointly between Moria West Junction and Nuneaton. The first trains ran along this section in 1873. At Shackerstone station, there was once a junction where one section branched off towards Moria and Ashby and the other went towards Coalville Junction. In 1883, the Charnwood Forest Railway was opened, which extended the branch from Coalville Junction to Loughborough's Derby Road station, passing through the villages of Whitwick and Shepshed. In the 1923 Grouping, these lines were assigned to the London Midland and Scottish Railway. In 1931 the last scheduled passenger train went down the Charnwood Forest branch, with the line then only being open to freight and excursions until the 1960s. The Coalville Junction - Shackerstone section was dismantled and closed completely in 1964. The Ashby - Nuneaton line had its last passenger service in 1965, which was an enthusiasts special, before British Rail pulled the rails up in 1970.
Back in its heyday, Shackerstone was a busy station, with steam trains doing the workings between Ashby and Nuneaton, whilst a railcar did the service between Shackerstone and Loughborough Derby Road.
The Shackerstone Railway Society was set up in 1969 at Market Bosworth, but soon moved to Shackerstone in 1970, as they needed a proper home for their first steam engine. When they got to Shackerstone they found one through line still intact, and their first aim was to build some sidings. Later they re-instated the "down" platform and connected the sidings to the line to Market Bosworth.
In 1973, to celebrate the centenary of the line, a small train of open wagons was hauled to Market Bosworth. Following the successful conclusions of the negotiations with British Rail, a start was made on track rearrangements which created run-round loops at both ends of the line and a number of sidings at Shackerstone.
In the early 1990s, the Battlefield Line launched a campaign to extend their line to Shenton. This involved buying one and a half miles of rail and in 1992 after a successful campaign, the inaugural service arrived, hauled by the appropriately named 0-6-0 tank engine "Richard III."

Trivia

The line was originally double track but was later singled. Confusingly, part of the line was called the Bluebell Line (The Charnwood Forest Line; Hugglescote to Loughborough Derby Rd Station, this line was only accessible via the ANJR).
The 1902 royal train now in the National Railway Museum had its first outing to Shackerstone in December 1902. Conveying Edward VII, Queen Alexandera and Princess Victoria to the station on their way to Gopsall Hall, where Handel wrote the Messiah.

Steam Locomotives

★ Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns No 3 0-6-0T ''Richard III''. Built in 1949. Undergoing overhaul following a long period out of service. Due to re-enter service in 2008.Currently resides behind Shackerstone Shed,overhaul is now progressing well.

★ Peckett and Sons No 7 0-4-0ST. Built in 1949. Awaiting a major restoration from delapidated condition.Resides out in the elements in the North End sidings at Shackerstone.

★ W.G. Bagnall No 3 0-6-0ST ''Lamport''. Built in 1942. Awaiting full overhaul following its boiler ticket expiring.Owned by Leicester Industrial Locomotive Group and currently hides in the cosy engine shed at Shackerstone.

★ W.G. Bagnall No 6 0-4-0ST ''Linda''. Built in 1940. Painted in black, lined out in red and straw. Returned to operational service in October 2006 hoped to haul a limited passenger service in 2007 if water facilities become available at Shenton. Currently failed. Soon to be placed back in service following light repairs.

★ Hudswell Clarke No 750 0-4-0ST ''Waleswood''. Built in 1906. Under going long term restoration but is currently cylinders,wheels and frames in the locomotive shed.

★ Sentinel No 9599 0-4-0 VBT ''William''. Built in 1955. Returned to service in 2004 but does not currently operate, 1 year ticket up.

★ Peckett and Sons No 1859 0-6-0ST ''Sir Gomer''. Built in 1932. Failed - Under Repair,due to return to work by the end of September at the latest.

Heritage Diesel Locomotives

★ Class 31 diesels No 31101, 31130 and 31461. 31101 (Currently Running as 31135) and 31130 are in full working order and used regularly on diesel services and diesel galas. But 31461 is awaiting overhaul before returning to mainline operations.

★ Class 33 diesels No 33008, 33053 and 33019. 33008 is under restoration and 33019 is operational on passenger trains. 33053 is operational on passenger trains.

★ Class 37 diesel No 37227. Operational and used regularly on diesel services and diesel galas.

★ Class 45 diesel No 45015. Stored out of use.

★ Class 47 diesel No 47640 (47244). In service and works occasional passenger trains.

★ Class 73 electro-diesels No 73114 and 73105.73105 is stored awaiting an engine replacement and bodywork overhaul.73 114 has now returned to Shackerstone after channel tunnel use.

Diesel shunters

★ Class 02 No D2867 ''Diane''. Operational-Regularly used as Shed Shunter for steam locomotive department.

★ Class 03 No 03170. Operational and used regularly.

★ Class 03 No 03180. Stored out of use.

★ Class 04 No 11215. Out of service.

★ Class 04 No D2310. Non - Operational.

★ Class 07 No 07005. Stored out of use.

★ Class 08 No 08576. Awaiting Restoration.

★ Class 08 No 08825. Stored out of use.

★ Class 08 No 08168. The most regular shunter on the line, in full working order.

★ Class 11 No 12083. Currently being restored (June 2007).

★ Andrew Barclay No 422 ''Hot Wheels''. Stored out of use at Market Bosworth Station.

★ Barclay ''Big Momma''. Stored out of use at Market Bosworth Station.

★ English Electric No 8431. Stored out of use.

★ Hunslet 6684. Stored out of use.

★ Motor Rail Simplex No 9921 ''Rusty''. Only used on special events because of its size. Non-Operational due to clutch failure.

★ Ruston Hornsby No 2 ''Nancy''. Operational but does not see much use.

★ Ruston ''Hercules''. Currently undergoing baring work & a bodywork overhaul inside the Steam Loco shed.

Diesel Multiple Units

★ Class 122 DMBS No 55005. Operational and used on Diesel and DMU services.

★ Class 116 DMBS No 51131. Operational, used with No 51321 on passenger trains regularly.

★ Class 118 DMS No 51321. Operational, used with 51131 on passenger trains, operates regularly.

External links

★ Official website

★ General Photos of the Railway, By a member.