Amberley back on track
Posted by Chris Graham on 3rd August 2021
We’re delighted to report that things are getting back on track at the excellent Amberley Museum near Arundel, in West Sussex.
Amberley back on track: The rare Ransomes & Rapier loco No. 80 of 1936 and freight train are seen stretched across one side of the triangle near the Lone Strike Mine, while the Lydd Ranges Wickham decoy trolley No. 3161 of 1943 forms the backdrop.
Amberley Industrial Museum near Arundel, in West Sussex, is back on track! It started its season with its traditional Spring Industrial Trains Day on May 23rd, and there was plenty of action on both the standard and narrow gauge lines for visitors to enjoy. Standard gauge operation was in the hands of Burt No. 5 (MR No. 9019 of 1959), with its 5.5-litre, 4-cylinder Dorman engine at its beating heart.
A Hudson Hunslet loco and BEV top and tail a rake of skips through the ‘S’ curves near the relocated LBSCR Billingshurst signal box.
Also, ex-Groudle Glen Railway Polar Bear made a welcome return to the narrow gauge, having last worked in August 2020. It was looking good with its ex-Groudle coach behind.
The contractors’ monorail system was in action at the recent Industrial Trains Day, giving another diverse angle to this event.
Polar Bear and the Groudle Glen carriage set pass through the ‘S’ curves near the former LBSCR Billingshurst signal box, from where this photograph was taken. Polar Bear last worked in August 2020 hauling goods trains, so it was very fitting to see this Isle of Man train in action again.
The 1959-built Motor Rail 4WD Burt heads along the Y-shaped track system near the De Witt Kiln, towards ‘Burts Bunk’ – a new loco shed that opened in 2017. This standard gauge system last ran during mid-2019 and it’s apt that it ran with a Pepper & Son owner’s wagon (the original chalk/lime operators here).
All photos: Phil Barnes
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