The Iron Moor - By Phil Baines

OVER the past few months our route builder Ben Yates has expanded the route southwards from Tebay all the way to Oxenholme. This will give you a nice run-up to the gradients heading over Shap. As part of this expansion, the line via Grange-Over-Sands has been added. Here is the new route map:

Now, Phil gives us some insight into the area we're extending into, and reasons for the expansion:

"Iron ore was mined in the area around Lindal-in-Furness to such an extent it became known as "The Iron Moor". The Lindal Moor iron ore was of a type known as haematite, on account of its blood-red colour. It was of very good quality, being low in phosphorus, and was highly valued."

"The various pits/mines were linked to the Furness railway by a mixture of standard and narrow gauge tracks and a large yard developed at Lindal to handle the traffic."

"The following picture gives an idea of the extent of the yard complex and also shows the hole that subsided under the track and swallowed loco 115!"

"The demand for haematite by the North East steel works meant that the mineral trains carrying coke and coal from County Durham to various ironworks in and around Barrow-in-Furness could carry return loads of ore."

"Originally the trains had to travel (and reverse) via the busy junction at Carnforth, but this was relieved by the development of the Hincaster branch which was a single-track branch line of the Furness Railway which connected Arnside on the Furness main line to a junction with the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway at Hincaster. Intermediate stations were provided at Sandside and Heversham, with the main engineering work being a substantial 26-arch viaduct over the River Bela (or Beela) near Sandside."

"As a significant volume of traffic over Stainmore was mineral traffic and much of it would travel via Tebay to Lindal, it was decided to extend the route along the Hincaster branch to facilitate scenarios representing this traffic. Also, the inclusion of Oxenholme meant that scenarios of mainline running over Shap could be better realised."

"The following pictures show some of the assets developed to incorporate the Hincaster branch into the route. They are still WIP so may look a little bare!"

"Firstly Oxenholme station."

"Next is Beela Viaduct."

"Sandside with the limekiln in the background. There is still a working quarry at Sandside and the spur to the quarry remained open until the mid 1960's."

"Arnside station. The Hincaster Branch entering from the bottom right to join the Furness mainline before crossing the Arnside viaduct in the background."

 *Please note that many details have been added since these screenshots were taken

And here are some more screenshots taken by Ben Yates: 

"Grange-over-sands station and yard."

"and the Lido at Grange-over-sands."

That's all from Phil for this blog post. We now want to just share some extra images that show the gorgeous gardens at Grange-Over-Sands sent to us by Ben just yesterday:

More soon. . . . . . .

WCML Signal Boxes

The mammoth project to recreate the much-missed Stainmore Route, and the Eden Valley, as well as the section of WCML that links them, is nearing completion. Scenery work is almost complete. Audio work is now in progress. Enjoy the following tour of the WCML section of the route, by means of the many signal boxes found along the way, beginning at Grayrigg.

Scenery begins here at Grayrigg

The approach to Tebay

North of Tebay. The Stainmore line is branching of to the left of the signal box

The iconic location Scout Green

Shap Summit

The station at Shap

Eden Valley Junction. The pair of lines heading off to the left is the Eden Valley route to Kirkby Stephen.

Penrith

 Look out for news soon of the locos and rolling stock to be included with the route. But here's a brief rundown:

• Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0
• Holden E4 2-4-0
• Standard 4 2-6-0(New Model)
• Standard 4 4-6-0
• Midland 2P
• Carriages: BR Mark Ones; LMS P1; LNER Teak
• A range of appropriate wagons

And lets not forget the whole route is full of custom buildings created by Phil Baines. This route is sure to provide thousands of hours fun and entertainment!!

MORE SOON. . . . . . .