The Swanley New Barn Railway is a gauge railway located in Swanley Park,
Swanley
Swanley is a town and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England, southeast of central London, adjacent to the Greater London boundary and within the M25 motorway periphery. The population at the 2011 census was 16,226.
History
...
,
Kent
Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...
, United Kingdom. It is
signalled throughout with the signals being controlled from New Barn Station which also serves as a terminus.
The stations
New Barn
This station is the largest on the line. It has three platforms, a
turntable
A phonograph, in its later forms also called a gramophone (as a trademark since 1887, as a generic name in the UK since 1910) or since the 1940s called a record player, or more recently a turntable, is a device for the mechanical and analogu ...
, a ticket office and a
signal box
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
. All trains stop at this station, so they can be turned around and be prepared to travel back along the line. This process will often be performed by the juniors giving the drivers a quick break. Passengers are required to go through the ticket office and obtain tickets before they board the train (in the case of those starting their journey at New Barn) or get their tickets as they disembark (if they have travelled from Swanley Parkway). The platforms have been upgraded to the same standard as Swanley Parkway. Though this station has capacity for three trains at one time, this rarely happens except on gala days. There are three platforms and a locomotive loop line where the engines can run around and couple back up to the train. The turntable is manually operated, and a signal directs the operator to a certain line. The station was previously called Lakeside.
Swanley Parkway
This station is a single platform station located near the car park. Passengers board the train here and then proceed to New Barn station to disembark. The journey from this station to New Barn should take around three minutes. This station was made higher when the platform was redeveloped in 2006, making it easier for passengers to board and leave the train. There are some early plans for increasing the capacity of the station by adding a passing loop to create a second line to the station. It is unsure whether a separate platform to serve the second line will be built or the current platform will be converted to an Island Platform. This station was previously called New Barn Halt.
The signal box
The
signal box
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
is located at New Barn Station, which is the larger of the two stations on the line. During the first year of the railway, a signal box was created to help control the points and signals around the station area. The signalman can see where the trains are by using the
track circuit
A track circuit is an electrical device used to prove the absence of a train on rail tracks to signallers and control relevant signals. An alternative to track circuits are axle counters.
Principles and operation
The basic principle behind t ...
s which are installed throughout the line. The track layout has been changed several times, all of the major changes are recorded to the left of the track diagram.
The signal box was formally named Holborn Crossing in 2013 in memory of the society founding member Christopher Johnson, who during his BR career had been an area manager covering
Holborn Viaduct
Holborn Viaduct is a road bridge in London and the name of the street which crosses it (which forms part of the A40 route). It links Holborn, via Holborn Circus, with Newgate Street, in the City of London financial district, passing over ...
, with the absence of a viaduct the last part was changed to 'crossing'.
The signal box utilises two automatic modes of operation,
which means that if there is a lack of staff, the railway line remains operational. The signal box
frame
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
has 35 levers, all of which are fully interlocked.
The
interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively re ...
works with the track circuits and
point
Point or points may refer to:
Places
* Point, Lewis, a peninsula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
* Point, Texas, a city in Rains County, Texas, United States
* Point, the NE tip and a ferry terminal of Lismore, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
* Point ...
detection. Which levers are locked is decided by the signal box computer which receives points positions,
track circuit
A track circuit is an electrical device used to prove the absence of a train on rail tracks to signallers and control relevant signals. An alternative to track circuits are axle counters.
Principles and operation
The basic principle behind t ...
data and lever information to decide if it is possible to set a route that will not cause a train to be sent in the wrong direction or be sent on a route where another train is set to cross the track in front of it. The points are worked by 12 V
windscreen wiper
A windscreen wiper, windshield wiper, wiper blade (American English), or simply wiper, is a device used to remove rain, snow, ice, washer fluid, water, or debris from a vehicle's front window. Almost all motor vehicles, including cars, truc ...
motors
which have been adjusted so that they stop in one of two positions.
They are controlled by the signal box computer which is in turn controlled by the levers. The direction that the points are set to is detected by two
microswitch
A miniature snap-action switch, also trademarked and frequently known as a micro switch, is an electric switch that is actuated by very little physical force, through the use of a tipping-point mechanism, sometimes called an "over-center" mechan ...
es located under the points.
The majority of signals are powered by a 12-volt AC supply. The main
signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The '' IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing' ...
that everyone sees is the one that passengers pass on their way into the station. It has three 20 W bulbs which allow the signal to be seen clearly no matter what the conditions are. The signal located at the platform on Swanley Parkway is powered by a 110 V
transformer
A transformer is a passive component that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to another circuit, or multiple circuits. A varying current in any coil of the transformer produces a varying magnetic flux in the transformer' ...
located inside the signal box.
Locomotives
Steam engines
* ''Owd Rosie'' -
2-6-2T: Painted red, it is similar to a Tinkerbell class locomotive.
* ''Mallard'' -
4-6-2: This locomotive is the only scale model based at the railway. It is a model of the full-size engine of the same name (the
''Mallard''), which broke the world speed record for steam locomotives in 1938. This model was used in the filming of the Sky advert, shown during Christmas 2012. Currently out of service for a rebuild.
* ''Sir Goss'' -
2-4-0T: This is a long standing main-stay of the main steam locomotive fleet. It is occasionally seen at the
Moors Valley Railway
The Moors Valley Railway is a narrow gauge railway, narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood, Hampshire, Ringwood in Hampshire. There are 20 steam engines and 2 diesel engi ...
. It returned to service in 2021 wearing a blue livery, having been rebuilt by Moors Valley Railway locomotive works.
* ''Prince Sheian'' -
2-4-0: This locomotive entered service 3 April 2010 and is painted red. Currently out of service for routine boiler work and other changes.
* ''Suisaidh'' -
2-4-4T: Built on and off site, based on the engine ''Jason'' from the
Moors Valley Railway
The Moors Valley Railway is a narrow gauge railway, narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood, Hampshire, Ringwood in Hampshire. There are 20 steam engines and 2 diesel engi ...
painted in LNER apple green, she entered passenger service in December 2007. Currently out of service.
* ''Aneirin'' - Single fairlie,
0-4-4T: Based on Talieslin of the Ffestiniog railway. Entered service October 2015. Built by P. Beevers.
* ''Mrs. Darling'' - a Tinkerbell based design,
0-4-2T: Based on Tinkerbell of the Moors Valley railway. Entered service August 2017. Built by P. Jackson.
Diesel engines
* ''Tulyar'' - Arrived on site in 1987, now painted in a two-tone green livery. For a long time, was the most-used engine on the railway and completed of passenger service in 20 years. She is now out of service for a well earned rebuild.
![SwanleyNewBarnRailwayTyular](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/SwanleyNewBarnRailwayTyular.JPG)
* ''
Kestrel
The term kestrel (from french: crécerelle, derivative from , i.e. ratchet) is the common name given to several species of predatory birds from the falcon genus ''Falco''. Kestrels are most easily distinguished by their typical hunting behaviou ...
'' - Arrived on site in 1999, the yellow livery features a
Hawker Siddeley
Hawker Siddeley was a group of British manufacturing companies engaged in aircraft production. Hawker Siddeley combined the legacies of several British aircraft manufacturers, emerging through a series of mergers and acquisitions as one of onl ...
logo with permission. Currently in regular service having been rebuilt in 2014.
* ''
SNCF
The Société nationale des chemins de fer français (; abbreviated as SNCF ; French for "National society of French railroads") is France's national state-owned railway company. Founded in 1938, it operates the country's national rail traffi ...
'' - Arrived on site in 2001, based on the older style French SNCF locomotive which is now based in a museum. Currently out of service.
* ''Tegen'' - 4wd. Build in house by John Deans. Sit in style narrow gauge diesel. Freelance design. In service.
* ''Skipper''- A freelance narrow gauge diesel engine. Arriving for testing in early 2011, she was expected to enter service in April 2011 (after receiving her shiny new paint). Skipper was expertly built by Peter Beevers and is the fourth sit in diesel outline engine he has built (2 are at Barking Light railway). The engine has a sideways sitting seat to allow shunting to be completed easily. In service.
* ''Western Enterprise'' - Arrived on site in May 2012, built by the same company as Tulyar, Hymek, County of Kent, Kestrel and SNCF. Western Enterprise is based on a BR Western diesel. In service.
* ''Robert F Fairlie'' - Arrived on site in August 2012, second new diesel engine of 2012, and mechanically similar to Western Enterprise and also Made by Mardyke Miniature Railways. Painted in Large logo BR livery and is the second class 47 to be based at the SNBR. In service.
* ''
Niseag'' - Arrived on site in August 2013. Mechanically similar to Western Enterprise and also made by Mardyke Miniature Railways. Painted in NSE livery and is the third class 47 to be based at the SNBR. In service.
*Phoenix, entered Service 8th August 2015. This loco is intended as test bed for ideas to improve the design of the existing diesel fleet. It is anticipated that any improvements will be incorporated in the specification of future locos. Like the mythical bird from which it takes its name, it is likely to be reborn with different features. The basic chassis is an old Mardyke one which started life under the Kestrel body, its body originated as old concept version of a Eurostar body, but has been extensively re-modelled. Its first task is to test a new type of hydraulic pump with a view to replacing the existing ones in use with the hope of improving reliability and drivability.
*Queen's Messenger - whilst visually and mechanically similar to the Mardyke locomotives based at the SNBR, Queen's Messenger was built by an SNBR member. It is based on a class 67 locomotive that regularly pulls British Pullman trains on the mainline. In service.
Other motive power
* ''Steptoe'' - BR class 25 engine, used occasionally.
* "Nipa" - This is a freelance sit in petrol engine, mainly used as the P-Way engine, rarely used for passenger service. Build in-house in 2013. Was on loan to the
Fancott Miniature Railway
The Fancott Miniature Railway (FMR) is a gauge railway located in the gardens of the Fancott public house in Fancott (near Toddington), Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire (; abbreviated Beds) is a ceremonial county in the East of England. The co ...
from early July to early November 2015.
* ''Yellow Peril'' - This is a small battery-powered vehicle that uses a car battery for power. It is occasionally used to transport
wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is a small hand-propelled vehicle, usually with just one wheel, designed to be pushed and guided by a single person using two handles at the rear, or by a sail to push the ancient wheelbarrow by wind. The term "wheelbarrow" is mad ...
s around site. This has been expertly built by two of the juniors.
Vandalism and events
The railway commonly has to deal with issues of vandalism, including smashed windows. Damage to the electrical wiring for signals and track circuits. On one occasion graffiti appeared on a platform overnight. The track is occasionally lifted overnight, making it unsuitable for the trains to run on it. Once a burnt-out car was found littering the tracks.
Galas
Periodically the railway holds special events:
*Charity Day: This is held on 1 January each year and is operated by steam engines only.
*1812 night: An annual Swanley Park event including fireworks and a band. The railway operates a special service up to the launch of the 1st firework.
*Summer gala: Started for the 30th birthday event, these have continued every summer since, with miniature traction engines, stalls and visiting engines on the main line".
References
External links
*
Photograph of New Barn Halt
{{Ridable miniature railways in England
Miniature railways in the United Kingdom
Tourist attractions in Kent
7¼ in gauge railways in England
Swanley