Battlefield Line Railway

Battlefield Line Railway
Leicestershire
GWR 3803 Entering Shackerstone Station
Gauge:	standard
Location:	52°36’0"N, 1°24’54"W
Track:	5 miles
Headquarters:	Shackerstone
Information
Operated by:	Shackerstone Railway Society

The Battlefield Line Railway is a standard-gauge heritage railway in Leicestershire. It runs on a five-mile track from Shackerstone to Shenton, via Market Bosworth. Shenton is near Bosworth Field, (the location of Henry VII's conclusive victory of the Wars of the Roses immortalised in Shakespeare's Richard III), and this gives the railway its name.

Overview

Shackerstone station

The railway runs steam and diesel-hauled trains every weekend from March to December, as well as a summer mid-week service on Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays in July and August and Wednesdays in September; the latter is operated by their Heartlander diesel railcar service. They also operate special events: the Christmas Santa Specials (which operate on all weekends throughout December)and others throughout the year.

History

The railway used to be part of the London and North Western Railway and the Midland Railway, who operated the line jointly between Moira 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 Moira 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.

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 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 Road station; this line was only accessible via the ANJR).

The royal train now in the National Railway Museum went to Shackerstone on its first outing in December 1902. It conveyed King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria on their way to Gopsall Hall.

Renovation project

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 reinstated 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 1980s, the Battlefield Line launched a campaign to extend their line to Shenton. This involved buying a mile and a half of track and in 1992 after a successful campaign, the inaugural service arrived, hauled by the appropriately named 0-6-0 tank engine "Richard III."

Journey

Leaving the platforms at Shackerstone, the first sight to be seen from the train is the old goods yard. This is situated on the right-hand side of the running lines. This first section of the journey is located on a climbing gradient which continues until the train is clear of the station limits. Near the goods yard, passengers can see the Station House (now a private residence). Approaching the signal box, the train passes the steam locomotive and carriage shed. The signal box, situated on the left of the train, is passed shortly, and once the driver has received the single line token, the train may proceed into the section. The signal box is the oldest Midland Railway Co. type one box still in operational use. Once past the shed the steam locomotive yard is in view, with the inspection pit and preparation area. Continuing further up the gradient, the train shortly passes the railway's DMU siding on which are usually stored the 2-car 'hybrid' set and the Bubblecar.

The train then passes under the first bridge which carries the road to Barton-in-the-Beans, and then passes into open farmland and countryside. Here, the track changes from the left-hand side of the trackbed, to the right-hand side. The railway curves to the left here on a long sweeping curve which takes the train under James Farm Bridge and on towards Hedley's Farm Crossing. It then crosses a separate foot-crossing, at each of which locomotives must give a warning whistle.

After the crossings, the track straightens for a while. On the left can be seen the Italianate style church tower of Carlton and shortly after this the Market Bosworth golf course can be sighted.

Market Bosworth and beyond

A local private airstrip can be seen on the left. The approach to Market Bosworth, three miles from Shackerstone, is on a sweeping right-hand curve. To the right of the train can be seen new housing developments whilst the left-hand side has countryside scenery. Market Bosworth station is soon approached and trains pass under the Station Bridge which carries the main road into Market Bosworth over the line. The train then stops in the platform for passengers to board or alight.

To the left-hand side of the train here there are usually stored locomotives or wagons. To the right can be seen the old buildings and signal box which used to control part of the operation of the station.

Once clear of Market Bosworth station, the train accelerates again towards Far Coton road bridge and then passes into a left-hand curve in a cutting. Out of the cutting, the train continues on a long, straight section of track on top of an embankment. To the right hand side can be seen Aqueduct Cottage and the actual Ashby Canal aqueduct beyond it. Trains slow as they cross the bridge which carries over the road between Shenton Village and Sutton Cheney. As the line curves to the right slightly, the train approaches Shenton Station, just over 4½ miles from Shackerstone.

The trains slow to enter the platform and the station pottery and car park can be seen to the right. The pottery is the only surviving part of the original station. The current station is the reconstructed Humberstone Road station from Leicester. To the left, the "Flag of the Boar" can be seen flying. Shenton station is a convenient starting point for walks in the Battlefield Country Park.

At the end of the line is a headshunt underneath an old cattle bridge. The small bridge was previously used to allow safe passage of farm traffic over the route of the old Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway.

Steam locomotives

Operational

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. 3803	GWR 2884 Class 2-8-0	On hire for the year from the South Devon Railway. This locomotive currently operates most of the steam services on the railway.	GWR Green.	South Devon Railway.	1939
Sir Gomer	Peckett and Sons class OX1 0-6-0ST	Designed as a powerful industrial, "Sir Gomer", according to findings, is capable of moving a 928-ton train at slow speed on level ground.	Blue.	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1932

Undergoing overhaul, restoration or repairs

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. 3 Richard III	Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns 0-6-0T	This locomotive is currently stored awaiting overhaul.	Light Blue.	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1949
No. 7	Peckett and Sons 0-4-0ST	Having not steamed since the early days of the railway, this locomotive has been stored in the North End Yard in recent years. However, in April 2012 she was dragged from her resting place of 30 years to the locomotive works yard. During late July 2012 the restoration began.	N/A.	Private Owner.	1951	~
No. 5011	Joseph booth crane	Used as a yard crane for its builders until entering preservation at the Keighley and Worth Valley. later sold to a private individual and stored, this 7.5-ton crane was rescued from a farmyard near Gatwick during 2014. In July 2014 the restoration began.	N/A.	Private Owner.	1941	~

Diesel shunters

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Date	Photograph
No. 2 Nancy	Ruston Hornsby 0-4-0	Stored (Privately owned)	Dark Blue
No. D2867 Diane	Class 02	Operational-Under Restoration while still used regularly used as shed shunter for steam locomotive department (Privately owned)	Green	17/11/1961
No. 11215	Class 04	Now at the Derwent Valley Railway	BR Green.	12/11/1956
No. 04110 (D2310)	Class 04	Operational (Railway owned)	BR Blue	22/12/1960
No. 08528	Class 08	Now at Great Central Railway	BR Green	1959
Hercules	Ruston 0-4-0	Stored (Railway owned)	Yellow and Pink
No. 13236	Class 08	Now at Nemesis Rail Burton upon Trent	BR Black	07/02/1956
No. 12083	Class 11	Under restoration (Privately owned)	BR Blue	30/11/1950
Big Momma	Barclay Shunter 0-6-0	Stored out of use at Market Bosworth station (Privately owned)	Light Green
No 422 Hot Wheels	Andrew Barclay	Stored out of use at Market Bosworth station (Privately owned)	Blue

Ex. mainline heritage diesels

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. 73114	British Rail Class 73 Bo-Bo	Under Repair	BR Rail Blue.	Private Owner.	1966
No. 47640 University of Strathclyde	British Rail Class 47 Co-Co	Operational	BR Large Logo Blue.	Private Owner.	1966
No. 33019 Griffon	British Rail Class 33 Bo-Bo	Operational	Grey & Yellow	Private Owner.	1960
No. D6508 Eastleigh	British Rail Class 33 Bo-Bo	Under Overhaul	BR Green.	Private Owner.	1960
No. D6593	British Rail Class 33 Bo-Bo	Visiting For Repair From The Watercress Line	BR Green.	Watercress Line.	1960
No. 33053	British Rail Class 33 Bo-Bo	Under Repair from Watercress Line	BR Rail Blue.	Private Owner.	1961
No. D5217	British Rail Class 25 Bo-Bo	Under Repair at Nemesis Burton	BR Green.	Private Owner.	1963	~

Diesel multiple units

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Photograph
DMBS No M55005.	Class 122	Operational, used on passenger trains regularly (Privately owned). Built in 1958.	BR Blue & Grey
DMS No 51321	Class 118	Operational, used with 55005 on passenger trains when a second coach is required at busier times (Privately owned). Built in 1960.	BR Blue & Grey
DMBS No 51131	Class 116	Under Overhaul, undergoing mechanical and bodywork repairs (Privately owned). Built in 1958.	BR Blue & Grey

Coach stock

British Railways Mark 1 coaches

The original A&NJR closed long before the formation of British Railways, but as very few suitable period carriages were preserved, BR Mark 1 coaches form part of all Battlefield Line passenger trains today. They are a renowned design of standardised rail stock, being both durable and high-capacity vehicles.

Number & Name	Description	Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. E1104	Mark 1 RE	Converted into a Griddle buffet from RF No. 301 while working for BR, and was later preserved. Under overhaul.	BR Lined Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1952
No. W34935	Mark 1 BSK	Operational and one of the handful of Battlefield Line coaches with two separate liveries.	BR Blood & Custard (West side). BR Chocolate & Cream (East side).	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1956
No. M81428	Mark 1 BG	Operational.	BR Lined Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1957	~
No. M25729	Mark 1 SK	Operational and one of the handful of Battlefield Line coaches with two separate liveries.	BR Blood & Custard (West side). BR Chocolate & Cream (East side).	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1961
No. M4918	Mark 1 TSO	Operational.	BR Lined Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1962
No. 4939	Mark 1 TSO	Operational.	BR Lined Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1962	~
No. M4989	Mark 1 TSO	Operational.	BR Blood & Custard	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1962		~
No. 34953	Mark 1 BSK	Awaiting a major overhaul.	Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1956	~
No. ADB975459	Mark 1 BSK	Originally numbered 34136 until conversion into a departmental coach. Docked in the Shackerstone bay siding as volunteer accommodation.	BR Lined Maroon	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1952
No. 1816	Mark 1 RMB	In use as mess room at Shackerstone.	N/A.	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1959
No. ADB977450	Mark 1 FO	Numbered 3087 until becoming part of the original Crewe Test Train. In storage at Shackerstone until restoration can begin.	N/A.	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1959	~
No. ADB977084	Mark 1 RKB	Numbered 1505 until becoming part of the original Crewe Test Train. In storage awaiting overhaul.	N/A.	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1958	~
No. 81470	Mark 1 BG	At present in use as a parts store.	InterCity	Shackerstone Railway Society Ltd.	1958	~
No. W93701	Mark 1 GUV	Presently at the end of the Shackerstone north siding complex as a storage vehicle.	BR Rail Blue	Private owner.	1959	~
No. 94142	Mark 1 CCT	Awaiting overhaul in the Shackerstone south siding.	Maroon	Private owner.	1960	~

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Battlefield Line Railway)

• Battlefield Line Official Web