Oswestry-Gobowen post closure passenger use.

[Unixman]

On a FB forum I was informed that the army, specifically the Infantry Junior Leaders (IJL), organised special trains to run from Oswestry over the Gobowen branch and onwards in 1974. Now the line closed to passengers in 1966 with only the quarry trains using the line. The dates could be right: the IJL were still at Park Hall Camp that year ( they would leave in 1975 ) but it does sound a strange story. Can anyone confirm the truth of the assertation?

 

[6Gman]

On a FB forum I was informed that the army, specifically the Infantry Junior Leaders (IJL), organised special trains to run from Oswestry over the Gobowen branch and onwards in 1974. Now the line closed to passengers in 1966 with only the quarry trains using the line. The dates could be right: the IJL were still at Park Hall Camp that year ( they would leave in 1975 ) but it does sound a strange story. Can anyone confirm the truth of the assertation?

Cannot give a definite answer but I'd say it was plausible. Troop trains would operate to some odd locations though 1974 is possibly getting a bit late.

 

[Gloster]

It shouldn’t have been a problem as trains of troops could be worked under slightly more relaxed standards than normal passenger ones. Oswestry closed to goods in December 1971 and surplus track was lifted over the next couple of years. The line through to Blodwell Quarry was mothballed, but not completely closed, on 28 October 1988.

Sources: .disused-stations.org.uk and Hurst’s Register of Closed Railways. (My copy of the relevant volume of Cooke’s diagrams is probably in the post at the moment.)

 

[6Gman]

I seem to recall that long after the closure to passenger traffic the Portland branch (Weymouth) was still used for troop trains. The local p way inspector would walk the line and approve it for a one-off use.

 

[Harvester]

On the other hand, attempts by BR to end the Darlington to Richmond passenger service in 1963, was frustrated for five or six years due to objections from the Army. In addition to occasional troop trains, it was deemed necessary to continue with normal service trains to Catterick and Richmond for use by military personnel.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

On a FB forum I was informed that the army, specifically the Infantry Junior Leaders (IJL), organised special trains to run from Oswestry over the Gobowen branch and onwards in 1974. Now the line closed to passengers in 1966 with only the quarry trains using the line. The dates could be right: the IJL were still at Park Hall Camp that year ( they would leave in 1975 ) but it does sound a strange story. Can anyone confirm the truth of the assertation?

Park Hall Halt was used by the army for its adjacent base.
This is less than a mile from Gobowen station towards Oswestry, and much of this stretch is still used as a run-round head shunt where Chirk timber trains reverse.
This part of the branch is on the Gobowen side of the open crossing of the A5/A483 trunk road.
The Gobowen orthopaedic hospital now occupies part of the grounds, and other parts are used for the large annual Oswestry show and other events.

 

[randyrippley]

I seem to recall that long after the closure to passenger traffic the Portland branch (Weymouth) was still used for troop trains. The local p way inspector would walk the line and approve it for a one-off use.

That must have been pre-1965 as after that Melcombe Regis station and the Radipole viaduct were used for storing old coaches for several years. Three or four rakes there, some all-over faded unvarnished carmine (not maroon), some SR green. As far as I remember non-corridor. Don't think they moved until the viaduct got scrapped

 

[Gloster]

That must have been pre-1965 as after that Melcombe Regis station and the Radipole viaduct were used for storing old coaches for several years. Three or four rakes there, some all-over faded unvarnished carmine (not maroon), some SR green. As far as I remember non-corridor. Don't think they moved until the viaduct got scrapped

The Portland branch was closed to passengers on 2 March 1952, but was maintained to passenger standards for Naval Leave specials. However, after a few years some compromises were made due to salt air damage to some of the rodding at Portland. The line closed to goods on 5 April 1965, but the line as far as just on the viaduct side of Littlefield Crossing over Abbotsbury Road was used for wagon storage until 10 January 1966. The disused single line was retained intact through to Portland Dockyard for possible future use until around 1969.

Source: Cooke and Pryer’s diagrams, and Volume II of Jackson’s book on Portland’s railways.