Railway General Knowledge.

[Calthrop]

With the centenary of the Grouping having been celebrated this month: here's one related to "1923 and a little while on".

Rural passenger services were getting to be in trouble in the 1920s, with road competition becoming a factor: the new "Big Four" companies withdrew a certain number of passenger services -- chiefly in the countryside -- in their (Big 4's) first years (come the 1930s and their global economic woes, many more withdrawals took place).

Please give four lines, of said Big Four, whose passenger services were withdrawn between 1923 and 1929 inclusive. The four lines should please feature between them, the LNER, LMSR, GWR, and SR -- whether in "sole", or "joint", ownership.

 

[Gloster]

Sandling-Hythe?

 

[Calthrop]

Sandling-Hythe?

"No joy", I'm afraid. Re this branch, greatest extent Sandling -- Hythe -- Sandgate: Hythe to Sandgate closed in 1931, outside the question's period; Sandling -- Hythe lasted until 1951.

 

[Peterthegreat]

The Southwold Railway?

 

[Ashley Hill]

The Barry Railway line between Penrhos Lower Junction-Barry Junction via the Llanbradach Viaduct?
Hurstbourne-Fullerton Junction?

 

[Calthrop]

The Southwold Railway?

Sorry -- the Southwold was always independent. (Negotiations pre-World War I for the Great Eastern to take it over, didn't work out; come 1923, the LNER didn't want to know.)

The Barry Railway line between Penrhos Lower Junction-Barry Junction via the Llanbradach Viaduct?

Correct -- withdrawn 1926.

Hurstbourne-Fullerton Junction?

I fear not -- withdrawn 1931 (a very "gory" closure year).

 

[Peterthegreat]

The South Yorkshire Joint Line

 

[Calthrop]

The South Yorkshire Joint Line

Correct: withdrawn 1929. This one's a "two-fer": LNER / LMSR.

 

[D6130]

Hamilton-Strathaven via Quarter?

 

[Calthrop]

Hamilton-Strathaven via Quarter?

Afraid not: by my understanding, this one went in 1945.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The Camerton branch in Somerset.

 

[Calthrop]

The Camerton branch in Somerset.

Correct -- closed to pass. 1925 -- for most of its length (eastern portion), a very short-lived passenger service.

 

[Gloster]

Merton Park branch?

 

[Calthrop]

Merton Park branch?

Correct -- Tooting -- Merton Park: withdrawn 1929. Well done for getting a Southern Railway venue; that company was tricky -- only a very few, and short, sections of it experienced pass. service withdrawal 1923 -- 29 inclusive.

I'd been envisaging more entries -- maybe some participant coming up with a "full four"; one for each company -- not meaning to come across as adversely critical here: it is what it is.

As things are, we've now had four correct answers, encompassing all of the Big Four (LNER and LMS covered, via a joint concern of the two). I'm reckoning -- draw stumps now. Two answers from @Ashley Hill: ex-Barry Ry. Penrhos Lower etc.; and Camerton branch ("Titfield Line"). One each from @Peterthegreat (South Yorkshire Joint) and @Gloster (Tooting -- Merton Pk.) @Ashley Hill, with the pair of answers: your victory -- the next question is yours to set.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Thanks.
Millbay was not the only station in Plymouth to serve ocean liner traffic. Which was the other one?

 

[Peterthegreat]

Ocean Quay?

 

[Gloster]

Stonehouse Pool?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Ocean Quay?

Well I didn’t think it was that easy! You are correct. It was of course on the Stonehouse Pool branch all liner traffic having ceased by either 1904 or 1910 depending on source of information.
The helm is yours….

 

[Peterthegreat]

What was unusual about the South Carolina Canal and Railway Company's locomotive "Flying Dutchman"?

 

[RDP]

As no one has answered this I looked it up on Wikipedia. definitely something different

 

[Peterthegreat]

So time for a clue....It could be said it had an output of 746 watts.

 

[D6130]

It was powered by a horse (running on a treadmill)?

 

[Peterthegreat]

It was powered by a horse (running on a treadmill)?

It was indeed. Your turn at the reins.

 

[D6130]

Thanks. Continuing on a similar theme:

In which year was British Railways' last shunting horse withdrawn (retired) and to which depot (goods yard) was he/she allocated?

 

[Peterthegreat]

That would be Charlie. He was based at Newmarket. I think it was as late as 1967 when we was stored (servicable).

 

[D6130]

That would be Charlie. He was based at Newmarket. I think it was as late as 1967 when we was stored (servicable).

Spot on! Your turn to dish out the oats.

 

[Peterthegreat]

I shall be on a Mystex for the next few days so open floor please.

 

[DerekC]

The horsey theme made me think about Cycloped at the Rainhill Trials. but that would have been too easy. Who built the (steam powered) participant that beat Rocket on speed and might have won had not it suffered a major mechanical breakdown on the second day?

 

[D6130]

Timothy Hackworth?

 

[DerekC]

Timothy Hackworth?

Not the builder of Sans Pareil although that locomotive was purchased and used by the L&MR after the competition.