Barry and Penarth Model Railway Club

Layout 13: Addersleigh Junction

Addersleigh Junction is the name given to the new large OO-gauge layout. The layout features a double track main line tailchaser through an extensive fiddle year. The main feature on the scenic side is a DMU service depot. There is also a single track preservation line in the foreground. The time period depicted represents the early 1980's.

These photographs were taken by Gwynne Chivers at the recent (Jan 2009) Rhondda Model Show in Tylorstown

The main frontage of the layout, showing the latest in unit freight trains taking coal alone the mainline to the nearest power station, while on the preserved line to the right is a demonstration freight showing a typical branch-line freight of yesteryear.

The view of the main line taken from the roof of Addersleigh Junction station, with a mainline passenger speeding it's way past the DMU stabling point. Meanwhile, the preservation group are running their steam gala, including this double auto-coach special.

The main station building at Addersleigh Junction. It shows the original 5 platform layout, which is now reduced to 3 on the mainline, with the preservation group having access to the outer platform.

A closer view, showing that the Preservation Society have now completed the line into the platform. The canal comes very close to the railway under the station building.

The main DMU servicing shed. This is the main servicing Depot for all the first generation DMUs in the area and includes suburban, cross-country and parcel sets. On the mainline is one o the last remaining old van freights, soon to be phased out (early 80's).

Various DMUs stabled in the yard, with an HST drive unit receiving attention on the far road.

Addersleigh Junction Description

History
Addersleigh Junction was situated on an imaginary GWR route to South Birmingham, joining on to its line from Snow Hill to Lemmington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon at Tysley. The GWR also built a line to serve as a direct route to Stratford. The Midland, whose route to Bristol via Lickey was expensive to operate with the need for banking engines, extended their route from Reddich to rejoin their original route at Cheltenham - Lansdown Road via Addersleigh Junc.

During era modelled on this layout, the only route worked north of Addersleigh is the line to Reddich and is used as an alternative route to avoid the Lickey Incline. The former line to Tysley is being rebuilt by the Addersleigh Junction Preservation Society. The line to Stratford has long since been closed and abandoned.

The area was modernised in the 1960’s after Dr Beeching closed the 2 routes. Modernisation work included, a new station building, track upgrades (welded rail and concrete sleepers), re-signalling, and a new DMU depot on the site of the old goods yard. The old steam shed was to the south and has been lost with the redevelopment of the town centre.

Click here for diagramatic map to show the location of Addersleigh Junction

A mainline passenger train passes a track maintenance gang, who are stripping an old point. To the right is the preservation line, complete with the litter awaiting restoration to be found at any preservation group.

Addersleigh Junction Preservation Society
This is an enthusiastic preservation railway, whose members have re-opened the first five miles of the line from Addersleigh to Tysley. Considerable progress has been made in the past two years, with the line into the bay platform fully opened and the link to the main line re-established, although through working is rare. The main line authorities complain that the preservation locos operate to a different standard and hence refuse to allow them onto their tracks.

Several locomotives have been restored and the coaching stock usually includes a rake of Southern Railway Maunsell coaches in fully lined olive green. A pair of former LNER sleeping coaches parked on the stub of the old line to Stratford provide accommodation for the enthusiasts.