Crowle Peatland Railway Chronology
4 of us were sat around a table in the Lock, Stock & Barrel pub in Crowle and the idea of some form of preservation society to preserve the history of peat extraction on the moors and particularly its railways came up. As it was known there was a loco…Read More
The inaugural meeting of the society was held at Ealand Victory Hall to adopt a constitution and to elect officers of the society.
The Simplex Locomotive was recovered from Bank Top on Thorne Moors where it had been left after peat extraction finished. From photos in “The Peat Railways of Thorne and Hatfield Moors” the loco appears to have been abandoned in a siding. In addition to the loco we also acquired a…Read More
The two Schoma locos (5220 & 5129) and three slave units were acquired by Crowle Peatland Railway and remained in Norfolk until storage at Crowle was sorted out.
Site visit for members to Crowle Peatworks to see where our base was going to be constructed.
Visit to see locos in Norfolk – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=CrowlePeatlandRailway&set=a.966014746826832
The two Schoma Locos and Slave units were delivered from Ray King’s site in Norfolk. They were initially stored in an existing Romney Hut on the Crowle Peatworks site (The Goat Shed). https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/124804883@N07/26658012870/
Open day to view static locos in the Goat Shed. They were not even on rails at that time – this was part of International Bog Day.
Heritage Open Days. Visit to see locos as part of Isle of Axholme Minibus Tour
Simplex loco and peat winning equipment moved from Farm storage site to The old Peatworks https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=CrowlePeatlandRailway&set=a.1341975775897392
Open Day as part of Natura 20000 open day organised by the Humberhead Peatland National Nature Reserve
Planning application for Maintenance Shed approved – https://apps.northlincs.gov.uk/application/pa-2016-1699
Heritage Open Days 2017
Visit by Cardiff and Avonside Railway Club
Work starts on building the maintenance shed
Simplex loco moved to North Lindsey College Engineering Dept where the college was using the loco as part of their ‘enrichment’ activities with the students. Not only inspiring them in Engineering but also finding out about the history and heritage of the area!
The Romney Hut was completed and handed over to Crowle Peatland Railway.
First delivery of sleepers
First delivery of rail
AGM held in the Maintenance shed.
Heritage Railway Association visit in advance of accepting our membership application
Schoma Locos moved from Goat Shed to our Maintenance Shed. (Still no track laid!)
Regular work days commence at The Old Peatworks
Track starts to be laid in the maintenance shed
5220 finally rerailed
Peat Wagon delivered from Hatfield Peatworks.
Work on levelling track bed outside maintenance shed began
Sleepers laid outside shed in preparation for putting track down.
Track laid to turnout and turnout placed.
Schoma Loco 5130 gifted by Evergreen Horticulture moved from Hatfield Peatworks, where it had been a gate guardian, to The Old Peatworks. We now have all three Schoma Locos.
Schoma Loco 5220 (Thomas Buck) made its way outside under its own power to travel on the track laid outside.
Thomas Buck made its way all the way down to the head shunt – the furthest it had travelled under its own power since 2005!
Visit by the local U3A group
Filming for the Isle of Axholme & Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership. https://fb.watch/9093u91OXE/
14-15 Heritage Open Days. Cab Rides were available on the very limited length of track.
21-22 Heritage Open Days. Cab Rides were available on the very limited length of track.
Visit to the Peatland Railway by Micro Maniacs – mini car enthusiasts.
The dismantled Simplex loco was returned from North Lindsey College – the intention was that the students would complete the project on site.
Planning permission was granted for the siting and conversion of shipping containers to form a cafe, toilet, shop area and training/education room together with the installation of a sewage treatment plant
Funding received from SSE Keadby Windfarm Fund to acquire Lisbon Tram Car 711. To be restored to use for passenger transport behind the Schomas.
Official opening of Crowle Peatland Railway – this was for invited guests from our funders. Live broadcast throughout BBC Radio Humberside’s breakfast show.
Lisbon Tram 711 delivered to The Old Peatworks
?? September 2020 – Delivery of Cafe buildings
3-phase power finally connected to The Old Peatworks!
12-13 September 2020 – Heritage Open Days. Photo charter on the evening of 12th
19-20 September 2020 – Heritage Open Days. Photo charter on the evening of 12th
?? December 2020 – Planning Permission Granted for Railway Extension
Work on Extension commenced.
First proper open day running several locos, – No cab rides because of Covid precautions
Inaugural Sunday Brunch in Cafe
Inaugural Afternoon Tea in Cafe
Simplex Loco runs under its own power for the first time in nearly 30 years.
10-11 July 2021 – Monthly Open Day
Wickham Trolley, on loan from the Rail Trolley Trust arrived – https://www.facebook.com/groups/RailTrolleyTrust/permalink/4252218744870123/ We had to fit seats etc so it was not until the open days on the weekend of the 11th/12th September that we were ble to offer rides.
14-15 August 2021 – Monthly Open Days. Shoma cab rides. Wickham was not ready.
11-12 September 2021 – Heritage Open Days. Cab rides and rides on Wickham Trolley
18-19 September 2021 – Heritage Open Days. Cab rides and rides on Wickham Trolley. Photo charter on 19th September
Arts workshop. Words in Clay. Addy Farmer & Karen Raithby.
Halloween Event with Ghost Train Rides (Wickham Trolley)
11-12 December 2021 – Christmas Event with rides to see Father Christmas and Christmas Market.