7¼” gauge beside the Monty
Canal Central
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© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2015
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
10 June 2015
Canal Central - we’ve been here before, a couple of summers ago, when we walked along the bank of the restored Montgomery Canal, as far as Redwith Bridge, then the limit of water. The tea room at Canal Central is a great place to end a walk... On that occasion, we noted the tracks laid for a miniature railway - of 10½” gauge. Nothing was running, though I believe trains did run. Since then, the railway has been relaid to the slimmer gauge of 7¼” - perhaps more appropriate for this relatively small site. It’s not yet open to the public - this was a private event organised for the Shropshire Railway Society - a summer evening outing. “Summer evening” conjures an idyllic image of warm low sunshine, and such it
was - we we lucky, it’s raining now. Two trains, of one “sit-upon” coach each, were provided for us - one hauled by a little diesel-outline battery loco, the other by a scale model of GWR 1101, one of the 0-4-0T dock shunters built for the company by Avonside in the 1920s. After a couple of trips around the circuit, the “diesel” was taken off - literally - and 1101 now had charge of two coaches. No problem - it romped around the circuit in great style. And afterwards? Tea and home-baked scones, with jam and cream. Excellent! Links: • Canal Central • Shropshire Railway Society
The Monty at Canal Central Taking a ride Warm low sunshine Un train peut en cacher un autre Caption competition (members only...) Safety valve 1101 and toad Two coaches - no trouble
Taking a ride at Canal Central - firstly, 1101, filmed from the back of the preceding train - then another ride, behind 1101 - and a couple of lineside clips