Swanley New Barn Railway
Encyclopedia
Swanley
Swanley is a town and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. It is located on the south-eastern outskirts of London, north of Sevenoaks town. The town boundaries encompass the settlements of Swanley itself, Hextable and Swanley Village...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, United Kingdom. It has eight steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s, with five more currently being built on site. In addition to this it also has ten diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s. It is signalled
Railway signal
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...
throughout with the signals being controlled from Lakeside station which also serves as a terminus.
Lakeside station
This station is the largest on the line. It has three platforms, a turntableTurntable (railroad)
A railway turntable is a device for turning railroad rolling stock. When steam locomotives were still in wide use, many railroads needed a way to turn the locomotives around for return trips as their controls were often not configured for extended periods of running in reverse and in many...
, a ticket office and a signal box
Signal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
. All trains stop at this station, so they can be turned around and be prepared to travel back along the line.this process will often be performed by the juniors giving the drivers a quick break. Passengers are required to go through the ticket office and obtain tickets before they board the train (in the case of those starting their journey at Lakeside) or get their tickets as they disembark (if they have travelled from New Barn Halt). The platforms have recently been upgraded to the same standard as New Barn Halt. Though this station has capacity for three trains at one time, this rarely happens except on gala days. There are three platforms and a loco line where trains can run around and hook back up to the train. the turntable is man powered and a signal point the operator to a centain line
New Barn Halt
This station is a single platform station located near the car park. Passengers board the train here and then proceed to Lakeside station to disembark. The journey from this station to lakeside should take around 3 minutes. This station was made higher when the platform was redeveloped in 2006, making it easier for passengers to board and leave the train.The signal box
The signal boxSignal box
On a rail transport system, signalling control is the process by which control is exercised over train movements by way of railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, over the correct route and to the proper timetable...
is located at Lakeside Station, which is the larger of the two stations on the line. During the first year of the railway, a signal box was created to help control the points and signals around the station area. The signalman can see where the trains are by using the track circuit
Track circuit
A track circuit is a simple electrical device used to detect the absence of a train on rail tracks, used to inform signallers and control relevant signals.- Principles and operation :...
s which are installed throughout the line. The track layout has been changed several times, all of the major changes are recorded to the left of the track diagram.
The signal box has two automatic modes of operation which means that if there is a lack of staff the railway can still function. The signal box frame
Lever frame
Mechanical railway signalling installations rely on lever frames for their operation to interlock the signals and points to allow the safe operation of trains in the area the signals control...
has 35 levers, all of which are fully interlocked. The interlocking
Interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
works with the track circuits and point
Railroad switch
A railroad switch, turnout or [set of] points is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another at a railway junction....
detection. Which levers are locked is decided by the signal box computer which receives points positions, Track circuit
Track circuit
A track circuit is a simple electrical device used to detect the absence of a train on rail tracks, used to inform signallers and control relevant signals.- Principles and operation :...
data and lever information to decide if it is possible to set a route that will not cause a train to be sent in the wrong direction or be sent on a route where another train is set to cross the track in front of it. The points are worked by 12 V Windscreen wiper
Windscreen wiper
A windscreen wiper or windshield wiper is a device used to remove rain and debris from a windscreen or windshield. Almost all motor vehicles, including trains, aircraft and watercraft, are equipped with such wipers, which are usually a legal requirement.A wiper generally consists of an arm,...
motors which have been adjusted so that they stop in one of two positions. They are controlled by the signal box computer which is in turn controlled by the levers. The direction that the points are set to is detected by two microswitches located under the points.
The majority of signals are powered by a 12-volt AC supply. The main signal
Railway signal
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train/engine drivers. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly...
that everyone sees is the one that passengers pass on their way into the station. It has three 20 W bulbs which allow the signal to be seen clearly no matter what the conditions are. The signal located at the platform on New Barn Halt is powered by a 110 V transformer
Transformer
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
located in the signal box.
Steam Engines
- romulus - 0-4-00-4-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-0 represents one of the simplest possible types, that with two axles and four coupled wheels, all of which are driven...
TT Recently repainted into a green Livery. Now sports side tanks. - Owd Rosie - 2-6-22-6-2Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
T Currently painted brown, It is similar to a Tinkerbell class locomotive. - Montezuma - 2-8-02-8-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
Mainly seen running on Sundays with her American style wagons. Currently painted Midnight Blue, and waiting boiler work to re-enter service (expected to be 2012). - Mallard - 4-6-24-6-24-6-2, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle .These locomotives are also known as Pacifics...
This locomotive is the only scale model based at the railway. It is a model of the full-size engine of the same name (the MallardLNER Class A4 4468 MallardNumber 4468 Mallard is a London and North Eastern Railway Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive built at Doncaster, England in 1938. While in other respects a relatively typical member of its class, it is historically significant for being the holder of the official world speed record for steam...
), which broke the world speed record for steam locomotives in 1938. - Sir Goss - 2-4-02-4-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels....
T This was the main steam locomotive in the fleet. It is occasionally seen at the Moors Valley RailwayMoors valley railwayThe Moors Valley Railway is a 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood in Hampshire. There are 17 steam engines and 2 diesel engines. The railway is fully signalled, with two signal boxes, one in a Great Western...
. It is painted in black livery. Sir Goss has now gone in for a complete overhaul - Lady Sara - 0-4-0 tender locomotive painted in a maroon livery. The current name displayed on the side of the locomotive is Furbero
- Prince Sheian - 2-4-02-4-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels....
, this locomotive entered service 3 April 2010 and is painted red. Despite being 3 years younger than Suisaidh she has already completed more passenger miles, and is presently the main stay of the steam engine fleet. - Suisaidh - 2-4-42-4-4In Whyte notation, a 2-4-4 is a steam locomotive with two unpowered leading wheels followed by four powered driving wheels and four unpowered trailing wheels.-Equivalent classifications:Other equivalent classifications are:...
T - built on and off site, based on the engine Jason from the Moors Valley RailwayMoors valley railwayThe Moors Valley Railway is a 7 1/4 inch narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood in Hampshire. There are 17 steam engines and 2 diesel engines. The railway is fully signalled, with two signal boxes, one in a Great Western...
painted in LNER apple green, she entered passenger service 22 December 2008. - 4 tinkerbells - Currently under construction, although not all are for the SNBR.
- Invicta - Currently being designed, to be constructed after two of the above tinkerbells
Diesel Engines
- Tulyar - Arrived on site in 1987, currently painted in a two tone green livery. She is the most used engine on the railway and completed 20000 miles (32,186.8 km) of passenger service in 20 years.
- HymekBritish Rail Class 35The British Rail Class 35 is a class of mixed-traffic B-B diesel locomotive with hydraulic transmission. Because of their Mekydro-design hydraulic transmission units, the locomotives became known as the Hymeks....
- Arrived on site in 1989, Has two bodies, a "eurostar" prototype used rarely and proper hymek body currently in a "dutch" livery - County Of KentKentKent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
- Arrived on site in 1992, recently been repainted and is now red. She achieved 10000 miles (16,093.4 km) of passenger service in 10 years. - KestrelBritish Rail HS4000HS4000, named Kestrel, was a prototype high-powered mainline diesel locomotive built in 1967 by Brush Traction, Loughborough as a technology demonstrator for potential future British Rail and export orders The locomotive number is a combination of the initials of the owner of Brush Hawker Siddeley...
- Arrived on Site in 1999, the current yellow livery features a Hawker Siddeley logo with permission.. - SNCFSNCFThe SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
- Arrived on site in 2001, Based on the older style French SNCF locomotive which is now based in a museum. - Tegen - 4wd. Build in house by John Deans. Sit in style narrow gauge diesel. Freelance design.
- Skipper- freelance narrow gauge diesel engine. Arriving for testing in Early 2011, she is expected to enter service in April 2011 (after receiving her shiny new paint). Skipper was expertly built by Peter Beevers and is the 4th sit in diesel outline engine he has built (2 are at Barking Light railway). The engine has a sideways sitting seat to allow shunting to be completed easily.
Other Motive Power
- Steptoe - needs a new engine
- Redrum - This is a battery powered locomotive very rarely used to pull passengers around the line, it can pull a full load with romulus.
- Yellow Peril - This is a small battery powered vehicle that uses a car battery for power. It is occasionally used to transport wheelbarrowWheelbarrowA wheelbarrow is a small hand-propelled vehicle, usually with just one wheel, designed to be pushed and guided by a single person using two handles to the rear, or by a sail to push the ancient wheelbarrow by wind. The term "wheelbarrow" is made of two words: "wheel" and "barrow." "Barrow" is a...
s around site. This has been expertly built by two of the juniors.
Vandalism and Events
The railway commonly has to deal with issues of vandalism, including smashed windows. Damage to the electrical wiring for signals and track circuits. On one occasion graffiti appeared on a platform over night, The track is occasionally lifted over night making it unsuitable for the trains to run on it. Once a burnt out car was found littering the tracks.Galas
Periodically the railway holds special events:
Charity Day This is held on the 1st January each year and is operated by Steam engines only
1812 night An annual Swanley Park event including fireworks and a band. The railway operates a special service up to the launch of the 1st firework.
Large Galas These are held less often with the last being the 21st Anniversary event, and the next being the 25th Event on the 10 and 11 September 2011. These large events also tend to see a yard shuttle service in addition to the main service, taking passengers to activities in the yard complex. These activities include "drive - a - train".
in one of the platforms.