THE BARROW HILL ENGINE SHED SOCIETY MAGAZINE Spring 2018 Price £2.50 Issue 56

Rail Ale and Jools Holland preview See pages 14-15

MORE photos and stories INSIDE... Snow stops play see page 11 Caption competition see page 38 BBC Look North visit Award Winners See page 3 See pages 4-5 Above: The shunting gang from left to right Mervyn Allcock, Dale Holford and Dave Darwin. Photo: Dale Holford Below: Class 68 68026 looking splendid outside the cafe in the January sunlight as it awaits work on conversion for passenger service. Photo: Alexa Stott OpeningOpening Shot...Shot...

A snowy welcome to Roundhouse Halt. Photo: Mervyn Allcock CONTENTS Chairman’s Notes 4 Heritage Lottery Fund Update 6 Roundhouse News 10 - Trains Parts 1 and 2 - Snow! - BBC Look North - Bidding Farewell Roundhouse Events 14 - Rail Ale 2018 - Jools Holland and An Exciting Addition! - Social Evenings 2018 Steam Locomotive Department Notes 17 Dave Darwin Remembers 23 Historical Corner 27 Volunteers’ Report 32 Membership 34 Money Matters 35 And Finally... 38

FRONT COVER: Snow stops play at the Roundhouse. Photo: Dale Holford From the Manager

HAVE YOU GOT A MEMORY Welcome... OF BARROW HILL IN I would like to dedicate my STEAM OR DIESEL DAYS? welcome in this Newsletter to Do you have photographs of the Nigel Atkinson who has, after depot which we could use in future many years, decided to step down issues of the Newsletter? from his numerous different Please get in touch with Alexa Stott financial and voluntary roles at by post: Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Barrow Hill. Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, S43 2PR. Both Nigel and I spent our childhoods Or email: [email protected] spotting at Barrow Hill and he joined me in the early days of the project

design print web signs 2 The BBC Look North Team arrive at the Roundhouse with their sofa. Photo: Glynn Wilton due to our mutual love of Barrow Hill Treasurer and he has been a key player Roundhouse and the desire to save it in the success of Barrow Hill. from demolition. I can only give my heartfelt thanks He and I have worked extremely well from myself for his commitment and together ever since. wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Our joint planning meetings and decisions on strategy number in I am sure we will still see him at the hundreds and I am in awe of his Barrow Hill from time to time; I commitment to Barrow Hill whilst at certainly hope so! the same time holding down a full time Thanks very much Nigel. day job! Our funds have been in expert hands during his longstanding tenure as Mervyn Allcock General Manager April 2018

3 CHAIRMAN’S NOTES My first duty is to inform you and of course is preparing the handover of the retirement of our longest expertly. He is a Life Member and this serving Trustee – Nigel Atkinson. means that we will see him regularly but happier due to reduced stress levels. Thank Nigel has been with the Roundhouse since you so much Nigel; we will miss you. 1994 and has had a multitude of roles and responsibilities, such as Treasurer, Trustee, I am pleased to report that the Roundhouse Director, Shop Manager and Gatehouse has continued to be an award winning Manager and probably others that I am attraction. The latest trophies were collected not aware of. These roles were often at the Heritage Railway Association Annual simultaneous which meant that Nigel had Dinner & Awards ceremony in Birmingham an enormous workload, especially in recent on 10th February 2018. years as we have thrived and developed. We were proud to receive two prestigious I would like to thank Nigel, both personally Editor’s awards. The first was the Mortons and on behalf of the Trustees, for his Media (Heritage Railway) Interpretation dedicated service for nearly a quarter of Award. The citation for Barrow Hill reads a century. It is clear that Nigel enjoyed his “For the conservation and restoration of a commitment but as he took on more and once common, but now unique, key part of more responsibility there was less and less British Railway Heritage and its accessibility free time. He has always been supported by to the general public through imaginative his wife Christine and his daughter Becky; interpretation”. now they will see more of him. Nigel is a We are very proud of this as it shows that hard act to follow, but he is a professional we have spent the HLF funding wisely and

Mervyn Allcock receives his award from Chris Our latest awards, now awaiting their cabinet so Milner, Editor of The Railway Magazine. they can go on display for all to see. Photo: Heritage Railway Association Photo: Alexa Stott 4 The Barrow Hill team (from left to right: Mark Robinson, Alexa Stott and Mervyn Allcock) receive the Interpretation Award from Robin Jones, Editor of Heritage Railway Magazine. Photo: Heritage Railway Association produced an attraction that is accessible won by the Roundhouse over the years to to all. All credit for this goes to the HLF create a “trophy cabinet” in the café. I think project team led by Mike Kennedy. this will be a better use than as doorstops and dust gatherers. The second award was The Railway Magazine Annual Award for Services to Looking forward I would like to transform Railway Preservation and the winner the appearance of the commercial side of was...... Mervyn Allcock, for his vision, drive, Barrow Hill so that it gives the impression determination and passion over a 30 of what it is a vibrant thriving productive year period culminating in the realisation sector. I would also like to highlight the of the Barrow Hill Roundhouse project. academic, research and innovation potential Congratulations to Merv! at Barrow Hill and will keep you informed as ideas mature. I am currently trying to gather together Mark Robinson all the awards and prizes that have been Chairman

DRS 37038 creating some clag prior to its departure with 57301 and 68022 on 25th January 2018. Photo: Dale Holford

5 HLF UPDATE PROJECT MANAGER UPDATE Although the building work has finished, in terms of a Lottery project, this is where the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) consider that the work will start. If anyone else were to look at the project, Over the winter we have been deciding they might consider that the most how to attract families, costing up what we significant bit is over. 90% of the money need to do and writing the documents to is spent, the work is done to maintain present to the HLF. Having done that and the existing building, the new café is built, got the go ahead from them, the activity the shop refurbished and the exhibition phase has begun. is installed. From an HLF point of view Of course, one of the reasons for attracting that is very important: it preserves and new visitors and schools is to increase interprets heritage but it also enables us the money taken on admission. The new to attract new audiences. The Project is café is there to cater for a larger number intended to introduce more people to of visitors and to offer as a meeting and their heritage, promote an understanding event room for commercial customers. of their heritage and help us to preserve it The Learning Room is for school visits for future generations. and the new displays tell the story of the Roundhouse. Keeping people here longer will also increase the secondary spend in the café and shop as well. There are other reasons for seeking to attract schools and families. All museum and heritage attractions are facing the same problems. The age profile of volunteers is rising and new, young volunteers are difficult to find. Attracting young people to the Roundhouse could lead to a life long enthusiasm and dedicated new volunteers. The Barrow Hill and Chesterfield area is earmarked for all sorts of new housing and building development, including an HS2 maintenance depot. All of these will bring in new visitors, potential volunteers and money. They will all help to ensure the Two future Barrow Hill Trustees? future of the Roundhouse. Photo: Glynn Wilton

6 One of our school visits coincided with the visit LEARNING & ACCESS OFFICER of the BBC Look North sofa, which the children were keen to have their photo taken with UPDATE during a break from their day of activities in the It’s been very busy time on the Roundhouse. Photo: Glynn Wilton learning and family activity side of the museum since we reopened in The future is looking bright and although March... the building is finished and most of the ABC Nursery in Chesterfield joined us for grant spent, the next two years are the our ‘The Story of the Roundhouse’ early important bit. We need to establish years learning workshop. They explored the ourselves as a place for schools and different jobs people did at the Roundhouse, families to visit. We have begun to do that dressed up as Roundhouse workers, made and Sally Toon describes the visits and their own steam train collages and railway events that have already happened and the tracks before finishing the session with a events to come in her article. Thomas the Tank Engine Story. We always need volunteers and if you have On 21st March we had a visit from 52 year felt that you don’t have the skills to help 5 children from Hollingwood School who the team in the Roundhouse, maybe you joined us for a special Industrial Revolution- could help out with schools and events. If themed day learning all about Richard so, please get in touch with our Volunteer Barrow, George Stephenson and the history Coordinator Sandy Crawley by email to of the Roundhouse. Extra excitement was [email protected] or pop in added to the visit as the children got to during our weekend openings to say hello. meet the BBC Look North Team as they Glynn Wilton, Project Manager arrived with their red sofa for their special Sport Relief challenge.

7 HLF UPDATE continued... Looking ahead we are set to welcome a class of pupils from Reigate Park Primary School in April for a day themed around the Science of the Railways, whilst in July we will be getting schools involved in our special archaeology dig that hopes to uncover the Long Row looking towards the now remains of the ‘Long Row’ workers houses demolished Barrow pub. in what is now our main visitor car park. Photo: Unknown A line of redundant locos awaits the scrapman with the Long Row seen in the background. Photo: Unknown

The first family event of the year was the to further tap into their imaginations. special Story Telling Day on Saturday 17th On Easter weekend, families were invited March, which went ahead despite the threat to join us for an Easter Bunny Hunt with of snow! Professional storytellers Beth a chocolate egg prize, as well as joining Guiver and Sophie Snell delighted families Chesterfield craft specialist Straight Curves and children with a range of enchanting tales for some wonderful Easter crafts from from animal folk stories set in the savannahs bunnies and chicks made of jumping clay to to tales of princesses and monsters from special Easter badges. deep within the forests of Europe. Editor’s Note: As this event happened as The day was topped off with a special stall the Newsletter went to print, there was no from Usborne Books where visitors could time to put in any photos so you have those browse some of the latest exciting titles in to look forward to in the next Newsletter! children’s literature to allow their little ones 8 On Father’s Day, Sunday 17th June, we will be bringing the Roundhouse to life with the high energy 80s tribute band ‘Atomic 80s’, whilst families can learn secrets of exploring the stars and the night sky around us with the Chesterfield Astronomical Society and children can make a special gift to give to Dad or Grandad with Chesterfield’s Straight Curves. One young chap gets into character for the Story Telling Day. More details of the family events we are Photo: Glynn Wilton holding this year can be found on the Roundhouse website. Lots more exciting family fun lies ahead in Finally, a massive thank you to all our the coming year. In June our ‘Sound and fantastic volunteers for their hard work in Vision’ event will allow families to explore helping to run these school workshops and the sights and sounds of the railway through family days. We wouldn’t be able to do it ‘Junk Funk’ recycled materials music making without them! sessions with One Day Creatives and art workshops with our artists in residence Sally Toon Kidology. Learning & Access Officer

Children and adults enjoying our Story Telling Day. Photo: Sally Toon 9 HEADLINE NEWS & NEWSLINES EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS order to maintain a reasonable train service PART 1 and thanks to its perfect location between Chesterfield and Sheffield, Barrow Hill Some of you may already be aware that will become an official East Midland Trains there are plans for major works at depot, being used for servicing of several during the summer. Indeed work has members of the Meridian and HST fleet. already started with the building of a new As part of this project track alterations will platform that will serve trains heading start at Barrow Hill on 26th March. It will towards London. The track layout south involve a large amount of permanent way of Derby has long been an issue as trains work and installations of CET (also known heading to and from London have to as toilet waste removal!), water and fuel cross the path of trains heading towards facilities. Birmingham and the south west from the north. East Midlands Trains’ major servicing Over the past two months Merv, Dale and and stabling depot – Etches Park – is also staff from HNRC and Rampart have been situated just to the south of the station. getting the site ready for this important With much of the track and signalling commercial contract. This has included the having reached ‘end of life’ Network Rail, in re-siting of the Rampart offices to a new partnership with East Midlands Trains and location next to the Roundhouse and the CrossCountry, is planning to deliver the shunting and rearranging of the vehicles in biggest engineering project Derby station the commercial and museum parts of the has seen for decades – and Barrow Hill will yard, no small job! play an important part! For anyone who would like to know more Between July and September various about the impact on train services during ‘blockades’ will reduce or remove access to the Derby Resignalling Project a dedicated Derby station and Etches Park, initially to website has been set up - www.dby2018. the south of Derby, then to the north. In co.uk.

Taken on 17th January 2018 as the big shunt to clear some of the roads ready for East Midlands Trains to use started. Two sidings were emptied of HNRC locos which were all moved to the Ash Pit Road. Photo: Dale Holford 10 Another part of the work to get the site ready for East Midlands Trains was the move of Rampart’s office and mess room for the first time in many years. First, the wheel sets on the track next to the Roundhouse, along with the concrete sleepers, had to be removed with the help of HNRC’s Andy “Captain” Rhodes and the HNRC crane. Then the coaching stock could be moved round to its new home - the first time a coach has been seen on this road in preservation days. Photo: Dale Holford

EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS SNOW STOPS PLAY PART 2 Two heavy bouts of snow in March caused Our fabulous new conference facilities were disruption at Barrow Hill. Most annoyingly, once more fully utilised when East Midlands one of the heaviest snowfalls of the Trains visited the Roundhouse for its Winter winter came on the weekend we were Fleet planning meeting. The venue proved planning to reopen the museum side of to be a big hit again with the management the site. of EMT who were able to combine the Luckily our marketing team were straight meeting with a site visit to look at the on the case and managed to get the forthcoming installation of servicing facilities message out to our visitors in time. and the work that has already taken place.

Dad, what do you do when Barrow Hill is closed? Mervyn refuelling two class 20s at Barrow Hill on Sunday 3rd March. Photo: Nigel Atkinson

11 HEADLINE NEWS & NEWSLINES continued... With equally bad timing the second heavy LNER-themed events. Sir William was snowfall came on the weekend of our first probably best known for bringing the family event of the year, our Story Telling beleaguered “Flying Scotsman” back from Day. Despite this several hardy families did the United States after its ill-fated second make it to see us! tour of that country with Alan Pegler. He was also a great friend of Barrow The usual problems of freeing up points and Hill, visiting the Roundhouse on several making sure water pipes didn’t freeze were occasions in recent years. just a couple of issues that needed to be addressed to ensure the site kept running Closer to home one of our colleagues here and our new facilities weren’t damaged by a at Barrow Hill, Roy Turner, also passed away major flood in the thaw. recently. Roy was a true steam man, having been on the fitting staff at Darnall Shed and working on the wheel drop. When Darnall BBC LOOK NORTH SOFA VISIT Shed closed he was transferred to the newly As part of their fund raising campaign opened Tinsley Diesel Depot but Roy had for BBC Sport Relief the presenters of steam in his blood, not diesel fuel, and he BBC Look North called at Barrow Hill on left the railway shortly afterwards. Wednesday 21st March with their famous The lure of steam soon had him back on the red sofa. The Roundhouse was already rails – as a volunteer at the Great Central at hosting a school party of more than 50 Loughborough. However, he found travelling children who had the unexpected extra there too far so he started coming to the treat of cheering the presenters and the Barrow Hill steam galas with his friend Allan, sofa into our new entrance building. preparing locos for work, filling up boilers, lighting fires, etc. When B1 61264 was based at Barrow Hill for a major overhaul, Roy was in his element, working on a class of loco he had a lot do with during his time at Darnall. The group of six volunteers who worked on the loco under Steve Andrews were known affectionately as the “Saga Gang”. When the overhaul was completed and the loco went to a new home, Roy was at a bit of a loss. Photo: Paul Millington For a while he helped out with the Deltic Preservation Society but diesel still wasn’t BIDDING FAREWELL his scene. However, providence struck again when February and March of this year have seen Steve Williams brought an Austerity tank to the passing of two well- known steam the shed which was in need of a complete personalities: Richard “Dick” Hardy and overhaul. Roy was in his element again, Sir William “Bill” McAlpine. Dick was no never more happy than when he was stranger to Barrow Hill, especially our

12 persuading some stubborn part to move with a big hammer. Sadly last September he suffered a small stroke and failing health prevented him from continuing his work on the loco. However his love of steam never left him and he still took an interest in what was happening at the shed, even though he could not be a part of it. The condolences of everyone at the Roundhouse goes to Roy’s family.

A light dusting of snow for class 68 68024, which was at the Roundhouse awaiting modifications for use in passenger service later this year. Photo: Mervyn Allcock

COLAS Rail 37521, 37421 and 37099 stand outside HNRC on 25th January 2018. Photo: Dale Holford

13 EVENTS MAY 2018 - ONE WEEK... For music lovers there will be fantastic live TWO BIG EVENTS! music in the marquee and on the main stage from jazz and brass through acoustic, funk We’re getting ready for a very and soul to rock and roll. We are delighted busy – and star studded – week in to welcome back the Dukes of Pork and May 2018 with tickets now on sale Rogue Embers who made their hugely for our hugely popular Rail Ale beer successful debuts as supporting acts at Rail and music festival as Jools Holland Ale 2017. Such was their popularity that we and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra really had to invite them back as headliners are set to return to rock the this year! Also returning for the second year Roundhouse for one night only. are the incredibly talented Highway Child Rail Ale 2018 will take place on Thursday who will once again bring Rail Ale to a soul 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May funking close on the Saturday night. And it’s 2018. Advance tickets are now on sale a hearty Rail Ale welcome to Vanity Box and priced at £5.00 for Thursday and £7.00 for Selective Hearing who will be making their Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available Rail Ale debuts on Saturday evening. from www.seetickets.com (a booking fee The Food Court will be on hand to provide applies) Entry includes a commemorative visitors with a tasty range of food to suit glass and programme. Tickets are now every appetite from pork pies to pancakes also on sale locally at numerous outlets in and hog roast to pizza; not forgetting the Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield chocolate, the cheese and even coffee! and Doncaster. Three days of fantastic entertainment are lined up: the judging of the coveted Beer of the Festival will take place on 17th May along with opportunities to ‘Meet the Brewer’ and on 18th and 19th May between 12noon and 5pm the popular Rail Ale train will be running for visitors. To quench the thirst there will be over 350 real ales from around the country including many brewed locally in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, a great range of ciders and craft beers and the return of the incredibly popular Prosecco bar. In yet another innovation for the Festival, this year we are delighted to announce the arrival of the Rail Ale “Gin Palace” which will feature a variety of gins from across the country, with a particular focus on gins from the local area.

14 STOP PRESS…. Rail Ale 2018 presents a new event for 2018 - The Grand Entry to the Festival also includes entry to Thursday Evening Concert – the museum and the new exhibitions and taking place on Thursday 17th interactive displays provided courtesy of May 2018 the Heritage Lottery Fund project that was completed in September 2017. Starring Floyd in the Flesh, a 7-piece Pink Floyd tribute band, all passionate The dedicated free bus service will also be Floyd fans who have worked hard to running from Chesterfield railway station perfect the unique sound of Pink Floyd. into the Festival on all three days. For more Playing songs from albums including information on the event, please visit www. Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were railalefestival.com. Here, Animals, Meddle, Division Bell, A week after Rail Ale, Jools Holland The Wall and more. and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will make a hugely anticipated return visit to Roundhouse on 26th May 2018 for one night only. The Roundhouse will once again rock to the sound of Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis and guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Rosie Mae. We are also delighted to confirm that the mystery guest star referred to in the last Newsletter has now been revealed as the incredibly talented Marc Almond. We are all really looking forward to this incredible line up of talent appearing at the A real treat for all Rail Ale and Pink one and only Barrow Hill Roundhouse. Floyd fans. Enjoy the delights of the Tickets are now on sale through most atmospheric beer and music www.seetickets.com priced at £39.00 festival of the year with over 350 real plus a booking fee. ales and prosecco and gin bars, and one of the very best tribute bands in the UK. Alternatively, tickets are available to Ticket are now on sale through www. personal callers at the Roundhouse seetickets.com priced at £12.00 plus a without a booking fee. booking fee. Tickets will be available on the day priced at £15.00. Doors and Don’t forget that this was a sell-out bar open at 6.30pm. Floyd in the Flesh event in 2014 so make sure you book will be on stage at 7.45pm. your tickets if you haven’t already.

Please note this is a separately ticketed event to Rail Ale 2018 15 EVENTS continued... SOCIAL EVENINGS 2018 between 1975 and 2016, including a look at mines, power stations, coking plants and 19 April - Ken Horan, glassworks en route. Me and My Travels Bits of this, bits of that, bits of the other, 20 September - GB Productions, here, there and everywhere. Steaming Through Britain Graham Briggs and the team make another 10 May - Jason Cross, Mind the Gap - welcome return to Barrow Hill to present A Look at the London Underground an entertaining DVD show of preserved **Note: second Thursday** steam at work throughout Britain, both on A show dedicated to the London the main line and at many of the country’s Underground, the world’s oldest metro heritage railways. system. As well as looking at every line and the current train fleet, the history, 18 October - Gavin Lake, architecture and operation is explained along BR in the Seventies with a look behind the scenes which includes A ‘Modern Traction’ show which takes a the rarely seen engineering train fleet. look at the transition from early green to rail blue livery with a tour of UK locations 21 June - Steve Armitage, and includes many old favourites such as Midland Metals Tommies, Westerns and Deltics. During A digital presentation of images from these years Gavin travelled the length Victorian times to the end of BR steam, and breadth of the UK in search of new featuring some of the finest digitally locomotives, recording the railway scene restored b/w and colour images en route. Images from locations far and available. Steve is an archive restorer for wide from the South West to Scotland and organisations including the A1 and P2 Wales to the North East of . Steam Locomotive Trusts and also for well known photographers such as Gavin 15 November - Les Nixon, Morrison and Peter Townend to name but 50 Years of Railway Preservation two. Equally talented but lesser known From the early days of preservation the individuals such as Les Hanson, Arthur movement has grown and grown. Over the Haymes, Cecil Blay, Arthur Hall and many, years there have been moments that at many more will feature in an evening of one time were unthinkable. Includes both assured interest and delight. the main line and heritage railways. 19 July - Andy Barclay, 20 December - Christmas Social Peter Fox Collection - Part 5 Wait and see! A general mix of images from the Don’t forget to keep an eye on the collection of the late Peter Fox with views Barrow Hill website and on our from the sixties onwards. Facebook and Twitter pages for 16 August - Phil Lockwood & Enid detailed and up-to-date information Vincent, Diverted! Doncaster to on all our forthcoming events. Chesterfield - Part 1 Doncaster to Wakefield via Adwick, Goole and Knottingley. Mainly freight

16 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT NOTES Updated list of steam locos which 7822 Foxcote Manor are based at or have visited Barrow 9600 Hill since 1998 EARLY LOCOMOTIVES (4) SOUTHERN LOCOMOTIVES (6) Rocket 662 Martello Furness 20 30075 Catch Me Who Can 30096 Normandy Puffing Billy 30587 30777 Sir Lamiel INDUSTRIAL LOCOMOTIVES (13) 35005 Canadian Pacific MW 1207 The Welshman MW 1210 Sir Berkeley MIDLAND/LMS LOCOMOTIVES (24) MW 1795 No 14 41000 Peckett 1163 Whitehead 41312 Peckett 2000 41708 YE 2521 Clipstone 42500 Hawthorn Leslie 2491 Henry 42700 Hawthorn Leslie 3718 Swanscombe 43106 HE Thomas (Brookes No 1) 44422 Sentinel Isebrook 45110 HC MSC Number 70 45231 VF 3272 Vulcan 45305 Hudswell Clarke 1704 Nunlow 45407 45551 GWR LOCOMOTIVES (16) 45593 Kolhapur 813 45690 Leander 1420 46233 3440 City of Truro 47298 4936 Kinlet Hall 47406 4953 Pitchford Hall 48151 4965 Rood Ashton Hall 48274 5051 Drysllwyn Castle 48773 5164 49395 5199 51218 5224 52322 (1300) (12322) 5553 58850 5637 6430 LNWR LOCOMOTIVES (1) 7754 1054 17 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT NOTES continued... GNR LOCOMOTIVES (2) 60163 Tornado 251 60800 Green Arrow 1744 60532 Blue Peter 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley LNER LOCOMOTIVES (29) 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower 1310 60009 Union of South Africa 68846 60010 Dominion of Canada 62660 Butler Henderson 60019 Bittern 61572 60022 Mallard 61264 61306 BR STANDARD LOCOMOTIVES (8) 61994 70000 Britannia 62005 70013 Oliver Cromwell 62712 Morayshire 71000 Duke of Gloucester 63601 76079 65462 78019 65567 80135 68005 92203 68006 92214 68009 68030 LONDON TRANSPORT LOCOMOTIVE (1) 68088 MET 1 69023 69621 TOTAL 104 60103 Flying Scotsman

60103 Flying Scotsman - the 104th steam loco to visit Barrow Hill in preservation. Photo: Alexa Stott

18 Above: 27066 creating a bit of atmosphere in the Roundhouse. Photo: Dale Holford Below: The newly restored Shock Wagon on display in the Roundhouse. Photo: Mervyn Allcock Picture This. . . The new and the new - DRS class 68 68026 stands in the early spring sunshine next to the new HLF-funded entrance building to the Roundhouse. Photo: Alexa Stott

Class 27 27066 takes a peak at the snow from the rear of the Roundhouse. Photo: Dale Holford DAVE DARWIN REMEMBERS... The Wheel Tapper Once a common sight – and sound – them to be mobile and to get to trains on the railway, the wheel tapper went in trouble, possibly through a fault picked about his duties of checking that rolling up by the lineside equipment. This warns stock on both passenger and freight the controlling signal box of a problem trains was safe to run. Many of us with a train and the signaller will have youngsters travelling on a passenger the train stopped and the examiner train would have seen the tapper walking informed. down the side of a train, tapping the Today most rolling stock running vehicle’s wheels with his hammer with on the railway has what is known as its 3ft long handle. A clear ring told preventative maintenance to keep him that “all was well” with the wheel, stock in good condition and reduce no cracks or breakages. He was always the likelihood of failures in traffic. All on the lookout for defective buffers, the records are kept on TOPS (Total broken springs, hot axle box bearings or Operations Processing System) and anything else he considered a danger to any vehicle running on the railway has the safe running of the train. to be registered with this system. It’s Any vehicle he found with a problem all a far cry from the days when “date would, in railway parlance, become a oiled” would be chalked on a vehicle by “cripple” and a card would be fixed juniors starting out in a career with the to the vehicle stating the problem. A Carriage & Wagon Dept. “Not to Go” meant the vehicle could Thank you to Paul Ramsden of Rampart be removed from the train but not from Engineering who provided the cards and the sidings or station. This card was helped me with this article. coloured red. Another common card in use coloured red and green was the “For Repairs Yard to Yard” authorising the vehicle to be moved to a location nearby where it could be repaired. In the BR “Regulations for Train Examiners (Wheel Tappers) & Oilers” booklet are listed over 17 different types of cards as well as passenger Photos: Glynn Wilton coach defect labels. By the mid 1980s wheel tapping was a thing of the past but trains were still examined and the humble wheel tapper was known as a Rolling Stock Technician, examining trains at designated locations. Some were provided with transport to enable 23 DAVE DARWIN REMEMBERS... The Sheepbridge Branch (Monkwood & Nesfield Branches) an important part of the Barrow Hill operation Originally a small sub-depot of Staveley, day, having two hours out of traffic for known as Sheepbridge, around 1958 it the duties of fire cleaning, oiling, watering became a sub-depot of Barrow Hill. The and coaling up. Coaling was done by the depot was no more than a water tank fireman after he had cleaned the fire. with a cabin underneath where the loco Nearly 3 tonnes of coal would have been crews signed on. There was a small ash manually shovelled from the wagon into pit for servicing the locos and a siding the bunker by the fireman during each with a wagon of coal for coaling up the 24 hour period of operation. locos. When it was empty, the wagon The 1950s were possibly the busiest was filled with ashes from fire cleaning period in the branch’s history. The locos duties. The depot was situated in worked continuously 24 hours a day, 7 Sheepbridge Works yard, approximately days a week, 365 days a year. The drivers where the Peak Oil Depot stands today and firemen, 10 of each, were based at on Foxwood Road. Sheepbridge but their rest days, holidays The facilities were improved in the and sick leave were covered by men mid-1950s with the addition of a new from Barrow Hill. amenity cabin and a shelter over the Besides the 3Fs a relief engine, usually coal wagon. Three 3Fs known as Jintys a 3F or 4F tender loco would come which were based at the depot all came from Barrow Hill in order to work trips from Barrow Hill and were changed over between the yard on the branch and as required when they needed repairs, the GC sidings on the Chesterfield loop boiler washouts, etc. A loco would line at Sheepbridge to collect ironstone come from Barrow Hill to cover the from the Crosby Mines at Frodingham. duties of the Sheepbridge branch every

The Sheepbridge Branch goes under Sheffield Road at this point; the modern day Chesterfield-Sheffield line runs across the bridge in the background.

24 The bridge under Sheffield Road for the Sheepbridge Branch is now filled in. This was the site of the shunters cabin and the signal box known as Sheffield Road. The 3F tanks covered three yards on placing wagons to go away in the sidings the branch, including Nesfield, west of at “North Top”, shunting the Wagon Sheepbridge Lane Crossing to Barlow, Works and Gas Works sidings, Cummins and Monkwood branch new extension, Blacking Mill, Armitage’s Scrap Yard and the main job being placing traffic for the Pearson’s Pottery – a very busy job for blast furnaces on the furnace banks to the allocated locomotive. the requirements of the Sheepbridge The 4F or 3F on the “tripper” worked Company and moving ironstone, coal, trips between Dunston and Barlow with coke and other materials for the traffic from Nesfield, mainly coke and furnaces. The sidings at Cobnar Wood ironstone, and took ironstone empties on the Monkwood branch were used to Dunston and Barlow South sidings for storing the coke wagons until they to be collected by a main line tripper were required and would be moved which took them to where there by the trip loco. The last job on they were formed into trains to be the afternoon turn was to take 12 empty taken to Wellingborough for re-loading. wagons up to the open cast coal loading Traffic from Pearson’s Pottery was also point at Engine Hollow (at the end of considerable and this was placed in the the Nesfield branch) and bring back the Dunston and Barlow South sidings to loaded ones. This was a pleasant trip in be worked to Horns Bridge sidings just the summer away from the smoke and south of Chesterfield station in a trip dust of the works. known as the “Potts”. The “Sheepbridge Yard” shunt covered Most trains for the branch arrived at the area from Sheepbridge Lane to Dunston and Barlow North: trains Sheffield Road bridge and involved of coke from Smithywood brought in moving wagons of pig iron away from the by Darnall men with a GC “tiny” 04, blast furnace beds to the weighbridge, ironstone trains worked by 18D men not a very strenuous job but always busy. from Toton which originated in the The “Dunston & Barlow” shunt worked Wellingborough area. Two or three trips the yard and sidings from Sheffield Road a day came and went from Barrow Hill, to the main line connection at Dunston bringing all sorts of traffic and taking and Barlow North on the “Old Road” away forwarding traffic back to Barrow (the original 1940 ), Hill.

25 View looking east from what was once the Sheepbridge Lane Crossing. Looking through the palisade fence, the railway ran where the red car stands and to the right of the large building on the left down to Sheepbridge Yard. On the right of the picture is where the blast furnaces and Furnace Bank sidings were once located.

Each loco working on the branch had a after this signal box and another box at Head Shunter and an Under Shunter, all Whittington Road Crossing, where there working three shift rotas like the drivers were crossing gates, and a few signals. and firemen: 0600 to 1400; 1400 to 2200 The Sheepbridge Company had its own and 2200 to 0600, seven days a week. An locos too of course but they did not Inspector was also on each shift, receiving work over BR lines. They worked in instructions from the Sheepbridge the area of the blast furnaces and took Company as to their requirements and slag wagons up to the tip. When the generally keeping things running smoothly. blast furnaces closed in the early 1960s The Inspector and shunters were based it marked the end of the branch. The at Sheffield Road Bridge where there was 3F tanks had been replaced by class an unmanned signal box. It served as a 08 diesel shunters but by the time the place to keep the Annetts keys for the furnaces closed, no locos were based at point operated by a ground frame and Sheepbridge. The work would be done by down the branch. The Inspector looked a class 08 shunter trip from Barrow Hill.

Monkwood Branch where the railway crosses the Barlow Brook. This bridge is next to Broombank Industrial Estate. 26 HISTORICAL CORNER NO. 47 THE STANTON MOOR that only Canada could provide sufficient FORESTRY LIGHT RAILWAY quantities from their abundant forests, using the skills of their highly experienced This year marks the centenary of the end lumberjacks. The intention was that the of World War One. It is therefore fitting logs would then be placed in the holds of that we now investigate the history of this ships, transported across the Atlantic and interesting (yet virtually unknown and short converted into sawn lumber upon arrival lived) Derbyshire narrow gauge railway. in the UK. Several problems occurred Stanton Moor lies four miles (6.5km) north- with the logistics of this plan, in particular west of Buxton. This area of moorland has the shortage of ships and the high risk been inhabited since prehistoric times. The of German U-boat submarine attacks, first human activities in the area go back together with the lack of manpower and at least to the early Neolithic Age around specialist sawmill plant available in the UK. 4000 BC. Proof of later civilisations are the A simpler solution was therefore proposed: numerous burial cairns of which there are the Canadian lumberjacks, complete with about seventy in the area. Dating from the all the machinery necessary, would be sent early Bronze Age (circa 2500 BC onwards), to the UK, where local forests would be there is also some evidence of at least harvested. The initial proposal came from three timber “long houses” in the form of the British government on 16th February surviving post holes and an area of ancient 1916, addressed to the Governor General crop cultivation which confirms that there of Canada, calling for 1,000 volunteers with was a settlement here. By early 1820 the experience of forestry work and especially land was in the ownership of the local skilled lumberjacks. This was extended with Thornhill family and a programme of tree more requests in the following May and planting then commenced. Large plantations November for an additional 4,000 men. of oak, chestnut, larch and fir trees were Having raised the necessary numbers, the grown over an area of 600 acres (243 Canadian Forestry Corps was officially hectares) and the Ordnance Survey map created on 14th November 1916. of 1840 designates the whole area as being For administrative purposes, there was woodland. The Moor was amongst the very eventually a network of six CFC forestry first sites to obtain legal protection in the districts covering the whole of the mainland UK as an Ancient Monument in 1882. UK. These had headquarters in England Timber was a vital resource for the Allies in at Southampton, Egham, South Sheen and World War One. The wartime demand for Carlisle, with Scotland having Stirling and timber was principally in the form of planks Inverness. Each district had numerous and props for the construction and support plantations to manage, with a total of 43 of front line trenches in France. Other Companies of foresters, each nominally urgent needs included duckboards, crates, 150 men strong. Derbyshire was designated ammunition boxes, pit props for mining as part of district number 52, with their and railway sleepers, both for narrow and HQ located at Rickerby Hall in Carlisle, standard gauges. The initial assumption was Cumbria which was occupied on 6th

27 HISTORICAL CORNER NO. 47 continued... November 1916. Within this district, the a lightly loaded line which did not use heavy 132nd Corps were initially engaged in tree locomotives. This type of track would also felling at Cauldwell Wood, near be ideally suited to a forestry railway, which in Nottinghamshire. With the completion is likely to be moving its working area as of this task, the 132nd were then sent to the tree felling and loading work proceeds, in Derbyshire to work in the with the track being easily relocated by forests of Stanton Moor, the edge of which manpower alone. Due to the weight limits is only one mile south of the town. The first imposed by the temporary nature of the detachment of 150 men from the 132nd tracks and especially the lightweight rails, Company arrived in Rowsley on 26th the prime movers for forestry work were October 1918, bringing with them three horses or mules. It is recorded that two of steam tractors and fifteen road trailers. the latter working at Stanton Moor were Use was also made of a Ruston paraffin named “Jenny” and “Drummer”. At least one tractor of the new tracked “caterpillar” type lightweight petrol trolley was known to have for dragging the felled logs. Work started been used but normally workers travelled immediately on felling the trees and building on the railway by sitting on the loaded logs. the new sawmill. The officers and men The nearby railway stations of Rowsley were initially billeted in the railway station and Darley Dale (the latter now part of at Rowsley but, as the Company grew, the Peak Railway preserved line) were also additional accommodation had to be found. trans-shipment points for much of the cut Furthermore, some local labour from the timber. This was dispatched to France by UK-based Woman’s Forestry Corps were the main line railways to designated storage also now employed. By early November yards mostly in the London area, especially another 45 men had arrived from Mansfield at the Bricklayers Arms freight depot and and a new camp was being built, which the Stewarts Lane locomotive works, both included a cook house, a mess room and belonging to South Eastern & Chatham a hut sponsored by the YMCA which was Railway. Obtaining temporary storage used by the troops, having a stage for visiting facilities for the sawn timber in transit to concert parties as well as a library for off- France quickly became a serious problem. duty reading and writing. Some unlikely locations were chosen in In addition, a road bridge built entirely of the interim, such as the courtyard of the timber was constructed at Rowsley by the National Art Gallery located at Trafalgar CFC to cross over the River Derwent. Square in the centre of London. Similarly, The gauge of the railway track was 1’- space for the storage of mechanical plant, 11½” (600mm) and the rails were 9lb tools, ironmongery, etc. was established at a per yard (4.1kg per. metre). This was the bus garage belonging to the London General standard War Department specification for Omnibus Company in Catford, Kent. narrow gauge light railway equipment being In the monthly progress report from the sent to France and Belgium, hence such 132nd Company dated 8th November materials were readily available. It would be 1918, it was stated that the tasks at Stanton considered as the smallest viable rail size for Moor were drawing to a close. It was

28 recorded that a total of 22,389 tons of completely fell any remaining trees in the sawn timber and 2,404 tons of logs had acquired areas and to process the sawn now been shipped to France. In addition, lumber. The formal World War One peace felling of trees in the nearby Haddon Estate treaty of Versailles was not signed until of the Duke of Rutland and the Chatsworth 28th June 1919 and this officially brought Estate of the Duke of Devonshire were to the war to a close. By the month end, commence on 15th January 1919. To help there were still 361 officers and 3,587 with the additional forestry work, a new other ranks in the CFC. The felling of trees draft of 24 “other ranks” arrived the same continued as there was now a pressing day. The former Orderly hut at Mansfield need for timber to be used in post-war was dismantled and re-erected at Stanton infrastructure repairs, especially for the Moor on 23rd February 1919. The final construction of domestic housing. There projects for the 132nd Company were were still some stocks of sawn timber to thus completed and they were disbanded hand and a government Timber Disposal on 31st May 1919, having a short working Board was established to sell off the period of only seven months. The Official surplus. This process was finally completed Regimental History of the Canadian by the summer of 1922. After the war, Forestry Corps was published in a booklet gritstone quarrying was re-introduced in 1919. This describes the activities of the at Stanton Moor and it may be assumed Corps in the mainland UK and subsequently that the abandoned light railway track was in France. A small selection of the Official dismantled for re-use at a quarry elsewhere War Diaries of the CFC also survives and in the area. The last two gritstone quarries a sample from January 1918 to July 1919 at Endcliffe and at Lees Cross were still inclusive has now been made available for in production up until 2003 when they research. became worked out. The Environmental Agency then determined in 2005 that they Enemy hostilities eventually ceased on 11th were dormant and all gritstone excavation November 1918, at which time the total on this area of the moor has since ceased. strength of the CFC’s officers and men (including local labourers, displaced foreign In 1986, a team of archaeologists from nationals and prisoners of war), was 31,447. the Historical Monuments Commission By this time about 84,000 tons (85,000 conducted an extensive survey of tonnes) of round timber, 260 million board the Stanton Moor area. During their feet (80 million metres) of sawn lumber excavations, the archaeologists found at and over 200,000 tons (204,000 tonnes) least two fishplates from the original tracks, of waste wood fuel had been produced. In which confirmed the existence of this total, this equates to approximately 450,000 long-forgotten railway. This unexpected find acres (182,109 hectares) of woodland. It instigated a more detailed site survey and is estimated that the CFC supplied 70% of an investigation into the activities there all the timber requirements for the Allied during World War One. The survey of the forces in World War One. After the war, railway identified the routes of at least the forestry work continued in order to two railway tracks, together with a short

29 HISTORICAL CORNER NO. 47 continued... fragment of another. These were mapped some of the chosen route for the railway from the evidence of linear strips of hand appears to follow the same direction as the dug earth and sand, which sufficed as the 18th century “hollow ways”, which were original track ballast. This soil was dug locally walking and horse riding routes through the from adjacent circular “borrow pits”, which forest. These hollow ways are shown on the themselves are also still prominent along 1897 OS map. the alignment of the railway. These ballast At the western edge of the moor, opposite strips are about 4’-9” (1.5m) wide and to the Birchover Road, there was a trans- between 8” to 12” (200mm to 300mm) shipment siding and a layby where re-loading high. It is a matter of conjecture if both of the sawn timber onto road transport routes co-existed simultaneously; perhaps took place. Here the railway is on a steep one line was used for loaded wagons and 1:8 gradient, where rope winching of the the other for returning empties. Otherwise, wagons was necessary. This is confirmed perhaps the first line was made redundant today by evidence of steel rope rubbing by the advancement of the tree felling marks on stone blocks placed along the and subsequently taken up to be re- centre line of the track alignment. These assembled at another location so as to be blocks were accurately placed to prevent convenient for the work then in progress. the sleepers from being damaged. No Firstly, the longest continuous route lies evidence of the base for a fixed winch has at the north portion of the plantation and been found on the ground but it has been is approximately 875 yards (800m) long. suggested from knowledge of CFC railways The second route is slightly to the south elsewhere in England that a steam traction and the confirmed length is approximately engine fitted with a winch could have been 547 yards (500m) but erosion at both used to control the wagons at this point. ends of the alignment may be responsible Near a stone monolith, known locally for some loss. At the extremities the two as “The Cork”, the trace of the railway main routes appear to converge together extends in a north easterly direction, passing in the form of a flat oval. Unfortunately, close to the Earl Grey or Reform Tower, a with the passage of time and weathering, Grade 2 Listed structure since 1967. This it cannot be determined with certainty if is a prominent landmark on the eastern they were physically connected to each edge of the moor, which is a stone-built other. The short fragment of track referred folly erected by William Pole Thornhill to earlier is only 99 yards (90m) long and and dedicated to the Reform Act of 1832. might be consistent with either a temporary Elsewhere, fragments of the railway are still realignment of the main northern route discernible in the sloping terrain, where or it could be an unfinished branch line the natural ground has been terraced in extension. The Ordnance Survey map of places, due to the gradients. There is further 1919 is silent on the subject as such maps evidence of a stone-built loading platform do not normally identify temporary railways and also the raised stone foundations of the of this nature. However, this edition of the sawmill at the west end of the route, which map does confirm to us that the forest had can still be identified as a rectangular outline completely gone by that time. Interestingly,

30 measuring approximately 19’-6” x 13’-0” which is a Stone Age circle or “henge” (6m x 4m). The sawmill buildings typically dating from about 3000 BC. A flock of had raised floors to equal the height of the Swaledale sheep now grazes regularly on rail wagons for ease of handling the logs. the moors. They earn their keep by eating The space under the floor was filled with the bracken to keep it short, which also compacted sawdust as an aid to insulation encourages the heather to grow. In places, as well as a way of disposing of the large the land has now reverted to woodland quantities of sawdust being produced. once again and the former quarries have Unfortunately, all the rails and sleepers been backfilled with stone waste from themselves are now long gone, with only elsewhere. Eventually they will be covered fragments of the track ballast remaining. in topsoil and returned to nature. Since 1995 the moorland has been a Scheduled For those of us looking today for any Monument and is now an integral part of physical remnants of this most intriguing the National Park, which was railway, it is possible to find some interesting created in 1951. It is hoped that one day a evidence. If excuses are needed, it is also a public “storyboard” can be erected nearby place well known locally for family picnics, to record the incredible history of this long wild berry picking and dog walking. For the lost railway and its connections with Canada summer solstice every year, modern day 100 years ago. Druids can often be seen at their devotions around the Nine Ladies standing stones, Vignoles

Heavy snowfalls at the beginning of March meant we had to delay our re-opening after the Christmas break. Photo: Mervyn Allcock

31 VOLUNTEERS’ REPORT A stalwart crew of volunteers has been working on various projects and essential work throughout the closed period. We have had quite a few new volunteers who have come on board during this last year and everyone is settling in well into their roles. Some have joined the Learning & Access team and others have joined the general volunteers either working with the engineering teams or as general stewards – all doing very valuable work on behalf of 40012 provides a back drop for Barrow Hill. the new Catch Point sign which Our highly successful relaunch in September has been restored and erected has made us much more widely known by the Roundhouse weekend as a day out destination to the general volunteers. public. This means that we are now in Photo: Dale Holford the position where we need one or two volunteers to attend every normal weekend a suitable date. This has to be done to opening to act as general stewards to maintain your validity as a volunteer. By the ensure everyone’s safety, chat to the public time you read this some of you will have if needed and direct them to the facilities, gone through a pre-assessment for either not just at special events. This is great news signal/crossing or platform dispatch so well as it gives our general volunteers far more done to you all! opportunities to get involved at Barrow Hill. Our next big event is the Rail Ale in May It is lovely to have the Roundhouse up and which is closely followed by the Jools running again and I am sure that there will Holland concert evening – don’t forget to be plenty of opportunities for volunteers contact me with your availability as soon as to get involved throughout 2018. A list of possible so that we can effectively cover the most of them has already been circulated events as they are both fast approaching. but please keep an eye out for further information on each event as it gets closer. Sandy Crawley The shop is still looking for more help at Volunteer Co-ordinator weekends and also to help during special events in the week. If you think you could In the last Newsletter I mentioned that spare a couple of hours and would like to we were re-conditioning some signs from join the shop crew, please drop me a line Derby Museum to enhance the site. The at [email protected] if you are Catch Point double sided cast iron sign has interested. Training will be provided. been erected on its bullhead rail post next On a really important note, for those of to our catch point. Let’s hope it reminds you who have not yet completed your one and all of the need to set the point inductions for one reason or another, I will when coming off the Coaling Stage. We be contacting you again shortly to arrange haven’t had any instances of derailment yet so now there’s even less chance of someone 32 forgetting! Signs have also been placed on The chassis and body were painted in the walls of the old café eating area along primer, undercoat and gloss after the rust with other items from the Roundhouse was removed and new end plates were Collection, bringing back some of the made at a local fabricators. The body has atmosphere the old café had. This was an been reunited with the chassis so the shock easier task while the Roundhouse has been dampers can be re-assembled and pipe shut to the public for a few months as the work, etc. fixed. volunteers had free range with ladders, transformers, drills etc. whilst the job got Around the site several dangerous grate done. holes have had new lids fitted. The old water crane base at the bottom of the The Boundary Post on the Coaling Stage, which was covered in steel corner of the Roundhouse as you come sheets, has been filled with rubble and through the electric gates entrance has ballast as the brickwork was starting to been painted, as has another one that will deteriorate and was a trip hazard. The be “planted” somewhere on site along with best of the steel plates have been recycled Midland Railway Trespass sign. for the second time as these were made from the old oil tanks that were left in the The volunteers have also been carrying Roundhouse when we moved in. on with the overhaul of the Shock Wagon. Some of the brake rigging was in a very Finally the volunteers have replaced the bent state due to an accident in its earlier “Welcome” signs at the entrances; the new life. Thanks to lots of straightening, and signs incorporate the Roundhouse logo that acquiring and modified some rigging from was adopted after the HLF grant. other vehicles, the brakes are now in working order. Don Cambridge

There’s no missing the entrance now thanks to our new signage. Photo: Sally Toon

33 MEMBERSHIP At the time of writing we charge to members otherwise HMRC currently have 356 members, made would be entitled to a proportion of the up as follows: membership fees - because we would be giving a VAT-able benefit to members. 148 Life members 70 Adult Members The Council of Management has therefore taken the decision to reinstate 122 Concession Member free admission to members on normal 15 Family Members weekends with immediate effect but also 1 Junior Member increase membership rates by 20% to cover the proportion that HMRC will now be entitled to. MEMBERSHIP RATES The new membership rates are: When we started the Heritage Lottery Fund project, it soon became readily Adult £26.50 apparent to the Council of Management Concession £20.50 that we would have to start to apply a small admission charge. Otherwise, Family £38.00 due to the vagaries of VAT regulations, Junior £9.50 we would lose the ability to claim back Life £320.00 significant sums of money from HMRC, Life (over 65) £200.00 brought to the fore by the large sums of money the HLF project involved. Since the introduction of the admission Martyn Brailsford charge we have also had to apply this Membership Secretary

The Roundhouse entrance on the day we were supposed to reopen after our winter break! Photo: Mervyn Allcock

34 MONEY MATTERS Welcome to the first “Money Matters” of by David Charlesworth, the well-known the year and after our newly-introduced Chesterfield-based artist and member of winter break we have re-opened to the Guild of Railway Artists (GRA). There visitors, although this year winter dragged are more steam designs from John Austin, on into March and the snow scuppered another GRA member, and various designs any chance of our opening on the first from Star Editions featuring railway posters weekend of March as we had planned! I am from the National Railway Museum. There sure the weather will be a lot kinder for is no excuse for buying your greetings our big May events. cards anywhere else!

SHOP! We re-opened with a small number of the “Barrow Hill” Dapol “OO” gauge The closed period has proved invaluable model wagons but sold out on the first in allowing time to order new stock and weekend. I had already re-ordered a new perform the annual stocktake of the shop batch, which should be here by the end of and store room, which gives an indication March. Modellers will be pleased that the of any existing lines we need to re-order wagon will feature a new running number: for this year. “2020” has been chosen as that year will be a special one for us as it will be Barrow Items now on sale in the shop include two Hill’s 150th birthday. Sadly, there has been a excellent new DVDs from GB Productions, significant price increase from the supplier “Moving Forward 2017”, the story of the meaning we have had to increase our Grand Re-opening gala last September selling price but the wagon is still good and the building of the new extension, value at £11.95. Furthermore, it is only and “Down The Line”, the excellent available at Barrow Hill! community play staged outside and inside the Roundhouse. Don’t forget that Rail Ale and Jools Holland tickets are available for sale to New arrivals in the book department personal callers in the Roundhouse cafe at are the excellent “Derby to Chesterfield weekends. Midland Main Lines (including the )” from Middleton Press, Please continue to support the shop and two publications from Platform 5: and cafe. All profits help maintain the “Locomotives 2018” British Railways Roundhouse and improve the site. Pocket Book No.1 at £5.35 and “BR Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2018” THE HLF PROJECT, VAT at £20.95 (the equivalent of the old RECLAIMS & OTHER “Combined Volume”, and sadly it’s not still SPENDING not 10/6- !). Most of the spending since the last We have taken delivery of more greetings Newsletter has been on the “Moving cards from several sources. There are Forward” project supported by the HLF, many local railway scenes from Barrow although this has slowed down in recent Hill and Chesterfield in the range supplied months. 35 MONEY MATTERS continued... The VAT we have paid out on our I first visited Barrow Hill Shed in 1973 purchases in 2017 has, of course, been because growing up a mile away in New much greater than a normal year because Whittington it was my local depot and a of the HLF project and associated building fascinating place to an 11 year old. work. I am pleased to report that all four quarters’ returns for last year have now I became involved with the preservation been settled by HMRC and that the total of Barrow Hill when I noticed an I have managed to reclaim is a whopping advertisement in 1993 in the local paper £140,095.87. It makes the introduction for a meeting held on 4th November at of our modest admission charges well Saltergate Social Club of an action group worthwhile because, if we had not started being formed to save the Roundhouse charging them, the amount of VAT we were from demolition. able to reclaim would have been restricted I was impressed by a young, enthusiastic to a much lower amount. chap called Mervyn Allcock (who has since We have also paid our £5,000 annual become a great friend) and I duly parted contribution to Chesterfield Borough with my £6 annual membership fee. I Council for the railway bridge carrying declared on the membership form under our invaluable main line connection over the section “Have you any skills that may Whittington Road. This payment is part of be of use to the Society?” that I was a our lease agreement with the Council who Management Accountant. are the site’s owners. This led to me preparing the annual …AND IT’S GOODNIGHT FROM accounts from 1994 onwards and cash HIM! flow projections to convince various funding bodies that the Society could run After 21 years of growing involvement as the site as a going concern after the initial a volunteer with Barrow Hill as Treasurer, kick start from their grant aid. I became Accountant, Bookkeeper, Trustee, Director, Treasurer/Membership Secretary from 1st Shop/Admissions manager, Gatehouse May 1997. manager and one-time membership secretary, I have decided to hang up my I acquired my other roles over the years calculator and give someone else a chance but did manage to lose the Membership to take these roles forward in the bright Secretary’s job (thanks Martyn). During future which I am sure Barrow Hill will have. this time, we have had five British Prime Ministers, thirteen leaders of UKIP (at The commitment has been enormously the time of writing, March 2018) and only enjoyable and fulfilling but a hobby has one Premier League manager has been in gradually become like a second job and, as the same job for the entire time (Arsene I am still working in a busy day job, it has Wenger, but surely he won’t be there much become increasingly difficult to achieve a longer). decent work/life balance when I have two jobs!

36 It has been a great pleasure to see the a Finance Director/Treasurer moves on, enormous progress made at Barrow Hill questions are automatically asked about over these years and a privilege to work the state of the finances but rest assured with many fantastic people. that there are no worries on that score and that our funds are considerably greater I have many happy memories including than in 1994 when we had just £2,175.63 the first steam open days in July 1998, the in the bank! running line and platform opening in 2001 and the many excellent events that we have Thanks to all members and friends of staged, the pinnacle of which in my opinion Barrow Hill for your support and a was the visit of two non-working steam special thank you to my wife Christine locomotives, the North American A4s, in for supporting my involvement over the 2014 (for the extreme rarity value of these years and for her assistance with the exhibits). Funnily enough, my memories of bookkeeping and the development of the most beer festivals are somewhat hazy! new shop. I am immensely proud of all that has been Goodbye and good luck to all involved achieved and in particular of the fact that at Barrow Hill. I look forward to seeing we have never had to borrow money in my future developments as one thing that is time here due to a healthy mixture of grant guaranteed at Barrow Hill is progress. I may finance, increasing commercial activity and be “retiring” but I will not be disappearing the numerous fund raising events. completely as I am a Life Member; now where’s that membership card? The new building is another source of great pride as I have been heavily involved Nigel Atkinson, ACMA, CGMA in the design and development of the shop Treasurer and admissions desk. Sometimes when Member No. 10

BARROW HILL ENGINE SHED SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018

This year’s AGM will be taking place in August 2018.

Official notification including confirmation of the date, time and agenda will be sent out to members later in the year.

Thank you.

37 AND FINALLY… CAPTION COMPETITION Thank you to Barry Dyke for this image he captured not long ago of three of our hard working volunteers...

...and this sight was captured by Alexa Stott during the recent September relaunch. Any suggestions for captions for both photographs gratefully received – no prizes but we will feature the suggestions put forward in the next Newsletter!

38 We are delighted to be able to share some more images from the Bill and Jim Froggatt Collection...

Barrow Hill Station looking towards Chesterfield with the prolific Staveley Works sidings away to the left. Photo: The Bill and Jim Froggatt Collection

Barrow Hill Station, this time looking north towards Sheffield. Photo: The Bill and Jim Froggatt Collection

39 AND FINALLY continued...

Barrow Hill village . Photo: The Bill and Jim Froggatt Collection

Another view of Barrow Hill station, taken from the south - how different that view looks today! Photo: The Bill and Jim Froggatt Collection

40 Above: 68026 stands in the Deltic shed flanked by 37521 and 47727 (previously 47569) Below: Deltic class 55019 in the Rampart shed on 26th January 2018. This is the first time a loco has been worked on in this shed since the departure of Nemesis Rail. Photos: Dale Holford Business at Barrow Hill continued despite the Beast from the East. Photo: Mervyn Allcock