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Miniature Railways and Electric Ferries
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The Barton House Railway (BHR) is a miniature railway
system in a house garden located alongside the River Bure in Wroxham. It
re-creates a traditional railway atmosphere where the whole family can enjoy
the nostalgia of the golden age of steam with two ride-on railways, a fully
working full size signalling system and authentic tickets.
There are two separate railways with different track gauges. The original
raised track is now known as the 'Mid-Land Railway' and is 3.5 inch gauge.
The larger ground track known as the 'Riverside Railway' is 7.25 inch gauge.
The railway is open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on the third Sunday of the month,
from April to October, as well as Easter Monday.
Website:-
www.bartonhouserailway.org.uk
Phone:-
01603 782008
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All images link to larger
copies which will open in a new window/tab
The Barton House Railway (BHR) is a miniature railway
system in a rear garden located alongside the River Bure in Wroxham and it
re-creates a traditional railway atmosphere where the whole family can enjoy
the nostalgia of the golden age of steam with two ride-on railways, a fully
working full size signalling system and authentic tickets. There are two
separate railways with different gauges of track. The original raised track
is now known as the 'Mid-Land Railway' and is 3.5 inch gauge. The larger
ground track known as the 'Riverside Railway' is 7.25 inch gauge.
The railway is open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on the third Sunday of the Month,
from April to October, as well as Easter Monday.
Brief History
Work on the Barton House Railway began in 1960 when the 3.5 inch gauge track
(now know as Mid-land Railway) was laid and the steam loco 251 ran after its
rebuilding. The loco had been in the Bower family for generations. This was
joined by a second steam loco 1442, and an electric loco. In 1963 the
railway was opened to the public and, with the help of the volunteer staff,
has since raised thousands of pounds for many local charities.
In 1967 the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Honing East Signalbox was
rebuilt at Barton House Railway having been carefully dismantled from its
original home at Honing Station where it had stood since 1901.
In 1979 work began on the 7.25 inch gauge Riverside Railway, with Sparky
the electric loco initially working this line, followed, in 1998 by the
steam loco Midge. The line is a 'U'-shape terminating at two
adjacent stations Riverside East and Riverside West by the quay. There as a
passing loop at intermediate station Wroxham. A lengthy branch (not
generally used for passenger trains) runs along the property boundary to the
loco/carriage sheds.
In 2003 the BHR Museum opened, the friends of BHR was re-launched, and
a second 7.25 inch gauge steam loco Edward Thomas arrived.
In 2005 the Friends of BHR helped us raise money towards a new Vulcan design
electric loco for the Riverside Railway. It has been named Paul Bower
in honour of the railway owner's father who gave generously his time and
skill to create the railway back in 1960/3.
The railway celebrated 50 years of operations on 17th/18th August 2013.
Further extensions to the 7.25 inch system are under construction.
Website:-
www.bartonhouserailway.org.uk
Phone:-
01603 782008
3.5 inch Gauge Railway
'Mid-land Railway'
Work on the Barton House Railway began in 1960 when
the 3.5 inch gauge track (now know as Mid-land Railway) was laid and the
steam loco 251 ran after its rebuilding. The loco had been in the Bower
family for generations and is now displayed in the BHR museum. This was
joined by a second steam loco 1442, which was not on display.
GNR Atlantic 241 in the BHR museum
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
The Barton House Railway loco running at the 50th
Anniversary was a battery powered bogie loco apparently modelled on the
prototype LNER Sheffield Bo-Bo EM1 Tommy, from its square cab
windows.
Battery-powered model of LNER-designed EM1 loco in BR
colours
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
7.25 inch Gauge Railway
'Riverside Railway'
Sparky - 4w
Battery-Electric
In 1979 work began on the 7.25 inch gauge Riverside Railway, with Sparky
the electric loco initially working the line.
4w battery-electric Sparky on a freight train
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
4w battery-electric Sparky at Wroxham (BHR)
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Sparky and 0-4-0ST Midge at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Sparky and 0-4-2ST Edward Thomas at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Sparky and Midge at Wroxham
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
In 1998, the steam loco Midge
joined Sparky on the railway.
Midge 0-4-0ST
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Midge 0-4-0ST
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Midge and Edward Thomas at Wroxham
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Midge and Sparky at Wroxham (BHR)
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny and Midge at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
In 2003, a second 7.25 inch
gauge steam loco Edward Thomas arrived, based on the Kerr Stuart
Talyllyn loco.
Edward Thomas at Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Edward Thomas at Wroxham
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Midge and Edward Thomas at Wroxham
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Sparky and 0-4-2ST Edward Thomas at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Sparky and 0-4-2ST Edward Thomas at
Wroxham (BHR)
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny and 0-4-2ST Edward Thomas at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Paul Bower - 4w
Battery-Electric
In 2005 the Friends of BHR
helped us raise money towards a new Vulcan design electric loco for the
Riverside Railway. It has been named Paul Bower
in honour of the railway owner's father who created the railway back in 1960/3.
4w battery-electric Paul Bower
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny - 4w
Battery-Electric
I have no details about the
origin of the minimalist battery on wheels Tiny.
Minimalist 4w battery-electric loco Tiny
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny and Edward Thomas at Wroxham
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny and Midge at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Tiny and 0-4-2ST Edward Thomas at
Riverside East
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Minimalist 4w battery-electric loco Tiny
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Wroxham BHR station
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Riverside East station
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Three battery-powered ferry boats are available which
run to the Bridge Pilot's wharf at Wroxham during running days. Only two
were in service on 17th August.
Electric boat Britannia
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Electric boat D7
Photo: © Ian Boyle 17th August 2013
Other Barton House
Images
