Hollycombe Steam Collection, West Sussex

Our Decauville 'Barbouilleur' visits for Hollycombe's Railway Weekend

2nd June 2007 to 3rd June 2007

With our 10 year boiler certificate due to expire at the end of July, we decided to have one last visit away with 'Barbouilleur'. It had been many years since we last visited another railway, the last being to Froissy-Cappy-Dompierre in France via Leighton Buzzard and Maldegem in Belgium.

Arrangements were duly made with Hollycombe for the Decauville to visit for their Railway Gala Weekend and it departed a week or so in advance in the very capable hands of Exmoor Transport with their lowloader geared up for moving 2ft gauge stock. Hollycombe has the advantage of not being too far to travel, but is still quite a demanding line for smaller steam locos, especially whose requiring heavy overhaul! Getting a train of four loaded Ramsgate Tunnel Railway coaches (which weigh about 5 tons each empty) away from the station, up the hill and round the corner was hard work but we did manage a few trips successfully.

A great weekend was had, and the Decauville later returned in time for Amberley's own Railway Gala Weekend.

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Loading at Amberley, Exmoor Transport's ex-Derby Works lowloader (now converted with 2ft gauge track as well) is set up behind.
Loading at Amberley, Exmoor Transport's ex-Derby Works lowloader (now converted with 2ft gauge track as well) is set up behind.
 The Decauville being winched onto the trailer.
The Decauville being winched onto the trailer.
 Safely up onto the lowloader and ready for strapping down.
Safely up onto the lowloader and ready for strapping down.
 Chained down and ready for the short journey to Hollycombe.
Chained down and ready for the short journey to Hollycombe.
Lighting up at Hollycombe. Barbouilleur alongside resident Hunslet 'Jerry M' (w/n 638 of 1895).
Lighting up at Hollycombe. Barbouilleur alongside resident Hunslet 'Jerry M' (w/n 638 of 1895).
 Hollycombe's Barclay E class 0-4-0WT 'Caledonia' (w/n 1995 of 1931) shunts whilst our Decauville raises steam in the station.
Hollycombe's Barclay E class 0-4-0WT 'Caledonia' (w/n 1995 of 1931) shunts whilst our Decauville raises steam in the station.
 'Caledonia' works a passenger train past 'Jerry M'. Both locos came to Hollycombe from Dinorwic Quarries, North Wales.
'Caledonia' works a passenger train past 'Jerry M'. Both locos came to Hollycombe from Dinorwic Quarries, North Wales.
 A view from 'Barbouilleur's' drivers spectacle waiting for our turn; 'Caledonia' backs her train down into the station whilst 'Jerry M' sits outside the shed.
A view from 'Barbouilleur's' drivers spectacle waiting for our turn; 'Caledonia' backs her train down into the station whilst 'Jerry M' sits outside the shed.
A slightly different view; a rickety signal post provided this unusual shot of the Decauville waiting at the station.
A slightly different view; a rickety signal post provided this unusual shot of the Decauville waiting at the station.
 'Jerry M' fresh from major overhaul sits looking beautiful outside the small loco shed. Unfortunately, a few small jobs and no test steaming meant she missed the weekend by literally days.
'Jerry M' fresh from major overhaul sits looking beautiful outside the small loco shed. Unfortunately, a few small jobs and no test steaming meant she missed the weekend by literally days.
 Ex RAF Fauld, Staffordshire, Ruston 48DL 4wDM (w/n 203016 of 1940) is the regular shunter/works loco.
Ex RAF Fauld, Staffordshire, Ruston 48DL 4wDM (w/n 203016 of 1940) is the regular shunter/works loco.
 Ex Arnold's, Leighton Buzzard Motor Rail 20/28hp 4wDM (w/n 8994 of 1946) sits round the back of the station. Normally resident at the Quarry, it did make a few trips over the weekend but was burning an excessive amount of engine oil to be heavily used.
Ex Arnold's, Leighton Buzzard Motor Rail 20/28hp 4wDM (w/n 8994 of 1946) sits round the back of the station. Normally resident at the Quarry, it did make a few trips over the weekend but was burning an excessive amount of engine oil to be heavily used.
The Decauville making its way up the hill out of the station with a few wagons. Much more effort was required to get a full rake of ex Ramsgate coaches up the bank.
The Decauville making its way up the hill out of the station with a few wagons. Much more effort was required to get a full rake of ex Ramsgate coaches up the bank.
 Waiting for the all-clear to reverse back down the hill into the station the Decauville is passed by one of the many traction engines on site.
Waiting for the all-clear to reverse back down the hill into the station the Decauville is passed by one of the many traction engines on site.
 Again waiting to leave the loop and head back to the station with a works train. Motor Rail 8994 is behind in the siding.
Again waiting to leave the loop and head back to the station with a works train. Motor Rail 8994 is behind in the siding.
 Hot, dirty, but happy!
Hot, dirty, but happy!
Motor Rail 8994 heads off with a single skip.
Motor Rail 8994 heads off with a single skip.
 Ruston 203016 trundles round with a prototypical ex RNAD box van.
Ruston 203016 trundles round with a prototypical ex RNAD box van.
 Paused in the woods, the Decauville in dappled sunshine.
Paused in the woods, the Decauville in dappled sunshine.
 Heading light engine towards the quarry.
Heading light engine towards the quarry.
Hollycombe have some incredibly picturesque parts to their line. Amongst the wild flowers.
Hollycombe have some incredibly picturesque parts to their line. Amongst the wild flowers.
 Heading past the fields.
Heading past the fields.
 Waiting in the quarry with safety valves lifting.
Waiting in the quarry with safety valves lifting.
 'Caledonia' emerges from the woods and disrupts the locals!
'Caledonia' emerges from the woods and disrupts the locals!
'Caledonia' light engine at the top of the fields
'Caledonia' light engine at the top of the fields
 'Barbouilleur' working as hard a possible to get a fully loaded train of four ex Ramsgate Tunnel Railway coaches up the hill. Hard work indeed!
'Barbouilleur' working as hard a possible to get a fully loaded train of four ex Ramsgate Tunnel Railway coaches up the hill. Hard work indeed!
 Comforting to know though is that there is time for a quick blow-up whilst pausing in the quarry.
Comforting to know though is that there is time for a quick blow-up whilst pausing in the quarry.
 Passing the horse's field with a passenger train.
Passing the horse's field with a passenger train.
Yorkshire 0-4-0DH 2679 of 1962 sits on the standard gauge line awaiting repairs.
Yorkshire 0-4-0DH 2679 of 1962 sits on the standard gauge line awaiting repairs.
© 1998-2009 James Smith - All copyrights rest with the Author
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