Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum exists to preserve the remains of the quarry at the foot of Blencathra in the Lake District, opened in 1870 to supply ballast to the nearby Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway. The site continued to supply stone for road surfaces, kerbing and buildings for over a hundred years, assisted by a narrow gauge railway carrying rock down from the mines to the crushers. In 1892, the workmen moved out whilst the volunteers moved in, reopening the quarry as a museum thirteen years later. Since then, the two-foot gauge mineral railway has gradually been reinstated and expanded.
Motive power arrived in 2001 in the form of Bagnall 0-4-0ST 2315 ‘Sir Tom’ as the only steam engine on site. However, the museum has seen a wide range of visiting motive power during their ‘Annual Steam Galas’, usually taking place during the height of summer. With previous years commemorating the anniversary of the closure of the Dinorwic and Penrhyn Quarries in Wales, this event would see the gathering of numerous locomotives of W.G. Bagnall works in Stafford. The first guests to be announced were 0-4-0STs 1491 ‘Isabel’ from the Amerton Railway and 2067 ‘Peter’ from Amberley Museum. Originally stablemates at Cliffe Hill Granite Quarry in Leicestershire, this would be the first time the pair had been together since 1997. If that wasn’t enough for the enthusiasts, the West Lancashire Light Railway agreed to loan out recently-restored 1760 ‘Sybil’, having returned to steam only weeks earlier. Aesthetically very similar to ‘Peter’, the two locomotives would make a fine sight bustling about the mines.
The odd-one-out of the roster was Quarry Hunslet 921 ‘Sybil Mary’, making its third visit to Threlkeld from Statfold Barn in the Midlands. The Hunslet was filling in for Bagnall 0-4-0ST 2133 ‘Woto’, originally scheduled to appear. The atmosphere in and around the quarry is unlike anywhere I’ve ever experienced; with historic artefacts and machines at work as if the mines never closed, nestled away amongst the rolling hills and the mighty Blencathra towering above. This must be one of the most unique industrial heritage sites in the country. Supported by several excavators and plenty of re-enactors, a total of five locomotives were in action over the weekend.
I visited on Friday 26th July, the day before the gala kicked off. 30742 Charters had arranged a preview day for the benefit of enthusiasts, allowing access all areas to the railway and engines. A rake of tipper wagons and flat wagons were in use. Beginning with run-pasts on the extension, the locos then ran up to the quarry to be positioned in numerous formations, before heading back down for a final few runs. Mild temperatures graced the Lake District and the day culminated in a great lineup of the fleet outside the running shed, including a whistle war!
The full lineup consisted of:
Visiting:
Hunslet ‘Large Quarry’ 0-4-0ST 921 ‘Sybil Mary’ (from the Statfold Barn Railway)
Bagnall 7'' 0-4-0ST 1760 ’Sybil’ (from the West Lancashire Light Railway)
Bagnall 7'' 0-4-0ST 2067 ‘Peter’ (from Amberley Museum)
Bagnall 7'' 0-4-0ST 1491 ‘Isabel’ (from the Amerton Railway)
Home Fleet:
Bagnall 7'' 0-4-0ST 2315 ‘Sir Tom’
I hope you all enjoy the video. Huge thanks to Joey and Martin at 30742 Charters for arranging the day as well as the whole team at Threlkeld for their efforts. It was a treat to see so many 7'' Bagnalls working together. If you are ever in the Lake District, make sure you pay a visit to this hidden gem. Check us out on Instagram at [ Ссылка ] for exclusive photos and updates. Feel free to comment and subscribe!
