Scarborough North Bay Railway
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Scarborough North Bay Railway is a miniature railway in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. It was built in 1931, to the gauge of 20 inch (508 mm), and runs for approximately ¾ mile (1.2 km) between Peasholm Park and Scalby Mills in the North Bay area of the town.
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[edit] The grand opening
The opening ceremony took place at 2 p.m. on Saturday 23 May 1931. The locomotive, Neptune, was officially handed over by the Chairman of the North Side Development Committee, Alderman Whitehead, to the Mayor of Scarborough, Alderman J.W. Butler, for the Entertainments Department. Alderman Whitehead made a short presentation speech:
"On behalf of the National Union of Drivers, Engineers and others, I have to present you, the first driver of the North Bay Railway Engine, with your insignia of office, your oil can and your 'sweat rag'."
The mayor was presented with a peaked cap, an oil can (adorned with a blue ribbon), and a rag, before driving the train from Peasholm Station non-stop to Scalby Mills, at which point the engine was transferred to the other end of the train for the return journey.
[edit] Locomotives
The four locomotives are of common vintage and were constructed in the same works. The first two belong to Scarborough Borough Council, have operated on the North Bay Railway since construction, and are currently leased to the operating company. The other two locomotives are directly owned by the operating company and were relocated to Scarborough in December 2006.
| Number | Name | Livery | Locomotive type | Wheel arrangement |
Builder | Year built | In Traffic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Neptune | Brunswick Green | Diesel (steam outline) | 4-6-2 | Hudswell Clarke | 1931 | Yes |
| 1932 | Triton | Apple Green | Diesel (steam outline) | 4-6-2 | Hudswell Clarke | 1932 | Yes |
| 1933 | Poseidon | BR Experimental Blue | Diesel (steam outline) | 4-6-2 | Hudswell Clarke | 1933 | Yes |
| 570 | Robin Hood | Metropolitan Red | Diesel (steam outline) | 4-6-4T | Hudswell Clarke | 1932 | Yes |
| White | Battery | 4wBE | Clayton | 1982 | No |
[edit] Stations
There are three stations on the line:
- Peasholm - single platform terminus at the Burniston Road entrance to Northstead Manor Gardens.
- Beach - two staggered platforms with passing loop. Currently disused, was a temporary terminus during the construction of the Yorkshire Water pumping station and Scarborough Sealife Centre.
- Scalby Mills - island platform terminus serving Scarborough Sealife Centre. Engine release by turntable.
[edit] Privatisation
On 30 March 2007, operation of the line was formally taken over by the North Bay Railway Company Limited. Previously it had been owned and operated by Scarborough Borough Council.[2]
[edit] External links
- North Bay Railway Company homepage
- Photographs of the railway on Fotopic
- More photographs of the railway
- BBC recording on the new owner of the railway
- SBC webpage - details of 2007 success
- SBC webpage - details of new carriages
[edit] References
- Gorbert, Michael (1981). Scarborough's North Bay Miniature Railway Golden Jubilee, 50 Years on, 1931-1981. Department Of Tourism & Amenities, Scarborough Borough Council.
- ^ Jacobs, Gerald (ed) (2006). Railway Track Diagrams Volume 2: Eastern. Quail Track Diagrams, page 19. ISBN 0-9549866-2-8.
- ^ Official North Bay Railway Website.
