The Moseley Railway Trust (MRT) will hold Open Days at its new Apedale site on 13/14 September 2008. This will be the public’s first opportunity to visit the site and see the MRT’s large and varied collection of industrial narrow gauge locomotives for 10 years.
The MRT has been working on the Apedale site since 2006 and significant progress has been made. The most notable achievements have included laying a significant amount of 2’0" gauge railway track, and the construction of a large storage building. This has allowed the movement of the MRT’s collection of rolling stock and other artifacts to the Apedale site. Most of the MRT’s rolling stock has been in store since the MRT left its previous site, at a school in Cheadle near Stockport, in 1998. The collection is one of the largest in the UK, if not the world, numbering more than 50 locomotives. These locomotives include steam, diesel, petrol and battery power, and were used on the industrial narrow gauge systems which once thrived in the UK, and contributed so much to develop the world in which we live today. Sadly, these systems are now almost extinct.
The weekend will see the operation of the first steam-hauled trains at Apedale, using the MRT’s Kerr Stuart locomotive "Stanhope" (Kerr Stuart number 2395 of 1917). Although it will not be possible to offer passenger train rides in September, the MRT collection will be on display and it is planned to operate demonstration goods and works trains. It is hoped that the weekend may produce one or more "surprise" guest locomotives.
Admission prices have yet to be fixed, but the site will be open from 11.00 to 17.00 on both days. There will be sales stands and refreshments will be available in the cafe run by the Apedale Heritage Centre, the MRT’s partner in the Apedale development. The Apedale site is close to the village of Chesterton, in Newcastle under Lyme, North Staffordshire. It is easily accessed from the M6 (junction 16) and many other major roads. There is public transport access using a frequent bus service to Chesterton village.
You can always contact us here.
