Steam at Threlkeld Quarry
Sir Tom
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2015
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
26 August 2015
We’re heading north, and need a break in the
journey. Let’s look in at Threlkeld, beneath the
slopes of Blencathra in the Lake District
We called here a few years ago, on a quiet
Monday morning when the railway wasn’t
operating, and had an interesting time in the
quarrying and mining museum, before checking
out the railway. Bagnall “Sir Tom” (2135 of
1925) stood cold in his shed. We’ll have to come
another day when he’s working...
Having just seen a train leave, we checked out the museum,
until a whistle tempted us outside again. We took a short but
enjoyable ride on the steeply-graded line, surveying
the many excavators on display. Close beside the line
is a remarkable machine - a Ruston steam navvy. in
working order but not in use today. Back at the
museum, there’s time to check out the loco
shed, where there’s a new steam locomotive
under construction. Finally, a few lineside shots
would complete the enjoyable visit (made more
enjoyable for the fact that, despite a shower of
rain when the train should have come, the sun
shone brightly when it did come, a couple of
minutes later. Doesn’t always happen...
Link: Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum
