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Click
the thumbnail to view the full sized images, which measure 600 pixels on
the longest side, and are around 50k in size. Please
read my copyright notes if
you want to use them in any way
 Between
the "North and West" and the Central Wales line, there was once a network
of minor lines. Some are fairly well known - the lines centred on Brecon
perhaps. In the north of the region was a "mini" network,
 connected
to the "North and West" at Leominster, and the Brecon - Hay - Hereford
line at Eardisley Junction. Branches ran north to Presteign (without the
'e') and west, through Kington, to New Radnor. The hub of this little
network? Titley Junction! (It was obvious, wasn't it?)
 Inevitably,
these routes, very much minor lines in the general scale of things, closed
completely many years ago. Kington - New Radnor went in 1951, as did the
Presteigne passenger service. The Kington - Leominster passenger service
ended in 1955.
 Finally,
1964 saw the last goods trains run, and that was it...
...until the 1980s, when the then owner of
the station began restoration work, and laid some track. Present owners
Robert & Lesley Hunt purchased the station in October 2001, and soon began
the work which culminated in the present ūmile or so of track, running
west from the station towards Kington. At this extremity a run-round loop
is being laid, and it is intended to provide a similar facility at Titley
Junction. Immediately beyond both extremities, bridges have been taken
out, so perhaps that will be it for the time being.
  The
whole operation is strictly private - but today was an open
day, largely, I think, to satisfy the curiosity of the Kington locals, if
overheard conversations are anything to go by. I found the open day listed on Kington Tourist Centre's "What's
On in Kington" page (can't remember what I was actually looking
for...), and decided a visit was called for.
Pea-green Peckett 1738 of 1928 was wearing its face, there were people
everywhere, and there is lots of contruction clutter, so this trip was not
one for photographic masterpieces. However, the ride along the line (in a nicely-repainted
DMU car, propelled by Percy) was pleasant. Overall, this was an interesting little trip
out, and clearly Titley Junction is worth keeping an eye on for future
events.
Video Clip:
360 x 288, Windows Media
 |
Titley Junction Activity with Percy
the Peckett...
3,160k; 2m 25s |
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