MINIATURE RAILWAYS
Ropley’s other railway
Raymond Briscall tells the story of the 10¼in gauge Ropley Miniature Railway, which runs alongside the ‘Watercress Line’ in Hampshire.
‘Class 47’ Co-Co diesel-hydraulic Jerry Lee takes a service from Ropley High Level past American-outline petrol-hydraulic loco Nevada in the yard on June 6, 2021.
ALL PHOTOS BY RAYMOND BRISCALL UNLESS STATED
THE original 10¼in gauge miniature railway opened at Ropley station on the Mid-Hants Railway in 2006. It was east of the station in what is now the top car park, off Bighton Hill, and was approximately 160 yards long with a singleplatform station called Ropley High Level. On leaving the station, there was a curved approach to a 1-in-34 incline up to a tworoad yard and container, in which the stock was located.
In March 2009, however, the operator withdrew from running the railway. Members of the current group of volunteers (the Mid-Hants Miniature Railway Group) were pleasantly surprised when approached by the then managing director of the ‘Watercress Line’, Colin Chambers, who invited them to take over the responsibility of running the line.
“You have two problems,” said Colin, “no loco and no carriages!” With just two weeks to go before the Easter 2009 Day Out With Thomas (DOWT) event, some hectic telephone calls resulted in the hire of a Curwen-designed and built ‘Western’ class diesel-hydraulic-type loco and two bogie coaches. And with these our first ever Miniature Railway DOWT event was run. It was a steep learning curve for all, but it went very well and certainly left us eager to continue.
The volunteers formed the Mid-Hants Miniature Railway Group, who continue to run the present line, which is now on a different site and now known as the Ropley Miniature Railway (RMR).
American-outline diesel-electric loco Patricia passes the ‘Tinkerbell’-type loco and Nevada on June 11, 2011, on the old line, which was lifted at the end of the 2012 operating season.
More stock acquired
After the 2009 event, we found ourselves once again without any stock. Luckily, a loco owner was short of storage space and a deal was struck that saw his American-outline, petrol-hydraulic loco Nevada stored at Ropley in return for its free use at weekends, but with daily hire fees when used at events.