Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust

Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust
A level crossing on the railway
Commercial operations
Original gauge	56.5
Preserved operations
Length	1+1⁄2 mi (2.4 km)
Preserved gauge	56.5

The Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust operates a 1+1⁄2-mile (2.4 km) long heritage railway line at Hunsbury Hill, south-west of Northampton. The line is mainly dedicated to freight working, featuring many sharp curves and steep gradients which were typical of the industrial railway, but rides are available in a variety of vehicles including a converted brake van.

Restoration

In the last few years the site has undergone restoration with 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) of line being regraded and relaid in 113 lb/yd (56.1 kg/m) rail and concrete sleepers, along with the restoration of 2 locomotives and brake van to enable passenger carrying as well as other restoration projects being undertaken. Operationally the railway has received full operating clearance from the HMRI to allow running on the relaid section of the 1st quarter of the mile of the route.

Locomotives

Steam

• "Belvedere" Sentinel geared vertical boilered tank engine. On static display.
• "Musketeer" Sentinel geared vertical boilered tank engine. On static display.

Diesel

• Planet 4w diesel-hydraulic - no.3967 - Operational.
• No. 16 Hunslet Engine Company 0-4-0 diesel-mechanical. Dismantled and undergoing restoration, wheels planned to be sent away soon for renovation, the frames are currently being cleaned and painted.
• Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0 diesel no.D697. Awaiting the completion of its restoration, planned to be worked on once No. 16 is complete.
• Ruston & Hornsby 88DS 4wDM
• Fowler diesel 4220001 "Charles Wake" – Operational.

Rolling stock

• B950061 20-ton LMS brake van – operational
• B490310 12-ton open wagon
• M407942 12-ton open wagon
• 321734 Ex Ruston "88" underframe
• No. 330 Nordberg trackmachine
• Grafton Steam Crane Ship Canal Side Tipper

Multiple units

Diesel

• BR Class 121 DTC no. 54285 BR Blue Built in 1961.

Electric

• BR Class 411 TSO nos. 70284, 70296 and 70510
• BR Class 415 unit 5176 (3 cars of the unit)
• BR Class 422 TRSB 69304 unit 2260
• BR Class 4DD DMBS no. 13004 (formerly of unit 4002 later renumbered 4902 owing to the number 4002 being reallocated to the second British Rail Class 445)

External links

• Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust