Robin Hood Line Storyboard_22a
For this photo we've travelled back to 14 May 1982.
RDB977020 BRE-Leyland Railbus (LEV3) heads towards Pye Bridge. On that day the railbus made 3 return test runs on the line to Sherwood Colliery Sidings South. I believe the tests were to assess the viability of using that section of line as part of the proposed Robin Hood Line. I understand that the likely journey times were considered excessive and so the alternative solution, via a re-opened Kirkby tunnel, was, as we know, eventually used to create a new line between Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Newstead.
Later on in 1982 the railbus was sold to Northern Ireland Railways and then converted to 5ft 3in gauge. It was withdrawn in 1990 and is now preserved at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway as seen here www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/nir-railbus-rb3/
The next page is here www.flickr.com/photos/192151030@N08/52123673226/in/album-...
Robin Hood Line Storyboard_22a
For this photo we've travelled back to 14 May 1982.
RDB977020 BRE-Leyland Railbus (LEV3) heads towards Pye Bridge. On that day the railbus made 3 return test runs on the line to Sherwood Colliery Sidings South. I believe the tests were to assess the viability of using that section of line as part of the proposed Robin Hood Line. I understand that the likely journey times were considered excessive and so the alternative solution, via a re-opened Kirkby tunnel, was, as we know, eventually used to create a new line between Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Newstead.
Later on in 1982 the railbus was sold to Northern Ireland Railways and then converted to 5ft 3in gauge. It was withdrawn in 1990 and is now preserved at the Downpatrick & County Down Railway as seen here www.downrail.co.uk/rolling-stock/nir-railbus-rb3/
The next page is here www.flickr.com/photos/192151030@N08/52123673226/in/album-...