Coalyard Miniature Railway

The Coalyard Miniature Railway, opened in 1988,[1] and relaid in 1990 as a 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge railway, operates in the grounds of the Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Town Station.[1] Its name is derived from a coal merchant business which operated alongside Kidderminster Town Station until 2004.

Coalyard Miniature Railway
LocaleKidderminster, Worcestershire
TerminusKidderminster High Level on Kidderminster Town Station
Coordinates52.381276°N 2.240814°W / 52.381276; -2.240814
ConnectionsNone
Commercial operations
NameCoalyard Miniature Railway
Built bySevern Valley Railway
Original gauge5 in (127 mm) & 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm)
Preserved operations
Operated byCoalyard Miniature Railway
StationsFour (Two halts and two Termini)
Length390.42 yards (357 m)
Preserved gauge7 1⁄4 in (184 mm)
Commercial history
Opened1988
Coalyard Miniature Railway
 312 m Tutherend
 105 m Sparks Halt
 0 m Kidderminster High Level (main terminus)

History

The railway started as 100 metres (328 ft) of dual gauge track comprising 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) gauge rails laid within 5 in (127 mm) gauge rails,[1] to permit operation of both a 5 in (127 mm) King Class Locomotive and a 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) Hall class locomotive.[1] The track was unusual in being constructed of continuously welded rails.[1]

In 1990 a new 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge aluminium track was laid and then gradually extended until it reached the far end of the Kidderminster Town Station car park. The original line was then removed, making space for a new footpath from the Severn Valley Railway car park to the station. The line originally used wooden sleepers but when these wore out they were replaced with plastic sleepers.[1]

The Railway is 357 metres (390.42 yd) long[2] and runs alongside the Severn Valley Railway platforms and past the water column, where one can see many of the Severn Valley's fleet of locomotives. The railway operates a range of steam, battery and petrol locomotives. The coaching stock is usually sit-astride coaches of approximately 1:8 scale proportions.

The Coalyard Railway has donated operating surpluses to a number of organisations in the 'Severn Valley Railway family'. It is a silver member of the Severn Valley Railway Trust's Corporate Partnership Club. In addition it regularly purchases shares in the SVR Holdings company. It also donates to the following: 813 Fund; 2857 Society; 4150 Society; Class 08 diesel Shunter Fund; Friends of Kidderminster Town Station; Kidderminster Railway Museum; Erlestoke Manor Fund; Stanier Mogul Fund; 82045 Locomotive Trust; Staner 8F Locomotive Society.

Suppliers

The Coalyard railway uses products from the following miniature railway suppliers:

  • PNP-Railways - for rail and plastic sleepers
  • Cromar White Railways - for rail
  • Miniature Railway Supply Company - for rail and other parts
  • Parkside Electronics - for the controllers
  • Station Road Steam - for rolling stock
  • Abbots Model Engineering - for bogies, coaches, chassis, etc
  • Ride On Railways - for bogies and drive trucks

References
  1. "Coalyard Miniature Railway 7 ¼ inch". Miniature Railway World. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  2. MINOR RAILWAYS online
  • Miniature Railways - Second Edition. ABC. Ian Allan. 2000. p. 35. ISBN 0-7110-2713-7.
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