Thursday 22nd February 2007 ~ THE SOUTHWOLD RAILWAY TRUST

John Bennett ~ summarised by John Day

Appeared in Journal 507

A warm welcome was extended to John Bennett from Southwold who told of ambitious plans of a consortium to rebuild and re-open the Southwold Railway by the Southwold Railway Trust.

The Southwold Railway was a 9-mile three feet gauge railway connecting Halesworth and Southwold that opened in 1879 and was closed in 1929. In 1994 a Southwold Railway Society was formed and twelve years later in 2006 it was renamed the Southwold Railway Trust and became a company limited by guarantee. Being a charitable trust there were opportunities to source income from a number of avenues, European Funding, Heritage Lottery and a Community Interest Project as well as an anticipated share issue that would hopefully encourage land-owners to release titles and still retain a valued interest in the project.

The objectives of the Southwold Railway Trust are quite simple, to rebuild and re-open the Southwold Railway, a project for which the local interest and support is projected at some 95% of the land with ownership or land from supporters. It is anticipated that during the late spring of 2007 a Planning Application will be presented to Suffolk Coastal District Council to get approval to commence work on the project.

John opened his presentation with a brief history of the line and its early beginnings and this was followed by a selection of digital images reproduced from photographs, postcards and drawings. Before the railway was built the connection to Southwold was by horse-drawn bus from Darsham to the Swan Hotel in Southwold John stated that the “art and artistry” quaintness of the sort of line that the Southwold Railway was is today lost in the environment and the attempt to re-create this is paramount.

It was stated that the only main road crossing was that at Blythburgh (now part the very busy A12 road to Lowestoft) and images of that original crossing by the railway under road bridge were shown along with a wide and varied selection that covered everything from locomotives, rolling stock to stations and buildings. Another important piece of infrastructure seen was the crossing of the River Blythe by a bow bridge.

The Southwold Railway had four locomotives, the three built by Sharp Stewart were 2-4-0 tanks engines , and one, the final one built in 1914 by Manning Wardle was a 2-4-2T. During pre-interval questions it was said the cost of building a replica Sharp Stewart was estimated at £250k. However, an answer to another question revealed that this cost could be substantially reduced if the final option was to go for the 2’6” gauge for which manufacturing sources are already established. The design of the locomotives would be essentially the same as the originals but embracing modern technology to be environmentally friendly.

Once planning permission is granted the project is expected to commence in Southwold with the short line from Southwold Harbour to Southwold being established and whilst this could be some four-five years away it is a development that is eagerly awaited.

To conclude John showed on screen a short film, taken just before closure of the line in 1929 of a journey, essentially by a lady and her young daughter, between Halesworth and Southwold. This amazing piece of footage emphasised the importance of maintaining and recreating such an historic piece of light railway operating. We hope that the young girl, who, as an adult has already come forward to identify herself and her mother in the film is able to see the railway recreated.

Steve Worsley proposed the vote of thanks and wished John, the Southwold Railway Trust and it’s supporters the very best of luck and assured them of our support with the project.

Front Cover. Five new double deckers have arrived with First Eastern Counties for Norwich City services. 37157 (AU07 DXT) was photographed on the 16A on the 10th March 2007. Photo by Graham Bessey

Rear Cover. Two Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s have joined local operators this month. Carters have taken delivery of AY07 CUA, a production model whilst Far East Travel have taken delivery of GX56 BKY one of the prototypes originally built for demonstration to London operators. Photos by Fred Ward.