The Heybridge Railway, 1889 to 1913

[Herb Garden]

We went to the Middy today to see the railbus. I don't have a bucket list but I have never even been inside one of these before let alone travelled on one. And so we made the trip.

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At Brockford.

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At Aspall Halt.

We were both impressed by the comfortable seats and the ride! Of course it doesn't go very fast here but we had panoramic views of the countryside to enjoy.

This particular railbus is usually at the EARM at Chappel and it will be running again at the Middy next Sunday 28th June.

You've just inspired a project for next year Richard. Skeetsmere in the 50s! Now where is heljians website.....?

 

[Simon H]

Glad you enjoyed it. I travelled on one on the Saffron Walden branch while staying with friends of the family in my early teens. The experience was marked compared to that of an ‘ordinary’ train ride of the time and has remained with me as a fond memory. In recent times I have obtained a Heljan 4mm one, (converted to P4 and with Paul Chetter sound file), and I am surprised Heljan have not produced one in 7mm. The criticism I have seen of them is to my mind unjustified. Perhaps it is judged there would not be the demand but I think any of their railbuses would be ideal for a small 7mm mini layout of the kind that are around these days.

Bob

The "fond memory" seems to be a recurring theme from people who actually used them, both in the UK and the place that inspired them, West Germany...I follow a Facebook page that is mostly about the Uerdingen railbuses and it seems that even today they are a big hit both with railfans and the general public.

Back in the early eighties the KWVR used one of their W&M 'busses for a Saturday morning shoppers run down to Keighley.
No gricers, just a few locals (and the odd car load of idiots across from Cheshire), just a proper branch line doing proper branch line stuff.
The half cab allowed a fantastic view down the line, especially when you were sat next to the driver.

I've a vague recollection that a similar service was proposed for the K&ESR when the railbus was based there. It was certainly used for trips between Bodiam and Dixter Halt (just west of Northiam, and now closed) before that section of the line reopened...my trip took place one summer evening as a "Magical Mystery Tour " by vintage coach from Eastbourne, organised by Eastbourne MRS. The track was mostly hidden in the grass, and we chased a few sheep along part of the line.

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

I had a couple of trips between Ayr and Kilmarnock in the Park Royal rail bus when I was a lad. It was good from a spotters viewpoint, you got to see the road from the drivers viewpoint, but the ride as I recall was ‘lively’ to say the least. OK probably running a bit faster than current preserved line speeds but the sudden lurch to right or left on entering a switch was a bit disconcerting as was the nodding donkey motion on plain track. No welded rail then.