History

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Just some 'milestone' events in the life of our society...

21st April 1945 - The inaugural meeting of 21 of the 27 founder members. By June another 13 had joined. The society was growing fast! The first general meeting was held later in the year - December 8th.


The society had been provided with an area of land that was part of the garden of what was then Blackgates House (now, 2020, the almost derelict but 'listed' Freedom House). The owner, Mr. John Bradley, being an enthusiast himself, donated the land to the society and this was the 'spark' that ignited all that followed.


A considerable amount of work was required to prepare the site, as can be seen today when one examines the 'lie-of-the-land'. Initially a circuit of 176yds (163m) was proposed but after further consideration (and technical advice), a more ambitious scheme for a circuit of 220yds (203m) incorporating a tunnel and 8ft (2.5m) cutting was settled upon. At this early stage with no covered accommodation on site, Mr. Bradley provided club-room facilities in Blackgates House itself where meetings and gatherings were held.


After surveying the site and levels established, the deep cutting where the station is situated had to be excavated and the spoil taken & tipped to raise the land at the lower part of the site in order to obtain a reasonably level track-bed - in exactly the same way that full-sized railways are built.

Mechanical excavator making light work of the cutting

In the June 1946 newsletter, the secretary (Dan Hollings) wrote, "The really great news this month is that through the good offices of one of our members, arrangements are almost completed for solving what has been a tough problem - how to speed up the shifting of 500 tons of earth needed to complete the "cutting". To those stout-hearted members who have lent a hand at what as already been done with spade and barrow, this news will be doubly welcome.A mechanical excavator and the necessary dumping wagons will soon be on the job to make short work of a heavy and laborious job."

Dan also reported good progress in the casting of the concrete arches.

The access road crossed the track on an embankment with a tunnel beneath. This tunnel was built from pre-cast concrete sections bolted together, designed for the construction of air-raid shelters. In 1946 these would have been readily available. The structure is very much the same today and shows how things were built to last (bomb-proof!) even if they were only meant to be temporary.

The track was laid on concrete bridge sections to raise it off the ground. Every section was cast in situ using reusable moulds (we still have them!).

The station area showing the concrete arch moulds

The riding cars were made to straddle the track, lowering the centre of gravity and increasing stability. This system also allows the driver to better access the controls of the locomotive as may be seen in the photo below of Albert Balmforth driving his L1.

1947 Exhibitions - The society organised two quite major public exhibitions this year. The first on March 7th in Bradford at the Central Hall, Manchester Road, and a second on March 18th in the Corn Exchange, Leeds. This sort of activity shows that the committee & members at that time were looking to inform & encourage others to take up the hobby and not simply concentrating on building a club track!

September 1948 - The final arch was cast in the station with some celebratory beer added to the mix! Two bronze plates were embed in the outside face of the concrete bearing the signatures of Morley Hedley on one and Teddy Taylor on the other. These may still be seen, from the ground level station.


Casting the final arch

Occasional public open days were held between 1945 & 1949 using a short length of portable track.

Thorough testing was then carried out with the new running cars in readiness for opening to the public.

Testing the riding cars & track with weights

5th November 1949 - The first open day! Running started at 2:30pm, carrying on through the fading light until 8:00pm - such was the public interest & enthusiasm of members.

19th & 20th May 1951 - The first official public running day, and fares were just 2d (old money!) for two laps. From then on, open days were held once a month for several years.

June 1952 - 1000 rides where sold in one day!

September 1954 - 100 miles non stop recorded run by Albert Balmforth’s L1 in 10hrs.

Albert Balmforth driving his L1 during the successful record attempt

Here's a link to a YouTube video of the record-breaking attempt - well worth watching!


July 1955 - Our First Rally was held.

Perhaps somewhat later than 1955 but this photo captures the essence of the event!

Mr. Wilfred Lynch, then chairman of the society, takes a load of passengers on board his train. (1960)

1970 - 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee).

July 1975 - 5” and 7 ¼” tracks were badly worn and running was suspended from 28th of July. A huge effort was made and the track relaid.


Welding the last track panel after relaying c1976.

L to R: Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Gill, Lesley Whitfield, Mrs. Pybus, Mrs. Hepworth, Sandra Whitfield, Mrs. Scarth (front) Mrs. Balmforth, Anita Clayton, Peter Clayton, Carl Clayton, Harry Underwood, unknown, Jack Scarth, George Mann, Paul Whitfield, Phillip Owen, Trevor Gill, Alan Bullard, Albert Woodhead, Ernest Warwick, Percy Gill, Albert Balmforth, Eric Lowe (welding) and Timmy the dog.

11th May 1976 - Reopening to the public. Fares were raised to 5p for adults and 3p for children for 3 circuits of the track.

1986 - Ground level 7 ¼” track opened

1995 - 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee). This photo was taken at a member's gathering to celebrate the event. Note the large cake with the WRSLS crest!

Group photo April 1995

L to R: Back row (standing) - John Crawley, Jim Pyke, David Wilson, unknown, Chris Tindall, Trevor Gill, Colin Bradley,

Ken Hepworth, Gerald (Sam) Smith, Bernard Walker, Geoff Tomlinson & Richard Byram

Front row (sitting) - Randy Blackburn, Jack Pickup, Peter Clayton (Chairman), Jim Allen, unknown, Jack Scarth.

Belated 75th Anniversary celebrations (June 2021).

L to R on vernanda : Stephen Seale, Roy Stewart, John Lockwood, John Ashmore

L to R left hand side of raised track: Bob Richardson, Phil Thomas, Richard Byram, Derek Willacy, George, Neil Bolland, John White, Gordon Bullard, Elliot Warmsley, Paul Sigsworth, Sid Bennett, Ricky Beaumont, Susan Watson, Stuart Hedley, unknown, John Drewell, John Moore, Peter Bennett.

L to R right hand side of raised track: Peter Clayton, Gregg and Lucas Hicks, Phil Hopton, Bob Lumb, Andy Woffenden, Ralph Ingham, David Barker, Alan, Colin Bradley, Leo, Kris Mason.