The Moors Valley Railway is a 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) narrow gauge passenger railway, in the Moors Valley Country Park at Ashley Heath, Dorset, England near Ringwood in Hampshire.[1] There are 20 steam engines and 2 diesel engines.[1] The railway is fully signalled, with two signal boxes, one in a Great Western Railway style and one in a British Rail Southern Region style.[2] The latter box also contains a mini lever frame and push button panel, for the control of the Lakeside area. The railway was constructed at its present location in 1985/86 and opened to the public in July 1986, after the closure in 1985 of its predecessor at Tucktonia in nearby Christchurch,[1] which had run since 1979.
Moors Valley uses a narrow gauge prototype to produce tank engines in which one may sit, allowing running during the harshest of conditions, so much so that it runs throughout the year. A further benefit of the style of locomotives built to this prototype is that, unlike models, and standard gauge 71⁄4 inch locomotives, the locomotives used on the Moors Valley Railway are considerably more powerful due to the increased boiler size that can be achieved through almost freelance prototypes.[3]
Roger Marsh was a pioneer of this principle and built Tinkerbell; when this was spotted a tank locomotive, Talos, was ordered and so started the Tinkerbell-class of locomotives. Coincidentally, when Tinkerbell was seen for sale, it was purchased by the then Tucktonia Railway, becoming its second locomotive. Several more were built at Tucktonia, several far more powerful than previous engines, before everything was moved to Moors Valley Railway.
Moors Valley Railway owns approximately 12 locomotives and a further 7 are privately owned. Hartfield is the most recent addition, being purchased from an owner who rarely used the loco. 'Hartfield' follows the general idea of Jason (a Tinkerbell variation) as per many other private locomotives.
There are many other tender locomotives such as Offa, almost certainly the most powerful 71⁄4 inch gauge locomotive in existence until recently.
The carriages at Moors Valley have no roof, but have a bench in the centre to sit on. Each carriage is approximately eight feet long. There are four rakes of eight carriages, in green, brown, olive and red liveries.
Locomotives of the Moors Valley Railway
#
Name
Type
Colour
Built
Notes
Image
2
Horace
0-4-2 PH
Black
1999
Small petrol shunter, frequently used to perform morning shunting duties and track checks. It was fitted with a Lombardini Six and a half H.P. single cylinder diesel engine with hydrostatic drive. Rebuilt in 2015 with a Honda petrol engine.
3
Talos
0-4-2T
Lined maroon livery
1978
One of the original batch of 5 Tinkerbell Class locomotives built by Roger Marsh in 1978. Overhauled in 2014. Most commonly used for Footplate Experience courses.
The original Tinkerbell which gave its name to a popular class of locomotive, bought in 1978 by owner of the railway; Jim Haylock. Fitted with a marine boiler. Re-entered service in 2018 following a major overhaul in time for its 50th birthday gala.
5
Sapper
4-6-0
Lined Brunswick green
1982
Rebuilt in 1993. Currently awaiting overhaul. Unique on the MVR for having inside frames and spoked wheels. Based upon the War Dept Hunslet 4-6-0T's. Awaiting overhaul.
6
Medea
2-6-2T+T
LBSCR Lined Umber Brown
1981
Originally an 0-6-2T. Re-boilered and enlarged in 1985 and is essentially a larger Tinkerbell Class design. She has a water bowser for additional water-carrying capabilities. Awaiting overhaul.
7
Aelfred
2-6-4T
S.E.C.R. Lined green livery
1985
Design is loosely based on the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge engines. Awaiting overhaul.
9
Jason
2-4-4T
Maunsell lined green
1989
The first locomotive built at the MVR workshops. Was the mainstay of winter service until Hartfield was purchased in 2007. Overhaul completed in 2018, including new livery and extended chassis.
10
Offa
2-6-2
Furness Railway Red
1991
Sister to Zeus. One of the most powerful 71⁄4 inch engines. She has pulled a 25-coach train with 198 passengers and three guards. Re-entered service in early 2019 following boiler work and some work on the motion.
11
Zeus
2-6-2
Black
1991
Sister to Offa. Styled in South African Railways guise with Vanderbilt tender. Re-entered service in 2013 following overhaul.
12
Pioneer
4-6-2
Dark blue, lined
1992
This Pacific is based on Sapper, with several improvements including outside frames and rear pony truck. Now features Walschaerts valve gear.
14
Horton
2-4-0
Lined Red
1991
It is a development of the Tinkerbell class locomotives but has the comfort of a tender. Occasionally used on 'Driver Experience' days.
15
William Rufus
2-4-0+0-4-2T,
Lined Red
1997
This Garratt type locomotive utilizes two Horton chassis with a fixed centrally mounted boiler providing a unique driving experience. Currently out of service undergoing a rebuild.
17
Hartfield
2-4-4T
Midland Railway Red
1999
Originally privately owned and built before being sold to MVR in 2007. It possesses a slightly higher boiler pressure than Jason but mechanically is very similar.
None
Ivor
0-4-2T,
G.E.R. Lined blue
1997
Privately owned, built by Tony Crowhurst. Ivor is a development of and is a Tinkerbell class locomotive. Built to 101⁄4 inch dimensions.
18
Thor
4-6-2
Black
2005
Privately owned and built. One of the largest, most powerful 71⁄4 inch locomotives built.
19
Athelstan
2-8-0
E.A.R. Lined Red
2005
Privately owned. The design resembles an East African Railways class 24.
20
Emmet
0-4-0T,
Lined Red
2005
The railway's 2 ft (610 mm) gauge engine. She has visited several 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railways, Currently at the Old Kiln Light Railway, having previously spent time at the Hayling Seaside Railway, Amerton Railway, and the Purbeck Mining Museum, Norden.
23
Vixen
0-4-0+0-4-0 DH
Maroon
2006
Originally built as a larger diesel locomotive for some pre-season work. Fitted with a 3-cylinder Kubota diesel engine and is currently undergoing a heavy overhaul.
24
Perseus
2-4-2T,
LMS Coronation Blue
2006
Privately owned. Expansion on the Tinkerbell design with Walschaerts valve gear and bigger cylinders. Originally built as an 0-4-2T.
None
Guinevere
2-4-0
Dark Blue Lined
2015
Privately owned. An improved, more powerful version of Horton based on a shortenend Hartfield chassis.
None
Hestia
0-4-2T
LMS Crimson
2015
Privately owned. A classic Tinkerbell design.
None
Aurora
0-4-4T
FR Lined Maroon
2019
Privately owned. Based upon the Single Fairlie "Taliesin" at the Ffestiniog Railway.
N/A
N/A
2-6-2
N/A
N/A
Being built based on "Mountaineer" at Ffestiniog Railway.
Special events
The MVR holds a number of special events throughout the year, showcasing their own, and visiting locomotives.[4] These events include;
Tinkerbell Weekend
The MVR often hosts a Tinkerbell Weekend, with several visiting engines. The premise of the Tinkerbell Weekend is to gather as many examples of the Tinkerbell-style locomotives as possible at the railway, as it is the home of the "first" Tinkerbell class locomotive. In 2018 Tinkerbell was 50 years old, and the event was held in place of the Autumn gala, in late September to celebrate the engine's anniversary.
Grand Summer Gala
The Grand Summer Gala is the railway's largest event. It features the entire home fleet of locomotives in operation. Alongside the standard passenger trains, demonstration freight trains are run, featuring the railway's large fleet of freight and permanent way stock. The gala also sees the usage of a number of heritage coaches from the Tucktonia railway, albeit not on passenger duties. All of the locomotives in steam take part and follow each other around the track in a parade lap on the Sunday morning.
Other features of the gala include parades of full-size and miniature steam traction engines, a display of classic cars and a model railway exhibition in our carriage sheds.
Autumn Gala
Every year in September, the railway holds an Autumn Gala - smaller than the summer gala - but still with an intensive and varied service. In 2016, the autumn gala was themed to celebrate the railways 30th anniversary.
