Saturday at Thorpe Light Railway

Thorpe Light Railway is a 15" line which started as the Whorlton Lido Railway over 50 years ago.   It was reinstated to use by the current volunteer group 10 years ago.   On Saturday, the volunteers welcomed visitors & ran Heritage Open Day trains & tours.

Ready for departure from Whorlton station behind a steam outline 2-8-0

The driver hand sands the rails ahead while stopped at the pond

Continuing around the pond loop

A stop at the engine shed area, for more detailed info & discussion during HOD

One shed has a covered area in front .....

..... the other has two roads, connected as needed to the approach road

The original Whorlton Lido Railway loco, Wendy, built Coleby-Simkins in 1972
(Rio Grande is seen through the diesel tank support frame)

A converted dumper, used occasionally on trains

Continuing around the shed loop, to approach Whorlton station from the west

A pair of lower quadrant signals awaiting restoration

The frame of one of the original Whorlton Lido Railway carriages

The railway is on the south bank of the Tees about 5 miles east of Barnard Castle.   It was road-connected to Whorlton on the north bank until recently, when all traffic was banned from crossing Whorlton Bridge of 1831, an early wrought iron chain suspension bridge.   Of similar design, its history vies with the recently-restored Union Chain Bridge of 1820 on the Tweed near Fishwick.