Audley End Miniature Railway

Audley End Miniature Railway
Autumn Steam Gala - Sunday 13th September 2009

The Audley End Steam Gala is a rare chance to see an intensive serivce with 4 steam locomotives in operation on this attractive miniature railway.

Locomotive "Barbara Curwen" is named after the wife of the designer/builder, David Curwen.
David Curwen was closely involved with the construction of the railway and built ALL the operating locomotives.

The LNER atlantic has the outward appearance of a near-scale model but is still a robust and powerful locomotive - a real tribute to its designer.
It is seen here at Audley End station, which features a canopy, footbridge and signal gantry.

"BRUCE" is a very large American style locomotive, in complete contrast to the LNER atlantic.
It is seen departing from Audley End, with "Barbara Curwen" in the background on the loop leading back into the station.
Later "BRUCE" is seen heading a train through the woodland.

The other American style locomotive in operation was "Lord Braybrooke", a rebuild of an earlier David Curwen locomotive.
It is seen departing Audley End, and later returning round the loop on its final approach to the station.
This also shows one of the sets of roofed articulated coaches.

The line is very family orientated with hundreds of teddy bears and other stuffed toys lining the route, including this woodland 'halt'.
The train also crosses a substatial brick built bridge over the river Cam.
During the Gala day this is where the outward and return trains passed.

Another three steam locomotives were on-shed, along with the two resident diesels.
This fine scale LNWR locomotive (another David Curwen creation) was displayed outside the shed during the afternoon.

A final view of the line through the rear carriage window, showing one of the tunnels. A second tunnel is just visible in the distance.
Tunnel warning signs appear in BOTH directions as trains have traditionally run both ways around the line.

There is another, smaller, railway on the site. Ths is operated by the Saffron Walden & District Society of Model Engineers.
This 5" gauge tank locomotive was busy giving rides throughout the afternoon.

All the pictures have been reduced in size and resolution for the internet.
Please do not copy or reproduce any of these pictures without prior permission. Thank you.

All photos © J. Moynihan / B. Nixon
Website © B. Nixon

The Audley End Steam Gala is a rare chance to see an intensive serivce with 4 steam locomotives in operation on this attractive miniature railway.
Locomotive "Barbara Curwen" is named after the wife of the designer/builder, David Curwen. David Curwen was closely involved with the construction of the railway and built ALL the operating locomotives.

The LNER atlantic has the outward appearance of a near-scale model but is still a robust and powerful locomotive - a real tribute to its designer. It is seen here at Audley End station, which features a canopy, footbridge and signal gantry.

"BRUCE" is a very large American style locomotive, in complete contrast to the LNER atlantic. It is seen departing from Audley End, with "Barbara Curwen" in the background on the loop leading back into the station. Later "BRUCE" is seen heading a train through the woodland.

The other American style locomotive in operation was "Lord Braybrooke", a rebuild of an earlier David Curwen locomotive. It is seen departing Audley End, and later returning round the loop on its final approach to the station. This also shows one of the sets of roofed articulated coaches.

The line is very family orientated with hundreds of teddy bears and other stuffed toys lining the route, including this woodland 'halt'. The train also crosses a substatial brick built bridge over the river Cam. During the Gala day this is where the outward and return trains passed.

Another three steam locomotives were on-shed, along with the two resident diesels. This fine scale LNWR locomotive (another David Curwen creation) was displayed outside the shed during the afternoon.

A final view of the line through the rear carriage window, showing one of the tunnels. A second tunnel is just visible in the distance. Tunnel warning signs appear in BOTH directions as trains have traditionally run both ways around the line.

There is another, smaller, railway on the site. Ths is operated by the Saffron Walden & District Society of Model Engineers. This 5" gauge tank locomotive was busy giving rides throughout the afternoon.