IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Highland Lea, TELFORD, TF4 3UA

A mixture of old and new in this view, taken from alongside the loco shed. Old adverts of long ago, an old light (or maybe a replica), CCTV cameras on the top of the grey post, and the track for the narrow gauge steam tram.

The 0-4-0 steam tram, built in 1977, has a vertical boilered stream engine, part of which came from a much earlier one built by H Guy & Co. Ltd., for a Victorian launch. It has a single cylinder and chain drive to both axles. It is seen here about to leave the area by the loco shed, to return back to the starting point near the entrance. Image

This Ruston diesel loco was being worked on in the loco shed, when photographed. Ruston Hornsby used to be a major manufacturer of standard and narrow gauge railway locomotives, but following takeovers and mergers, that side of the business was dropped, and today the company no longer exists. However its Lincoln works, owned by Siemens, today manufactures gas turbines. Image

The steam tram and coach, at the Telford Steam Railway, run on a 2 foot narrow gauge track. This follows a short horseshoe shaped route, part of which runs near to the lake known as Horsehay Pool. In this view, the tram and coach have arrived at the area near the loco shed, where they pause very briefly before returning, coach first, to the starting point near the entrance. The main railway is standard gauge, and is on the other side of Pool Side. The tram was built by Alan Keef Ltd about 1977 for the Telford Development Corporation, and the coach, which is contemporary, was presumably built by Alan Keef Ltd too. The tram and coach originally ran in Telford Town Park, but didn’t last very long there. They were moved to their present site in the mid-1980's. Steam trams were at one time a fairly familiar sight, as in the last years of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, they were used in several towns and cities in the UK. Most were eventually replaced by electric trams. The steam tram at the Telford Steam Railway, in one of the very few working examples, and quite possibly the only narrow gauge one in the UK. Some other photos relating to the tramway: - Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

Next to the loco shed, is this small shed for the narrow gauge steam tram, and its carriage. The sign on the wall on the right warns to keep clear, because of limited clearance. Image

The loco shed is on the right, and is connected with the main part of the railway, by a level crossing on Pool Side. The tram shed is on the left, with its 2 foot narrow gauge track running into it. Image Image

This building dates from 1860, and was designed as a goods transhipment shed, which had originally permitted the transfer of goods from the Severn Junction Railway, to the Coalbrook Company's narrow gauge plateway system. For the last 30 years or so, the Telford Steam Railway has used the building as their loco shed. Coming out of the main door can be seen a railway line. This goes across the lane known as Pool Side by a level crossing, to connect with the rest of the Telford Steam Railway. Image Image

This wooden hut is used by the Telford Steam Railway, and is near to the loco shed. The sign on the front lists organisations and companies which have assisted the railway. To read the list, please select the highest resolution option for this image. Just outside the hut, can be seen the back of a very smart looking Wolseley 16/60 car. A picture of the car:- Image

This smart maroon and grey Wolseley 16/60 car, dating from the late 1960's, was parked at Telford Steam Railway. Wolseley originated as an off-shoot of the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Company, which was the first company to produce a mechanical sheep shearing machine in the late 19th century. That company still exists today as Wolseley plc, although today it is a global building materials supplier. The story of the Wolseley car brand was not so happy. After passing through several owners, it ended up as part of the ill-fated British Leyland concern, who discontinued the name late in 1975.

On the other side of the 2 foot narrow gauge tramway is a small picnic area, with picnic tables. Beyond that is Horsehay Pool but, at this time of year, it is mainly hidden from the tramway by the dense vegetation. On the right, is part of a coach, which is used as accommodation by volunteers working on the railway and tramway. Image