Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Nottingham_Transport_Heritage_Centre".

Coordinates: 52°53′5.00″N 1°8′55.00″W / 52.8847222, -1.1486111 The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre is a museum of local transport history based at Ruddington in Nottinghamshire. It houses a collection of steam and diesel locomotives, and is currently the northern terminus of the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) heritage line. A nine-mile section of standard gauge track runs south from Ruddington, towards Loughborough. The NTHC also houses a classic Road Transport collection, and is home to the Nottingham Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. The Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre is open every Sunday and bank holiday from Easter Sunday to late October.

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Contents

Railway collection

The railway operates on every open day and every second Sunday of every month the train runs the full nine miles of the line, other times it runs 5 miles to Rushcliffe Halt station.

Locomotives

RSH Ugly class 0-6-0ST No. 56 with the newly overhauled boiler back on
1954 Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns (Ugly Class) 0-6-0ST No. 63 "Corby" in steam
D7629, 56097, 47292, 20154, Churchill and 47765 outside the running shed
  • Operational Steam Locomotives

none at present

  • Steam Locomotives undergoing overhaul, restoration or repair
  • Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST No. 54 "Julia". (Undergoing restoration)
  • RSH (Ugly Class) 0-6-0ST No. 56 "Ruddington". (Undergoing overhaul)
  • Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No. 1762 "Dolobran". (Undergoing restoration)
  • Steam Locomotives stored or on static display
  • RSH (Ugly Class) 0-6-0ST No. 63 "Corby". (Awaiting boiler overhaul)
  • Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No. 2009 "Rhyl". (Awaiting restoration)
  • Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No. 2015 "Arthur". (Awaiting restoration)
  • S160 2-8-0 No. 1631. (Stored in pieces in Ruddington yard awaiting major restoration)
  • Main line diesel locomotives undergoing restoration
  • Class 37 Co-Co No. 37340 (37009). (Undergoing restoration)
  • Class 47 Co-Co No. 47765. (Stored pending resumption of restoration)


  • Operational diesel shunters
The most used shunter on the line is 13180 which has been constant use at the centre since 1997
51138 from the three car 116/117 DMU set
  • Class 08 0-6-0 No. 13180.
  • Ruston LSSH 0-6-0 275 hp diesel hydraulic No. 423 "Churchill" (ex-MoD)
  • Ruston 165 DE 0-4-0 No. D2959 "Staythorpe" (Industrial shunter, fictitious BR number).
  • Ruston 88DS 4w "Marblaegis".
  • Simplex 4wd No. 2028 "Morris".
  • Diesel Shunters undergoing light work or repair
  • Diesel shunters undergoing overhaul, restoration
  • Ruston 4w No. 371971 "Qwag". (Undergoing restoration)
  • Class 08 0-6-0 No. 08220. (Undergoing restoration)
  • Operational Diesel Multiple Units
  • BR Class 116 hybrid unit 51138+51151 (currently running as a 2 car unit - Class 117 centre car on shed undergoing repairs).
  • Diesel Multiple Units undergoing overhaul, restoration or light work
  • BR 117 centre car 59501 (On shed undergoing repairs)
  • Diesel Multiple Units awaiting restoration
  • BR Class 108 unit 53645+53926. (Stored awaiting restoration)

Carriages

16190 is in a partially painted state and has been in use in NTHC passenger trains for over a decade
Mk1 Laboratry Coach (will be Buffet Car) 34249 undergoing restoration
Mk2 RFO 1215 provides food and drink facilities in GatEx rake 488310
GatEx rake 488310 in action departing Rushcliffe Halt
Gatwick Express Trailer Unit GLV 9108 at Rushcliffe Halt
  • BR Mk1 Carriages
  • Mk1 CK (Composite Corridor) 16168 in lined maroon livery. (Undergoing a repaint in No.1 shed)
  • Mk1 CK (Composite Corridor) 16190 in lined maroon livery. (Operational)
  • MK1 34249 BSK (Brake Corridor Second) later Laboratory Coach departmental 975046. (Operational but needs a repaint)
  • Mk1 TSO 4207 in lined maroon livery. (Undergoing overhaul in No.1 shed)
  • Mk1 RSO (Restaurant Second Open) 1012 later Cinema Coach 150353. (Stored at Ruddington awaiting restoration)
  • Mk1 BG (Gangwayed Full Brake) Ex-RES "Super BG" 94407. (Undergoing conversion to ETS generator vehicle at Ruddington)
  • Mk1 Support Vehicle 80216. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt in an unrestored condition)
  • Mk1 FK (Corridor First) 13125. (Spares donor)
  • Mk1 BSK (Brake Corridor Second) 34500 Laboratry trailer unit Departmental 975076. (Stored at Ruddington awaiting restoration)
  • BR Mk2 Carriages
  • Mk2 BSO (Brake Standard Open) 9389 in lined maroon livery. (Operational)
  • Mk2Built as FO (Open First) 3377 later converted to RBF (Restaurant First Buffet) 1215 in Anglia Railways Livery (due to be repainted into BR Blue/Grey prior to the 2009 season. Operational, used with GatEx rake 488310
  • Mk2 TSOH 72619 (Part of the GatEx Rake 488310, operational)
  • Mk2 TSOL 72709 (Part of the GatEx Rake 488310, operational)
  • Mk2 TSOH 72618 (Part of the GatEx Rake 488310, operational)
  • Mk2 BFK 17055 in lined maroon livery. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting overhaul)
  • Mk2 TSOH 72611 (Part of GatEx Rake 488304, Operational)
  • Mk2 TSOL 72703 (Part of GatEx Rake 488304, Operational)
  • Mk2 TSOH 72606 (Part of GatEx Rake 488304, Operational)
  • BR Mk3 Carriages
  • Mk3 SLEP Sleeper Coach 10602. (Converted for use as a support coach and workshop)
  • Six Wheelers
  • MSLR 6 wheeler 946. (Undergoing restoration in No.1 shed.)
  • MSLR 6 wheeler 373. (Stored in Ruddington yard in a derelict condition)
  • Barnum Carriages
  • GCR Barnum dining coach 664. (Stored in locomotive running shed pending commencement of restoration.)
  • GCR Barnum brake coach 695. (Stored in locomotive running shed pending commencement of restoration.)
  • GCR Barnum Dining coach 666. (Stored outside, unrestored.)
  • GCR Barnum bar coach 228. (Stored in No.1 shed. Not currently under restoration.)
  • Other carriages
  • GCR Clerestory brake coach 1663. (Detached coach body stored in loco running shed on a flat wagon. Future frames in yard. Awaiting resumption of restoration.)
  • GCR Suburban brake coach 555. (Stored in Ruddington Yard, unrestored.)
  • GCR Suburban composite coach 799. (Stored in Ruddington yard, unrestored.)
  • LMS Period 1 CK (Corridor Composite) 9229. (Stored at Ruddington in derelict condition.)
  • Adtranz Concept Coach 35249. Used as a stationary refreshment coach adjacent to the temporary platform.
  • Trailer Units
  • GLV (Gatwick luggage Van)(Used in conjunction with the GatEX Rake 488310, operational)
  • Utility Vans
  • BR Mk1 GUV (General Utility Van) 86565. (Stores vehicle)
  • BR Mk1 GUV (General Utility Van) 86129. (Stores vehicle)
  • Passenger Rated Vans
  • GWR 1025 'Siphon G' bogie gangwayed Milk Van W1025W. (Stored at Ruddington out of service)
  • BR Four Wheel CCT (Covered Carriage Truck) 94393. (Stored at Ruddington unrestored)
  • LMS Four Wheel CCT (Covered Carriage Truck) 37255. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt unrestored, body badly rotted, underframe to be used for Victorian Carriage)

Wagons

952282 looking immaculate
91395 looking fantastic after painting work
Iron Ore Wagon 691576 stored at Rushcliffe Halt
Open Wagon 411453 and Tank Wagon 40352
BR Lowmac 230964
Conflat Wagons 700471, the AF container and 506889 at Ruddington
81353 (left) and 91602 stand together at Ruddington
  • Brake Vans
  • LNER 20 ton Brake Van 287664 built in 1947. (Operational, painted BR Grey)
  • GWR 20 ton Toad Brake Van 68500 built in 1947. (Undergoing overhaul, painted GWR Grey)
  • LMS 20 ton Brake Van 357488 built in 1926. (Awaiting repair, painted BR Bauxite with LMS lettering)
  • BR 20 ton Brake Van 952282 built in 1954. (Operational, painted BR Bauxite)
  • LMS 20 ton Brake Van 730459 built in 1938. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, painted BR Bauxite)
  • LMS 20 ton Brake Van 357771 built in 1927. (Awaiting resumption of overhaul, undercover in No. 5 building)
  • BR 20 ton Brake Van 954353 built in 1958. (Out of service, painted BR Bauxite)
  • Encolsed Vans
  • LMS 12 ton Box Van 91395 built in 1933. (Operational, painted BR Bauxite)
  • BR Palvan 779761 built in 1958. (Stored out of use, painted army green)
  • BR Widefit 784455 built in 1962. (Out of service, needs a repaint, painted BR Bauxite)
  • BR 29 ton VAA 200631 built in 1976. (Stored at Ruddington awaiting restoration)
  • BR Palvan 782690 built in 1961. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, painted army green)
  • BR Widefit 783447 built in 1962. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, painted army green)
  • BR Palvan 778771 built in 1959. (Under repair, painted BR Bauxite)
  • LMS 12-ton Box Van 500348 built in 29134. (Operational, but needs repairs, painted BR Bauxite)
  • BR Palvan 776155 built in 1957. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, painted army green)
  • BR Palvan 782111 built in 1960. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, painted army green)
  • BR Widefit 783257 built in 1962. (Stored at Ruddington out of service, used as a store by the Simplex Association, painted army green)
  • VBA sliding door box van 999900. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration)
  • Railfreight Pressed Steel Box Van B786902. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration)
  • Railfreight Pressed Steel Box Van 201055. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration)
  • LMS 12 ton Box Van 515627 built in 1941. (Stored awaiting restoration)
  • BR Ferry Van 786902 built in 1962. (Non-Operational)
  • Iron Ore Wagons
  • LMS 20 ton Iron Ore Wagon 691576 built in 1938. (Out of use, painted BR Grey)
  • LMS 20 ton Iron Ore Wagon 691793 built in 1938. (sold to the Rutland Railway Museum, painted BR Grey)
  • Ballast Wagons
  • BR Dogfish Ballast Hopper Wagon 993039 built in 1959. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Dogfish Ballast Hopper Wagon 983586 built in 1960. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Dogfish Ballast Hopper Wagon 993597 built in 1959. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Dogfish Ballast Hopper Wagon 993230 built in 1957. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Grampus Ballast and Sleeper Wagon 991323 built in 1958. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Grampus Ballast and Sleeper Wagon 991584 built in 1958. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Grampus Ballast and Sleeper Wagon 991577 built in 1958. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • BR Grampus Ballast and Sleeper Wagon 991831 built in 1958. (Operational, painted BR Black
  • BR Shark Ballast Plough 993874 built in 1959. (Operational, painted BR Black)
  • Tank Wagons
  • Chas Roberts N.C.B. Tank Wagon 40352 built 1950s. (Operational but needs a repaint, paitned BR Black)
  • Chas Roberts N.C.B. Tank Wagon 40357 built 1950s. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration, pained BR Black)
  • Shell BP Class A Tanker 5209 built in 1964. (Awaiting repair, pained BR Grey)
  • Chas Roberts Tank Wagon 40355 built 1950s. (Stored at Ruscliffe Halt awaiting restoration, painted BR Black)
  • Open Wagons
  • LMS 12-ton Open Wagon 411453 built in 1937. (Operational, pained BR Bauxite)
  • LNER 12-ton pipe Wagon 301568. (Out of use, painted BR Grey)
  • LMS tube Wagon 492136 built in 1938. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration)
  • LMS 20 ton Tube Wagon 336550 built in 1933. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt awaiting restoration, painted BR Grey)
  • LNER 20 ton pipe Wagon Wagon 301597. (Stored at Rushcliffe Halt)
  • LMS 22 ton Steel Plate Wagon 060911 1947. (Awaiting restoration)
  • CEGB 20 ton Coal Wagon 23053. (Awaiting repair)
  • LMS 12 ton Open Wagon 401732 built in 1934. (Operational, painted BR Bauxite)
  • Flat Wagons
  • LMS 50 ton Warwell 721218 built in 1949. (Operational, painted Brown)
  • BR Weltrol 900936 built in 1960. (Operational)
  • LNER 22 ton Lowmac Wagon 230964 (Operational)
  • WD Warflat 260140. (Stored undercover in No. 5 shed, requires restoration, used to carry the body of 1663 until its underframe is ready)
  • BR Bogie Bolster 943545 built in 1953. (Operational, pained Brown)
  • BR Bogie Rail Sturgeon A 994271 built in 1956. (Operational)
  • BR Bogie Rail Sturgeon A 994770 built in 1953. (Operational)
  • BR Wetrol 900937 built in 1960. (Operational)
  • BR 13-ton Conflat A 506889. (Partly restored, awaiting resumption of restoration)
  • BR 11-ton Conflat A 700471. (Awaiting completion of restoration, painted BR Bauxite, carries an unrestored AF container which is painted faded British Railways white)
  • Rail Cranes
  • Taylor Hubbard 8.5-tonne Diesel Rail Pway Crane 81353. (Operational, painted yellow with warning stripes and railfreight logo)
  • LNER Cowans Sheldon 45-tonne Steam Rail Crane 941602 (9017). (Stored at Ruddington awaiting overhaul)

If you wish to help out with carriage and wagon maintenance then contact the make contact with the GCRN engineering director.

CUV 218C, ORC 545P, ARC 666T and GSU 841 on display
(from left to right) 866 HAL, OTV 161, JVO 230, FBC 56T, D544 REM and PFN 865 inside the road transport depot
CUV 218C by the front entrance to the NTHC
PFN 865 and GSU 841 on display together

Road transport collection

  • Operational vehicles
  • Leyland Atlantean Nottingham City Transport ARC 666T "Andrew Pickering" built in 1978 (numerous experimental features made this vehicle unique amongst NCT's Atlanteans)
  • Leyland Atlantean open-top ex Northern General and Trent ORC 545P built in 1976. (Was also registered MPT 299P and YRC 194 before receiving its present registration)
  • Routemaster RCL London Transport CUV 218C built in 1965. (The first RCL Routemaster to be built)
  • Trent Buses AEC Militant 'wrecker' GSU 841 "Gus" built in 1952. (Name Gus not carried, later had its body replaced from a Bristol ECW)
  • East Kent Road Car Company AEC Regent V/Park Royal Tow Truck PFN 865 built in 1958. (Converted from a double-decker bus)
  • Ford Capri Mk 3 C444 KVH.
  • Ford Capri Mk 3 D544 REM built in 1986.
  • Vehicles undergoing light work

none at present

Vehicles undergoing overhaul or restoration

Also on site is a Plaxton Panorama coach which is being used for spares for 866 HAL's restoration and a South Notts Lorry whose engine and gearbox will be used for DJF 349's restoration off site. A Nottingham Tram body is also in the collection.

Arson attack

On the morning of 21 February 2007, firefighters were called to tackle a serious fire that had taken hold among a row of tightly-parked buses from the collection. The vehicles were parked outside the main building, and it is suspected that the fire was the result of an arson attack.12

The fire was brought under control, before it could spread to the main museum building, but not before several of the vehicles had suffered severe damage. In total, five buses were destroyed and two others damaged.

The vehicles affected were as follows:1

Total loss:
Damaged but restorable:
Slightly Damaged (inside building):
  • ARC 666T - 1978 Leyland Atlantean – Nottingham City Transport 666 (now repaired)
Two locomotives pulling passenger trains on the miniature railway

Miniature railway

The Centre is home to a miniature railway which works on the operating days, the line is a mile long and has two running lines, both going through different tunnels. They usually have a Miniature Railway Gala and a Miniature Traction Engine rally during the year.

Model railway

The Centre also has three model railway layouts in a portacabin next to the Miniature Railway, two of the layouts are 00 gauge and the other is 0 gauge. One 00 gauge layout is a Thomas the Tank Engine one and the other is a model of the old Ruddington Station. The 0 gauge is a model of a station with a goods and locomotive shed with a Church, woodworking centre and a factory. There is usually a Model Railway Gala each year.

Visitor centre

A fairly recent attraction is a Visitor Centre in the car park. It is made from a porta cabin and inside it has two televisions to play rail and road vehicle DVDs for the enthusiast. There are also displays about the Centre's railway locomotives and vehicles in the Road Transport collection, history of freight trains and locomotives and historic bus operators in Nottingham. There are plans to shortly put up displays on the ex Ruddington depot.

Museum

The museum is situated next to the NSMEE workshops. The museum has a Ferguson F20 Tractor, Fordson Model N Standard Tractor and some models of barn engines, stationary engines and a saw bench that can be worked by the Fordson Tractor. The Ferguson Tractor is a runner but the Fordson Tractor needs radiator repairs and has got a flat tyre.

The museum is currently closed to the public.

D375 ASG and R649 JFE on display in between duties
Vehicles inside No. 3 building. Vehicles shown in this photo (from left to right) are 1410, C178 AWW, VUT 493X and A130 BRB. MAN 833 and the Fordson Major Tractor are just visible at the back
C178 AWW using its Cherry Picker to help carry out some repairs on No. 3 building

Permenant Way vehicles

The centre is also home to a number of vehicles that are used for permenant way duties around the centre and are also useful to keep the centre in order so they are a vital part of the centre. A list with the status of the vehicles are shown below. These vehicles below are kept in No. 3 building.

  • Land Rover series 1 MAN 833. (Awaiting repairs)
  • Land Rover series 2 DOM 120V. (Under repair)
  • Land Rover Defender D375 ASG. (Operational)
  • Land Rover 110 Balfour Beatty Road Railer R649 JFE. (Operational)
  • Land Rover Defender C178 AWW. (Operational, fitted with a cherry picker on the back)
  • Leyland Constructor A130 BRB. (Operational, fitted with a crane)
  • David Brown Tractor 1410. (Out of operation, fitted with a fence post driver)
  • Fordson Major Tractor (Out of operation)
  • DAF Tractor unit VUT 493X (Out of operation)

The Railway Route

  • Nottingham Riverside

There are talks of extending the line beyond Ruddington via Wilford up to a new train station next to the River Trent on the (southern outskirts of Nottingham) called Nottingham Riverside where rail enthusiasts would get of & get a view of the River Trent, and it hopes eventually to interchange with the Nottingham Tramway as soon as the old GCR Trent Bridge is rebuilt above the River Trent & the Nottingham Tramway extended across so that Nottingham Trams can cross over & reach the proposed Nottingham Riverside.

  • Wilford
  • Ruddington

Ruddington is the main station on the line, and the home of the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre. It features a Road Transport Building, locomotive sheds, signal box, miniature and model railways, cafe, visitor centre, toilets and car park. The country park borders the Heritage Centre. A lengthy new platform is being built to the original style at Ruddington to replace the much shorter temporary platform currently used.

  • Asher Lane Crossing

For a short time this was the end of the line. The old style crossing is on a farm road used by the public. It is a short walk from the country park to the crossing, where it is possible to see trains passing and the crossing keeper at work. A carriage shed may be built here in the future. There is no station at Asher Lane.

  • Fifty Steps Bridge

This is the end of the spur from the Heritage Centre, and here trains reverse for the onward journey to Loughborough. Passenger trains ran to this point in 1995. Surprisingly enough, the bridge itself originally had "Fifty Steps" but subsequent modifictions have increased that number. There is no station here at present, although it is possible that a platform might be constructed in the future. The old Ruddington station is further down the line and there are plans to purchase the station and extend there.

  • Gotham Moor
The fantastic view on Gotham Moor

Trains pass through breathtaking countryside, teeming with wildlife. There are wonderful views across Gotham Moor. There were once sidings there and its hoped one day that the sidings would be reinstated

  • Rushcliffe Halt
Rushcliffe Halt Station

This is the only other station on the line currently available for passenger use. On many operating days soutbound trains terminate here before heading back to Ruddington. Station development is ongoing. Some rolling stock is stored in the adjacent sidings. The overhead road bridge gives a good view of the station area and sidings. Just next to the station is the British Gypsum works. On weekdays, trainloads of gypsum are delivered to the works and unloaded on the concrete pad visible from the station platforms. In recent years these trains have been operated by EWS with a mixture of Class 60 and Class 66 traction, and latterly by GBRf Class 66s.

  • East Leake Halt
The disused East Leake station

A disused station about 1 mile from Rushcliffe Halt. The development of land around the station since closure presents an obstacle to re-opening it for passenger use.

  • Barnstone Tunnel

Barnstone Tunnel is the only tunnel on line. It was built by the Victorian Navvies and was dug out by hand.

  • Stanford and Barnstone

between Barnstone Tunnel and Stanford Viaduct is plenty of space for what shall one day eventually consider a train station for which passengers could use to get of & look at the wonderful scenes below Stanford Viaduct

  • Stanford Viaduct
Stanford Viaduct

The line travels over the River Soar, providing a view of the river below. The viaduct is completely original and NTHC passenger trains first travelled across it in 2000. The viaduct was built in 1895.

  • Loughborough Midland High Level

This is the end of the line, just after passing the FKI/Brush works. GCRN services terminate at a Stop Board close to a road. Beyond that is the connection to Network Rail and the Midland Main Line. There are plans for a station to be built here. The sheds of the Great Central Railway at Loughborough are just visible, across the Midland Mainline. There are plans to reinstate a bridge across the Midland Mainline to join up the Heritage Great Central Railway at Loughborough in the future as soon as the loco shed (currently in the way) is dismantled, removed & relocated

Upcoming Events

See the main website for details.

References

  1. ^ a b "Five buses totally destroyed in fire". (News report). Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre (21 February 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  2. ^ "Buses destroyed in museum blaze". BBC News (21 February 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-05.

External links

Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Rushcliffe Halt   British Railways
Great Central Main Line		   Ruddington
  Heritage Railways  Heritage railways  
Rushcliffe Halt   Great Central Railway   Ruddington
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