The Southwold Railway is running several projects at the moment. Each Project has its own page with lots of details and you can follow progress on each Project in the Blog.
Project “BLYTH”
We have constructed a replica of No.3 BLYTH – the only one of the three original 2-4-0T locos that was in service throughout the whole 50 years of the railway’s operation. BLYTH will provide motive power for our Heritage Train Project to re-create a complete mixed train such as those running on the line from Opening Day in 1879. Fundraising however continues to cover the ongoing maintenance costs.
Heritage Train Project
The SR was still using almost all its 1879 stock at closure in 1929 – an astonishing survival. Trains were almost always mixed, so, to complete the historically authentic picture, we are building a complete heritage mixed train such as those that ran on the line; the only time this has been attempted, we believe, in any narrow gauge!
Wenhaston Station Project
In May 2013 the Southwold Railway Trust purchased 31 acres of land at Wenhaston which included 22 chains of practically untouched, original trackbed. We are maintaining this land while we consider future possibilities.
Trackbed Fund
At the 2015 AGM members voted in favour of creating a separate project within the Trust to build up funds that will ultimately enable us to purchase affordable property or land that contains part of the former trackbed, or is close nearby. We are currently researching land registry deeds along the route.
Southwold Steamworks
Development of the site of the old Southwold Gasworks in Blyth Road, adjacent to the former railway line, is now well progressed. This will be a long term evolution expanding to meet the needs of our growing rolling stock collection.
Scaldwell
The Trust is very pleased to announce that we have become the owners of a remarkably-complete three-foot-gauge steam locomotive. “Scaldwell” had been part of the Amberley Museum for many years, but no longer fits into their collection (as their onsite railway is two-foot-gauge). Her cab has had a temporary floor laid so that visitors can climb the stairs to get the feel of what a large narrow gauge locomotive was to work on.