The BSLR

The Backford and Stanton Light Railway (BSLR) is an '0' gauge garden railway, built to finescale standards using Peco track. The track gauge is 32mm and the scale of the models is 7mm to 1ft. The minimum radius curve is 6ft. and the steepest gradient is 1 in 50.

The line represents what was originally a Colonel Stephens' light railway in the Cheshire/ Welsh borders area, which has now been taken over by a preservation society. The track and signaling has been progressively upgraded in recent years to allow the use of heavier locomotives, and longer and more frequent trains, to cope with the flourishing traffic carrying tourists and enthusiasts. The preservation society has also secured a couple of regular commercial freight contracts for carrying milk from the dairy at Hollitry to Bunbury and packages of small brass castings from Fletcher's works at Backford. Demonstration freight and pigeon trains are also run.

The line is home to a wide variety of locos ranging from small tank locos to a B12 4-6-0, a rebuilt Royal Scot 4-6-0, an S & D 2-8-0 and a Hymek B-B diesel. There is also a wide variety of coaching stock including ex-LNER and ex-LMS vehicles as well as BR ones. There are also some more vintage items of rolling stock.

Planning of the first section of the line started during the winter of 1987/88, and construction from Backford to Stanton started in March 1988. The first test train ran on 28th June 1988, and the line opened for freight traffic a week later on 5th July. Passenger services commenced on 21st February 1989, the delay being caused by the need to construct coaching stock and complete the station facilities at both Backford and Stanton. The line was extended from Stanton to Hollitry on 21st May 1989 and then on to the present terminus at Bunbury on 20th August 1989. December 1989 saw the first of the Christmas specials, which have now become so popular. The numbers have grown to about 75 visitors spread over three evenings, but the tradition for bad weather has continued unchanged, although 1997 was the only time the snow plough has been used in anger at Christmas.

To cope with the traffic, more signalling was installed throughout the line between 1993 and 1996, and a new engine shed was constructed at Bunbury in 1993. Corridor expresses with restaurant facilities were introduced on the line in 1994. A carriage siding was added at Backford in 1995, and further sidings were laid at Backford, Elkstone Mill and Bunbury in 1997. A loco shed was built at Stanton in September 1997. Hollitry was completely re-built and re-modelled, and the sidings at Backford extended in 2001. Stanton was completely rebuilt with a new track plan in the summer of 2003. In 2004 a bay platform was added at Backford and the loco shed there re-sited and enlarged. In 2005 the viaduct at Elkstone was rebuilt to ease the curves and to allow the mill pond to be enlarged.

Backford

This is the original terminus of the line opened in 1988. The station has a typical Col. Stephen's building based on Kent & East Sussex prototypes - note the full interior detail, including the toilets. There are also an engine shed and carriage sidings -located outside the station. R. W. Fletcher's Non-Ferrous Castings factory provides a regular source of parcels traffic.

Stanton was originally the other terminus of the line, but is now a busy through station and junction for the short branch to Annscroft. There is a small loco depot, which houses the branch railmotor. The goods siding also serves a small timber yard. The working preserved water mill at Elkstone is a tourist attraction and is served by its own halt. Preserved grain wagons can be seen in the sidings.

Hollitry is at the top of the gradient from Bunbury, and is a busy station with milk traffic to and from the dairy and tourists visiting the nearby ancient monument of Pen-y-Castell. There is also a camping coach here with full interior detail. The line from Bunbury is double tracked, but beyond Hollitry the rest of the line to Backford is single track.

Bunbury

Bunbury is the main terminus of the line. There is a gasworks museum, similar to the one at Fakenham in Norfolk, and the canal is popular with tourists. Look out for all the detail in the shops, houses and gardens, and along the canal. The main locomotive depot for the line is located just outside Bunbury, alongside the main line, with carriage sidings on the other side of the line. The goods yard is usually full of preserved wagons, and regular shunting demonstrations are held.

Outdoors, the track is laid on roofing felt on top of wooden boards, well treated with preservative. The boards are supported on small pillars made of concrete screen walling end blocks, which are set on concrete foundations. Stanton station is mounted on low walls made of re-cycled materials. The Annscroft branch runs along the top of a concrete block wall which retains the earth behind. The current Elkstone viaduct is made of wood, replacing the original concrete one in 2005. The sections of the line under cover are on conventional baseboards, but made of good quality waterproof plywood, thoroughly painted. The platforms are made of waterproof plywood stained to a suitable colour. Most of the buildings outside are made of plastic, brass or resin painted with acrylic paints. The station at Stanton is a Townstreet stonecast kit. The thatched cottage and windmill near Stanton are heavy concrete, and were intended as garden ornaments. Much of the weathering is natural! The buildings at Bunbury are mainly cardboard kits reinforced with sheet plastic to make them more resistant to the damp conditions. Interior detail and lighting has been added to many of these buildings.

The railway is designed to operate all the year round. The trains run on about 18V DC current provided by transformers in the shed. A 12V DC transformer provides power for points' signals, and scenic lighting. Hand-held H & M controllers are used with rugged metal cases. The outdoor control panels are housed in weather-proof boxes.

Enfield Town Model Railway Club