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LOWESWATER
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Loweswater is my current project. The intention is to build an OO gauge terminus layout based on BR practice in the transition period of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Regular progress reports below.
History
The railways of West Cumberland were based on the iron ore fields of the area supplemented by other mineral deposits including limestone and coal. These supplied local iron works in Workington and across Britain including Scotland and Ireland.
In 1866 the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway (WCER) developed its line from Rowrah joining the Cockermouth and Workington line at Marron Junction. Although this was primarily a goods line for the Rowrah ore field, the line was also opened for passengers. In May 1866 a station was opened at the small village of Ullock. At its peak in the 1870’s and 80’s huge rail movements could be seen through this isolated area. A single mine at Parkside produced 150,000 tons of ore in 1874. By WW1 the ore was beginning to be worked out and the line was less heavily used when the LMS took over at grouping in 1923. The line closed in 1954 (officially in 1960). Today much of the line can be seen and walked on in places although few visitors can imagine the industrial heyday of what is today a quiet rural backwater.
Branch Line to Loweswater
Whilst many railways in the Lake District were built initially for mineral traffic the tourist potential was also recognised. Branches to Coniston, Lakeside and Windermere being early examples. Our imaginary line was developed for similar reasons. In this case to exploit the tourist potential of the beautiful north-west lakes including Loweswater, Crummock Water and Buttermere. The line runs from the line just south of Ullock, with a station at the village of Mockerkin, terminating at a site east of Loweswater. It would no doubt have been opposed as vigorously as similar lines were by local luminaries including Ruskin and Wordsworth!
The line by the 1950’s has a modest passenger service, although substantial enough to sustain the line at Ullock, thus avoiding the actual 1954 closure. Early DMUs provide a regular service to Workington supplemented by specials including the famous Lakes Express which no longer terminates at Workington. In addition to pick up goods, small iron and limestone deposits are dispatched from nearby sidings on the lakeside. The last ore mine in West Cumberland was at Beckermet which closed in 1980. The NATO armaments depot at Broughton Moor supplies shells and other military equipment to a small gunnery range north of the lake which is serviced by other sidings. Wordsworth really would be turning in his grave!
This will provide the opportunity to run a varied range of services with locomotives which actually worked in the area during this period. Steam services including Ivat 2-6-0 4MT’s and Black Fives supplemented by early diesels including what would become Classes 25, 31, and 40’s.
The Area Today
If you want to visit one of the quieter areas of the Lake District I can recommend the Kirkstile Inn in Loweswater. An excellent base for walking the lakes and fells and imaging what might have been if the railway reached the shores of Loweswater.
Progress Report (January 2007)
The layout is now complete, or as complete as any layout ever is!
A couple of photies below show key sections and the overall view.
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