Industrial Narrow Gauge Railways

Auchencorth Moss
William Sinclair Horticultural Ltd
Near Leadburn

Gauge : 2ft gauge
Status : Ceased by 2011

(click on photos to enlarge)

Auchencorth Moss

This 2ft gauge railway had only relatively recently been laid at Auchencorth Moss. Locos were regularly exchanged between this site, Springfield, and Whim Moss. Up to 3 locos could be working the moss at one time. The railway was due to be ceased by October/November 2011 in favour of a conveyor system.


Date: September 1995	Date: September 1995	Date: September 1995
in 1995, the Ruston LBT loco built in 1960 is seen backing the short train of wagons onto the tippler for emptying.	Typical industrial detail on the Ruston, the old tin as a sand box, the additional platform on the side of the frame allowing the driver to stand, the makeshift exhaust tied togther to keep it in place, and the engine cover originating from a Klasmann machine.	The track to the working area was on a membrane laid directly ontop of the peat and heather. It is clear from the state of the track it has only been down for a short time. In good weather the surrounding hills created an impressive backdrop to this remote location.


Date: September 1995	Date: May 2007	Date: May 2007
Once at the loading area a hydraulic grab loaded the wagons with the block peat.	The trackwork was typical industrial quality with a rubber belt and chain securing the point lever.	A train just starts off from the tippler with the loco pushing the wagons until it gets onto the moss.


Date: May 2007	Date: May 2007	Date: May 2007
T9 (AK28) returns from the moss with a loaded train.	The track stretches out across the barren moorland before turning left into the working area of the moss. Now 12 years after the similar photo above, the track has now bedded in.	The MotorRail T3 is seen over this section of line taking out another empty train for loading.


Date: May 2007	Date: May 2007	Date: May 2007
The Alan Keef loco back at the tippler pushes the loaded wagons onto the tippler 2 wagons at a time.	The 2 wagons are uncoupled and both tipped at the same time.	Another Motor Rail, T6 (MR22253) was parked up at the end of the reversing loop, in use for track maintenance.

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