Brynton & Snaed Light Railway

Plan & Description of the BSLR

Mainline - The main line is a continuous running loop of 33m - best described as kidney shaped – from which there are two branch lines. The loop is mainly at ground level and incorporates a reversing line 6m long to enable trains from the sidings to be turned to run anticlockwise, which is the predominant direction of travel. There are two stations with passing loops, two tunnels, two viaducts and a bridge. The minimum radius curve is 2'6''.

Quarry Branch - The quarry branch is approx. 10m long, has a rising gradient of approx. 1 in 50 and runs via a bridge to a gypsum quarry. The quarry incorporates a loading line and a shed road with a small siding.

Wharf Branch - The wharf branch is also approx. 10m long with a rising gradient of approx. 1 in 50. This line splits; one line runs up the incline to a temporary steaming-up area. It is planned to extend this line to a bigger and more permanent steaming-up area. A second line (the wharf line) runs down to the wharf where gypsum is loaded into barges. A traverser at the end of the wharf enables the loco to run round via an adjacent line.

Loco Shed - Access to the loco shed is via a spur off the wharf line. This line runs to a turntable which provides access to three shed roads and a siding.

Points - The two points giving access to the branch lines and all seven points in both station areas are pneumatically operated from a central control panel using the EZ Air system. All other points are manually or train operated.

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