Telford Steam Railway operates over a portion of the Wellington and Severn Junction railway (W&SJR). The line to Lightmoor and beyond to Buildwas was constructed by the Wenlock, Craven Arms and Lightmoor Extension railway. Both of these became a part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway. For most of its working life the line was operated by the Great Western Railway and subsequently the Western Region of British Railways. Passenger services between Buildwas and Wellington ended on 23 July 1962, pre-dating the publication of the 'Beeching Report' in March 1963. Our railway operates between three stations of the former W&SJR.
Horsehay & Dawley platform sits on a north-south through line, beneath Bridge Road. 150 yards to the west, Spring Village platform is at the end of a short spur off the running line. Beyond Spring Village platform is the former goods transhipment shed, built in 1860, which had originally permitted the transfer of goods from the W&SJR to the Coalbrookdale Company's narrow gauge plateway system. The building now serves as the railway's engine shed. At the north end of the line, Lawley Village station is located south of the site of the original station. That site is now occupied by a commercial development.
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The railway's regular passenger timetable consists of a departure from Spring Village north to Lawley Village and then back along the line to stop at Horsehay & Dawley. The train then repeats this journey in reverse, for a round trip taking 50 minutes.
In addition to the standard gauge running line, the railway also operates a short 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge line adjacent to Horsehay Pool. The Phoenix Model Engineering Society operates a 5" miniature railway on the Spring Village site, as well as the Railway's Shop and Ticket Office in Spring Village Station. A large model railway and the Furnaces' Tearoom are situated at Horsehay & Dawley Station.
In addition to the standard gauge running line, the railway also operates a short 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge line adjacent to Horsehay Pool. The Phoenix Model Engineering Society operates a 5" miniature railway on the Spring Village site, as well as the Railway's Shop and Ticket Office in Spring Village Station. A large model railway and the Furnaces' Tearoom are situated at Horsehay & Dawley Station.
EXPANSION PLANS
The Railway's "Steaming to Ironbridge" Campaign would see steam trains regularly returning to the Ironbridge Gorge for the first time since 1966, with a network of nearly 17kms of track, running steam trains from the new development of Lawley Village, with its close connections to the M54, it would run through to the world heritage site of Coalbrookdale to Buildwas on the banks of the River Severn and have a connection to network rail via Lightmoor and Madeley Jct.
