Cleobury / Ditton Priors Railway

In my time, the local Cleobury railway system had been dismantled on the say so of  Beeching c 1960 and rumours of a 'ghost train' circulated among us pupils! This was known as the Cleobury Flyer. However Michael Billings who was at the school earlier, in the 50's enlightened us about the real Cleobury Flyer and the local railways, which were still in business in his day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleobury_Mortimer_and_Ditton_Priors_Light_Railway

Michael Billings "The third photo is of MOD Rushton & Hornsby Diesel loco pictured at Cleobury Town Station on 25th March 1965 less than two months before the line was totally closed. The station house is still there and modernised as a bungalow."


"The railway line is still traceable from the Glen past Cleobury Town station to the Neen Savage road and in the fields beyond that towards Ditton Priors. Where the railway is next to the Glen it is overgrown by trees so i wonder if the embankment is hidden in the trees or did they plough all of it out."

2144 at Burwarton Station

Michael Billings "Photo is of MOD Rushton & Hornsby Diesel loco pictured at Cleobury Town Station on 25th March 1965 less than two months before the line was totally closed. The station house is still there and modernised as a bungalow."

                                                        MOD Rushton & Hornsby Loco at Cleobury Town Station 26th March 1965

Site of Burwarton Station

http://britishrailwaybooks.co.uk/photo/ukphotos/cleobury.html

http://www.transportdiversions.com/publicationshow.asp?pubid=1152

Michael Billings The Cleobury to Tenbury line was south of Mawley Oak and was approx 4 miles from Cleobury Mortimer itself. 

Paul Starling half way down the hill to the village was a railway crossing with some sheds. 4 of us got into the shed (the door was off) and found a railway push me pull me. (a 4 wheel carriage which you had to push down on the seesaw type handle on the top. we had a great time going up and down the track. hard work though.

Michael Billings This shed by the railway crossing was the former Cleobury Town shed which had one track and could accommodated one engine but was mostly used by the maintenance crew for the line. The truck with the see saw handle would have been there means of getting to where they were working.

Michael Billings First part of the video is Dowlairs Bridge, Bewdley and the Wyre Forest Line. Gates are Cleobury Town crossing and the Industrial Estate by Cleobury Town Shed.


Michael Billings The video of the plane is "Take off from Milson Airfield to Cleobury Mortimer" and shows clearly as it exits Cleobury the Glen, follow the line of trees, and the Ditton Priors line curving away from the Glen. A super shot of Cleobury Town Station Industrial Estate and the Ditton line curving over the fields.

" Toastie davies, wow, happy days,? or were they ???? why was he so remembered he put a live shell under the line, where the Cleobury flyer was due to pass. none of you would remember that train! would you ??"


Michael Billings Wofferton Junction was where the Bewdley to Tenbury Wells joined the main line between Shrewsbury and Ludlow.


Michael Billings The bridge with the two holes i can only assume is the river bridge between Lion Lane, Cleobury Mortimer and Neen Sollars. I never went there myself so i'm only speculating


Michael Billings Photo of the 2 bridges spanning the Cleobury to Bewdley road at Cleobury Mortimer Station. The nearest bridge carried the Ditton Priors branch to Cleobury Town , Burwarton & Ditton Priors. Both have now been demolished.


Michael Billings At the entrance to Cleobury Mortimer Station "The Blount Arms". On my previous post about the railway bridges you can just see the pub under the second bridge.


Rosemary Webb Rehill Terrific, Michael! I remember the day that bridge was blown up! VERY exciting stuff!!

Wofferton Station

Wyre Forest Station - early 60's

Former Cleobury Station

Cleobury station now