The Radwell Manor Railway was a gauge miniature railway situated in the village of Radwell, near Felmersham, in North Bedfordshire, England. It was built by Mr. H. W. Franklin, who was closely associated with the Bassett-Lowke company of Northampton, and whose products were often tested on its 0.75 mi of track. The privately run railway opened in 1920, and ceased operating with the onset of the Second World War, around 1939. However, much of the railway remained intact until at least the early 1960s because it was seen in approximately 1960-1962 by a young railway enthusiast who was exploring the area.

Layout

According to Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke, the RMR had a length of "all but 0.75 mi, and among its attractions are an up-to-date station, a tunnel, viaducts, embankments and cuttings ... and several over-bridges, together with a complete system of signalling." The main viaduct was 65 ft long, with four 16 ft spans, and the embankment supporting it was 7 ft high The trackwork consisted of 13+1/2 lb/yd flat-bottom rail in 16 ft lengths, supported on steel sleepers. Other features included sidings, engine and carriage sheds, a water tower and a turntable.

Steam locomotives

Loadstone

An adaptation of a Raven design of three-cylinder Atlantic, as ran on the North Eastern Railway. It had 2.625 x cylinders, 11.5 in driving wheels, a working pressure of 100 lb/in2, an overall length (engine and tender) of 11 ft, and a working weight of 15 long cwt. It could achieve a speed of 25 mph.

Highland Mary

A 4-4-0 design. She had cylinders of 2.875 x, driving wheels of 12.5 in, a working pressure of 120 lb/in2, and an overall length (engine and tender) of 8 ft.

Sources