" The Rail Ale Ramble People - since 1977"

CROOKHAM TRAVEL

11 Attlee Gardens, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 6PH

Telephone: 01252 628647 Fax: 01252 66 56 52

RAIL ALE RAMBLE No. 141

“THE NEW FORESTER”

Saturday 11^th September 2010

Includes:

INCL

Photos: courtesy Hythe Rotary Club

Charity fundraising festival with over 20 real ales, BBQ and music from the Beaulieu Band, set in idyllic surroundings of the at the Royal Oak, Hilltop, near Beaulieu in the Forest’s open heathland.

Photo: Mike Andrew

The Red Shoot Inn & Brewery is located in the heart of the New Forest. The pub takes its name from Red Shoot Wood and has had a varied past. It was previously a petrol station and a private members club; and finally opened its doors as a licensed pub in 1963. In the early 1990’s then owner, Paul Adams decided to start the micro-brewery. Paul was fascinated by the brewing process, began experimenting with a number of recipes. Now owned by Wadworth’s, that tradition has been carried on with Wadworth’s support by John Sherwood, who closely follows Paul’s original  recipes to ensure Tom’s Tipple at 4.8% ABV, Forest Gold at 3.8% ABV and Muddy Boot at 4.2% AVB remain firm favorites in and around the New Forest. Look out for Redshoot seasonal brews as well.

Hythe Pier Railway

Photo: courtesy of http://www.freefoto.com

Hythe Pier stretches 700 yards from the centre of Hythe to the deep water channel of Southampton Water. Construction of the current pier started in 1879 and it was opened in 1881. Probably at the time of the building of the pier, a narrow gauge railway was constructed for use with the transport of goods. The vehicles on this original railway were hand-propelled. In 1922 the railway was reconstructed and electrified, attaining its current form. The track is laid to 2 ft gauge and is electrified at 250V DC by means of a third rail on the seaward side of the track. The line consists of a single track with no passing loops, although there are two non-electrified sidings at the landward end. The line is operated by two four wheel electric locomotives built by Brush during World War I (works numbers 16302 & 16307), These locomotives were built in 1917. As built these locomotives were battery powered, and were used at the wartime mustard gas factory at Avonmouth. The locomotives were transferred to Hythe after the war, where they were converted to collect power from a third rail and had their batteries removed. The two locomotives are currently crudely numbered No1 & No2 on their seaward sides. The line owns four bogie passenger cars, two of which are equipped with a driving cab at their seaward ends. In normal operation, the single train in service is made up of one of the locomotives propelling three passenger cars and a four wheel flat car for baggage. The locomotive is always located at the landward end, whilst the seaward passenger car must be one of those with a driving cab. The line also possesses a four wheel oil tank car, which is used to carry fuel to the Hythe ferries.

Photos: Mike Andrew

Exbury Gardens and Railway

The Gardens are a spectacular 200 acre site - an oasis of tranquility in summer followed by a splendid show as the leaves change in the autumn. Discover Exbury’s hidden beauty and escape the cares of the world as you explore a myriad of pathways. The Exbury Gardens Steam Railway follows a one and a quarter mile circular route on a 12¼” gauge track and is a wonderful evocative way to see the gardens. One of the line’s four industrial type steam locos takes you from Exbury Central Station, through the Summer Lane Garden with a bridge, tunnel, causeway and series of individual themed gardens based on character and texture. The collection of plants reflect the seasons and can only be seen from the train, together with contemporary metal sculptures. Passing out of the Summer Lane Garden, the train travels on through a wooded area, revealing glimpses of the Rock Garden. A steep gradient leads to a curving timber viaduct, with fine views over the Wildlife Ponds. The train then passes a Plant Nursery and a Pumpkin / Exotic Fruit Patch and on to a second lake, before looping around the oldest tree in the Gardens, the Domesday Yew. Exbury North Halt in the American Garden enables visitors to hop off the train and explore this area before returning to Exbury Central. Visitorscan also enjoy the walk-through exhibition "The Dream that Became Steam", opened by Mr Michael Portillo. The exhibition tells the story behind the construction of the Rhododendron Line, and is displayed within Exbury's roomy Engine Shed. The exhibition also features a number of railway posters and items of railway memorabilia.

Ready to book?

This tour continues our aim of introducing an activity not associated with beer, in order to provide an interlude from “frequent” drinking. The beautiful Exbury Gardens (on the estate of Lord Rothschild) are not easy to get to, so why not take this advantage of direct transport to the gate?

Travel will be on South West Trains’ Groupsave 4 tickets by the 0905 from London Waterloo, Clapham Jn 0912 to Brockenhurst arr. 1037. Our coach will make the transfer via Lyndhurst to the Red Shoot Inn and brewery for a visit of approx. 90 minutes. A brewery visit and the usual chat will preface the lunch that will be provided here. The coach will then take you to back via Lyndhurst (most Forest roads meet here) and onto Exbury Gardens to drop off those who require about three hours to properly tour the gardens. If you wish about two hours there (both include a private train ride), you will stay on the coach and go to Hythe for a GBG and/or a ride on the vintage Pier Tramway, which is unique in the UK. We shall leave Exbury at 1725 for the short ride to the Royal Oak Inn and its beer festival. You will have over one hour here before the coach returns to Brockenhurst station for the 1915 train to Woking arr. 2019 and Waterloo due 2049. If you think Exbury and its railway is not for you, we have arranged for the coach to take drinkers to the Royal Oak earlier thus giving you about 3 hours at this festival, set in the pleasant heathland of the Forest with outdoor seating.

The cost of this interesting day out depends on your interests and will be as shown below. Please send the form below together with your cheque please, payable to Crookham Travel, plus a 9x4" stamped addressed envelope, to us at 11 Attlee Gardens, Church Crookham, Fleet, GU52 6PH. Confirmation will be despatched shortly after the closing date of 25^th August. If you wish to pay the modern way, indicate below on the booking form; then an SAE will not be necessary.

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To: CROOKHAM TRAVEL

From: ______________________________________________________________

Tel:____________________

RAIL ALE RAMBLE No.141: SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2010

Please book ___ seat/s on this tour from London ( with longer time at Exbury) at £49.25 each.

Please book ___ seat/s on this tour from London ( with visit to Hythe) at £45.50 each

Please book____ seats on this tour from London (excluding Exbury) at £39.50

Please book me ____place/s from Brockenhurst ( with longer time at Exbury) at £31.25 with my own rail tickets

Please book me ____place/s from Brockenhurst ( with visit to Hythe) at £27.50 with my own rail tickets

I enclose a cheque for £_________, payable to Crookham Travel, plus 9x4" SAE

I will send the money direct to your account (details below) ___ Signed ___________________

Current e-mail address _______________________________@________________________

Santander bank a/c 41587554 sort code 09-06-66 Ref RAR