The Thomas Horn Beam Engine
This wonderful example of Victorian engineering has been restored at Bredgar and has been erected in a way which resembles the original installation, insofar as this is possible. The pumps are about three metres below ground level, as they were originally and the engine drives the pumps through a mechanism which can be closely observed. The steam is supplied from a modern boiler in an adjacent building.
Ennstalbahn- A Wonderland In G Scale
This is a G Scale Model Railway which attracts the interest of all ages. It has been constructed with LGB track track and runs a selection of LGB locomotives and rolling stock.
As all railway modelers know a model railway hardly ever gets finished, scenery can take forever and there is always some little item that can be added. Construction of the scenic framework and track-bed commenced at the end of August 2001 and the layout went into operation in its basic form at the first public open day of the following year. All went well, and the trains all preformed as expected. There were very few disasters, just a couple of derailments due to excited little fingers and one young lad who decided to wash his hands is the river. All in all it was well received and has become a worthy attraction.
After making the basic railway operational we carried out a continual program of improvements, with the addition of buildings, a mountain section with cable car and hot air balloon. A large extension was added during the winter period 2005/6 allowing for additions of a rack railway, tramway, a funicular and wood yard. Look out for many novel features. See how many you can find. Talk to our friendly operators and find out if you spotted them all.
Fellow railway modelers are welcome to spend a while chatting to our modelers who will be only too pleased to tell you all about the on going construction of this fantastic model.
Brouhot 6nhp portable
Little is known of the working history of the engine, which was built in France in 1927 with works number 5215. The plate also carries the legend Anciens Establissments A Vierzon that could indicate that the engine is a Brouhot & Cie design; SFV Societe Francaise Vierzon could actually have made it.
The portable was brought to England by Donovan Eastwood around 1968 having laying in a sand pit and was used to drive a stone crusher. About ten years, later the boiler inspector allowed them to steam at low pressure. With tubes fitted, he did 
not know what to make of the stayless crown and firebox which was completely foreign at that time.
It was seen at the Eastwood premises, Grovehurst Farm at Horsmonden, where it housed in a for many years.
The collection moved in the early 1980’s to the former Guinness establishment at Quarry Farm Bodium, East Sussex, where it was lagged, painted and a new set of lagging sheets made locally fitted. It was purchased at auction on October 14″ 1995 by a private collector in Maidstone where it remained undercover for 20 years in working order, but never steamed.
In 2014, Bill Best took opportunity to add the Brouhot to the Bredgar collection. The motion had completely seized solid. the belly tank had rusted through, but the boiler and tubes where in good condition.
In 2023 the boiler inspector restricted the maximum pressure as it was suspected that the tubes and crown were not capable of handling its standard pressure and detailed inspection was not possible at that time. After running every event day in 2024 it was withdrawn from service and stripped for a full detailed inspection. The tubes were found to require replacement but the rest of the boiler is in good condition. During the winter of 2024/5 work on re-tubing is expected to take place. One problem found is that the tubes are of a non standard size so engineering solutions are being considered.
Marshal Portable
This 8nph portable engine was built in 1912 – works number 57121. Purchased new by Williamson Balfour Valparaiso, Santiago Concepcion Valdivia, Chile. They were believed to be the sole agents in South America. We think is was sold to and worked on a ranch in Argentina. It was found in a scrap yard in Argentina along with many others and imported back to the UK in around 2015. It was donated to BWLR in 2019. It requires a lot of work and which is being undertaken as time allows.
Dutch Street Organ
The Railway’s 56-key Dutch street organ.
The Victorian Yard Crane
This is a fine example of a 1890’s manual yard crane, originally built to work on standard gauge track. At some point in its life it was converted to road use with metal tyres on its flanged wheels and one axle made into a steerable bogie. It was found in a sad state at Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes where it had been lying amongst the brambles having been saved from the scrapman 35 years earlier. It came to BWLR in March 2001 and completely restored, the metal tyres were removed and it has been regauged to 2 foot. All work was completed for our May 2001 Open Day.
Twin Furnace Boiler Front
The front plate for a twin furnace coal fired boiler used at a water pumping station in Ramsgate, Kent. As can be seen from the casting around one of the firebox doors it was made in 1889 by W.& J. GALLOWAY & SONS of MANCHESTER, – boiler No. 7419.
The Pooley Weighbridge
This item was donated to the BWLR by Jewson Ltd., Maidstone. This firm have taken over a building that was once part of the Tilling Stevens complex in St. Peter Street, Maidstone, Kent and their yard backs unto the Barracks Railway Station. Pooley weighbridges were an everyday sight at Railway stations the length and breadth of the UK and at first it was thought that this weighbridge came from the Barracks Station but some investigation reveals that it was probably used in the Old Tilling Stevens’ building. The large plate being fitted in the floor of the building at the entrance, the scale was found in a corner close by this entrance.
Swiss Station Bell
This genuine Swiss Station Bell which was kindly donated to the Railway has been installed next to Warren Wood Station. Such station bells were common all over Switzerland’s rail network, on the national, the private and even the narrow gauge lines. They were gradually replaced by simpler and smaller all electric units. The bells were an audible announcement for approaching trains which triggered an electric contact in the rail track. The forthcoming arrival from the different approach directions was indicated to the railway’s staff (and the knowing clientele) by a designated bell, each with an individual ringtone. One tone, two tone and even three tone bells were used. The clock work mechanism is driven by a counter weight within the tubular stand of the bell. It has to be wound up manually by a crank handle (usually once a day). A solenoid within the bell triggers the mechanically programmed ringing sequence.
The Water Flow Meter Clock
This Water Flow Meter Clock came to the BWLR with the Thomas Horne beam engine from Henwood Pumping Station at Ashford in Kent and it was considered to be unserviceable. It was made by George Kent of Luton [Patentees: Clemens Herschel & Builders Iron Foundry USA].