Amberley Museum is about to take visitors on a ride through history and innovation during its annual Rail Gala Weekend, scheduled for the 22nd and 23rd of July.
This unique event will showcase Amberley's outstanding collection of railway artefacts, from steam and diesel passenger trains to a stunning model railway exhibition.
Amberley Museum, located in West Sussex, is renowned for its Industrial Railway Collection—one of the most comprehensive in the UK. Its lineage traces back to the Brockham collection and acquisitions by the Narrow Gauge Railway Society in the 1950s and 1960s, predating even the inception of Amberley Museum.
Among the prized possessions of the Brockham collection are two 2ft gauge steam locomotives, Peter and Polar Bear. While Polar Bear currently awaits comprehensive mechanical and boiler overhaul after being taken out of service in October 2022, Peter, a magnificently restored 105-year-old locomotive, is set to steal the show at the Gala weekend.
Interestingly, the museum's initial vision was to demonstrate typical industrial narrow gauge trains on a modest scale. The inaugural locomotive was a Motor Rail Hibberd, donated by Southern Water and previously deployed at the City of Chichester Sewage Works at Apuldram.
A significant turning point came in 1982 when Thakeham Tiles, a local company, decided to replace its narrow-gauge railway with a conveyor belt system. They donated their entire railway – track, wagons, and locomotives – to the museum. Several of these items are still in use today, including Thakeham Tiles No.4, a Hudson Hunslet that underwent a back-end rebuild to fit into a low-height building.
The Thakeham Tiles No.3, another Hudson Hunslet from Trevor Quarry Co in North Wales, received similar cab modifications after its acquisition by Thakeham Tiles. These pivotal donations greatly expanded Amberley's collection and led to the proposal and construction of a passenger-carrying line, a notable shift in the museum's original intent.
In 1982, Amberley's collection grew even more significant when the Brockham Museum Trust relocated their industrial and narrow-gauge items to Amberley, unable to further their development. This brought a new variety of locomotives, rolling stock, and related articles, amplifying Amberley's collection to one of the most significant in the UK.
The Rail Gala Weekend promises visitors a lively experience filled with roaring locomotives, engaging exhibitions, and myriad other attractions the museum offers—from the Southdown Bus collection to historic craftworkers and tranquil nature trails to a working print shop. Tickets can be booked in advance at www.amberleymuseum.co.uk.
