Peel Godred Branch Line

The Peel Godred Branch Line (sometimes referred to the Old Branch Line) is a branch line with an aluminium works, hydro-electric power station and waste dump. A junction station to the Culdee Fell Railway is located along this branch.

## History

In the Act of 1853, the Sodor and Mainland Railway gained the power to build a line from Cronk, but this never happened and fell through as the railway was becoming increasingly bankrupt. The Mid-Sodor Railway was the result of this failed attempt. However, in 1923, the Peel Godred Power Company was granted permission to build a hydroelectric power station one mile north from the town. To supply it, a branch line built by the newly formed North Western Railway was constructed from Killdane, with the power company paying half of the construction costs.

In 1926, the Sodor Aluminium Company was formed to own and operate the Power Company, and also the Ironworks that was being built at Peel Godred. Beyond the town station and goods yard, the line continues for a mile or so before fanning out into the sidings at the Ironworks. Scrap metal is brought from Crock’s Scrap Yard to here, where it is processed into ingots before being sent to the Mainland via Barrow-in-Furness.

The line's opening created a decrease in traffic on the Mid Sodor Railway, resulting in its closure in 1938. That same year, the company bought Falcon and Stuart from the closed railway to assist in an expansion project at the Aluminium Works. This was completed in 1957, and the two engines, after standing sheeted under tarpaulins for the better part of a year, were sold in 1958 to Mr. Percival for the Skarloey Railway.

## Operations and Route

Traffic is mainly freight. From Killdane, which includes a station yard, access to the yard of Packard Construction and junction to the branch, trains travel to Abbey. Next, trains pass a small junction to Whiff’s Waste Dump, separated from the main part of the branch, then another junction leading back, west of Cronk Abbey.

The line then goes through a wooded area, which usually looks quite spooky at night, before reaching a level crossing. This used to be a road crossing, but nowadays has been replaced by narrow gauge tracks for the Skarloey Railway extension to Ulfstead. Old Bailey’s Station, behind the crossing, now acts as the middle station of the extension.

After Old Bailey’s Station is Kirk Machan Viaduct, which was once blocked by a landslide, just before reaching Kirk Machan, the transfer station to the Culdee Fell Railway. The line then goes under Shiloh Bridge until finally terminating at Peel Godred, where its Power Company is located. The Sodor Ironworks is located behind the station. Just before the station is a junction that goes through Misty Valley and ends entirely at Callan Castle along the loch’s causeway.

## Map

Peel Godred Branch Line (Killdane - Old Bailey’s Station, the yellow line)Peel Godred Branch Line (Old Bailey’s Station - Sodor Ironworks, the yellow line)The Misty Valley Line (Peel Godred - Callan Castle, the yellow line)
## Gallery

KilldaneSodor Construction Company YardAbbey BridgeCronk AbbeyWhiff's Waste DumpOld Stone BridgeSpooky Wooded AreaOld Bailey's StationKirk Machan ViaductKirk MachanPeel GodredSodor Ironworks