Archive Call – Derwent Valley Light Railway

The late Jonathan Stockwell was the archivist for the DVLR for many years and had an interest in the DVLR for many more years before that. It is due to Jonathan’s enthusiasm and dedication to the DVLR that he accrued a considerable archive of pictures, documents and stories relating to the DVLR and is co-author of the book, ‘Rails Along the Derwent’.

Every new addition to that collection has told us a little bit more about the fascinating history of this unique railway. Much of what we hold has come from private individuals, to whom we are extremely grateful.

Have you any pictures, video, documentation or information which might help in further expanding our archives? If you have or believe you can help please contact us at info@dvlr.org.uk and help us contiue Jonathan’s legacy.

Recent Additions

Layerthorpe Station Sign

The sign from the Layerthorpe Station.The former Layerthorpe Station sign was auctioned at Newark Railway Station and offered to DVLR by a former DVLR Society member for the price he paid. No need to think twice about that one. Jonathan D. Stockwell, archivist and the Society are very grateful to the former Society member, John Briggs for the transaction. The sign will be displayed in the proposed new archive room once the new shed is fully completed. Photograph by courtesy of Jonathan.

DVLR Branding Iron

A DVLR branding iron for adding the DVLR brand to wooden cases. Finding the branding iron, with DVLR brand, must have been a "can't believe our own eyes," Eureka moment, for Glynnis and Tony Frith at an auction site in Newark.

Glynnis recounts: "Tony & I went to a railwayana auction at Thirsk on 18th March (2017). While we were there we were told of another auction the following week at Newark showground. I decided to have a look what was up for sale. When I was looking through the lots I came across something exciting, an artefact from the DVLR, a branding iron which we believe was to brand things like packing cases with the DVLR name, date unknown. I contacted the trustees & Jonathan, the railways archivist, to ask if they wished Tony & I to bid for the branding iron on behalf of the DVLR, it was decided to have go to bring this back to Murton.

On 25th March Tony & I drove to Newark hoping to succeed in buying the branding iron. Our lot number was 53. We were a little worried because most lots before ours were selling for lots of money so we thought we would not have the money to buy it. Lot 53 came up. The opening bid started at £40.00. Tony held up his bidders number. We had another person bidding for it. Tony kept his hand up but the price kept going ever higher; it was a very tense time as the price went up. Then, the other bidder dropped out. Lo & behold, we won the lot on our maximum we were going to pay; it was a lovely feeling as Tony whispered, "we won." I texted Jonathan straight away to let him know the outcome. He was pleased."

May 2017:

Note this amazing turn-up for the books.

Joanna Williamson got in touch by Facebook after her husband, Nicolas received a note writton on this paper, to him as secretary of his allotment committee from a committee member.

Is is though there a good number of documant left on the pad and that the holder will be willing to submit the pad to the DVLR archivist.

Clearly, Kerosene Supplies (York) Ltd. was a business with an office at the DVLR goods yard. When many people used papaffin (kerosene) burning heaters for heating or back-up heating or for their greenhouses, this was an important hydrocarbon fuel. Aladin was once a well known brand, selling "Aladdin Pink" paraffin. Rental income from the letting out of properties to businesses like this was a welcome part of the DVLR's income stream.

DVLR Key Hammer

Another DVLR Artifact has returned to the DVLR Society, reported to DVLRS membership by Jonathan D Stockwell, DVLR archivist, on 11 July 2017, as follows:

This time a DVLR rail key hammer courtesy of Mr Anthony Reading. (see attached image - the handle has the inscription DVLR)

Interestingly Anthony is the grandson of Mr Sydney Reading, who was the DVLR General Manager from 1926 to his retirement in 1963. Mr Reading left a railway that was very different from the one he had inherited. In addition he saw the railway through the difficult War years and his love for the line was also clear in the history that he wrote of the railway - "Derwent Valley Railway" first published by The Oakwood Press in 1967. The above publication was the inspiration for a more comprehensive history - "Rails Along the Derwent" published in 2013.

In addition to the key hammer some very interesting paper work relating to the Oakwood Press publication, sadly some of which was not published at the time, was also left with the Society. The key hammer makes another interesting addition to the Archives, along with the DVLR Branding Iron which was kindly secured at Auction by Tony and Glynnis Frith. The Branding Iron is at present in the ownership of myself.

Jonathan D Stockwell DVLR Society Archivis

DVLR Platelayers’ Trolley

Thanks go to Mr. D B Slater, of York, who donated an original DVLR platelayers’ trolley to DVLR Society and to Nick Beilby who helped secure the transaction. Time had seen the wooden frame decay and die but the metal parts were there so restoration could be undertaken; a task which has been completed by Allan Briggs.

Allan said on Facebook. “It was mid December 2016 during the Santa Specials that Dave Wilde, long time member and former Chairman of the Derwent Valley Light Railway Society (DVLRS), approached me to ask if I would take on the restoration of an original Derwent Valley Light Railway (DVLR) pump cart or platelayers trolley.The photo shows all that was left of the original wood!”

The pictures here are by Allan Briggs and shown what Allan was given to work with alongside the finished result. Click below for the build video.