| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cadeby |
| Locale | England |
| Dates of operation | 1963–2005 |
| Successor | abandoned |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 2 ft (610 mm) |
| Length | 97 yards (89 m) |
The Cadeby Light Railway was a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge railway in the garden of the rectoryinCadeby, Leicestershire.
In the early 1960s the Reverend Teddy Boston became rector of All Saints' Church, Cadeby. Boston was a lifelong railway enthusiast and wanted to build a miniature railway in his new garden, but the cost proved prohibitive. Instead he searched for a full-sized narrow-gauge locomotive.
In 1962, he purchased Pixie, a W.G. Bagnall 0-4-0ST from the Cranford quarry. The quarry owners donated a short length of track and two wagons and the Cadeby Light Railway was opened.[1]
Over the years, Boston built an extensive collection of ex-industrial narrow-gauge rolling stock, which ran on the extremely short line in his garden. He also maintained an extensive OO gauge model railway at Cadeby.[2]
Although Boston died in 1986, his widow, Audrey kept the railway open for nearly twenty years, holding regular open days.
The railway finally closed in May 2005.[3] The majority of the collection has been amalgamated with the Moseley Railway Trust at the Apedale Community Country Park.[4] As of 2014, Pixie was undergoing restoration.
In 1982, Boston's collection consisted of:[5]
| Name | Wheel Arrangement | Manufacturer | Works Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret | 0-4-0ST | Hunslet Engine Co. | 605 of 1894 |
| No.2 | 0-4-0WT | Orenstein & Koppel | 7529 of 1914 |
| Pixie | 0-4-0ST | W.G. Bagnall | 2090 of 1919 |
| 87004 | 4wDM | Motor Rail | 2197 of 1922 |
| 0-4-0PM | Baguley | 1695 of 1928 | |
| 4wDM | Motor Rail | 4572 of 1929 | |
| 4wDM | Hudswell Clarke | D558 of 1930 | |
| 1 | 4wDM | Motor Rail | 5609 of 1931 |
| New Star | 4wPM | Lister | 4088 of 1931 |
| 24 | 4wDM | Motor Rail | 5853 of 1934 |
| 4wDM | Ruston & Hornsby | 179870 of 1936 | |
| 42 | 4wDM | Motor Rail | 7710 of 1939 |
| 20 | 4wDM | Motor Rail | 8748 of 1942 |
52°37′03″N 1°22′21″W / 52.617545°N 1.372508°W / 52.617545; -1.372508
