Photo showing the 'ghost rail- by Toby Kirkby of the Pioneer Centre.
"And what about the ghost train on the frosted playground" Paul Starling
The Midlands Daily Telegraph 23rd May1940 reported that Wyre farm Camp had "water from the Birmingham supply and modern sanitation"
The Mystery of the "Ghost Rail" at Wyre Farm Camp School
Visitors to Wyre Farm Camp School (Pioneer Centre) during frosty mornings may notice an unusual phenomenon on the playground—lines resembling railway tracks appear faintly, outlined in frost. This curious sight has sparked considerable speculation among former pupils, users and historians alike. While there is no evidence of a permanent railway line through the school grounds, the most likely explanation connects this "ghost rail" to the construction of the Elan Valley water pipeline, a monumental engineering project that began in the late 19th century.
The Elan Valley Aqueduct
The Elan Valley Aqueduct was built to transport water from reservoirs in Wales to Birmingham, covering over 70 miles and completed in 1904. The pipeline's route passes directly through the Wyre Farm Camp School grounds, as confirmed by historical maps and local accounts. During its construction, temporary narrow-gauge railways were commonly used to transport materials and workers. It is likely that one such railway was laid across the site to facilitate the construction of the aqueduct and possibly to build infrastructure for the school’s water supply system.
Evidence of the "Ghost Rail"
Several observations and historical details support this theory:
Alignment with the Pipeline: The frost lines on the playground closely follow the documented route of the Elan Valley pipeline through the school grounds. Former pupils recall hearing that the visible lines represent the path of the pipeline, which continues toward Birmingham.
Temporary Railway Use: Temporary railways were standard practice during large-scale construction projects like the Elan Valley Aqueduct. These railways were used to transport thousands of tonnes of building materials and equipment daily. After the project’s completion, the tracks would have been removed, but the compacted soil or residual materials could still influence frost formation.
Thermal Properties: The pipeline itself or remnants of buried sleepers from the railway may retain heat differently from the surrounding ground, leading to frost melting more quickly along these lines. This phenomenon creates the "ghost rail" effect visible during frosts.
Local Infrastructure: A chamber with valves located in a nearby field (Skellerns Field) and tanks near the school’s boiler house suggest that the pipeline provided water to the camp. These facilities may also have required railway access during their construction.
Dispelling Other Theories - While some have speculated that the frost lines might be connected to the Ditton Priors or Catherton Colliery railway lines, these were located miles away from the school. There is no evidence to suggest any permanent railway infrastructure ever existed on the school site beyond the temporary tracks used for pipeline construction.
Conclusion
The "ghost rail" of Wyre Farm Camp School is a fascinating remnant of history, likely tied to the construction of the Elan Valley Aqueduct. Though the tracks themselves have long since disappeared, their legacy lingers, etched faintly into the frosty mornings of the playground. This connection to one of the 20th century's great engineering projects adds another layer to the rich history of Wyre Farm Camp School, linking it to the vital lifeline that brought water to Birmingham and beyond.
This is from a map that shows the route of the Elan Valley pipes as they pass through Wyre Farm Camp School. Tony Booton, longstanding groundsman at the camp says the map is an approximation and that the pipes passed under the playground.
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Elan Valley Water Pipes passing by River Rea Cleobury |
The above photo shows the water tanks behind the dining room at Wyre Farm Camp School
THE ELAN VALLEY RESERVOIR
Every day, 320 million liters of water travels 73 miles (117 km) from Wales to Birmingham, thanks to the Elan Valley Aqueduct. Built in response to 19th-century cholera and typhoid outbreaks in the rapidly growing city, it was an ambitious solution for clean water.
In 1873, under Mayor Joseph Chamberlain, Birmingham's waterworks were nationalized, and surveyors identified Wales' Elan Valley—with its high rainfall and elevation—as the ideal source. Construction began in 1893, involving 5,000 workers, a new railway, and the creation of reservoirs by damming the Elan and Claerwen rivers. Completed after 12 years, the aqueduct transports water entirely by gravity, dropping 52 meters over its length, making pumping unnecessary. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-37472263
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I think it's all connected to Harvey the white rabbit!
ReplyDeleteThe ghost of the white rabbit called Harvey. I had forgotten about that. The school even had it's very own coffin kept in a store room at the end of the art blockThe ghost railway appeared every heavy frost.
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