North Coast Railway

The North Coast Railway (NCR) was a railway that operated along the northern and western regions of Hadren, between Debrent, Abercerig, Rothery and Caleg. It's former mainline now runs as the Abercerig branch line.

History
The NCR opened on the 22nd of April 1873, between the rural town of Debrent and the fishing port of Abercerig, connecting to the Manfeld & Donning Railway at Debrent ,and though them, the mainland via the FR and LNWR at Whitehaven. The line was operated by the railway's only engine, No.1 "Von Stazzel", named for Baron von Stazzel, the Prussian baron who helped build and open the railway.

In the late 1890's, a goods line was built by the railway between Abercerig and the industrial town of Rothery, connecting with the Rothery Industries Railway and the West Hadren Industrial Railway. The line had to be built along the fairly steep gradient between the two towns, which meant engines from the other railways would often have to help double head trains going up to Rothery. Shortly after this extension was completed in 1897, the railway's director, Sir Robert Shepington, retired, with his son, Gordon Shepington, replacing him. In 1899, a new goods engine, No.2, was built for the NCR by the Hanel Locomotive and Wagon Works, in order to take on the increasing freight work.

In 1909, the NCR, RIR and the Caleg Harbour Tramway bought out the WHIR and divided it's assets between them. Most of the West Hadren's track, as well as an assortment of rolling stock was acquired by the NCR, extending the main line all the way to the port of Caleg. The subsequent increase in traffic led to the railway purchasing an 0-6-0T from Hanel, becoming the railway's No.3 when he arrived in 1913.

As a part of Great Britain, many men from Hadren left to fight in World War 1, which led to a decrease in passenger on the railway. Maintenance standards also suffered, due to many of the engineers at Hanel signing up. A naval harbour had been built in early 1914, and the NCR were contracted to supply fuel and munition trains to it. In late 1915, worn-down couplings in a coal train heading to the naval harbour snapped along the incline between Abercerig and Rothery, resulting in it rolling down the mainline. No.2 intercepted the runaway just past Rachtir, and was able to slow the wagons to a halt. No.2 subsequently received the name "Excelsior" in commemoration of his act of bravery.

In the aftermath of the First World War, much like Britain's other railways, the NCR was run down, and in need of money. In early 1919, it merged with the Manfeld and Donning Railway, becoming the Hadren Railway.

Locomotives
The NCR had three engines, which all later passed onto the HR.


 * No.1 "Von Stazzel" (retired)
 * No.2 "Excelsior" (retired)
 * No.3

Directors

 * Sir Robert Sheppington (1873-1897)
 * Gordon Sheppington (1897-1919)