The Mill Railway
c1913 map showing the L& NWR line connecting to the Mill
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A view of the 'Croxley' Peckett loco on the Mill site
Locomotives were introduced to Croxley Mill at the outset, as a means of conveying heavy goods around the site as it expanded. The diesel loco was replaced by an engine that contained a firebox using coal but due to the risk from sparks as it entered the buildings it was replaced by a fireless engine.
In 1898 a connecting rail link to the nearby L&NWR Watford to Church Street Rickmansworth was established. This line from Watford to Rickmansworth was locally referred to as the Ebury Line after Lord Ebury, resident of Moor Park mansion. Many years after its closure it was reopened in the 1990’s as a cycle and pedestrian way called The Ebury Way.
The mill rail connection now enabled the movement of finished goods and freight traffic at a faster rate to their destinations as well as bringing in raw materials.
In 1899 a M4 type loco No 770 named ‘Croxley Mills’, built by Peckett and Sons of Bristol, operated at the Mill. It is said to have been scrapped in 1937 but is thought to be awaiting restoration at the Amberley Museum, Sussex.
In 1898 a connecting rail link to the nearby L&NWR Watford to Church Street Rickmansworth was established. This line from Watford to Rickmansworth was locally referred to as the Ebury Line after Lord Ebury, resident of Moor Park mansion. Many years after its closure it was reopened in the 1990’s as a cycle and pedestrian way called The Ebury Way.
The mill rail connection now enabled the movement of finished goods and freight traffic at a faster rate to their destinations as well as bringing in raw materials.
In 1899 a M4 type loco No 770 named ‘Croxley Mills’, built by Peckett and Sons of Bristol, operated at the Mill. It is said to have been scrapped in 1937 but is thought to be awaiting restoration at the Amberley Museum, Sussex.
770-Peckett locomotive
The fireless type of loco had a storage tank to hold large amounts of water into which pressurised steam was injected and absorbed into the water. This was gradually released making it possible for the engine to work for long periods. Steam hydrants were located around the site where ‘top ups’ could easily be made.
Working for long periods under this method they were quiet and fumeless.
Interestingly, the majority of these engines were called ‘Croxley’. Eventually, both the canal and rail transport became less popular and the railway ceased around 1969 when road transport was used.
Source: Apsley Paper Trail
The Paper Mill, Frogmore, Apsley, Hertfordshire.
Working for long periods under this method they were quiet and fumeless.
Interestingly, the majority of these engines were called ‘Croxley’. Eventually, both the canal and rail transport became less popular and the railway ceased around 1969 when road transport was used.
Source: Apsley Paper Trail
The Paper Mill, Frogmore, Apsley, Hertfordshire.
AB 1434 of 1916 'H.M. Factory No.3', Queensferry Munitions Factory; later 'Croxley', Croxley Green Paper Mills; scrapped 1962
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Colourised version of the phoyo on the left
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Thanks to the support from Croxley Green Parish Council, the nameplate from the steamless Croxley locomotove was secured in early 2024 and is on display at the Parish Offices. The Barclay standard gauge 0-4-0 fireless locomotive AB1434 of 1916 was produced for the Queensbury Munitions Factory before moving to Dickinson's Mill in Croxley before being sadly scrapped in 1962.
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Charles Richardson driver of 'Croxley' Andrew Barclay No 2
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(© Crown Copyright) Pre 1930's trains are visible moving goods
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Special railway vans being loaded under cover in the Mill
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© Loco and van and truck leaving the inside of the Mill
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Each mill had its own numbered wagons
Goods Wagon leaving the Watford - Rickmansworth line into JD Croxley mill
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A fleet of vans at the mill. Railway lines are still visibile
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(© Mark Dufton) Rail line to the mill 26th December 1977
