Peel Godred Branch Line

The Peel Godred Branch Line is a little-known branch line with an aluminium works, hydro-electric power station and electric engines. The Culdee Fell Railway is located along this branch.

History
In the Act of 1853, the Sodor and Mainland Railway gained power to build a line from Cronk, but this never fell through as the railway was becoming increasingly bankrupt. The Mid Sodor Railway was the result of this failed attempt. However, in 1923, the Peel Godred Power Company was granted permission to build a dam and hydro electric power station one mile north from the town. To supply it, a branch built by the newly formed North Western Railway was constructed from Killdane, with the power company paying half of the construction costs. The line's opening immediately caused a decrease in traffic on the Mid Sodor Railway, resulting in its closure. The eventual electric traction was supplied by the power station.

Map
From the junction at Killdane, the line travels north to Abbey, then to the Culdee Fell Railway at Kirk Machan, and finally the town of Peel Godred. The aluminium works are located one mile north to that. In the television series, a line to the Blue Mountain Quarry branches off to the east just north of Abbey.

Engines and operations
The line is unique for being the only line on Sodor to use electric traction. For more information about the engines, see here.

Traffic is mainly freight. There are eight trains a day to Killdane, four of which continue (by steam) to Cronk.

Appearances
Here are the appearances of the branch in the Railway Series.
 * Mountain Engines
 * Henry and the Express
 * Thomas and his Friends (mentioned)

Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel visit the branch in the annual story, Thomas and the Sunday School Outing.

Also, the branch line has made an appearance in the television series, though unelectricfied, mostly in Season 9 with the stations of Peel and Abbey being featured throughout that season.