Which Network Rail branches would make viable heritage lines?

[2192]

Arn't there too many heritage lines already? Some are just rusting heaps of junk with few volunteers. Wouldn't it be better to have fewer, each with more volunteers, or does everyone want to be the Fat Controller?

 

[Paul Jones 88]

Hastings to Ashford, it has Hastings diesels based in St Lenderds and surely a Southern Railway steam locomotive and bullied coaching stock could be sourced.

 

[Falcon1200]

Wouldn't it be better to have fewer, each with more volunteers, or does everyone want to be the Fat Controller?

Logically yes, but people with an attachment to a particular line or station may not want to transfer their allegiance somewhere else (or perhaps as you say lose influence and power in another organisation).

 

[Calthrop]

I don't recall the Greenford branch being particularly bucolic or breathtaking.

It is a great study on innersuburban decay, but otherwise an utter dump, one of the nastiest lines I have ever had the displeasure to ride on.

Not being 100% frivolous-and-facetious: might there be any possibility of popularising and selling the experience of a ride -- with vintage traction / stock, of course -- on such a line; capitalising on the very grottiness / ugliness / nastiness of it and its environs, making a point of being thereby contrary / cutting-edge / socially aware, etc.? The utter polar-opposite different-ness from pretty well every other heritage railway in the country; might, paradoxically, attract a goodly number of visitors. (Various imaginable ancillary attractions come to mind.)

 

[stuu]

It is a great study on innersuburban decay, but otherwise an utter dump, one of the nastiest lines I have ever had the displeasure to ride on.

Are you thinking of the right place? The Greenford branch goes through fairly ordinary outer suburbs, with 1930's semis and a golf course. The West Ealing end is more inner-suburban, but even that isn't anything that gritty

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Are you thinking of the right place? The Greenford branch goes through fairly ordinary outer suburbs, with 1930's semis and a golf course. The West Ealing end is more inner-suburban, but even that isn't anything that gritty

That was my reaction too.

 

[mike57]

Might not the solution be something more like the Northern steam hauled service a few years ago to promote the Settle - Carlisle. Not a full blown heritage operation, but a way of promoting and getting more passengers onto otherwise lightly used lines. Seeing as this is a speculative thread, I am going to assume TOCs have effectively been abolished because I dont think the idea could be made to work with the current set up. GBR are running the trains. One could then imagine some heritage trains moving around the country and putting in regular appearances on suitable branch lines, maybe for a week at a time. Replacing the normal rolling stock on some diagrams, or maybe running as extras, before moving on to the next branch. The big attraction of the Northern event was it gave the possiblity to experience steam haulage at regular fares. No doubt there would be problems, but given a will I am sure they could be resolved. Try and find a suitable branch lines in each area, and go for a range of heritage stock, steam, diesel, even electric on branches that can support it. It will get people thinking and talking about the railways, and perhaps encourage greater use.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The nearest line to me that would be suitable already had that treatment, namely the Clayton West branch closed in 1983 and reopened as narrow-gauge.

There are a few other closed lines in the area where a similar approach could work, though you'd be flooding the market a bit.

The Conwy Valley could work that way- amalgamation into the Ffestiniog would allow the problem tunnel to be reinforced with a narrower structure gauge.

 

[6Gman]

The nearest line to me that would be suitable already had that treatment, namely the Clayton West branch closed in 1983 and reopened as narrow-gauge.

There are a few other closed lines in the area where a similar approach could work, though you'd be flooding the market a bit.

The Conwy Valley could work that way- amalgamation into the Ffestiniog would allow the problem tunnel to be reinforced with a narrower structure gauge.

Not sure I'd fancy 2 miles 15 chains in a tunnel behind a steam engine doing 15-20mph very appealing . . .

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Not sure I'd fancy 2 miles 15 chains in a tunnel behind a steam engine doing 15-20mph very appealing . . .

Easy... just string up some catenary and fit a few of the steam locos with pantographs and kettle bits like the Swiss did during WW2!

(Not a serious suggestion, in case that wasn't obvious)

 

[xotGD]

No it wasn't. It was a free railway and if you exclude enthusiasts it wasn't that busy even though the journey didn't cost anything. Heritage railways aren't free, in fact they are often considerably more expensive per mile than the real railway.

I was thinking more of the traction and rolling stock, rather than the fare structure.

 

[Sm5]

Caterham, Tattenham Corner and Epsom Downs lines.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Caterham, Tattenham Corner and Epsom Downs lines.

Seriously? Surely these lines are far too busy, as they operate at least half hourly, all day, seven days a week.

See in particular @yorksrob's comments upthread (in post #30).