Most boring preserved railway?

[Dai Corner]

Popular? We visited in the summer holidays and the trains were lightly loaded. We got the final train back to Minehead and there were more staff than passengers.

I think most passengers park at Bishops Lydeard or maybe get the bus from Taunton to there. You may have been on 'contra-peak' trains

There wont be many short journeys made. Not when there is a decent bus service alongside.

Heritage railways aren't really in competition with local buses though, are they?

 

[DarloRich]

Heritage railways aren't really in competition with local buses though, are they?

Agreed and that is my point. Local users aren't going to make short journeys on the puffer. They are going to get the stagecoach bus.
As a plus I must say I was impressed with how many buses seemed to link with the railway.

I think most passengers park at Bishops Lydeard or maybe get the bus from Taunton to there. You may have been on 'contra-peak' trains

fair enough - I assumed most people would come from Minehead as that station had lots of parking and all the facilities. There weren't many cars at BL mind!

I was quite surprised by how quiet the trains were but the staff ( who were also concerned about how quiet the last train was - the ticket inspectors came for a chat in our compartment!) said the first to and last from Minehead are usually busy.

 

[Dai Corner]

Agreed and that is my point. Local users aren't going to make short journeys on the puffer. They are going to get the stagecoach bus.
As a plus I must say I was impressed with how many buses seemed to link with the railway.

fair enough - I assumed most people would come from Minehead as that station had lots of parking and all the facilities. There weren't many cars at BL mind!

I was quite surprised by how quiet the trains were but the staff ( who were also concerned about how quiet the last train was - the ticket inspectors came for a chat in our compartment!) said the first to and last from Minehead are usually busy.

There is a Butlins at Minehead and a large caravan park at Blue Anchor which might generate some local tourist traffic to places like Watchet, but seemingly not based on your experience.

 

[stuu]

A new one for me: West Somerset Railway. Long. Dull.

As per Basil Fawlty, what were you expecting to see out of the window from a train through West Somerset? It is a bit long, but it does have quite a variety of scenery compared to other routes

 

[DarloRich]

what were you expecting to see out of the window from a train through West Somerset?

Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain …”

I expected a bit more sea view if I am honest.

PS Surely Fawlty would be more interested n the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway being based in south devon

 

[Brush 4]

You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky. (at Blue Anchor and Watchet briefly)

 

[HOOVER29]

I'm glad too. I love the GCR, personally I think it's the best I've been to.

The ELR, I also like that railway too, a great variety of traction and liveries - not all green and maroon for example. The journey from Manchester to Bury to get to it though, that ain't so good.

While the GCR is local to me (25 mins away) I visit it only during the diesel gala’s as I’ve not a jot of interest in steam.
There’s nothing remarkable about the line, apart from one or two gradients it’s flat.
I do like the Swithland section.
I think they could do more at the Leicester end, maybe build a grand terminal & get that museum built!
The jewel on the line has to be bridging the gap & the fact that some of the line is double track.

 

[Falcon1200]

I expected a bit more sea view if I am honest.

I think in that case you'll find the West Coast Main Line even more disappointing than the West Somerset Railway !

 

[trebor79]

While the GCR is local to me (25 mins away) I visit it only during the diesel gala’s as I’ve not a jot of interest in steam.
There’s nothing remarkable about the line, apart from one or two gradients it’s flat.
I do like the Swithland section.
I think they could do more at the Leicester end, maybe build a grand terminal & get that museum built!
The jewel on the line has to be bridging the gap & the fact that some of the line is double track.

It's a shame they didn't manage to get hold of the section into and including Leicester Central. "Leicester North" is a bit of an anticlimax. With the benefit of hindsight you'd perhaps have started with a base at Leicester to as far north as you could afford, and then extend toward Loughborough. Less chance of wholesale demolition of structures and building over trackbed in open countryside than in the city.

 

[DarloRich]

I think they could do more at the Leicester end, maybe build a grand terminal & get that museum built!

It is a bit meh but surely the purpose is to give a presence in Leicester. It isn't, really designed as a starting point for a journey as the access is not great and the parking is poor. It is hemmed in by a graveyard and a golf course and has a gas main or water pipe under the site irc.

 

[Flying Phil]

It's a shame they didn't manage to get hold of the section into and including Leicester Central. "Leicester North" is a bit of an anticlimax. With the benefit of hindsight you'd perhaps have started with a base at Leicester to as far north as you could afford, and then extend toward Loughborough. Less chance of wholesale demolition of structures and building over trackbed in open countryside than in the city.

Whilst it was a shame, the reality, at the time, was there was nowhere near enough money to buy into Leicester Central. Even buying the single track between Loughborough to Rothley (£60,000? or was it £360,000?) was a real struggle to raise. However the intention is still to have a museum complex at L North.
Incidentally I enjoy the view across the countryside to Bradgate park, very relaxing.

 

[SLC001]

Having lived at Mountsorrel I am a GCR fan and watch developments with interest but have not been back for 20 years! So we would love to go back, to see how things have progressed. Very much a personal thing.
We did go to Minehead before Covid and thought about going on the WSR but frankly we weren't sure what we could do at the other end or indeed along the line bearing in mind we had already visited the coast. Also, we have 2 goldies and so again we have to think about them, where could we walk them, get a meal or indeed shop / browse. It looked a fascinating line and if on my own I would have treated myself but preserved railways need to perhaps better promote their line to couples, families or groups. Not a criticism of any particular railway and in fact I actually dislike the word boring as it undermines individual's efforts but as in all things, we can always do better!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I think in that case you'll find the West Coast Main Line even more disappointing than the West Somerset Railway !

Plenty of folk "gongoozling" at Hest Bank today!

 

[SLC001]

If you want to see gongoozlers in numbers, wait for when I mess up in my narrowboat at one of the locks. If you are going to make a dogs dinner of it, it will be when there are plenty of onlookers and a pub nearby.
Another line I must visit is the SVR which I have known for 50 years. Lots to see, a full day's activity and lovely countryside. Not been there for years.
I loved the NYMR but again couldn't easily find something to occupy the wife and keep 2 dogs interested. I am aware too that some people do not like dogs on trains, even well behaved ones and a small minority are quite "passively" hostile towards them. Whitby is lovely, Pickering OK with a good bookshop iirc, Grosmont is fascinating to observe as well as people watch, and pleasant Goathland a good walking base. However, in the end we parked the car, walked over the hills and moors and admired the railway from afar!

 

[AY1975]

What the EKR lacks in scenery, it makes up for in rolling stock. It has a thumper, Epb VEP trailer and various other proper trains.

I think you could say the same about the Midland Railway - Butterley (formerly known as the Midland Railway Centre). It has a fascinating collection of locos and DMUs including a Class 141 Pacer, and a Victorian vintage train that they occasionally run during their vintage trains weekend.

That said, one of the downsides of the MR-B is that it doesn't really take you from anywhere to anywhere, and unlike many other heritage railways you don't simply get on the train at the start of the line and get off at the other end - you get on part way along the line and go firstly to one end of the line and then to the other but can't get on or off at either of those places. I would guess that many people get on the train at Butterley and then when it gets to the next station at Swanwick Junction they think that's the end of the line, when in fact there's more to come, as someone mentioned in this thread on the MR-B: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-is-going-on-at-the-midland-railway-centre.232749

 

[yorksrob]

I think you could say the same about the Midland Railway - Butterley (formerly known as the Midland Railway Centre). It has a fascinating collection of locos and DMUs including a Class 141 Pacer, and a Victorian vintage train that they occasionally run during their vintage trains weekend.

That said, one of the downsides of the MR-B is that it doesn't really take you from anywhere to anywhere, and unlike many other heritage railways you don't simply get on the train at the start of the line and get off at the other end - you get on part way along the line and go firstly to one end of the line and then to the other but can't get on or off at either of those places. I would guess that many people get on the train at Butterley and then when it gets to the next station at Swanwick Junction they think that's the end of the line, when in fact there's more to come, as someone mentioned in this thread on the MR-B: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-is-going-on-at-the-midland-railway-centre.232749

Indeed. I enjoyed a trip on its midland mainline DMU when I visited.

 

[Russel]

I think you could say the same about the Midland Railway - Butterley (formerly known as the Midland Railway Centre). It has a fascinating collection of locos and DMUs including a Class 141 Pacer, and a Victorian vintage train that they occasionally run during their vintage trains weekend.

That said, one of the downsides of the MR-B is that it doesn't really take you from anywhere to anywhere, and unlike many other heritage railways you don't simply get on the train at the start of the line and get off at the other end - you get on part way along the line and go firstly to one end of the line and then to the other but can't get on or off at either of those places. I would guess that many people get on the train at Butterley and then when it gets to the next station at Swanwick Junction they think that's the end of the line, when in fact there's more to come, as someone mentioned in this thread on the MR-B: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-is-going-on-at-the-midland-railway-centre.232749

Butterley may not go anywhere or be very long, but it's still quite an interesting line with plenty to see at Swanwick Jn, I've took my 6 year old twice, it's the ideal length for kids, any longer and he would have been complaining he's bored.

It's also improved a lot since Covid, my first visit was in 2019 and I'll be honest I thought it was quite scruffy but I've been twice since and been quite impressed.

 

[Thebaz]

If you'll allow me to expand this thread to Ireland... I once went on the heritage narrow gauge Tralee and Blennerville Steam Railway. The were no facilities at either Blennerville or Tralee stations and the view from the carriages was not much better. It hasn't operated now for some years and has fallen into disrepair. I suspect it may never re-awaken. Thinking about it now, I feel very sad for them. The original route all the way to Dingle and Castlegregory would have had some stunning vistas.

Tralee and Dingle Steam Railway

 

[Dr_Paul]

I've not been down to the Bluebell Railway for some years now, so I'm hoping that the cutting to the south of the viaduct at East Grinstead has grown some vegetation. I obviously understand why it looked the way it did, having been cut through what had become a rubbish tip, but it was rather unsightly and a bit boring. Hopefully this will have changed for the better over the last few years.

 

[Spamcan81]

To my mind there is no such thing as a boring preserved railway. No matter the size or location there’s always something of interest, novelty, surprise and delight.

Spot on.

 

[william.martin]

My local railway is probably the most boring for me, it is the Telford steam railway which is 1 mile of track however you only end up about 100 meters from where you started and the majority of the line is just through the surrounding housing estate. Though it is called the "Telford STEAM railway" it only runs once a week using a class 101 of wich failed upon departure last time I visited, the only time they use steam locos is during the summer holidays and the Christmas trains. The only locos on the line is a 37 wich is on long term hire to the NYMR, 2 privately owned 142's, a 144, a rake
of ex Caledonian sleeper cars, and a single steam loco. Even the lines single operational (there is two under restoration) steam loco is a pug.
I mutch prefer my second to local, the SVR.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2022 ==

Spot on.

I do agree, though I just listed the bad things about the Telford steam railway, there are equally some good features such as the huge model railway, the lovely conditioned carriages, not to forget the cheap price!

 

[D6968]

My local railway is probably the most boring for me, it is the Telford steam railway which is 1 mile of track however you only end up about 100 meters from where you started and the majority of the line is just through the surrounding housing estate. Though it is called the "Telford STEAM railway" it only runs once a week using a class 101 of wich failed upon departure last time I visited, the only time they use steam locos is during the summer holidays and the Christmas trains. The only locos on the line is a 37 wich is on long term hire to the NYMR, 2 privately owned 142's, a 144, a rake
of ex Caledonian sleeper cars, and a single steam loco. Even the lines single operational (there is two under restoration) steam loco is a pug.
I mutch prefer my second to local, the SVR.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2022 ==


I do agree, though I just listed the bad things about the Telford steam railway, there are equally some good features such as the huge model railway, the lovely conditioned carriages, not to forget the cheap price!

37264 is based at the NYMR, I believe 37263 had a recent running day at Telford, if your going to criticise please make sure you have the correct information before doing so, otherwise you tend to look a little how do I put this?
‘Silly’

 

[william.martin]

37264 is based at the NYMR, I believe 37263 had a recent running day at Telford, if your going to criticise please make sure you have the correct information before doing so, otherwise you tend to look a little how do I put this?
‘Silly’

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2022 ==

37264 is based at the NYMR, I believe 37263 had a recent running day at Telford, if your going to criticise please make sure you have the correct information before doing so, otherwise you tend to look a little how do I put this?
‘Silly’

Hi there, I do know that there is a 37 on the TSR as I pass it on the way too work, it went on long term hire to the NYMR before returning earlier this year.

 

[D6968]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Oct 2022 ==


Hi there, I do know that there is a 37 on the TSR as I pass it on the way too work, it went on long term hire to the NYMR before returning earlier this year.

I don’t think your correct on this. 37263’s not been anywhere near the NYMR 264’s based there and 403’s been hired in from the SRPS.
I’d have been sent photos if 263 had worked the NYMR as it’s a machine I want to get my red pen out for!

 

[Alanko]

My local railway is probably the most boring for me, it is the Telford steam railway which is 1 mile of track however you only end up about 100 meters from where you started and the majority of the line is just through the surrounding housing estate.

Not one I'm familiar with, but hits a few key metrics for a dull railway.

Short line with three stations (the ratio of stations to miles of track always seems off on dull railways). Grandiose extension plans that involve some significant civil engineering to achieve, on the cards for a mere couple of decades by this point.

Looks like the Pacer fairies have visited as the ubiquitous purple buses have turned up there as well.

They need to work on their ratio of functioning rolling stock to scrap heap-grade 'preservation' as it looks like a healthy proportion of their rolling stock actually runs as intended. Overall they seem to have too much stuff, which seems in common with other railways.

 

[steamybrian]

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Railway - short section of former Bowaters narrow gauge system.

Started in an industrial back streets area of Sittingbourne. During the journey the scenery was either tall trees / bushes or looking at a large pipeline built along the lineside. Adjacent to the terminus at Kemsley Down was the estuary which when I visited was at low tide showing deep smelly mud.

 

[CarltonA]

.. Tralee and Blennerville Steam Railway. The were no facilities at either Blennerville or Tralee stations and the view from the carriages was not much better. It hasn't operated now for some years and has fallen into disrepair. I suspect it may never re-awaken.

Tralee and Dingle Steam Railway

In fairness there was some sort of visitor attraction near the terminus at Blennerville. The coaches were very uncomfortable with wooden benches and almost zero suspension. I have been told the originals were also like this. The Hunslet loco was quite nicely preserved.

 

[Dr_Paul]

The coaches were very uncomfortable with wooden benches and almost zero suspension. I have been told the originals were also like this.

Oh yes! The dreaded choice between authenticity and passenger comfort. I've always liked the Talyllyn Railway because of its robust refusal to compromise with the twentieth century. But I fully understand why it wouldn't be best to subject the non-enthusiast tourist to a bumpy, un-upholstered four-wheeler, and why the Ffestiniog Railway has a lot of comfy, well-sprung bogie carriages.

When I used to visit the Ffestiniog Railway with my dad, I preferred to ride in the ancient carriages, especially the four-wheelers, whilst he preferred the plush observation carriage, so we'd compromise: observation carriage up to Blaenau, old carriage back down to Porthmadog.

 

[eldomtom2]

Oh yes! The dreaded choice between authenticity and passenger comfort.

Well, in the Tralee and Blennerville's case, I believe the coaches were sourced from Spain, so authenticity doesn't really enter into the equation.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Mail Rail at the Post Office Museum is not the most scenic line.

Carriages are somewhat 'cosy' as well.