Future Connections from Heritage Railways to Network Rail

[Jan Mayen]

Following on from the news that Swanage Railway won't be operating to Wareham this year, I was wondering if this is going to make any other proposed connections unlikely to happen?
For example, as much as I'd like to see it happen, I suspect the extension to Ardingly on the Bluebell Railway probably won't be built.

 

[Invincible]

Restoration Plans | Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway

hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk

Hampton and Kempton narrow gauge railway has aspirations to run to Kempton station (with its own platform for passengers).

 

[30907]

Following on from the news that Swanage Railway won't be operating to Wareham this year, I was wondering if this is going to make any other proposed connections unlikely to happen?
For example, as much as I'd like to see it happen, I suspect the extension to Ardingly on the Bluebell Railway probably won't be built.

Was that ever going to be used for through Bluebell services on NR track? Running NR trains through is less of an issue.

The other longtime proposal is Taunton-Minehead WSR, which hasn't got very far.

Hampton and Kempton narrow gauge railway has aspirations to run to Kempton station.

...but not sharing NR track, I assume

 

[A S Leib]

What's the current situation for Northallerton West (Wensleydale Railway)?

 

[Gwr12345]

What's the current situation for Northallerton West (Wensleydale Railway)?

Closed since 2016, with no passenger trains running in the stretch from Scruton to Northallerton since, although ECS still runs and the physical connection is still used, due to a level crossing incident? Current focus I would imagine is getting back to Redmire.

 

[duffield]

Closed since 2016, with no passenger trains running in the stretch from Scruton to Northallerton since, although ECS still runs and the physical connection is still used, due to a level crossing incident? Current focus I would imagine is getting back to Redmire.

I was lucky enough to get to travel from Northallerton West all the way to Redmire and back during the relatively short period of operation, and even luckier to get a front seat on the DMU, I found the scenery pretty great, the "ski-jump" thing at Redmire was impressive, lots of birds of prey around - and lots of suicidal pigeons and rabbits sitting on the rails until the very last second.

As I understood it, re-opening to Northallerton West depends on upgrading one or more level crossings and I got the impression they just didn't have the money. Probably not a priority - although it's the sort of station I'd use (short walk from Northallerton NR station) it's probably not very convenient for most people, who'd arrive by car at one of the main stations. Shame though.

 

[ikcdab]

Was that ever going to be used for through Bluebell services on NR track? Running NR trains through is less of an issue.

The other longtime proposal is Taunton-Minehead WSR, which hasn't got very far.

...but not sharing NR track, I assume

It isn't Taunton to Minehead, but Taunton to Bishops Lydeard. There is no plan to run WSR trains on the mainline, the intention is for GWR to run trains to BL themselves. We trialled this before covid and the talks are in hand to get it going again. it is progressing slowly.
In the absence of regular services, the HOBC frequently uses the link and we run excursions from the main line during the season.

 

[Neilo09]

East lancs to Castleton is/was planned but gone quiet in the last few years

 

[50002Superb]

It isn't Taunton to Minehead, but Taunton to Bishops Lydeard. There is no plan to run WSR trains on the mainline, the intention is for GWR to run trains to BL themselves. We trialled this before covid and the talks are in hand to get it going again. it is progressing slowly.
In the absence of regular services, the HOBC frequently uses the link and we run excursions from the main line during the season.

Interesting update, thanks.

Is the GWR to BL service a shuttle or a through service from elsewhere? I had no idea that this had been trialled before.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Mar 2024 ==

The Great Central (North) has a mainline connection.

I’m not sure if it’s been used for railtours previously but longer term when the gap is bridged I suspect it
might see more use?

 

[Flying Phil]

There is news that the GCR(N) is again rail connected as the track across the new A60 bridge has been laid. Also they hope to begin construction of the next two stages of the "Gap" project later this year. They are halfway through reconnection the GCR to the GCR(N).....and hence to NR.

 

[Townsend Hook]

The Kent & East Sussex Railway stands to gain a main line connection in the next few years, once the Rother Valley Railway link between Bodiam and Robertsbridge is complete. Although IIRC it’s not configured in such a way that it could really be used by railtours/through passenger services.

 

[37114]

I think the long term plan is still for the GWSR to link up with NR at Honeybourne to facilitate through trains on raceday but will be a while.