Don valley railway

[YorkshireBear]

Last i head they were close to having trackbed to work on. However everything has gone dead and they are no longer responding to emails.

anyone any idea where they've gone?

 

[Teaboy1]

Clearly ambitious to say the least but without some serious cash in these lean-times, I doubt it will get far beyond the planning stage.
Some major land issues are faced as well, not least the track bed through Hillsbro, Wadsley Bridge, Oughtibridge and Warncliffe tip. Wortley station now a private residence and doubt they would welcome any trains through their front garden!!!
Nope, once that infrastructure is lost then its gone !!

Sincerely hope Im wrong like..............!! Good website but thats all for the mo. Better bet is the Elsecar branch, thats all there and just needs more footfall!!

 

[YorkshireBear]

it was ambitious but they manadged it on weardale railway didn't they? not saying ti will happen but last i heard they were doing alright

 

[Teaboy1]

Yes it would be a supreme effort and indeed a result if ever it came to pass but my point is that in the depths of a recession and huge public spending cuts, its going to be more difficult.

The other point is that there is now a gapping hole in the track bed courtesy of KS Wilkinson cattery. Check out Google maps, KS Wilkinson, Huthwaite Lane, Wortley and you will see about 200 yds gone into his new lawn.

If they dont look sharp, even more holes will appear in the track bed and then it becomes even more difficult. People will snap up bits of track bed for all manner of plans........and then its gone fur good!!

Speed to secure the whole track bed is the first and hardest bit!! Then get your infrastructure sorted...........later.

 

[jackthedog]

Wortley shouldn't be an issue as far as I'm aware - they only want to run as far as Stocksbridge, so the route would deviate off the woodhead line just after Deepcar Station, down the short spur to the West, over the road at Deepcar and in to the steelworks. The entire route they wish to use has single track at the moment, and a steel train uses it once a day. Unless I've misunderstood their plans.

I sincerely hope this comes to pass. It really is a great proposal. The group still exists, not sure how the plans for reinstating the line are coming along though.

(new member by the way - hello all)


EDIT: just for reference RE the section at the cattery - that's Thurgoland tunnel - the westbound bore is still open as part of the TPT.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24041160@N02/2289227588/

 

[Teaboy1]

I understood that CORUS at Stocksbridge had closed as part of those cuts before Xmas 2009. Yes agreed the line to Deepcar is there, just hope they can get it before the price of scrap make it too attractive to Booth's!