GCR Brdiging the gap

[YorkshireBear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCSZl9D-mOY

After reading on internet and watching this video i cannot see why the GCR are not having a fundrasiing campaign for this project? i've seen it bantered around that they need £10-15 million for the whole thing.

But if they were to just start over the first canal bridge and show committment to project and that they are starting construction it will become a much better prospect for investors or donations. A smal start in construction could also help raise profile or project.

That amount does seem quite high anyone know any better?
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After looking i've seen that is what they are doing was only updated recently ish sorry...

 

[mumrar]

That would seem a fair sort of price for the size of project they're looking at. It's quite difficult to get funding together for a single specific thing such as this, I'm just glad it's happening. I can't think of any other preserved lines that will link closely two large cities such as Leicester and Nottingham with a large town in the centre of Loughborough.

How long will the finished railway be I wonder, and is there any scope for extension at the northern end, as I know the southern end is as far as you'll get.

 

[YorkshireBear]

There wanting another hundred yards at the south end. When completed i think 18 mile is the figure i think there is a bit if scope at north end but very little.

 

[Chris125]

I believe this is the crucial statement :-

"The Link 1 scheme - as it is now tagged - is set to go ahead with private funding and minimal reliance on public funding, based of course on current negotiations bearing fruit. The reception of the scheme by Network Rail and potential users is critical. Current behind the scenes negotiations continue in this critical area and we make progress. "

Good news, hopefully.

Chris

 

[Tomnick]

There's some scope to extend a mile or so at each end, I do believe, and both have been seriously looked at - into fairly attractive areas in each case. Anyone who's stood at the buffer stops at Leicester North and looked out over the former alignment will understand that any southern extension will be very, very expensive though!

 

[mumrar]

Anyone who's stood at the buffer stops at Leicester North and looked out over the former alignment will understand that any southern extension will be very, very expensive though!

Yep, fairly deep valley with a busy road running along it, and isn't it houses then on the other side, as in new build since the route shut? That would not be cost effective, it would cost probably 3 times as much for the bridge, having seen it.

Edit: No, you can see the old formation is untouched, but I think that Thurcaston Rd is an issue and further down there's a tarmac footpath built over the formation. It all runs through a lot of housing, and it seems to have been built all in one style like an estate from 1970s or 80s - I don't want to stereotype people who live on estates, but I wouldn't build a heritage railway through one personally. Beaumont Leys Lane seems to be the furthest useful limit south IF you build the bridge required, but that'll be a long way off yet.