Heritage railway potential

[YorkshireBear]

Out of all railways being built or puishing for extensions and links which one do you think has the most potential?

 

[Teaboy1]

GCR at Loughbrough and the extension to Leicester. "If" it happens it will indeed be a stunning achievement.....but the shed has to go and that MML & canal need bridging ......AND the signaling needs to be up to spec !!
All bets are off though during current economic downturn!!

 

[The Decapod]

I agree... The two GCR's, which are aiming for 18 miles, possibly all double track, from Leicester to Nottingham if they manage to rebuild the bridge over the Midland main line to unite them.

Isn't the Churnet Valley Railway linked to another organisation that owns a line that crosses it, leading to the possibility of an X-shaped Heritage Railway network? (Someone correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[bangor-toad]

Depends what you mean by "potential"...


Do you mean providing a service to the wider community or the opportunity to see you favourite steam/loco/pacer/hst/freight run backwards and forwards?

The GCR will be great if the missing gap is replaced. One extra addition would make it even better which is a northwards extension to the tram line. This is referred to in some local planning documents.
Hey, take the train to Nottingham and then thetram to the GCR

The Bluebell extension to East Grinstead will be good. In the far future if the link to Ardingly is ever done that'd make a new London-Brighton through route avoiding Balcombe tunnel and viaduct. Probably never be used for service trains but fun for a special!

The Churnet Valley Railway aims to link with the Moorland and City Railway I think. Ultimately it'd create the "X" shape route between Stoke, Leek, Alton Towers and the other place I can't remember.

I think the most successful railways are and will be ones that can provide more than just a heritage day out. This means a link to the national network and possibly offering links between places people want to go rather than just encouraging people to go for a ride.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[Aictos]

I rather have the Norfolk Orbital which means linking the National Rail network with the Mid Norfolk and the North Norfolk providing a service.

 

[nferguso]

I shall declare an interest right up-front as I am a director of this enterprise but I would propose the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is a strong contender here.

Next Spring, we shall open the remaining five miles of the line from Duffield to Wirksworth. When open, the line will be just about nine miles long and connect the really rather attractive town of Wirksworth with Duffield, the first station north of Derby on the Midland Main Line.

At Wirksworth, we have already a separate branch up a 1 in 30 (rising to 1 in 27) incline to Ravenstor Halt that is close to the High Peak Trail where visitors can walk along the course of the former Cromford & High Peak Railway into the heart of the Peak District.

The service will be timed to connect with the Nottingham - Matlock service and we are in the middle of setting-up through ticketing arrangements to the national rail network.
We began public operations in 2004 and since 2008 have operated approximately half the length of the line to Idridgehay.

The majority of our services use heritage DMUs (including Derby Lightweight single car M79900 ‘Iris’) although we have a Class 20 (D8001) and a Class 31 (31414). Since April this year, we have had steam based at Wirksworth in the shape of Industrial Barclay 0-4-0- locomotive No. 2360 ‘Ferrybridge No.3’, we have two others under restoration at our facility at Wirksworth and we shall have BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No 78019 between the opening in April and the end of May. Rolling stock includes an ex-LMS Stanier TTO and a director’s saloon.

We also operate two additional businesses: filming facilities (RailFlimLocations.biz) and a facility for the testing of equipment (MyTestTrack.com), which has resulted in the railway appearing in several films and TV series, while the testing business has become the prime site in the UK for testing ‘Yellow Machines’.

Finally, the line itself is, although I say it myself, a gem. The Ecclesbourne Valley is a picturesque gentle valley that is pretty much unspoilt, affording great views of passing trains since we trimmed-back the lineside vegetation to remove that awful ‘green tunnel’ effect, while Wirksworth is a fascinating little town with plenty of pubs, shops and places to eat, not to mention an annual arts festival and a traditional ‘Wells Dressing’ ceremony every May. Wirksworth station has a small museum, a narrow gauge railway, a miniature railway and even a model railway to ensure that visitors have plenty to see and do.

In conclusion, I would suggest that our line offers real potential as it combines a range of attractions, a decent length to travel, main line links, a worthwhile destination and some great traction and rolling stock.

Regards,

Neil Ferguson-Lee
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
http://www.e-v-r.com

 

[paul1609]

Id go for completing the Kent and East Sussex Railway back to Robertsbridge but I'm biased!

 

[mumrar]

Lots of good shouts so far, and I'd like to add the GlosWarks getting right through to Honeyborne and being next to a mainline station. Will certainly add mileage, and calling at the wonderfully attractive large Cotswold town of Broadway along the way. The Broadway station will be a massive asset during the Cheltenham Festival, lots of big hotels where the well to do lodge for the duration.

 

[PinzaC55]

I agree with most of the lines mentioned but many of them start from a "Power base" as they already have a long history (especially the GCR).
One of the most impressive lines to me is the Lynton & Barnstaple; they seem to be pursuing a policy of acquiring bits of the trackbed and every time I read about them in the railway press they have achieved something, the latest being the purchase of Snapper Halt.

For myself I am a member of the Yorkshire Wolds Railway which held it's first meeting just two years ago but has come a long way since then.We plan to restore part of the Malton & Driffield Railway starting at the site of Sledmere & Fimber station.We have learnt from the mistakes made by other railways in their early stages and are not making outrageous plans (Like the Stainmore Railway did!). but it's likely the first rails will be laid early next year.
Here's my shot of the remains of Sledmere & Fimber in 1978 - it was flattened by the council later that year but nothing has built on the site.

 

[E&W Lucas]

All preservation schemes are essentially financial black holes, so those with the most potential are those with the best prospects of generating income. This means product that the general public will buy into; that is often not the same thing as what enthusiasts want to see. The most successful lines are mainly in tourist areas, so that's likely to be a prerequisite.

Whilst wishing the various start up schemes every success in their efforts, it is going to be increasing challenging to set up a new operation. There's a national shortage of serviceable steam traction, and it's getting ever more expensive to maintain. Gone are the days of picking up a couple of more or less serviceable tank engines, straight from industry, to get you started. Coaches can present a similar problem. No serviceable Mk 1's straight out of BR traffic for scrap value. Diesels are all very well, but they do not bring in the general public in the numbers needed. It's getting ever more challenging to obtain track, etc. for re - use. The Comprehensive Sending Review, Quango bonfire, etc. will make grants harder to obtain too.

I'd therefore suggest that the most successful schemes will be expansions by the existing large scale outfits. The Welsh Highland has just been completed, and I'm sure will "take off" when running fully next year. Way out in front in visitor numbers & turnover is the NYMR, with expansion driven by running to Whitby. If they were ever able to secure more paths onto the EVL, and at the times of day when they want them, that growth will be even bigger.

 

[Prometheus]

Out of all railways being built or puishing for extensions and links which one do you think has the most potential?

Severn Valley Railway extension to Ironbridge?

 

[LE Greys]

Glos/Warks and GCR, both with the options of being preserved inter-city lines. How far is Stratford-on-Avon from Honeybourne? That might create an interesting situation if the G/W ever manages to drive right through Gloucester to the main line, since there would then be a through route from the West Midlands to Bristol. I can see that being used for freight during the off season.

Others, anything with a rail connection if they ever reintegrate with the ATOC fare structure. I want to be able to turn up at Hitchin and ask for a return to Blue Anchor, or Oakworth for a return to Scarborough. Why not?

 

[mumrar]

Glos/Warks and GCR, both with the options of being preserved inter-city lines. How far is Stratford-on-Avon from Honeybourne? That might create an interesting situation if the G/W ever manages to drive right through Gloucester to the main line, since there would then be a through route from the West Midlands to Bristol. I can see that being used for freight during the off season.

Others, anything with a rail connection if they ever reintegrate with the ATOC fare structure. I want to be able to turn up at Hitchin and ask for a return to Blue Anchor, or Oakworth for a return to Scarborough. Why not?

The distance between the two is about 11 miles (for the railway), and the historical junction for the mainline on the southern end is Cheltenham rather than Gloucester.

 

[Teaboy1]

Referring to the L&B, I think I can safely say it is unique....it is the LAST 2 ft gauge line of any significance ANYWHEREin the world. If it can potentially do for the local Exmoor / Devon economy what the WHR has / will do for the Welsh economy, then the sky is the limit. However if the L&B Trust think small trains, then the rewards will be equally small, hope I'm wrong but it needs bottoms-on-seats to be a success. Its in the right place, its got the pedigree and its probably got the best chance of all current wish-lists to succeed.

 

[PinzaC55]

Referring to the L&B, I think I can safely say it is unique....it is the LAST 2 ft gauge line of any significance ANYWHEREin the world. If it can potentially do for the local Exmoor / Devon economy what the WHR has / will do for the Welsh economy, then the sky is the limit. However if the L&B Trust think small trains, then the rewards will be equally small, hope I'm wrong but it needs bottoms-on-seats to be a success. Its in the right place, its got the pedigree and its probably got the best chance of all current wish-lists to succeed.

It depends what you mean by "small trains"? Their trains are small by definition but I admire their "big" strategy. Presumably they could have spent the money invested in the Snapper Halt land aquisition on more track or trains but they have their eyes on the future and can see that this trackbed might end up getting built on?
In my view it was a smart move.

 

[Teaboy1]

Indeed! I agree that the land has to come first......once its gone......its gone!! Now is the time to weather the economic storm and spend/save wisely until things improve. But....I still maintain that bottoms-on-seats = success !!

 

[Bittern]

The strathspey Railway has lots of potential. It already makes for a fun day out, and lal the better if you're behind CR 828. The extension to Grantown would provide more of a reason to use it as an actual transport link (such as it already is for Aviemore - Boat).

Get some heritage DMUs running on it too and it would be even more awesome.

 

[LE Greys]

The distance between the two is about 11 miles (for the railway), and the historical junction for the mainline on the southern end is Cheltenham rather than Gloucester.

And I'm a clot!

 

[matt]

Severn Valley Railway extension to Ironbridge?

From posts on the SVR forum the SVR is not planning any extensions.

 

[scotsman]

Get some heritage DMUs running on it too and it would be even more awesome.

We do!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

There is a line in Yorkshire called the Embsay& Bolton Abbey Railway, it's not far from Skipton Station and I think there is a connection to the main line and this line as there is a quarry near by with links to these lines. Not sure if they coudl ever get through running again to Skipton, woudl be useful, but I don't know if the connection has been broken though. There woudl no doubt have to be a load of red tape to go through too.


I think too there is almost a through connection at Appley on the SCR to Warkop on the Eden valley line too.

Rgds.

 

[sprinterguy]

There is a line in Yorkshire called the Embsay& Bolton Abbey Railway, it's not far from Skipton Station and I think there is a connection to the main line and this line as there is a quarry near by with links to these lines. Not sure if they coudl ever get through running again to Skipton, woudl be useful, but I don't know if the connection has been broken though. There woudl no doubt have to be a load of red tape to go through too.


I think too there is almost a through connection at Appley on the SCR to Warkop on the Eden valley line too.

Rgds.

The Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway currently are looking at securing the Embsay-Skipton section of line to allow them to connect directly into national rail services at Skipton, so that plan is already starting to get underway.

The Eden Valley railway at Warcop does indeed have a rail connection to the S&C at Appleby, which requires a reversal to reach it. There always used to be a couple of Eddie Stobart curtainside VGA vans parked on the link, which amazed me as I thought they only came in 00 gauge form from Hornby!

Preserved lines that look set to reap the most potential from future extensions are those that will see the lines connected up firstly to the national rail network, and secondly to towns of some importance rather than finishing in a field out in the sticks.

The Bluebell Railways' extension to East Grinstead, the Spa Valleys' extension to Eridge and the Embsay and Bolton Abbeys' extension to Skipton are good examples of this. I'd also like to see the Eden Valley Railway reach Appleby one day, and it would be good to see the Weardale Railway running as far as the NRM Annexe at Shildon (No chance they'd ever make it into Darlington ECML station) via Bishop Auckland. The Strathspeys' extension to Grantown on Spey looks very promising as well.

 

[YorkshireBear]

would through services from bolton and embsey ever be able to run through to KWVR and oxenhope? cos im sure that would create interest...

 

[Ploughman]

Very doubtful as reversal and mixing in with existing frequent service to Keighley.
I think 10 - 15 minute interval at present

 

[YorkshireBear]

Very doubtful as reversal and mixing in with existing frequent service to Keighley.
I think 10 - 15 minute interval at present

ah i didnt know whether it need reversals i didnt know whether line joined up so trains came into skipton from north in which case they could stop and carry on to keighley, and i would of only suggested it on a sunday...

on embsay and bolton abbey though, i like the proposals for extension to Addingham and skipton would make it quite a nice little railway

 

[LE Greys]

I remember that line, first preserved route I ever went to at age three, used to shuttle up and down to a loop near the quarry branch. It would be great to go back there and get all the way from Skipton.

Are there any prospects to get right through to Ilkley?

 

[YorkshireBear]

I remember that line, first preserved route I ever went to at age three, used to shuttle up and down to a loop near the quarry branch. It would be great to go back there and get all the way from Skipton.

Are there any prospects to get right through to Ilkley?

i dont think so most of track bed and several viaducts been demolished between addingham and ilkley, but skipton to addingham is a long term aim which would be very good in my opinion

 

[Mvann]

i dont think so most of track bed and several viaducts been demolished between addingham and ilkley, but skipton to addingham is a long term aim which would be very good in my opinion

Extending to addingham was suggested some years ago by sustrans, but only because they could then share the cost for putting a cycle track in at the same time as extending the railway.

 

[jamiepatel12]

Out of all honesty i would like to see the peak rail line extension to matlock. it has been something the lads at Rowesly have been waiting for a long time.

 

[PinzaC55]

The major obstacle to extension of Peak Rail northwards is the road bridge at Rowsley. I used to volunteer there in the early 90's and it was generally recognised that they would never extend northwards - the cost of rebuilding the bridge would be in the order of £2 million + and of course that price has gone up since then.