Heritage railways: The end or a new start?

[WSW]

The existing parallel Taunton-Minehead bus service is well-used, although it's also rather quicker than the train. If the WSR ever manages to run into Taunton there would certainly be some potential for regular trains, at least at peak times. I'm aware of the problems of sharing tracks and a station with mainline services, I wonder what plans the WSR have?

The WSR have no plans to run its trains into Taunton but if a TOC wished to run onto the WSR...

Steve

 

[Firesprite]

The Swanage Railway now runs to Swanage. .

The Swanage Railway has been running out of Swanage since 1979.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

can I clarify some of the above.
The Swanage railway always intended to get back to Wareham, at the moment the crossing gates at Norden need to be upgraded, and the signal box at Corfe Castle is in the process of being connected to the national network. Again, track as far as Furzebrook has survived. Until this work has been completed, only charter trains are running between Swanage and the national network

The OP's question has been asked many times since the dawn of the preservation movement

Network Rail plans to re-signal the main line between Poole and Wool later this
year. Worgret Junction will be renewed and updated, Along with the north side
bay reinstalled at the cost of £3 million . This is being paid for by the Purbeck Transport Development Fund.

 

[judethegreat]

Indeed. A grand idea that requires considerable investment/commitment - and - a lot of passenger use every day. May I ask how many times a year you would use the WSR if a daily all round service was operated from Taunton?

Passenger use on/off the Branch may happen one day on the WSR. Great efforts and much money has already been spent to make it happen. More expenditure is required (passing loops at Kentsford and Leigh need to be put back in).

Having said all that, the WSR does see very regular freight trains using the junction on most weekdays on most weeks...or doesn't freight count?

Come and have a look - and a ride - your wish is being accomplished. And no doubt elsewhere too.

Steve
www.wsr.org.uk

Sorry, been busy today..
Admittedly I wouldn't use it often, but because I'm not local to the area.. Really good news though and yes, freight does count Its been years since I've been down there, I really should come again. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[LE Greys]

A few thoughts on locos. A while ago, the GWS decided not to overhaul Shannon because they were concerned that it would use so much new material that there would hardly be anything left of the original. Meanwhile, we already have a "Trigger's broom" engine, where the main frames have been replaced, meaning that the original loco is effectively no more. If this continues, at what point are we going to end up with preserved lines being operated effectively by replicas? If that's the case, would the plan to build several 3MTs make sense, so that we could preserve the preservable and repair the repairable rather than restoring something out of existance.

Network Rail plans to re-signal the main line between Poole and Wool later this
year. Worgret Junction will be renewed and updated, Along with the north side
bay reinstalled at the cost of £3 million . This is being paid for by the Purbeck Transport Development Fund.

The north side? Does that mean Swanage Line trains mixing with SWT on the main line?

 

[Spagnoletti]

If this continues, at what point are we going to end up with preserved lines being operated effectively by replicas? If that's the case, would the plan to build several 3MTs make sense, so that we could preserve the preservable and repair the repairable rather than restoring something out of existence.

Any loco owner who feels they have an artifact that should be preserved needs to make a decision to stuff and mount their pride and joy before the amount of original material is too depleted.
Alternatively, they can carry on operating it as long as their bank balance can support it, but as you say it may effectively be a replica.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Yes it is a replica, but back in the days of steam when the engine needed repairing new parts would be sourced. So a continuation of how things would of been you could still say it is preserving.

 

[nferguso]

The Swanage Railway has been running out of Swanage since 1979.

Sorry, just had to ask: is there any of the original Swanage left after 33 years?

Neil

 

[Bevan Price]

I think there will continue to be some new extensions for a while, but suspect that we will soon reach a saturation level, and there may even be a few failures. Experience has shown that only steam power attracts large numbers of non-enthusiasts. There is a place for heritage diesels & electrics, but probably not enough general interest to support lots of heritage lines. The major problem in the long term is likely to be the availability of sufficient steam locos in working order, given the ever-increasing cost of repairing elderly steam locos. Some existing lines have struggled to meet current requirements for steam locos.

Any totally new ventures may have no alternative but to obtain brand new steam locos - I think that there are insufficient workable locos that can be spared by other railways, other than as short term loans for gala events. How they can raise finance to build new locos is another question......

 

[341o2]

A few thoughts on locos. A while ago, the GWS decided not to overhaul Shannon because they were concerned that it would use so much new material that there would hardly be anything left of the original. Meanwhile, we already have a "Trigger's broom" engine, where the main frames have been replaced, meaning that the original loco is effectively no more. If this continues, at what point are we going to end up with preserved lines being operated effectively by replicas? If that's the case, would the plan to build several 3MTs make sense, so that we could preserve the preservable and repair the repairable rather than restoring something out of existance.



The north side? Does that mean Swanage Line trains mixing with SWT on the main line?

Firstly, Tallyllyn nos 1 & 2, likewise Ffestiniog Prince, have been rebuilt so as to be replicas, doubtful whether any part of the original engines exists today, even Dolgoch's cab was replaced when rebuilt.

I understand that the Swanage railway will indeed share tracks, the only two other options would be the creation of two parallel single tracks between Worgret and Wareham, or widening which would also need a new bridge for the A352. In both cases, the Swanage railway would end up in the south bay platform.

It has recently been announced that BP is to pay the cost (£500,000) of upgrading the level crossing at Norden with proper gates and warning lights.

If Swanage railway is planned to be seperate from the national network apart from access similar to the MHR at Alton, there would be no need for Corfe Castle box to be connected to the national network

 

[LE Greys]

Firstly, Tallyllyn nos 1 & 2, likewise Ffestiniog Prince, have been rebuilt so as to be replicas, doubtful whether any part of the original engines exists today, even Dolgoch's cab was replaced when rebuilt.

Aha, I couldn't remember which ones had had this happen. I think there's also a GWR Perairie, but couldn't find the magazine story I remembered it from.

I understand that the Swanage railway will indeed share tracks, the only two other options would be the creation of two parallel single tracks between Worgret and Wareham, or widening which would also need a new bridge for the A352. In both cases, the Swanage railway would end up in the south bay platform.

It has recently been announced that BP is to pay the cost (£500,000) of upgrading the level crossing at Norden with proper gates and warning lights.

If Swanage railway is planned to be seperate from the national network apart from access similar to the MHR at Alton, there would be no need for Corfe Castle box to be connected to the national network

That's interesting. I'd like to see that in action someday - and hope for a Waterloo-Swanage summer Saturday service perhaps.

 

[Class172]

Maybe a way forward is when a heritage line can no longer rely on tourism to keep it open, but commuter numbers rise, then the line can rejoin the national network with proper services.

 

[Harbon 1]

Maybe a way forward is when a heritage line can no longer rely on tourism to keep it open, but commuter numbers rise, then the line can rejoin the national network with proper services.

The only problem with this is the need for the additon of things such as TPWS & AWS on the really old stuff. Im no expert but im guessing anything that moves on the main line has to be to an acceptable standard.

What im interested to know is what will happen if coal runs out? (a while off yet, but still....)

Cheers,
Matt

 

[LE Greys]

What im interested to know is what will happen if coal runs out? (a while off yet, but still....)

Charcoal!

 

[WSW]

The only problem with this is the need for the additon of things such as TPWS & AWS on the really old stuff. Im no expert but im guessing anything that moves on the main line has to be to an acceptable standard.

Indeed. That's why any regular services on/off the Minehead Branch will not be WSR stock but that of mainline TOCs. Problem solved. The TOCs are in the business of identifying and providing train services so it seems but better for the WSR to provide the railway and the TOCs to provide the trains (whether passenger, freight, stabling, servicing).

Steve

 

[341o2]

Maybe a way forward is when a heritage line can no longer rely on tourism to keep it open, but commuter numbers rise, then the line can rejoin the national network with proper services.

That's exactly what the Swanage railway intends to restore - regular service to Wareham, direct connection with SWT Waterloo - Weymouth service

 

[PUFFINGBILLY]

Presumably the market for people to gawp at elderly steam locos is finite,

Ignoring the offensive sarcasm people will always want to witness, admire, learn from and respect the skills of past generations. After all "elderly" and other folk still "gawp" at a pile of old stones called Stonehenge, and how old are they? ( the stones ).
Market forces and demand will determine if we have too many heritage railways and thus some will survive others will fail. It is no different to any other commercial or industrial enterprise. Without doubt increased costs of transport will curb visitor numbers so that offering value for money will become ever more vital. Sneer at Tank Engine Thomas if you will but it puts bums on seats.
What is unique to heritage railways and aviation is the curse of the freeloaders. Those who sit on fences and get in your way whilst they watch and photograph but rarely put their hands in their pockets or lift a muscle to help.

 

[LE Greys]

Presumably the market for people to gawp at elderly steam locos is finite

Ignoring the offensive sarcasm people will always want to witness, admire, learn from and respect the skills of past generations. After all "elderly" and other folk still "gawp" at a pile of old stones called Stonehenge, and how old are they? ( the stones ).
Market forces and demand will determine if we have too many heritage railways and thus some will survive others will fail. It is no different to any other commercial or industrial enterprise. Without doubt increased costs of transport will curb visitor numbers so that offering value for money will become ever more vital. Sneer at Tank Engine Thomas if you will but it puts bums on seats.
What is unique to heritage railways and aviation is the curse of the freeloaders. Those who sit on fences and get in your way whilst they watch and photograph but rarely put their hands in their pockets or lift a muscle to help.

Not quite. You have to pay to go anywhere near Stonehenge, but that still doesn't stop people going as close as they can to get pictures of it. Personally, I prefer Avebury (which is in a village, so free) but that's another matter.

 

[Tiny Tim]

It was certainly not my intention to be either sarcastic or offensive; If 'gawping at elderly steam locos' helps to fund our heritage railways then it's a legitimate way to raise funds. Thomas trains and Santa Specials may not be to everyone's taste, but they are also a useful source of income. My personal favourite is the Murder Mystery Express, but then not everybody likes Agatha Christie's whodunnit stories or dressing up as a 1930s Belgian Detective.

The market for heritage railways seems to be expanding presently, but how much more track will be opened/reopened before the demand is met and we see lines in financial difficulty? I know it's a tall order predicting the future, but perhaps someone could have a stab at it.