If they reopened the line to Kilmacolm...

[Bittern]

I recently walked most of the line between Paisley Canal and Kilmacolm. From what I saw, it seems like a single file line would be do-able from Canal station. However, I've read that a possible reopening would most likely occur from Elderslie.

This would mean that future Kilmacolm trains would have to pass through Paisley Gilmour Street. Now, if the service on the "reopened" line were to be half hourly, would this be a wise move? It already has half hourly services to Ayr, Adrossan, Largs, Gourock and Wemyss Bay through it's four platforms. Would it not be wiser to spend that bit extra to reopen the line to Canal and avoiding any capacity issue that may occur and also provide an alternative route for freight, ECS and diverted trains through Paisley?

 

[Flying Snail]

I recently walked most of the line between Paisley Canal and Kilmacolm. From what I saw, it seems like a single file line would be do-able from Canal station. However, I've read that a possible reopening would most likely occur from Elderslie.

This would mean that future Kilmacolm trains would have to pass through Paisley Gilmour Street. Now, if the service on the "reopened" line were to be half hourly, would this be a wise move? It already has half hourly services to Ayr, Adrossan, Largs, Gourock and Wemyss Bay through it's four platforms. Would it not be wiser to spend that bit extra to reopen the line to Canal and avoiding any capacity issue that may occur and also provide an alternative route for freight, ECS and diverted trains through Paisley?

I am sure I read that some of the former line has been built on west of Paisley Canal.

It is a testament to the complete stupidity of those responsible that the Paisley Canal line was shut for only 7 years but in that time the line had been lifted and some of the land, including the station sold off.

It was bad enough in the Beeching era that no foresight was shown to the possibility that railway lines may be of future use and they needed to be protected from adverse development. For that to still be the case in the mid eigthies is disgraceful.


Is there really a possibility of the Kilmacolm line reopening when the arguably much more useful Airport link has been shelved?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Is there really a possibility of the Kilmacolm line reopening when the arguably much more useful Airport link has been shelved?

As I recall the SNP were quite keen on reopening Paisley Canal-Elderslie, electrifying it and doubling it too. That was around the time of GARL, and all has gone quiet since...

 

[CarterUSM]

To be honest, it really was a silly idea to shut the line, only to re-open much of it a few years later. The new third track between Shields junction and Gilmour st won't be used by ScotRail services until 2013/14 apparently, but perhaps it could provide some enhancements to current and any possible future services to a reopened stretch of line from elderslie?

 

[Bittern]

I am sure I read that some of the former line has been built on west of Paisley Canal.

There's a housing development on the trackbed itself, but there's enough room for the railway to slip by alongside.
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To be honest, it really was a silly idea to shut the line, only to re-open much of it a few years later. The new third track between Shields junction and Gilmour st won't be used by ScotRail services until 2013/14 apparently, but perhaps it could provide some enhancements to current and any possible future services to a reopened stretch of line from elderslie?

I agree that it was a stupid idea. How SPT allowed it to happen is beyond me, but the fact remains that they did so.

As for the third track through Shields, I' thought ScotRail services would start using it at the next timetable change after it opens. So that would be if it opens before December this year, they'd use it from the December changeover onwards, and if it opens before May next year, they'd use it from the May changeover onwards. But, of course, that's common sense, which is probably why it won't happen like that, much like when they closed the Kilmacolm line.

 

[route:oxford]

So what would the on board announcements sound like?

Kill Malcolm!

 

[Bittern]

That alone is enough reason for reopening it.

 

[Liam]

So what would the on board announcements sound like?

Kill Malcolm!

Kil-ma-comb.

 

[Bevan Price]

There's a housing development on the trackbed itself, but there's enough room for the railway to slip by alongside.
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.

Houses built on a former rail trackbed were demolished when the Croydon Tramway was built. The same could happen in any other location if a Government decided to reopen a line. So, be warned - don't buy a house on a former railway trackbed.

Bevan

 

[Bittern]

I have to admit, I don't agree with that. I despise the idea of forcing someone out of their home even if it is for a reopening railway.