Lanarkshire preservation group

[Bittern]

Over the past few weeks, I've been doing my research on closed railways in Lanarkshire. As expected, many trackbeds have been lost in the name of redevelopment, but thankfully not them all. The former Darvel and Strathaven railway route survives -mostly intact- and would appear to be the ideal choice for a future heritage line should a Lanarkshire railway preservation group be created.

My question is, is anyone interested in such a group?

I'm currently thinking up plans for a short railway originating from the former Strathaven Central station for approx. one mile in the direction towards Darvel. Indeed, starting off small seems like a good choice. I expect many problems and challenges should the idea ever go forward, not the least of which is the acquirement of a steam locomotive and related infrastructure. I'd be very keen to hear from anyone working on other relatively new heritage lines to see how such problems were overcome.

And if anyone is remotely interested, a very much under construction website can be found here: http://strathaven-darvelrailway.doodlekit.com/home

 

[E&W Lucas]

How much research have you actually done into this, beyond using the wonder of Google Earth?

Preservation all comes down to money, and lots of it. The Welsh Highland are quoting their rebuild cost at £1 million per mile. Now is not a good time to be fundraising, either from individuals, or by way of grants. not impossible, but very challenging. Have you any experience, especially in business or project management?

There is far less gear to scrounge than there used to be, and the well established groups are like to find out about what there is, long before you do. The regulatory environment is also far more onerous for new projects. If your chosen route involves any level crossings, then you can probably forget it.

have you identified (realistically) a market for this? One mile is a five minute train ride, and that's dragging it out a bit.

Not really the forum to be floating it on. Nat Preservation might be more suitable. My answer would be nice idea, wrong time, probably wrong place. If there is nothing preservation wise near you, go on working holidays to one that takes your fancy. They mostly have accommodation for volunteers.

 

[kylemore]

Have you considered narrow gauge? Not an expert but surely this would be cheaper, and with steam traction would still draw the non-enthusiast punters neccessary for economic viability.

 

[YorkshireBear]

£1 million per mile now that is steep i am pretty certain we dont pay that to lay standard gauge flat bottom on concrete at KWVR... i could ofc be very wrong.