Less mentioned Preservation Lines - lets BIG them up!

[alexl92]

That was my first thought as well, I didn't know it was existed until I was on a long cycle from Inverness to Aberdeen and could see a DMU peeking through the trees which was a welcome surprise. They have the 140001 prototype although sadly it doesn't look like it's going to be moving any time soon, if ever.

John

Believe it or not, there is a group trying to slowly bring it back to operational condition. Spares are a bit of a problem I think though. I know one of the class 141s is likely to never work fully again because of a serious defect in a gear box for which very few spares are available - I’d imagine the 140 would be similar, especially as it’s unique!

 

[Ken H]

the Embsay and Bolton Abbey, near Skipton. Beware, however, its a fair trek from Bolton Abbey Station to the shops and stuff at Bolton Abbey. The Ilkely-Skipton 873 buses serve the area on a Sunday - https://www.dalesbus.org/cravenlink.html

and for the very narrow gauge boys. the Evesham Vale light Railway http://www.evlr.co.uk/ Used to love taking the grandkids there. (I dont think a 15 and 17yr old would be impressed now!) Its next to a shopping village so places to eat.

Got signals and a turntable and a tunnel.

 

[Bedpan]

I had a trip on the Mid Hants yesterday - very impressed. I always think that winter time isd more atmospheric ewith steam rising from under the carriages and more steam around the engine etc. They had the Ivatt 2MT out with 4 carriages, and the 9F. I must say that nowadays I prefer smaller engines which have to work harder. Everything clean, everything ran to time, and almost dark by the time that the last train arrived. shops well stocked. A reasonable length line at 10+ miles (if only the share issue for the entire line to Winchester Junction had been successful!) Nice views, the embankments have been cleared in several places. An NR connection and a fairly big station to end up in at Alton and a reasonably sized yard at Ropley. I thought I'd mention this one as whilst it will never be a Severn Valley Railway or even a Bluebell, I don't think that it really gets as much positive comment as it deserves. Medstead to Alton will be closed for a few months whilst extensive road works are carried out and a new bridge built.

I waqs just thinking - as they now have new siding space at Ropley, a great way to expand would be to replace the passing loop just outside Alton with a short double track section from Alton to Butts Junction so that trains could pass whilst on the move. Most of the necessary track seems to be there in the form of a long unballasted siding - unless its of such poor quality that it would hve to be replaced.

 

[UP13]

The Watercress is my go to heritage railway.

Most of the fresh 'ballast' near Alton, next to the bridge that will be redone, AFAIK is spoil from the new sidings at Ropley.

 

[birchesgreen]

Another big-up for the Mid-Hants here, great line i visited a couple of years ago.

 

[Bedpan]

The Watercress is my go to heritage railway.

Most of the fresh 'ballast' near Alton, next to the bridge that will be redone, AFAIK is spoil from the new sidings at Ropley.

Yes, earth (mainly chalk) from the excavations for the new siding at Ropley has been dumped on the south side of the line between the line itself and the formation of the Meon Valley line which diverges just past the bridge. The new bridge will be wide enough for double track, as the old one was - although at least in latter years the Mid Hants and Meon Valley were worked as wo single track branch lines. I know money is always tight but where the spoil has been dumped would be a great place for yard, particularly as it is at a slightly lower level so that you would look down on it from a passing train, and then, as I said in a previous post, have a short double track section from Alton signalbox to Butts Bridge where incoming and outgoing trains from Alton Station could pass whilst moving when an intensive service was in operation. .

 

[Crawley Ben]

I shall mention the Isle of Man Steam Railway (if it counts). A line I would love to travel on some day if I get the chance to visit.

Ben

 

[theironroad]

The Settle to Carlisle is a preserved line???

Quick, someone tell Northern!

Agree on Elsecar, a lovely little railway in a nice location. Churnet Valley is a nice one too, though I'm not sure it qualifies as 'small'.

A preserved railway would have better stock. I tried getting on the 1404 today at carlisle and the 2 car 156? was totally inadequate. The train was also freezing cold so I abandoned my trip down to Leeds...