Midland Railway Centre

[43096]

I was wondering about the bolded part when I was trying to plan a visit last year. I decided not to visit then because nothing seemed to be open, but I haven't given up and will try again, probably next year.

You could always get the train from Butterley to Swanwick!

 

[53703]

I was thinking of visiting in July on the 20th but the event for this weekend is cancelled with no replacement as of yet. Also a quick look at their stock list indicates all steam locos are either out of service or elsewhere. Assuming the gates will be unlocked on the 20th is it worth a visit?

I'm probably being a bit harsh but after my only visit was the farce which was the 2019 Diesel Gala.....

 

[Harman]

I'm probably being a bit harsh but after my only visit was the farce which was the 2019 Diesel Gala.....

I'm afraid that I concur further up thread I commented what I thought was an abysmal site, must be the worst heritage location that I have ever visited.

 

[12LDA28C]

I'm afraid that I concur further up thread I commented what I thought was an abysmal site, must be the worst heritage location that I have ever visited.

What exactly are you complaining about in that scene? The wheelsets and other equipment or the sheeted-over loco behind? Or both?

 

[Harman]

What exactly are you complaining about in that scene? The wheelsets and other equipment or the sheeted-over loco behind? Or both?

Just a random picture of the site that's supposedly a public attraction, with that atitude to their customers it's hardly surprising that I'm not alone in my criticism.

 

[12LDA28C]

Just a random picture of the site that's supposedly a public attraction, with that atitude to their customers it's hardly surprising that I'm not alone in my criticism.

You'd probably find a similar scene at non-public areas of many other preserved railways. Maybe the MRC's mistake is allowing the public to actually see how preservation works, 'warts-and-all'. Just to add context if you weren't aware, the Class 47 is a spares donor and not intended for renovation and it's doing exactly that job in its current state.

 

[Russel]

You'd probably find a similar scene at non-public areas of many other preserved railways. Maybe the MRC's mistake is allowing the public to actually see how preservation works, 'warts-and-all'. Just to add context if you weren't aware, the Class 47 is a spares donor and not intended for renovation and it's doing exactly that job in its current state.

In all honesty, I've noticed on my visits that the amount of general clutter and the volume of scrap trains that'll never be restored does seem a lot more pronounced than at any other railway I've been to.

 

[Sheldonian]

Been there a few times. Not perfect, by a long way but always interesting.
Has its own character which is dictated by size, location and short length of line.
Like all railways needs volunteers with time, skills and loads of investment.
Easy to moan and be negative from behind a keyboard.
In this case, to feel the need to say "worst railway" is wrong IMO. Benefits no one.

 

[50002Superb]

I

Been there a few times. Not perfect, by a long way but always interesting.
Has its own character which is dictated by size, location and short length of line.
Like all railways needs volunteers with time, skills and loads of investment.
Easy to moan and be negative from behind a keyboard.
In this case, to feel the need to say "worst railway" is not only wrong but a trifle vindictive. Benefits no one and can only wonder about the motivations.

It’s just their view and there is nothing wrong with ranking which ones you think are good and which ones you think are bad.

 

[Sheldonian]

Yeah, you are right. Everybody is entitled to an opinion.
Just hope it doesnt put people off going and making their own judgement.
Our pres railways need all the help and visitors they can get.

 

[Falcon1200]

I'm probably being a bit harsh but after my only visit was the farce which was the 2019 Diesel Gala.....

My most recent visit was intended to be for the same event! On Saturday 15th June 2019, having stayed in a hotel in Sheffield, I took the train to Alfreton and bus to Butterley, only to find a huge queue snaking back almost to the main road as the staff to open the station had not turned up! Presumably it was not possible to let people onto the platform and issue tickets later. I'm afraid impatience got the better of me and I immediately left and went elsewhere.

 

[Sheldonian]

My most recent visit was intended to be for the same event! On Saturday 15th June 2019, having stayed in a hotel in Sheffield, I took the train to Alfreton and bus to Butterley, only to find a huge queue snaking back almost to the main road as the staff to open the station had not turned up! Presumably it was not possible to let people onto the platform and issue tickets later. I'm afraid impatience got the better of me and I immediately left and went elsewhere.

Yes.
Understandable. I would feel and probably do the same.
Guess we are back to the old lack of volunteers arguement.
With so few people, only takes illness or some sort of domestic emergency.
However, volunteer, unpaid or not, there should be contingency plans in place.

 

[50002Superb]

Yeah, you are right. Everybody is entitled to an opinion.
Just hope it doesnt put people off going and making their own judgement.
Our pres railways need all the help and visitors they can get.

They also need to help themselves in that regard, and getting positive feedback encourages more visitors.

I don’t find their website that useful and their running days generally don’t inspire me to attend (it’s probably my closest preservation railway).

If you look on their events page there is no mention of the Diesel Gala in November, which is quite frankly baffling.

 

[12LDA28C]

In all honesty, I've noticed on my visits that the amount of general clutter and the volume of scrap trains that'll never be restored does seem a lot more pronounced than at any other railway I've been to.

And how many preserved railways have you visited where you've actually been round the shed, workshops, storage locations and other non-public areas? Or have you just turned up to a station and had a ride on a train, for example?

 

[John Luxton]

You'd probably find a similar scene at non-public areas of many other preserved railways. Maybe the MRC's mistake is allowing the public to actually see how preservation works, 'warts-and-all'. Just to add context if you weren't aware, the Class 47 is a spares donor and not intended for renovation and it's doing exactly that job in its current state.

I have never been to the Midland Railway so can't comment on that. But Some lines do seem to be taking action to clean up their public facing image at least. Llangollen seems to have rid themselves of some of the scrap stock that has been lying around and earlier this year asked for ownership of items stored on the line to be claimed or they would take ownership.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of pending restoration material being around, I think some of us like to see the before and after but a bit too much of it creates a modern day Barry atmosphere. Some might find that nostalgic others, particularly the general public won't understand and it gives the wrong impression.

 

[Merle Haggard]

The sad thing about the now-derelict stock at Butterley was that most of it was restored beautifully and then neglected. A bit different from the 'awaiting restoration' dumps elsewhere.
I recollect, I hope correctly, that Butterley started with grants from Derby Council to set up the site and pay for restoration (I think the ex Barry LMS 0-6-0Ts were restored in Derby Works, for instance) on the basis of the importance of the Midland Railway in the history of Derby.

 

[Harman]

Been there a few times. Not perfect, by a long way but always interesting.
Has its own character which is dictated by size, location and short length of line.
Like all railways needs volunteers with time, skills and loads of investment.
Easy to moan and be negative from behind a keyboard.
In this case, to feel the need to say "worst railway" is wrong IMO. Benefits no one.

Just a quick note in response, I have been volunteer in time and money for over 60 years, it seems that you believe me to be a keyboard warrior and that is your opinion. IMO the need to say worst railway is my opinion and one that I stand by. If you wish to visit a railway that has it RIGHT try the Welshpool & Llanfair

 

[D6130]

If you wish to visit a railway that has it RIGHT try the Welshpool & Llanfair

Agreed....or for a standard gauge equivalent, the Keighley & Worth Valley. (Just my opinion....but I suspect that I'm not alone).

 

[Russel]

And how many preserved railways have you visited where you've actually been round the shed, workshops, storage locations and other non-public areas? Or have you just turned up to a station and had a ride on a train, for example?

I get that you may want to defend the Midland Railway and yes, Swannick and Butterley stations themselves are well kept, but the rest of the site is in varying states of disrepair and looks like it's just been left to rot, you can't dispute that.

Both the Ecclesbourne Valley and Chasewater offer shed tours, or did before Covid and both were a lot neater and less cluttered than Butterley.

 

[Sheldonian]

Just a quick note in response, I have been volunteer in time and money for over 60 years, it seems that you believe me to be a keyboard warrior and that is your opinion. IMO the need to say worst railway is my opinion and one that I stand by. If you wish to visit a railway that has it RIGHT try the Welshpool & Llanfair

Yes.. you are quite right about Welshpool. Lovely railway, clearly doing things the right way and presumably a larger volunteer base. Clean, tidy & looks well run. Also Vale of Rheidol, Statfold Barn, and Ffestiniog immediately spring to mind.
I am guessing that N Gauge is cheaper and easier to manage.
I am also well travelled around the pres railway scene for 40/50 years. I have seen plenty of railways with apparent issues.
i would love to see all railways succeed and thrive.
Maybe useful to the railway for people to contact them, highlight problems and offer any ideas. Give them the chance to explain or rectify if they can..

 

[Vespa]

I went there for my 142 pacer driving experience, I can say it's the best driving experience I've been on as I learned how to check over the train, start it up, because of the 3 mile of track, I learned how to change end, inserting master key, set direction, cancel AWS warning, acknowledge guard buzzer, learning to brake accurately on the platform, so for me thats a lot more interesting than just getting in a train and drive, which is fine for some.

The line have strong heritage line competition locally, the Midland railway line do however do have potential to epxpand and make more of it's three station sites, 2 of which is active, more can been be made of the sites at one end, it would need to push more and create an USP that other lines don't have.

Credit where credit is due, the staff made a good run of it.

 

[STINT47]

There is a vintage train event this weekend if anyone is intrested? Two train running, one with the Jinty and vintage coaches the other withe the Peak.

It's sounds more interesting than the normal operating day of running a Pacer and gives the chance to see the railway for yourself.

I'm planning to visiton bank holiday Monday and to try and rate the experience with an open mind.

 

[Gunslinger]

Visited for the first time at the weekend; yes, some of the infrastructure looked like it needed a bit of TLC but at least it worked and so far as we know is safe. The main stations at Butterley and Swanwick were well maintained, the 'vintage' train set was immaculate as was the Jinty. Many of the "attractions" on site are actually operated by other groups with little or no direct connection to the railway, which can hardly be blamed for limited access or limited availability. There was quite a bit of apparently derelict stock about, but I suspect not a lot worse than many others e.g. Nene Valley and Ecclesbourne, just perhaps a bit more visible because of the dispersed and open nature of the site.