This forum often plays host to discussions on which of Beeching's closures shouldn't have been allowed, or which lines need re-opening and it's been discussed almost to death!
So here's an alternative:
Supposing there was another raft of wholly irrational Beeching-style closures, which lines that are currently part of the national network would make good heritage railways?
Rules:
1. For the sake of this discussion, money is no object. Lets assume that there's major public & council support for your project even if its right next to a current heritage railway.
2. You don't have to justify why the line in question might hypothetically be closed in order for this to happen!
3. I'm interested to hear reasoning. So it could just be that it offers a ride through fantastic scenery, like Wensleydale, or has some form of historical significance either due to industry (Tanfield) or geographical significance - the Bluebell operate mainly SR stock/the Middleton Railway focuses on Leeds-built engines. Alternatively, does it offer the opportunity to run a certain kind of train you just can't run elsewhere (such as the windcutters on the GCR)? Does it offer tourist/commuter opportunities?
4. I know we already have a lot of heritage railways! Ignore any concerns along those lines for now.
For starters, I'm tempted to say that the Ilkley Branch between Guiseley and Ilkley could offer a good option - It's around 7 miles and has 5 stations serving small-ish communities. Most stations still bear signs of slightly longer platforms and could be back-dated by replacing the footbridges and modern signage/lamps quite easily. Could work similar to the Worth Valley branch offering a commuter service, although currently lacks infrastructure such as sidings and workshops. However, it probably wouldn't be hugely profitable - unless you could offer national rail connections to Leeds/Bradford. I think it could be made to have a real old branch line feel, especially if you managed to evict Waitrose from Ilkley Station!
Being really ambitious, I'm sure that marketed well, you could run the S&C between Hellifield or Skipton and Carlisle as a preserved railway using larger steam engines and 6+ coach trains. You'd need to get the 25mph limit raised though. Running most weekends through the year and 3 week days in the summer maybe?
So here's an alternative:
Supposing there was another raft of wholly irrational Beeching-style closures, which lines that are currently part of the national network would make good heritage railways?
Rules:
1. For the sake of this discussion, money is no object. Lets assume that there's major public & council support for your project even if its right next to a current heritage railway.
2. You don't have to justify why the line in question might hypothetically be closed in order for this to happen!
3. I'm interested to hear reasoning. So it could just be that it offers a ride through fantastic scenery, like Wensleydale, or has some form of historical significance either due to industry (Tanfield) or geographical significance - the Bluebell operate mainly SR stock/the Middleton Railway focuses on Leeds-built engines. Alternatively, does it offer the opportunity to run a certain kind of train you just can't run elsewhere (such as the windcutters on the GCR)? Does it offer tourist/commuter opportunities?
4. I know we already have a lot of heritage railways! Ignore any concerns along those lines for now.
For starters, I'm tempted to say that the Ilkley Branch between Guiseley and Ilkley could offer a good option - It's around 7 miles and has 5 stations serving small-ish communities. Most stations still bear signs of slightly longer platforms and could be back-dated by replacing the footbridges and modern signage/lamps quite easily. Could work similar to the Worth Valley branch offering a commuter service, although currently lacks infrastructure such as sidings and workshops. However, it probably wouldn't be hugely profitable - unless you could offer national rail connections to Leeds/Bradford. I think it could be made to have a real old branch line feel, especially if you managed to evict Waitrose from Ilkley Station!
Being really ambitious, I'm sure that marketed well, you could run the S&C between Hellifield or Skipton and Carlisle as a preserved railway using larger steam engines and 6+ coach trains. You'd need to get the 25mph limit raised though. Running most weekends through the year and 3 week days in the summer maybe?
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seriously though as much as I l like see Middlesborough to Whitby handed over to the NYMR I doubt it will happen for similar reasons to why Oxted to Uckfield won't go over to becoming a preserved railway.
