Waverley Route Heritage Association

[Bittern]

I've heard bits and peices about this group, but nothing major. They've restored Riccarton Junction station on the Waverley line.

For those of you who don't know, they're aim is to restore the long lost Waverley line (I'm guessing south of Tweedbank because of the Borders Railway project).

They're not publicised much, and I only found out that they still exist after trying to find info on the location of D5310 (anyone?) who I beleive is either owned or was owned by the WRHA.

See here: http://www.wrha.org.uk/

So, is anyone going to this open day they're having? Would be quite an event.

 

[sprinterguy]

D5310 is currently operating on the Llangolen Railway.

Hmm that is interesting, I wasn't aware of their being a Waverley Route Heritage Association, looks like an interesting project. If and when they get some track laid I'll have to go have a look at that I think.

 

[rail-britain]

Strange that subscriptions are sent to Grantham!
I would have though they would have had at least some sort of local presence

 

[Bittern]

D5310 is currently operating on the Llangolen Railway.

Hmm that is interesting, I wasn't aware of their being a Waverley Route Heritage Association, looks like an interesting project. If and when they get some track laid I'll have to go have a look at that I think.

Well there is some track laid at Riccarton Junction. Click.

I've been looking through their site. For a group that has little media attention, they've made a lot of progress!

 

[MacRat]

For those that don't know about us, we've been in existence since 2001 and have track laid to the tune of around half a mile at the moment, with further tracklaying due to take place down towards Riccarton Junction.

The track at Riccarton is nothing to do with us, it's from a former organisation (no connection to WRHA) based there that ran into difficulties - though it would be nice to think the track is reuseable on our project.

The official opening of the heritage centre at Whitrope took place last weekend, 17-18 July, officiated by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Michael Moore MP. The two coaches (a Mk1 buffet & a Mk2 BSO) that form the centre arrived with us in September 2002, so have had almost 8 years work to get them to the state they're now in, with lots of railwayana, memorabilia etc about the Waverley Route exhibited, and somewhere to have a bite to eat and a rest.

It's only recently that the Grantham address has been used for official correspondence, though our chairman lives about 8-9 miles away from Whitrope and our former chairman the same.

As for D5310, that was majority owned by me until about this time last year, with a small share owned by WRHA. However, with spiralling costs of the power unit overhaul & restoration of my other loco, 37175, I made the difficult decision to part company with the loco that I'd restored from almost scrap condition just a few years earlier.

Hope that clears up most of the above points succinctly - feel free to shout if there's anything else WRHA-wise you want to know about.

Matt Stoddon

WRHA founder member

 

[Bittern]

You own a 37? Sweet!

 

[WL113]

Probably the most lamented Railway closure of all.

The Railscot site has many photos of the line, its well worth a look.

 

[Radio Ruderham]

If good will could build a railway, then the Waverley Route would have been rebuilt on Sunday the 18th July with what can only described as “Whitrope weather”.
The Waverley Route Heritage Association held their Annual Open Day; this time was a great deal different.
They had a Museum and a Heritage Centre that needed opening, and who best to open it than our local MP,
the Right Honourable Mr Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland and Waverley Route Campaigner, Mrs “Madge” Elliot of Hawick.
Officiating was WRHA Chairman Mr Ian Crookes who made his opening speech welcoming all the many folks who had attended.
Then Mrs Elliot spoke about the “Train-mendous achievement” that had been made in getting Whitrope Station not only built from scratch but laying the first half mile of track to be re-laid on the track bed from so long ago, she asked if everyone could “push the carriages all the way to Carlisle” as she was going on holiday and was catching a train there. How ironic indeed!

Mr Richard Crocket from the Campaign for Border Rail (CBR)also spoke and reminded the Secretary about full reintroduction and what it could do to the economy of not only the Borders but to the rest of Scotland.
Mr Moore spoke clearly and well about what has been built by a group of volunteers in quite a short space of time. Posing for photographs and for Border TV, he cut the red ribbon to formally open the centre to a rousing applause by well over 200 people who were standing on the platform.
With the obligatory teas, coffee, cakes, candy, tablet along with a hog roast, tombola and a Raffle going on,
as well as Railway memorabilia on sale, it was quite the family day out.
Situated 12 miles South of Hawick on the B6399 Newcastleton Road,
The Whitrope Heritage Centre is open from 10 am till about 4pm most weekends where you will be warmly welcomed.

Border TV Report​

Why Not Join Us?​

....................and now the official report Click Here
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
A wee taster to be going on with

 

[CarterUSM]

I seen that lovely woman on Ian Hislops 'off the rails' programme !! "It's quicker by hearse"!!! Good on you all, by the way!

 

[Radio Ruderham]

After our Grand opening and the publicity surrounding that event
the WRHA are more determined than ever to continue what we have started
by continuing to build a fully restored working railway.
Obviously we are always looking for ways to continue our work
and what we need now is ballast and lots of it so we ask you firstly
to read our appeal below then please if you can, contribute to what we think is a worthy cause.
A big thank you on behalf of the entire membership of The WRHA.​

HELP US RAISE £9,000 TO FINISH OUR FIRST LENGTH OF RUNNING LINE​

The Association has set itself the challenging goal of having a length of track fully complete and fit for use by trains by the summer of 2011. The rails and sleepers have already been laid from the south portal of Whitrope Tunnel to Bridge 200 (the “Golden Bridge”), a distance of almost ½ mile, and we now only need to purchase and lay the granite ballast which will be packed under the sleepers to bring them up to level.

Our initial aim is to tackle the section running south from the new station platform, as part of our aspiration to offer brakevan rides to the public.

30 tonnes of ballast is needed for each sixty foot “panel” of track, and we have 10 panels requiring ballasting. Each tonne of stone costs £30 to buy and transport from the quarry to Whitrope, hence we are looking to raise £9,000 through this appeal.

Could You Sponsor a Tonne?

Although we welcome all donations, we’re looking for individuals to sponsor a tonne of ballast, and we’ve got some attractive incentives on offer:
A special signed certificate for each donation of a tonne or more, and your name published on our “roll of honour” which will be displayed in the heritage centre coaches
For donations of 2 tonnes or more, you will also receive an invitation to travel on one of the “first day” services (date tba) which will be reserved for volunteers and supporters. Ensure you’re one of the first to travel on the 21st century Waverley Route!
For donations of 5 tonnes or more, we’ll also throw in a loco cab ride on the first day of services
For donations of 10 tonnes or more, we’ll give you the VIP treatment on the first day of services and, in addition to the above, we’ll give you a conducted tour of the site and high tea in the buffet car.

If you can help, please send your donation together with your contact details to:

Waverley Route Heritage Association
Track Ballast Appeal;
Reeth House,
17 Hillview Road,
South Witham,
Grantham,
Lincolnshire,
NG33 5QW

If you want any further information, e- mail us on info@wrha.org.uk

 

[YorkshireBear]

Glad your making process, is at an aim to reconnect as much as possible?

It's good the line to tweedbank is being rebuilt. when is that bit due to open?

 

[Bittern]

Glad your making process, is at an aim to reconnect as much as possible?

It's good the line to tweedbank is being rebuilt. when is that bit due to open?

It's due in 2014, but weither it'll be opened on time (especially regarding recent troubles with Tweedbank Station) is another question.-

 

[Radio Ruderham]

It's due in 2014, but wether it'll be opened on time (especially regarding recent troubles with Tweedbank Station) is another question.-

What the paper had in it (The Border Telegraph) Is complete bollocks.
Some anally retentive twonk with too much time on his hands spouting disinformation.
We're talking about 100 Meters of a difference.
Numpty that He is.
Due to start the rebuild late next year Nov/Dec or sooner
to be completed no later than 2013 for trains to start running for passengers AFTER the new franchises have been won or lost etc;

To answer jimmyowl1992's question,
Basically Yes as far as we are allowed to go with the constraints of leases legal stuff and the old enemy, Money.
WCML here we come, hopefully.

 

[Radio Ruderham]

I'll try and post some piccies of the work currently under way by Scottish Water
to move a water main out of the way of the track

 

[Bittern]

Isn't that being done as part of the Borders Railway?

 

[Bill EWS]

it's great to see this project building up so steadily and wish it well. However, that happens to them if/when the Waverley route is rebuilt for mainline use?

 

[Radio Ruderham]

it's great to see this project building up so steadily and wish it well. However, that happens to them if/when the Waverley route is rebuilt for mainline use?

And so say all of us

 

[Bittern]

However, what happens to them if/when the Waverley route is rebuilt for mainline use?

I've wondered the same thing myself.

 

[Invincibles]

I assume they are just happy that the whole thing is back open, after all that is the long term objective in a world of unlimited finance.

Maybe they can go the other way fro Riccarton junction? Be a useful diversion route for the ECML then

 

[Radio Ruderham]

Real progress at last​

 

[furryfeet]

So is the issue of the water main being on the solum of the trackbed at Tweedbank turning out to be as serious as first thought ? i.e. will it have a big cost impact ?

 

[Radio Ruderham]

This is Nuts!!

Quite a lot has been going on recently the water main is at Newtonloan
just South of The Lady Victoria Coal Mine,
Piccies Taken from Bridge 20 on the B704
First bit of news
and the Latest bit of news

 

[Bittern]

What's that wee shelter thing in the second picture?

 

[Radio Ruderham]

What's that wee shelter thing in the second picture?

Concrete structure?

Linemans Hut, it sat between the main double tracked mainline (lest we forget)
and sidings for the pit half mile or so North
The Picture is taken at an oblique angle to get as much in to the frame.

 

[Bittern]

Thanks.

 

[Radio Ruderham]

I'm Going out for a spin in the car shortly to Millerhill to see if any progress has started on the track re-alignment down there
(a network Rail job apparently)
then off towards Cowbraehill Farm to see what (If anything) has been done.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As per above,
photo's of the works at the former overbridge 41 site
Click Here

 

[Bittern]

I just read on wikipedia that the track at Riccarton Junction mentioned in the opening post has recently been lifted. Is there any truth to this?

 

[Radio Ruderham]

I just read on wikipedia that the track at Riccarton Junction mentioned in the opening post has recently been lifted. Is there any truth to this?

Yup!
Without going too much into this as it doesn't actually concern the WRHA
the track and other railway related items were removed sometime ago
to an uknown destination.
The WRHA were the first and currently are the ONLY organisation with track and traction on the Waverley Route.

 

[Bittern]

It may not have been getting used, but this is sad.

 

[Radio Ruderham]

More News about the Rebuild, Hooray.