Great Central Railway linking bridge preparation work begins
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Marvellous news. I've had this book for a while - a bit out of date now though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Great-C...58&sr=8-1&keywords=great+central+then+and+now
agricola
a genuine importer of owls
Surprised at the bridge only costing £1 million - its predecessor (which was only demolished in 1980) looks with its embankment to be quite a substantial edifice.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I suspect it'll be single track (like the new bridge they built on the NYMR) since the additional cost of a two-track bridge won't have been considered worth the expense.
Shame they obliterated most of the route through Leicester in relatively recent years, a decent city centre terminus would have been a big benefit.
Shame they obliterated most of the route through Leicester in relatively recent years, a decent city centre terminus would have been a big benefit.
editor
hiraethified
There's some interesting archive photos here:
http://www.gcrleicester.info/html/leicester_demolition_1.html
That was my first thought. Seems to be very good value for money.
Fantastic news in any case!
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
I like the fact some of these barriers to reinstating lines are being overcome, years back projects on this scale (and the Bluebell extension) probably wouldn't have been thought possible. Things like the landfill tax grants have been a help in a lot of cases - it almost seems easier to get government grants for this type of project, at least in the last decade or so (not sure if this is now declining with general cutbacks everywhere). I think also a lot of rail fans (the steam generation) hitting retirement age and having a bit more time (and in some cases wealth) to throw into these projects or lobby for funding helps.
Wonder if the Bitton railway will ever make it to Bath Green Park? That'd be an amazing achievement. A lot of the redevelopment in the 80s that blocked the route is now being developed again, and there have been talks of protecting a corridor for this.
Wonder if the Bitton railway will ever make it to Bath Green Park? That'd be an amazing achievement. A lot of the redevelopment in the 80s that blocked the route is now being developed again, and there have been talks of protecting a corridor for this.
hash tag
Books, not bombs
Watching Great Railway Journeys last night, I see they are planning a Southern branch of the RAilway Museum at the GCR; they are really going places at the mo!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-25157110
PS got my other half a days driving experience on the GCR a year or two back, what a fantastic day!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-25157110
PS got my other half a days driving experience on the GCR a year or two back, what a fantastic day!
Puddy_Tat
🐈⬛
on the one hand, impressive project
but having said that, will joe public (the general public that is, who provide a fairly large chunk of income for these things, not the dedicated enthusiasts)
a) want the length of journey that the new line will offer?
b) be prepared to pay an increased price "for a train ride" that will be needed to meet the increased costs?
but having said that, will joe public (the general public that is, who provide a fairly large chunk of income for these things, not the dedicated enthusiasts)
a) want the length of journey that the new line will offer?
b) be prepared to pay an increased price "for a train ride" that will be needed to meet the increased costs?
editor
hiraethified
I imagine it'll being in a ton of local trade courtesy of tourists (like me) who will travel to see the new line.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
The GCR is pushing itself as a 'preserved mainline' with a desire to run some of the locomotives at speeds approacing those that they would have done in proper service, requiring a longer line to achieve this, and that's likely to be attractive to enthusiasts - on many preserved lines you're limited to pootling along at 15mph past rows of rusting stock, and it's a bit short on the glamour. I think there's definitely a place for it. The museum will be a nice addition too, will give them access to NRM stock and covered accomodation for some of their own.
SikhWarrioR
And the Worms ate into his brain
On the GCR most of the track is good for 60 MPH and in parts 75 MPH i believe and if both parts of GCR double track it will be impressive
hash tag
Books, not bombs
some of the heritage railways are not exactly poor, besides they have many ways of extracting cash like special events, driving experiences, dinner trains etc.
my worry is who is going to keep these things running. are there enough suttably enthused youngsters around who will train to get the necessary expertise to maintain and run them?
my worry is who is going to keep these things running. are there enough suttably enthused youngsters around who will train to get the necessary expertise to maintain and run them?
agricola
a genuine importer of owls
I dont know about the rest of them, but the Llangollen Railway for one both trains (via apprenticeships - 14 since 2001) and employs engineers of the necessary skill to maintain (and now build) locomotives and rolling stock; indeed its the largest employer in the town.
SikhWarrioR
And the Worms ate into his brain
Speaking of new build locomotives I bnelieve that the A1 trust is already thinking about and costing/planning for its next loco after 60163 Tornado namely one of gresley's P2 class 2-8-2's
editor
hiraethified
