Heritage News
Heritage Railways a statement of fact
Amazingly, there are 37 operational Heritage railways operating
in the UK today. It is not possible to list them all on this site, so I
have picked those I felt contained the most interesting and attention
holding material.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The NYMR will be the first heritage railway to operate a timetable
service over NR tracks when their plans to operate a 100 days steam
hauled service to Whitby during the height of the season in 2007 now
has the green light from NR. Alterations to the signalling at Grosmont
and setting up locomotives for main line operation will be undertaken
this winter. Due to NR conditions, no Mk1 coaches will be allowed to
Whitby nor the Pullman rake. http://www.nymr.demon.co.uk/
The Seven Valley Railway
The heavy rainstorms of June 2007 have caused considerable
damage to the track at Bridgenorth and Highley washing away signals and
creating serious landslips. A shuttle service will operate between
Kidderminster and Bewdley by three locomotives that were not trapped in
Bridgenorth by this damage.
Amazingly Network Rail and EWS provided wagons, a class 66 and staff to
assist in the repairs of the line FREE OF CHARGE. I was pleased to see
an old army favourite of mine from my Longmoor days, namely the 2-10-0 Gordon No600
that has now been restored to its original Longmoor colours of blue and
red but not fully operational. The Loco will be displayed in the new
engine house at Highley in July. A very popular heritage railway with
always something of interest to see along their 16 route miles. http://www.svr.co.uk/
Weardale Line
Weardale Railways Ltd came out of administration on June 26,
2006. This revival follows investment from the ECT group, owners of the
Dartmoor Railway. A commitment remains to extend the line to Bishop
Auckland. Their first passenger service returned after a break of 19
months be it only with their DMU 41103 for the time being.
http://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/homeframe.htm
The Mid Hants Railway
This interesting Heritage line has a vision holding website, in
particular the link I have listed here that with a little navigation,
will take you to a long list of Members videos filmed on the line.
Mostly Southern orientated but there are one or two depicting LMS
locomotives. Well worth an hour or two and all down loadable?
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/locoshed/index.htm
Bideford & Instow Railway Group
Now here is a Heritage Group with a Dream, that’s to re open the
Barnstaple to Bideford branch, a very scenic and historic Southern
Region branch through North Devon and quite a task set for the
future.They were due to operate their first train this year. But due to
vandalism (every heritage line seems to have problems with these
idiots) to their signal box and passenger carrying break van and their
only diesel locomotive the reopening has been put back to 2007. The
high costs of insurance premiums isn’t helping. Still their members
will take this opportunity to get on with repairs and maintenance. http://www.bidefordrail.co.uk/
The Middleton Railway
The Middleton Railway will celebrate the lines 250th
anniversary with two gala weekends. June 7-8 and September 20-21. Interestingly
this line never closed. It was taken over in 1960 to become the first standard
gauge railway to be taken over by volunteers. The line was opened from
Middleton Colliery to Leeds on
September 20th, 1758
Two narrow gauge locos
loaned from the National Coal Mining Museum are now on display in the
new Engine House. http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk/
The Northampton & Lamport Railway
Here’s a heritage railway with plans for the future. Formed in
1995 it’s been hard work getting around the many obstacles one would
expect with a venture of this size. They have an excellent website that
gives one an idea of the problems they had and how teamwork has and is
extending the line. http://www.nlr.org.uk/
The Bluebell Railway
Their planned new station at East Grinstead has finally been
transferred to the line from Network Rail. Still no news regarding the
transfer of ownership of the Limerhorne Cutting from West Sussex
Council the current owners. Until an agreement is reached, their
£4,000,000 share issue for the planned extension to East Grinstead. http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/bluebell.html
Nene Valley Railway
Now that the Mk1 rake of TPO's has been delivered, one can
expect a little more interest added to ones visit. The full programme
of Thomas the Tank events and others details is on their website. http://www.nvr.org.uk/
The Mid Norfolk Railway
Just reading of this groups progress reminds me of Bees with
each section responsible for a set task and left to get on with it.
Definately a Heritage group to keep and eye on since they have the
right type of volunteers. http://www.mnr.org.uk/
The North Norfolk Railway
Network Rail has just donated 50 panels of bullhead rail to the
NNR that are destined for the new carriage storage shed at Bridge 299
at Holt and for the setting out of new sidings. http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
The Spa Valley Railway
This interesting heritage operation that runs from Tunbridge
Wells West to Groombridge in Kent was fortunate in that they inherited
buildings along its 3½ mile route. Their ultimate aim is to link up
with Eridge and its main line connection. Obviously an organisation
with positive aims. Well worth a look at their website. http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
Railway Heritage Committee
The Department of Transport has just announced the Committee for
the next three years. They are: Dr John Gough-Railway Historian &
Journalist: Andrew Scott-Head of the National Railway Museum: Mike
Lamport-Head of Communications London lines; Andrew McNaughton-Chief
Engineer Network Rail; Graham Smith-Planning Director EWS and Jerry
Swift-Community Rail Accountant Network Rail. The RHC is sponsored by
the Department of Transport in it’s role to identify and designate
railway records and artefacts of future value to the nation. Once an
item is designated, it can only be disposed of with RHC approval.