Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

Vandalism does happen there.....

 

New update on GCR (Northern) website:

http://www.gcrn.co.uk/news/work-begins/

copies much of what has already been published on GCR website but with some additional information.

 

Hello lads,
I've found something interesting in the Inet.

http://www.greatcentraltoday.com/gcrn/ruddington.html

Are these plans still under consideration and what would be the final length of the united railway line, if this scheme is completed?

Cheers,
Fred

 

I believe the "cuttings" area between Ruddington and where the NET Clifton tram route runs on the former GC trackbed is a Nature reserve/Site of Special Scientific Interest of some sort, so that would cause problems for any such extension of the GCR operation.

EDIT - This was actually mentioned on the previous page of postings on this subject !!
Thought I'd read it somewhere recently................

 

IIRC the south chord is being looked at but depends on negotiating with landowners etc.

Realistically 50 steps junction will need taking OOU as it's a real faff with crews having to operate the ground frame. Also it's a very restricted site & it can only manage approx load 4+ 2 locos if running t&t.

At least ruddington will be more flexible soon with platform 2 being added. Hopefully it might get a canopy for some protection from the elements.

 

GE image of East Leake station attached. Notwithstanding that the platform is still there, it appears to have no access and no room for any parking. I would be interested to know how these rumours address these issues. It may be easier to have a passing loop south of the tunnel where the old sidings were. Rushcliffe Halt is a spartan place sandwiched between a golf course and a main road on one side and the British Gypsum Works (which is quite busy with loading and un-loading of container trains) on the other, and has its own challenges as to parking and indeed as to desirability of developing this as an alternative to pax getting on at Ruddington. There are some huge challenges which will land on the new CEO's plate in addition to his or her day job. How to work together with GCRN / New chord at Ruddington / What to do about the Loughborough loco shed / How to operate a service on the northern part with only two platform roads at Loughborough (one of which is usually blocked by the victualing of the dining set) / Funding for capital works / How to generate sufficient additional income to cover costs for the extra mileage through pleasant but hardly exciting countryside, etc. Plus the Leicester North museum of course.

 

Rather crucially, the Order under the Transport and Works Act which authorises the GCRN to run, The Great Central Railway (East Leake branch, etc.) Order 2000, currently specifically prevents any use of East Leake station as a station . . .

Part III - Miscellaneous

Operation of Railways.

10.
(5). Except in an emergency --
(a) no train shall stop at East Leake station to allow passengers to alight from or board the train,
(b) no train, other than a train being used solely for the carriage of goods, shall run on the railways before 09.00 hours or after 18.00 hours on any day,
without the prior written permission of the Secretary of State.

 

I suspect that one of the major challenges will be installing sufficient infrastructure on the GCRN to enable it to function as anything more than a 9 mile-long headshunt.

 

It'll need sorting & a huge amount of trackwork as there's quite a few temporary speed restrictions.

Also needs proper signalling on the 50 steps - loughborough section which could be controlled by hotchley hill box. Aren't there issues too with the viaduct that runs alongside brush's works??? Always a crawl over it (5mph or so).

 

Just spotted this. http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/county-councils-proposal-buy-1m-11450624 Nice to see a local authority with some spare cash and looking to the future. (if it happens.)

 

This one's interesting too:
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/ownership-plan-for-gcr-bridge-11343277

 

That expands the information contained in the latest copy of the FoGCML "Main Line" that appeared through the letterbox earlier today which stated that "responsibilities" for the bridge were being looked at.
Good to see a local authority that actually appreciates things that attract visitors to their area who wouuldn't normally go there!

 

Anyone know why Michael Gregory has resigned from the board?

 

Wasn't aware of that - where did you see it? I've had search but can't find anything.
Sure you're not confusing it with this story about Bill Ford (78 years) standing down?
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/great-central-railways-md-steps-11843631

If Mike Gregory has resigned then this must be a bit of a worry to the railway, as he's been a great supporter - helping with things like the dining set and also buying 9F 92214.

 

Filing at Companies House.

 

Thanks for that. Whatever the reasons, I suspect this is not great news for the GCR.

 

The press release re Bill Ford is on the railway's own site http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2016/09/press-release-william-ford/ As might have been expected, he is staying on the board. Michael Gregory's decision may simply be that he does not want the time commitment of course, but it would be nice to be told. Interesting times for the GCR what with Dennis Wilcock's abrupt departure, an extra (I guess) £50,000 and change salary cost for the new CEO to be covered from revenue, and four new non-execs. I wonder if there will be any more changes of personnel?

 

Dennis Wilcock standing down as editor of Main Line can hardly be described as an abrupt departure, he has wanted to hand over the editorship for some time. I suspect the new non execs are all part of the Leicester Museum project on the request of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

Aside from this is there are news on the contract to build the abutments and bridge? The last updates on the web site suggest that the contract was about to be let in May 16.

 

Indeed but a "complete and clean break from the railway" came as a bit of surprise to some of us.