Wensleydale Railway Matters

Turning it into a heritage railway is probably a realistic acknowledgement of the best way forward, but what will be its selling point? I can't see them attracting a fleet of industrial steam engines let alone main line ones, they have little or no interesting rolling stock and without Aysgarth little or no interesting scenery.

 

I totally agree. As a truncated railway without any hope or intention of going further it has nothing to offer compared to the established steam railways. I have supported it by buying shares and being a member because of the grand scheme to reconnect the ECML and the S&C. That to me was the selling point. Once Aysgrath is sold to become the playground of a third party, that selling point is gone for ever.

 

<Devil's Advocate> What if that 'third party' was someone like Jeremy Hosking or someone else renowned in preservation circles? Would the reaction be the same? </Devil's Advocate>

After the Teifi Valley saga I can understand the reservations people have, but perhaps the board of the WR is being a bit brighter than it is being given credit for? Maybe it's not selling to any old Tom, Dick or Harry?

 

I'll agree with that, it could be the same situation as supporters owning houses along the line and varying bits of infrastructure, this is common on most railways like the L&B and gotherington station on the gwsr is privately owned but doesn't impede the railway operations. However, until this person comes out of the shadows and broadcasts their intentions and what their connection to the railway is, then we will never know. There is no reason why this person should be anonymous at this point, perhaps they are a private individual, but that doesn't matter, the shareholders are owed more than that. We shall see, perhaps the gun is being jumped and the buyer will introduce themselves at a future meeting. But I can't see why that couldn't have been done at the AGM, I can't imagine it would impede the sale at all. I can't help but view it with suspicion, i shall wait with anticipation

 

Exactly, why the secrecy?

 

I'd like to know how often has an individual with a large wodge of cash come out of the ether like this and purchased an asset/'saved a railway' without it all going t*ts up?

 

presumably if there is some sort of business opportunity on site then they will have to produce planning / financial documents at some point in the future anyway?

 

Indeed, and getting the introductions in as early as possible to quell any objections to said planning apps among the members/shareholders would seem like a smart move.

 

The members have voted for the sale, even though many of them are not happy about it. Presumably this is because they can see that the railway is otherwise going to go t*ts up anyway.

 

If it's that bad £200K will burn through very quickly.

Sawdust.

 

Yes, it seems like a very slender lifeline. But if the Aysgarth mortgage was costing the company a significant amount then it's an opportunity to cut costs and work towards sustainability.

 

Surely that depends on what the underlying problem is. I've heard that the costs of new level crossing lights are a major burden; if it's capital like that I can see the argument. But if ordinary running costs...


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I think the problem is a long railway, out in the sticks, infrastructure with decades of neglect, loads of level crossings, and with no real selling point other than getting to a real destination (Aysgarth!) and the long-term aim/hope of linking to the S&C.
It has been struggling from 'hand to mouth' from day one.
Sad to say, and I hope I'm wrong, but IMHO selling Aysgarth to other than to another supporter or group of supporters won't just be a nail in the coffin, it'll be enough nails to bang the lid on ready for burial!
Andy

 

Will there be a restrictive covenant preventing any development that would obstruct the restoration of through services, and a reservation allowing the Wensleydale Railway to run its trains through Aysgarth station at a future date? Even if the purchaser is an enthusiast, what happens if he wants (or has) to sell on in the future?

John

 

John, that looks to be the main problem, no covenant or running rights at all - the 'reason' given being that that would reduce the value of the site.

 

Value of the site hardly matters when it's a private deal, and they are planning to sell below market value anyway.

 

Don't shoot the messenger....................

 

Oh dear .Should be a condition of sale of running rights should the railway get there in say the next 15 years.
Therefore giving the railway an aim but not a condition to the purchaser of maybe/ if ever .

 

It is good to see so many people interested in this railways future, I hope those who are really interested will join and support it. Having listened to the debate at the Members AGM I would sum it up as this, 'It is broke, it needs fixing, to fix it costs money, supporters have dipped hands in pockets so many times the hands are getting arthritic. Do we fix it or give up?
An offer is made to put money in the kitty. Accept the offer and the railway is saved until the next crisis at least. Reject the offer and the railway stops where it is, never reaches past Redmire, and good money is spent altering Leyburn with little future of much use. I can accept that it is very very hard for long serving members to stomach the fact of selling Aysgarth Station, many were in despair on Saturday.
The proposals are to implement a '10 point plan' actually there are 17 points.
One is an extension to Castle Bolton and build a new station. This gives a station where at least customers can do something useful, like visit the Castle, (privately owned?). A maintenance shed is to be built at Leeming, finance is available for the full thing. Infrastructure is to be brought up to required standard. Facilities and stock are to be improved. There are many other items given which look very laudable.
It would seem that the WR plc now have some new blood on the board and these are going to make a difference and change direction slightly. 'We' can only expect them to do the job expected by all the members and enthusiasts and produce an interesting railway which is sustainable in the next 10-15 years. Once that is achieved then they can look again to Garsdale.
Did I enjoy the meeting? NO. Was it useful? YES. Will I go next year? Probably not. Will I stay a member? YES. Will I support them in other ways? I'll wait and see.
I am not saying any more about this matter, watch and wait.
Good luck to all involved actively.
By the way Andy Y, you ask what harm it would do to have 'Scotsman' for a week? Probably a lot if it wrecked the engine. Far to precious for WR, let NYMR have it and look after it.

 

I can agree that so little has been achieved towards getting to Hawes and Garsdale that it may be more realistic to accept that it was just a pipedream, and that a Northallerton (and getting there on a proper basis won't be that easy) to Redmire or Bolton leisure based operation may be the future. But selling off Aysgarth station won't provide that much cash, especially if it is being sold below market value. I'm surprised that members didn't want to know who is buying it, and to make sure that the full value is being paid - especially if there are no covenants to protect the restoration of trains through the station towards Hawes and Garsdale. The identity of the buyer, and the price paid, will be public knowledge available to anyone who pays the Land Registry search fee - after the sale has been completed.

John