GWSR Broadway Developments

Unfortunately, a somewhat mannerless reply.
Even a slightly extended pause during running round would not justify anything like thirty minutes. Neither would anything like this amount of time be required to pass trains. It all increases the time to turn round equipment.

PH

 

See post 1597 (and others).

PH

 

?

 

I'm not so sure. The dwell time for passing trains is substantially less than the allowance at Abergynolwyn and the lack of any advertised "comfort opportunities" at the Brynglas loop suggests there's no operational imperative for other than a minimal stop.

The issue of outlay on facilities at a station which everyone knew at the time wouldn't remain the terminus for too long was commented on at the time, quite vociferously as I recall.

At a terminal (the destination for the bulk of passengers on pretty much every heritage line), folk have a choice to avail themselves of refreshments or toddle off to investigate the surroundings. Even with well thought out footpaths connecting Nant Gwernol with Aber, for most the prolonged stop at the café rather smacks of compulsion as there's little else within striking distance for passengers.

It's worth considering that both sides of this debate would hold water rather better if there were some firm market research to back up (or shoot down) our respective positions. When all's said and done, we're all enthusiasts at heart, with the interests in minimising obstacles and maximising the opportunities for the lines we all love.

 

http://cgibin.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2017/11/034

With the tarmacking of the station drive imminent here is a sneaky peaky of one done earlier!

 

I hope it's not a carbon copy, as there was a pavement round the Broadway station building, with granite edging slabs. Some of these have survived buried in situ, others are in stock (although not enough) and at the time of writing the issue of reinstating ther granite kerbs is not yet settled.

 

As I understand things, the tarmacking of the drive is not imminent as funds are not there to do this, the pavement, however, will be tarmacked.

There will be a path in front of the station, and as Breva says, hopefully, the section in front of the station will have granite edging slabs if suitable ones can be purchased.

 

I have to say I don't like acres of black tarmac. It might be the cheapest and easiest solution, but too much of modern Britain is submerged beneath it. Most unattractive IMHO.
Andy

 

I can't disagree with your comment. A gravel surface always looks great (and early images of Broadway Station seem to show such a surface eon the forecourt area) but gravel will disintegrate (especially Cotswold limestone gravel - although it looks good) and gravel drives always need an army of little men to keep them raked and levelled after traffic use. Boy racing Corsa drivers also like gravel too, so I'm led to believe!

 

I am confused , surely the Boardroom Blog recently indicated a record year for passenger numbers and receipts', and as a result numerous capital projects would be undertaken.

http://gwrboardroom.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/gwsr-board-approves-significant-capital.html#comment-form

Could these funds not be used to finish the job in hand before moving on to other things.

No point in robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

A fair question, but quite a few of those projects have been on hold for some time as a result of Broadway's perceived "swallowing up" of money, and I think it's probably a smart move by the board to show the rest of the railway they haven't been forgotten about - it is needed.

Plus there are all the practical reasons against gravel. Hopefully something that doesn't look *too* modern can be sorted out, although I've no idea really.

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You have said very much of what I was going to say.

This is as much an issue of what is practical (and possible) as aesthetically pleasing. I would very much doubt you would be able to afford paviour masonry or granite setts, which are the "pretty" alternatives to tarmacadam. However gravel is not at all ideal. It produces dust in dry weather or puddles and mud in wet. I am glad to see the W.S.R. addressing this matter. It needs IMHO, rather more attention from tourist railways.

PH

 

I think a gravel driveway of forecourt would look very good. Not sure about boy racers - isn't the forecourt going to be off limits to the general public's vehicles?


Keith

 

It looks like the track plan will deliberately create the impression of double track in both directions, with the long double tracked headshunt towards Honeybourne and the change to single track in the other direction being a good way away from the platforms. Is that right? It's a really nice idea if so.

 

I think it was reasonably intensional, especially with the initial idea of the second loop south of the extension. Should look good!

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It is a private drive with access to Broadway Station, the old Station Master's house and a couple of other private properties, so there will be vehicular traffic using it. If any of the occupants own silver Vauxhall Corsas with black wheels and blue underbody lights with the front number plate wedged in the front windscreen but are retired then I apologise in advance.

 

Oh I see, so that Broadways being starved of sufficient funds to at least finish it off properly, is because of internal politics and to appease other departments.

Presumably that also explains the Cafe Debacle.

Not such a "smart move".

 

That's unfair and not what I meant.

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I'm sure there must be a compromise between acres of tarmac making the place look like the local Sainbury's (other supermarkets are available.....) and expensive stone setts covering the whole area in front of the station. I agree that gravel might be impracticable. It might be worth asking the National Trust for advice on alternatives.
Andy

 

Textured concrete setts may be suitable.
Installed in Goathland station carpark on the NYMR a few years ago.