Telford Steam Railway - Latest news

Had a visit to Horsehay on Saturday to see S160 No 5197 hauling the Polar Express. I had a great time. A big thank you to all the volunteers for being so welcoming and who made the whole operation run like clockwork.

Last but not least, ‘Merry Christmas’ to all Nat Pres posters, and have a great 2018.

Stan

 

An appropriate loco for the Polar Express!

 

Yeah, but the haulage costs are less from CVR

A brilliant month with some amazing reviews from Believers.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

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Hi folks we open again on the Saturday of Easter weekend.

08757 will be hauling trains for the day

https://telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/event/first-day-season-2018-08757-eagle-duty/

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https://www.shropshirestar.com/news...tion-owners-urged-to-reopen-old-railway-line/
If this plan on the link above came to fruition, surely it would hamper Telford Steam Railway's plans to extend down to Ironbridge Gorge?

 

I suspect the bigger threat to TSR plans is from the development itself, the little I've seen so far makes no mention of accommodating the railway on the Power station site. And given the insatiable appetite of the council for new houses ( god knows for who ) I don't see it not going ahead.
The Shropshire Star picture of the Std tank in Ironbridge station is nice but a bit misleading, the power station is at Buildwas about a mile north of Ironbridge on the rural edge of development in the gorge, the flaw in the suggestion to reopen for passengers is that the catchment for traffic originating in Ironbridge would be fairly limited without a huge daily increase in road traffic and won't really address Councillor Carter's issue of road traffic from the Shrewsbury direction.

Either way though it would be a shame to lose the Albert Edward bridge to rail traffic.

 

Hi all

There was fun in the sun at Telford Steam Railway this bank holiday weekend. Dunlop No. 6, on loan from the Chasewater Railway, was in action on all three days. Plenty of visitors as well, which was great to see.

Happy Easter everyone

Stan

 

Has there been any start yet on the extension??

 

Hi @Gav106

I’m not involved with the railway so there will be better qualified people on here who can answer your question. However, I believe that the old track between Horsehay and Dawley Station and Doseley Halt is being lifted.

Can anyone confirm that this is true? (and apologies if I’ve got this wrong)

Stan

 

Is this because the track and sleepers maybe worn out and is it possible new track may to be relaid if the telford steam railway are hellbent on going to buildwas station site eventually but i cant say for sure a answer if your question is true stan.

 

No knowledge of what is going on either but I assume you are aware of the Vintage Trains plans for the 9th June advertised as the last steam to Ironbridge.
This links to a Shropshire Star article -- worth reading including the replies, There seems to be very little information locally about the power station site and TSR long term plans.


https://www.shropshirestar.com/news...4/22/trains-to-ride-again-on-ironbridge-line/

That would just be speculation @Davo the line was capable of taking Class 66 locos and heavy trains up to closure of the power station. Some local councillors are keen to see the debris from the power station demolition removed by rail. We'll see.

 

I believe that there are structural issues with the abutments of the Albert Edward bridge which has resulted in Network Rail currently prohibiting its traversal by trains.

 

So is the scheme just a white elephant all because the albert bridge abutments needs strenghening up, Have the telford heritage steam railway even got spare money availble in their coffers to carry out the work if so i know the polar express trains over christmas was quite a money spinner for em. And must have give the telford heritage line ideas to extend.

 

Telford Steam Railway’s website https://steamingtoironbridge.co.uk/ gives some more information on their long term plans of reaching Ironbridge. It’s a great little Railway and I really wish them every success in achieving their ambitions

 

At least if the track cant be laid to buildwas former station site cos of the albert edward bridge what about the telford heritage railway going to coalbrookdale station site temorarily or putting a preservation order on the trackbed to madley jct if it cant be used for running trains on for future developments such as a cycleway or if the severn valley line need a northen connection, Cos beyond buildwas to craven arms S.W. is not reopenable anyhow.

 

I for one was unaware until now, and a quick check on the VT website shows both trains already sold out, though the associated run from Banbury to Cosford and back seems to be still open for bookings.

 

https://national-preservation.com/t...to-the-ironbridge-gorge.1242558/#post-2325708

When we were there for the Polar XP last year, it was hoped to have the Horsehay to Doseley section ready for our return with 5197 in December this year.