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Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Freshwater, Nov 12, 2013.

  1. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    The steam railway extension to Newport, even if slower than buses, will be driven by extra tourism to the Newport Harbour development which will eventually boost the local economy.
    We shall see what the feasility study comes up with?.
     
  2. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    People who are using public transport as a way of getting from A to B will of course use the bus, But people who might be enjoying a leisure activity, might possibly see the railway as part of that leisure activity , either as part of the visit, or as an add on to it, If walking distance from the development, then it could attract extra visitors to the location, we have to remember, the IOWSR Is a leisure activity, not a form of public transport.
     
  3. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    WIBN yet again.
     
  4. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    No, if it was WIBN will not get approval, any grant will driven by commercial tourism to the Harbour development.
    Generally where there has been a good steam railway near a town, the town has indirectly benefited.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
  5. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    At the risk of labouring the point, it would be a great loss - the loss of Haydock's own history.

    Keith
     
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  6. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

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    I am at a loss as to why Haydock's own history would be lost? You seem to have very little faith in the IOWSR, any particular reason why?
     
  7. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    I think we've got the message about your utter disapproval and issues with this matter Keith, so I'm not sure how repeatedly tell us all this fact is going to somehow stop the potential moving of Haydock to IOWSR, but of course you wanted to make a petition or something that's fair enough. But unless your willing to take the engine on yourself I'll doubt much can be done to hinder matters as they are progressing now.

    As has already been suggested by others including myself before, the railway I'm sure would ensure people have access and are made aware of the engine's own history.

    And with that all being said, I'd agree this matter has been well and truly labored, maybe... never know with folks on here at times!
     
  8. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    Case in point the extension to Leek on the CVR, that's been given a great deal of funding from grant bodies and support from the local authorities, as it is the town's intent to regenerate the area around which the new station for the extension will be built.

    Of course whether you can compare that to the situation on the Isle of Wight to extend to Newport I'm not too sure. Always got the impression the only major obstacle to any such extension would be that cutting adjacent Wooten Station that was unstable, unless there's other issues further on ahead.
     
  9. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Gary, my fear would be that the loco would be renamed/repainted as a IOW loco (as I understand is the plan for the E1) and its own history would be lost/forgotten. I have the utmost respect for the work that the IOWSR do, however the situation with the E1 would tend to suggest that a similar situation could arise with Haydock.

    I have never stated "utter disapproval" so please let's stick to the facts!
    As I said before, I have no real issue with the loco going to the IOW, but in my opinion it should retain it's own identity. At the end of the day it's not my loco and I have never suggested a petition or taking on the loco myself(!). I am however, entitled to an opinion!
    I'll leave it at that.

    Keith
     
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  10. JMJR1000

    JMJR1000 Member

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    I will apologize in using those words 'utter disapproval', you are correct you never used those words exactly, I was merely using those words because that just seemed to be view on the matter from my point of view. Seeming to be not all that happy with this idea of Haydock going to IOWSR, which I assumed by the fact of the sheer number of times you commentated on the matter. Though I'm just as guilty of that so again meant no insult.

    And for the record I have never said nor would ever say that anyone is not entitled to your their own opinion, what you wish to say is your own business and will have no qualms about it.
    As I myself am entitled to my own opinion too however, then don't be surprised if I'm wanting to have a debate, speaking for my own side of this matter in turn.

    But I have no wish to turn things too heated, unpleasant or heavens forbid personal on this matter, not with you or anyone else. So in order to prevent such matters, I shall bow out of this debate now and leave it be for the time being.
    I've said all that I've wanted to, know too well I get too passionate about debates on here at times, so must back myself down before getting too carried away.

    A good evening to you all.
     
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  11. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, it is pure WIBN, a malady which infects gricers and politicians alike. Mixing up pleasure railways with "public transport" set ups is a sure sign. The operating periods, maintenance arrangements, type of equipment used and fare structures are totally different and incompatible. Less romantic wishful thinking from both gricers and politicians please.
     
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  12. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

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    Deleted.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
  13. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

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    I still fail to see how either engines history would be lost, I know that the past history of both engines is rather interesting and will be told in great detail by the IOWSR. Please do not prejudge the outcome, you may be pleasantly surprised.
     
  14. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Hang on Paul, what in my post is WIBN? I can see nothing, unless you mean the likelihood of the IOWSR, Expanding beyond Wotton , but that's in the long term plans of the railway isn't it? If it wasn't as part of some greater leisure plan, then i would agree, it would be WIBN, but if it links in to a new leisure attraction at Newport Quay, then it might, if promoted efficiently actually work, but not as any means of public transport, it would have to be as part of a leisure orientated activity
     
  15. iowcr3429

    iowcr3429 New Member

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    I can understand the argument from both sides ref Haydocks history so will leave it to see how the people at the top of both organisations come to a agreement about the loco. Knowing the steam railway I know that it will be well looked after undercover in the train shed with information boards to give its history.

    As to the proposal of extending to Newport which I would love to see, one thing that the railway is still short of is carriages. In 1991 on opening to Smallbrook that really was a close run thing due to a lack of carriages. In the following years more were rebuilt to ease the situation but three were stopped for heavy maintenance which is only now starting to be rectified by two returning ( one still needs a heavy overhaul to the underframe) . If the railway was to go back to Newport or even Ryde the C+W dept would be back to 1991 in terms of requiring extra carriages for another set to run. Yes its possible but not just yet ( there are the carriage bodies on site but would need a number of years and money to achieve).

    As for Island line running to Newport while we may get the track which is in good condition for 25 mph running upgraded for a higher speed by perhaps relaying in welded rail etc it will open a very different set of rules and timetables to work with / towards.

    Who knows the railway 'could' be given a very large pot of cash to move but I can't see that happening. I expect the idea of Island line running to Newport may well be kicked into the long grass so to speak.
     
  16. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    WIBN lurks in every person and organisation but more in some than others. The more journey miles you give, the less per mile can be charged and steam railways are not particularly cheap to ride on for genuine reasons. Frankly, it is not good business to increase your "offer" (horrible expression but I can't think of a better one) for no increase in net revenue. Some places have actually experienced decrease in net takings after extensions.
     
  17. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    To me, the great irony is that the 'main line' (i.e. non heritage) railways today are constantly painting their diesel and electric into all sorts of liveries every few years, if not months. Most of those liveries are an absolute eyesore and a waste of paint. Let us not be so precious with our preserved railways and their locos!
     
  18. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    However the suggestion (and N.B. it's currently no more than a suggestion) of reaching Newport would not be about making the ride longer per se (and, depending on the clientele, thereby possibly more or possibly less attractive) but about having at least one end of the line somewhere rather than both in the middle of nowhere. That surely would make it more attractive for more people, thus more bums on seats, though as pointed out above that would require more seats (in the fullness of time).
     
  19. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    All that is certain is increase of operating costs. The rest is surmise. I am told that opening to Smallbrook, once initial curiosity wore off, did not result in a dramatic sea change in business. Same has been true elsewhere as well.
     
  20. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    And in other places it hasn't. Not all extensions are a waste of money, in exactly the same way they aren't always money spinners. A little nuance would go a long way...
     
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