Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

Those of us not doing the Zoom would appreciate a report on that.

Noel

 

I can imagine that there are some volunteers who like the North as it is, and don't see the South as a "marvel".
(I don't have anything to do with either organisation)>

 

I've just gone to the website but can't find anything about the talk. It's not under Special Events. Last time one made a donation and was sent a link, but it's not mentioned on the donations page either.

 

If you click on the reunification image , it's on there.

Dave B

 

and looking the other direction towards Loughborough shed and station from a few years ago :

 

I have just received my copy of the "Reunification" book and it is a very good read with lots of pictures. It gives a good history of the preserved GCR and the background to "Gap" project. It certainly highlights what has been done...... and what will be happening next.

 

Couldn’t wait until Christmas...what are you like!

 

......Ho Ho Ho....

 

Is there any pics of what the gap was like before the enbankment was dug away between Railway terrace and the canal bridge i could find somewhere?

 

There's a lot to be optimistic about if one manages their expectations, Rome wasn't built in a day after all. Bridging The Gap is such a huge project, I see no reason why after reunification, the two railways cannot continue almost as they are now for a consolidation period of time. Suddenly doubling the length of line overnight is unlikely to work if the business model doesn't grow with it.

The few tweaks I would enjoy seeing immediately after reunification would be use of the mainline connection for GCR(S) and ordinary/regular GCR(N) services running into Loughborough Central (I have never really liked the practice of railways having a terminus that isn't a station). I'd like to think (after reunification is done) that both of these could be achieved without spending many many millions more and without drastically changing the business models, costs or "volunteer vibes" of either railway.

Half a dozen weekends a year (key joint galas) could see the railways merge and the 18 mile through running a reality, but would this even be wanted as a daily feature by public or volunteers?

I will continue to support the reunification - as I still believe the future benefits, even if delivered in a "slow and steady" fashion, will outweigh the challenges that the two sides will face when they join.

Sent from my moto g(8) power using Tapatalk

 

Excellent post above!
I expect that - once C-19 is having minimal effect... There will be a big push to get the project progressing and be able to show that the dream of 50 years ago is tantalisingly close in 2023. That will be the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the GCR in preservation.

 

The 18th December showing of Walking Britains Lost Railways on channel 5 will be featuring Nottingham Victoria. Apologies for thread drift.

Dave B

 

I have a handful of retired colleagues who have actually increased their donations to railway projects during C-19. Their pension income has remained constant but their movements/spending/holidays have dropped, so they have chosen to give the "extra" cash away. We're not talking thousands of pounds here, but nevertheless it's an interesting trend, and I'd be interested to find out how widespread it is.

Sent from my moto g(8) power using Tapatalk

 

I have seen something similar in people’s planned donations where I’m involved. They’ve recognised a need and, where their circumstances have allowed, they’ve increased their giving.


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I certainly have increased my donations this year - money that I would have spent travelling and dining out has gone to various railway charities...but I have been fortunate.....

 

With respect, I disagree. Two separate railways trying to share a station at Loughborough Central is just going to confuse potential passengers. It's not like the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland, which has two very distinct routes which can be marketed separately. If passengers turn up at Loughborough and ask for a ticket, and the ticket officer prompts them "North or South", they will just look bewildered and say "what's the difference?" Saying "they're really just two halves of the same railway, but they're operated by two entirely different organisations just because we can't face up to the hassle of merging our organisations" will only bemuse the customers even further, and is just going to lead to a lot of grumpy reviews on TripAdvisor.

It'll end up looking something a bit like this:

Once the two railways are physically connected, they will either have to maintain a "no-man's land" between their operations (which defeats the object of the extension), or find a way to fully combine their operations from the outset.

 

Try this:
EPW008470 ENGLAND (1923). The Hosiery Works and environs, Loughborough, 1923 | Britain From Above

 

+1, both to railway and non-railway (more to the latter though). I randomly checked this weekend and the car has done just 1,500 miles in six months, between the two of us.

Of less use than a 2020 planner has been my HRA pass, unfortunately.

Patrick

 

I’m in agreement here, I’ve been at a Kidderminster a few times and seen SVR staff get questions/ abuse over trains on the big railway.

 

The zoom meeting has just finished and we all seemed to enjoy the memories largely of the 60's and 70's with Les's radio and rail stories. The expense of his preserved class 86 Electric locomotive was eye opening!
There was not a lot of new information about the "Gap" project, as there is still a lot of background work being done - however the fundraising total is reassuringly increasing.
Re the discussion on how the Railway will integrate after the gap is closed - it should be remembered that there are many working and non working members who are in both organisations. There will be difficulties, but I'm sure they will be worked on and solutions found. Our customers and supporters will be able to enjoy an even better "Main Line" experience.....Forward!