Oswestry Update

Sorry I should have been clearer. To get to Llanymynech from the south means going into Wales.
And yes Llanymynech is in England, so yes I should have left Wales out of it!

 

OK, I was reading the bit about the CRT (as was) "having been offered the freehold of the trackbed between Llynclys and Pant"; Wiki isn't clear about how much of it; I'm aware they don't quite own into Llynclys station, but had perhaps wrongly assumed they owned a bit more at the other end.
I totally get that the CHR is a relatively small organisation and can't raise the sort of sums needed to purchase large bits of prime development land (you didn't even manage to buy Llynclys station when it was on the market a few years ago). [Maybe what you need is some sort of Exmoor Associates type of organisation?] But it really depends what the 'end game' is. I'm afraid I don't know enough about the towns in that area to know which ones would likely make a decent destination to aim for. However, Blodwell looks to be very much in 'middle of nowhere' territory and if Oswestry is really all there is, Blodwell to Pant (see that map again) would give you a nice loop (with several stations on it) which I think would be unique in preservation...
Yes, I daresay it is several steps too far, however the important thing would be to protect the trackbed from incursive development. Anything else can be for future generations, if need be.

 

The Montgomery canal is currently actively restoring the canal southwards from Crickheath towards the Welsh border.

 

The restoration from Pryces Bridge to Crickheath was completed late last year, and is looking to open in a month or so. They have just started work on the section from Crickheath to Schoolhouse Bridge, and monthly reports are on their website https://shropshireunion.org.uk/restoration/

On top of that there are dredging and canalside works being undertaken between Llanymynech and Carreghofa by Powys council utilising levelling up funds, so I think, whilst progress may not be as visible as it is when a project section is in its closing, canal channel being lined and all hands to the pumps, phases, it is moving ahead with just as much drive as it ever has done.

John

 

“As much drive as it has ever done” sort of sums up canal progress. In fact it has probably picked up a bit . It needs to pick up a lot to get anywhere though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The Welsh bit of the canal will be ready long before the connection to the rest of the Shroppy is complete.

 

Does anyone know where a left hand curved point might be available? The Cambrian need one to complete a run round loop at Oswestry. This will then allow us to operate loco hauled services with just a single loco, rather than the current need for 2 locos just to handle the change over at Oswestry.

 

Is it worth asking NR? There are loads of disused sidings here and there over the network.

 

Unless it is a special, curved turnouts are made up of the same switches and crossings as used on straight turnout. It is only the closure rails that vary and these are simply cut from plain rail. Of course, it is always easier to have a complete ready-made turnout but you'd be extremely lucky to get one with both curves to match your requirements so would probably have to fit new closures, in any case.

 

Our

Our P.Way guy has contacts with Network Rail but not had much luck so far. Hence I thought it might be worth asking here.

 

Makes sense. Is the plan to put this in before the road crossing (I thought there were points the other side of the road)?

 

There are points across the road, but obviously it would be operationally much easier we could run around without having to use (and staff) another road crossing (and there is plenty of room to do so on the station side of it).

 

Just a heads up and a reminder. The beer festival starts on Friday 2nd June. Lots of good local brews and late trains back to Oswestry.
Live food and good music! Or have I had too much beer already?!

 

The ultimate achievement would be a Gobowen connection to national rail allowing Oswestry and the brewery to become destinations with for example a single transfer there from Birmingham.

 

Oh If only the railway had a mainline connection ; what's the bus service like between Oswestry and Gobowen I wonder.

 

And a fine looking collection of beers and ciders it is too (Just got back from helping to set up )
Shame I am on Crossing duty at Oswestry on Saturday daytime and will then have to drive home. So, no beer for me.

 

Not too bad.
https://www.geopunk.co.uk/timetables/wales/wrexham/2-oswestry-gobowen-chirk-wrexham

 

There is also the number 53 - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/find-a-service/53-oswestry-to-ellesmere

Steve B

 

There are also express direct buses to/from Shrewsbury (although not into the evening) - English senior bus passes accepted, and Traws Cymru bus services from Wrexham (but English bus passes not accepted). Almost every train between Shrewsbury and Wrexham/Chester stops at Gobowen.

Steve B