Peace in Oswestry?

http://www.osrail.co.uk/gennews.html?part_id=40116&post_id=2497&action=view_comments

A positive way forward at last one hopes!

 

Agreed! One always hopes for the best

 

It all seems to be quite exciting there in Oswestry. A whole line waiting to re-emerge form the undergrowth. What was left there from BR days?

Certainly a good basis for progress, let's hope that the combined efforts awaken this line from it's long slumber.

 

They should have had their heads banged together long ago !

Bob.

 

Good news. So hopefully we can expect a single website in the new year with some sort of mission statement and an some sort of plan as to the way forward ?

 

How does the Tanat Valley group fit into all this? Talking to a volunteer down at Nantmawr the other day, he told me that they (TVLR) actually owned the line from Nantmawr to Llanddu junction but had leased it back to the Cambrian Railways Society. When nothing had happened with the line (his words), the TVLR asked the society if they could have the line back as they wanted to restore it themselves. The result is the steam line operating at the moment. The Society still leases the section from Llanddu to the crossing gates but the TVLR want this bit back too so that they can restore it aswell.

It confused me a bit as it sounded like there were now three parties involved although admittedly this was just one guy's take on everything. Could someone explain it please?

 

It was explained by the CRS Chairman over on the Cambrian Railways forum. Peace certainly has broken out and the overall scheme is very promising. I can't get a link at the moment due to limited access but search with google and all will be clear.

 

I am going to be back over at Nantmawr on the 5th December with the Beyer Peacock again, so will see what I can find out if nothing more comes up in the meantime. If anyone wants to come and say hello I'll be the one with the small child in green overalls on the loco!

 

Thanks, I'll have a look. Website is down at the moment though.

James

 

Great news. Congratulations to all involved.

 

Hi, I certainly agree that it's a positive way forward - hence why I voted for it

However, while it is a commendable but nevertheless unofficial news channel, the story reported on your link is not entirely correct.

For ease of reading, I have copied the following from the official Cambrian Railways Society news page at http://www.cambrianrailwayssociety.co.uk/news/news.html

~STARTS~
(head)Members vote in historic move

Members of the Cambrian Railways Society and Trust voted almost unanimously in favour of moves to bring the two organisations together at their respective EGMs on Friday 20/11/09. Members will automatically join Cambrian Heritage Railways, the new umbrella body charged with delivering a heritage railway to the Oswestry area.

A CRS spokesman said: “It is not a merger as yet. Members have voted to work towards closer integration of the two groups.”

~ENDS~

The key point being that the two groups have NOT voted to merge just yet - they have voted to work towards such a move, albeit under the banner of an umbrella organisation [Cambrian Heritage Railways]. I may sound pedantic, but the record must be set straight.

In effect, it could be said that the result of the EGM formalises something that has been going on for many months - closer co-operation. For example, volunteers from both groups have been working alongside each other clearing vegetation, to name but one activity.

On a further positive note, I make no apologies for the plug, but the official CRS news page also includes recent photographs of clearance work underway at Oswestry. As you will see, it is hoped regular passenger trains will return to centre of town next year.

A press release, with quotes will be distributed by myself to the railway press later this week - I write news & features on a weekly mag for a living.

Hope it's of interest,

Gareth Evans,
Press & Publicity Officer, Cambrian Railways Society Ltd, Oswestry http://www.cambrianrailwayssociety.co.uk/

 

I'm sure the combined effort will deliver - the determination is certainly there

Anyway, to answer your query on the current condition of the line, here is a rough overview:

From Llynclys Junction to Blodwell, visit the 'Route Description' page on the official CRS website at http://www.cambrianrailwayssociety.co.uk/thebranchproject/routedescription.html . For caption info, move your mouse over a thumbnail or click to enlarge.

The line around Gwern y Brenin [between Llynclys & A483 Oswestry bypass level crossing] http://alunsphotos.fotopic.net/c1740509.html . Such it its condition that I understand a works train could operate along this section in the near future.

Similarly, that from the A483 crossing on Oswestry bypass into Gassworks Bridge - see first 16 pics at http://alunsphotos.fotopic.net/c1732478.html . Other pics are taken elsewhere.

From Middleton Rd Bridge [south of station in middle of Oswestry] to Gas Works Bridge [south-west end of Oswestry town] http://alunsphotos.fotopic.net/c1742682.html .

As I wrote previously in this thread, it is hoped passenger trains will return to the section of line in the middle of Oswestry from Middleton Rd Bridge to roughly the site of the old railway works next year. Legal powers to operate this section are already in place. Running regular trains will show stakeholders that the CHR [Cambrian Heritage Railways] is a serious project and can deliver.

Anyway, Gobowen to Park Hall [A5 level crossing, Oswestry bypass] is however, rather more overgrown in some respects, as these pics show http://alunsphotos.fotopic.net/c1746495.html . Serious work has yet to start on this section at the time of writing.

..A map for all of this is in production for the official sites. It's all v confusing unless you're familiar with the area I know.

We are of course indebted to my late brother Alun Evans for the Fotopic site link. RIP Alun

HTH,

Gareth Evans,
- Press & Publicity Officer, Cambrian Railways Society Ltd, Oswestry http://www.cambrianrailwayssociety.co.uk/

 

I hope I have done this right. The important post is number 12 (page 2, second post) that sets out the reasons and the relationship to the TVLR

http://www.cambrianrailways.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34&start=10

All in all a little gem in an overall exciting scheme.

 

Thanks Adrian, that makes sense now.

James

 

HY 4273, Very much Looking forward to seeing a map of the overall position as it does all seem quite complicated as you say.

 

Martin,

I think you'll find that the Yorkshireman you're thinking of comes from Runcorn.

Bob.

 

Gareth,

I trust you are aware that due to the temporary propping of 'Gas Works bridge', trains will be unable to pass it untill a strengthening scheme is carried out by Shropshire Council