Moorlands and City Railway

Nope, but sure as hell it's fun doing the work! "Ours is not to reason why etc etc"

 

I'm sure that these latest announcements are in the distant future, the line to Stoke is their main priority, followed by Alton then Leek. This should keep them busy for several years yet, so we'll have to see what happens then.
If they can do it good luck to them keeping cars and trucks off the road has got to be good for everyone.

 

Interesting point as on the Southern at least, mileposts are positioned on the downside. Is this just another Southern quirk or the norm?

 

Barrykap's survey of the Cheadle branch (post 559) shows how improbable a revival would be. There is no obvious location for a station in Cheadle, significant parts of the trackbed have been sold off. I am surprised it has even reached the 'talks' stage. The last train to Cheadle was a weedkiller train in 1985 I will be interested to see another.

 

Where does it say it's going to do that? My interpretation is it be something similar to Stourbridge connecting with the mainline at Cresswell.

 

An interchange station with a shuttle running between there and Cheadle?

 

That's how I interpreted it, as there no mention of Stoke - Cheadle services in the article. Realise it means a new station at Cresswell, but that isn't impossible

Also, again my interpretation, this project doesn't read as MCR specifically but merely whoever is behind the Cheadle branch plans asking for MCR's assistance/advice. Could be wrong, but it only says it "involves" MCR.

 

Maybe it's Foxfield.

Connecting at Blythe Bridge, running along main line to Cresswell, then up to Cheadle and back. Good test run for Belerophon.

 

If the Cheadle branch is a success perhaps a rival commuter service will be set up using the Knotty coaches from Blythe Bridge to Dilhorne. Better still the narrow gauge formation from the colliery to Adderley Mill (closer to Cheadle town centre than any station at Cheadle is likely to be) could be relaid in standard gauge and an excellent Park-and -Ride facility established. Cheadle's 10,000 population clearly needs at least two options for rail transport to avoid the 10-minute drive to Blythe-Bridge.

 

Can we stick to what the company HAS committed to instead of the realms of fantasy.Some of you would re open all the Knotty lines and we know that is not feasible. Lets concentrate on the CVR/MCR business,

 

We might be getting somewhat outside the purpose of this site here, but surely the question is:- does the North Staffordshire connurbation want/need/require an efficient/cheap/useful local public transport system or not? For me, the answer is an unequivocal "yes".
Rail use in the connurbation has about doubled in the last four years, and seems likely to carry on doing so, lots of people are now finding they can't afford to use private cars, and the bottlenecked road system has ceased to be fit for purpose. It now takes a lot longer to cross our City via public transport than it does to get to London. Yes, let's see the local rail network re-established, it ticks all the boxes, and people wouldn't be putting money in if they didn't think it was going to succeed.
I know plenty of people who are socially and geographically isolated because of the poor public transport system hereabouts, and they are delighted that the service is returning. These people are not "preservationists" like us, they are in the main hard working people who need this connectivity. But I also think they'll love our steam trains, when we get them on the tracks!
The opportunities of the Cheadle branch must also include the re-opening of Meir and Fenton stations, and a run through Stoke to Etruria (which should never have been closed), Festival Park or even Hanley. Now that route would be really busy!

 

Include restoring the Loop Line and I am REALLY interested.

Jeff, I know this thread is supposed to be about MCR but you can't ignore the peripheral lines ideas/suggestions because if any are remotely feasible they will all most likely be associated with the MCR, especially if Rupert... er sorry, David has ideas set on them.

 

I think you are all getting carried away with pie in the sky reopenings, lets look at whats happening with what railway system we have got. We could not keep Etruria Station open, under used. I sometimes use Longport Station, 1 train each way per hour, usually I am the only one to get on or off, do Longton or Blithe Bridge have an abundence of passengers I dont think so. Kidsgrove a lovely big station you go go virtially any where from there, every time I go through virtually empty. Can you see people waiting for a train at Cheadle, Cresswell or Meir which is right next to the A50 I don't think so. MCR have opened the line to Cauldon 8 months ago it must be like a bottomless pit until they get the freight running. Don't get me wrong I think all the schemes they have announced are profitable, the Leek one being the weakest, and of course CVR have the advantage of being able to use the Cauldon line. Opening the loop line building new stations, new infrastructure, Very expensive, we can all dream.

 

As a non-potter, what's the loop line plse?

 

Sheff.

Used to run from Etruria to Kidsgrove, as a 'loop' from the main Stoke-Manchester line, to take in the Potteries towns of Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall etc. It closed with the Beeching axe in the 60's. Can give you more details if you wish.

 

Thanks Barry. I'll find it on one of my many atlases etc.

 

Do you think you will need your atlases to find your way down the Cauldon line on Thursday. You and ole Al fighting over the zimmerframe. I believe you've talked a youngster into coming with you both, hope he's good at resuscitation. Leave the hard work to the rest of the midweek gang on Wednesday, it'll give us a break from carrying the pair of you.

 

Deleted.

 

MCR bid for RGF funds

Recent comments made by the GCR suggest that this kind of project isnt what the fund is aimed at, so im a little surprised about this.

Chris

 

This bid is highly significant, because it means that the local Quangos, and hopefully at last the Local Authorities, are coming on board. We really do need to understand that MCR is a commercial venture, although a very socially responsible one. It would be interesting to see the contents of the bid, because the Sentinel report only scratches the surface of the potential here. It is also interesting that Mr. Herbert of the property company St. Modwen is behind the bid (Mr.Herbert was also active in the campaign to save Etruria station, back in 2002).
When you think of all the public money wasted so far in the various "regeneration" initiatives, the relatively modest sum applied for would provide exceedingly good "value for money". I really hope the bid is successful.