Network Rail donate footbridge to Stainmore Railway

Stainmore railway officials say it is not going to them. They do not actually need one.

Anybody got any idea where it is going to???

 

Assets of this nature are usually donated with caveats that they cannot be sold, only passed on as a gift.

 

" Nothing like a piece of Wensleydale " said Wallace to Gromit. Seriously I wondered why Stainmore would need a footbridge at their station.

 

Information regarding donation to Stainmore came in a written statement direct from official source at Network Rail.

 

I noticed on that post that it mentioned Shirley footbridge would be next to be replaced, I've left a comment on the broadway blog so we may get that one! :fingerscrossed:

though goodness knows when it will be replaced...

 

apparently the Broadway lot have their eye on Hall green footbridge instead, so good news

 

I therefore repeat my previous post but with the recipient edited. "I think this is a clear demonstration of architectural insensitive people at Network Rail and Wensleydale Railway behaving as complete nincompoops. In the case of the former KX footbridge its availability was made well known before its eventual disposal to MHR. Those heritage railways with a GNR/LNER connection had the opportunity to request its donation.

Doesn't the Wensleydale Railway realise it will be saddling itself with a footbridge completely out of keeping with its geographical location? Or; does it just not care?"

 

If you need a facility and a solution arises do you ignore it if it is the wrong style or grab it while the opportunity is there?

The chance may come at a later date to install one with the correct type of rivet, but until then they can make use of a suitable substitute.

I don't seem to recall any comments about the footbridge at Grosmont on the NYMR.
Ex Robertsbridge I believe. Would that mean it's a South Eastern and Chatham relic?

 

Just imagine this view at Broadway (All right, Broadway's original footbridge was not latticed) which hopefully will be sooner than we think. I'm not "blowing smoke" so to speak but this superb image of the "Earl" with a set of choc-cream Mk1s (maybe Mk2s!) is a picture of a moment in time that is also (G)WR eternity. It's really brightened up my day! Thank you MC!

 

Complete tosh! We both know that once an asset of that value is in place nobody's likely to replace it. With an impoverished organisation such as Wensleydale Railway that likelihood is even more remote.

I share Sidmouth's view that its current planned future is better than razor blades but it's not like that another, more appropriate, line doesn't want it.

The hilarious bit is the home page of Wensleydale Railway's web site states "The Wensleydale Railway is an authentic heritage railway. . . ."

What's next genuine replacement PVCu windows?

 

First of all - This bridge is NOT going to Stainmore. I wrote to them and they kindly replied immediately that they do not need one. It was stated in the Network Rail press release about the replacement bridge that it was being donated to the The Wensleydale Railway. I also wrote to that railway but got no response.
The Network Rail press release states the facts....
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...s-for-passengers-at-Henley-in-Arden-1ecf.aspx

However having just read this again - it has been changed. There is now no mention of the bridge being donated to The Wensleydale Railway - I was certainly not imagining it when I first read the report. So what is happening?

Have the G&WR stepped in with a better business case? I certainly hope so as it's in far better keeping within the ex GWR area than distant Wensleydale.

Having discovered this news via "Henley Online" I nipped over to Henley after work last Friday to take some final photos. My collection here....
http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p375702672#h28dcf2ef

I've since found out that because of the threatened severe storm weather last weekend the removal of the bridge has been postponed until this coming weekend.

Finally - £2million to replace a footbridge and install lifts. Thats the same amount that's required to "Bridge the Gap" at the GCR. Hmmmm

 

I don't think Hall Green is coming out, being refurbished currently but I believe is ultimately staying, the difference between Hall Green and Shirley/Henley is that Hall Green already has disabled access to both platforms with a ramp (installed a few years ago at quite the cost) on the Stratford side accessed by using the road bridge.

Without doubt though Wilmcote is the jewel in the crown.

As for Wensleydale, I get the impression they are not a heritage railway as such, more a bunch of locals operating "their" railway, which occasionally benefits from steam and heritage stock, so authenticity probably isn't high on their agenda, so A footbridge will do, rather than exactly the historically correct type.

As already said, better transplanted to foreign lands than razor blades.

 

It is appalling to read this thread. Slagging off other railways because they got something you want does the heritage movement no credit at all. Certainly, If I was Network Rail, I would not want to have anything to do with GWSR if they behave like little children "we want it, we want it". The Wensleydale Railway (which I have just visited and rode on, no other connection) deserves better than the insulting words written above and there is no reason they should not benefit from a generous donation of a structure.

I thought that the Heritage movement had grown up and acted accordingly but this thread exposes just how backward and childish some people view matters.

 

I had to laugh when I visited one of our heritage lines a couple of years ago. The beautiful footbridge in the station was correct for the line it was on, but it was bolted together with socket screws, washers and nuts!!!

 

I haven't seen anyone from the GWSR cry out "we want it, we want it" kinghambranch is a fan(perhaps a member, I don't know) and I simply suggested the next one along...

whilst the words against wensleydale railway were perhaps a little strong, it is true that that footbridge would be much better suited to somewhere such as broadway with a more GWR feel, I'm not too bothered myself, a footbridge is a footbridge as far as I'm concerned (alright, obviously modern day ones would't suit, but from different regions but same era seems acceptable to me)

Alex

 

Steady on. A little harsh of you isn't it? I presume the part of your post regarding the situation that the GWSR will require footbridges for Cheltenham Race Course and Broadway and that the bridge offered up to another heritage railway (still not clear which one) would have been ideal for the GWSR is aimed mainly at me, after all, if the cap fits etc.
Clearly I am part of the Heritage movement and a shareholder in the GWSR and a long time supporter but I am no more than that. There was an attempt at humour in my post but this was not picked up on I guess. Humour is a tricky thing though I concede and can be misinterpreted.
I seem to recall the GWSR was itself slagged off by some on this site for not rescuing Bourton on the Water Station before its swift demolition but the logistics of doing so and the time limits prevented it. The building itself would also have been too small and not at all like the original at Broadway which the new building will resemble. So let's not be too selective here regarding memory.
As regards the Wensleydale Railway, I have said nothing about that at all other than what I would say now, that it is a superb example of a potential community railway, not "just" a heritage railway. Nothing backward or childish from where I am chum.