True Preservation

Which line, in your opinion, comes closest to preserving the history of the line accurately and why

I nominate the Talyllyn... apart from the fact it's now in great condition and has additions to stock and improvements to buildings, it seems to me pretty close to the original. It must be unique in having it's original coaches and locos still in use. A complete line with no bits missing

 

Have you been to Wharf Station recently and seen the over development there?

 

it looks well, just needs trains!

 

I don't see it as over development. Facilities are necessary in the tourist industry

 

I was about to say the Swanage railway as I was very impressed when I visited, but then I remembered that half the stations were built post BR closure! I've never visited, but from what I've heard the IoW railway is supposed to be pretty authentic. I suppose if the right stock was out most of the the SVR could be pretty authentic - Bewdley to Hampton Loade! (I don't count the engine house as it's far away enough offsite to not detract).

 

Not the original signal box & no track in the other derelict platform complete with derelict shelter. Not really good at all.

Bob.

 

But you said "pretty close to the original" in your original post. Wharf Station is hardly that.

 

I bet you read The Sun as well !

Bob.

 

Sittingbourne and Kemsley really captures the atmosphere for me, same stock, same line as originally used and a slightly down at heel (in the best way) feel to the place. Definitely worth a visit if you're down that way.

 

Broadfield, Stubbins Junction & Ewood Bridge stations.. it's exactly as BR left it

 

In truth none, because all preserved railways have had to compromise to greater or lesser degrees to accommodate their new function as an attraction. But in the spirit of the question.....

I think you have to eliminate all the standard gauge railways with the possible exceptions of the KESR and Didcot railway centre. All the others have had to add significant additional buildings and sidings that they never had originally in order to store, restore and maintain locos and rolling stock.

Anything narrow gauge or miniature constructed on the track bed of a standard gauge line is obviously inauthentic no matter how nice.

Several of the Welsh narrow gauge lines are not over-developed from their original condition. This is a subjective view, but in terms of sympathy with the original the two that stand out to me are the Festiniog and the Welshpool. The former always was a busy line with some long trains, and it retains its original works and many other features. The deviation is very definitely in the spirit of the original, and there are original locos and stock of all types. The Welshpool has both original locos and wagons, and replica coaches. The track layout is barely altered, and whilst there are additional buildings at Llanfair they are I think in scale and appropriate. I am afraid the Talyllyn is now massively divorced from the tiny, ramshackle railway rescued by Tom Rolt et al. The wharf is (in my opinion) a travesty and hideous overdevelopment. I do accept the necessity to some extent, but the execution I am less sure about. In many ways still a charming line, but not all like the line that was rescued from closure.

Actually, the most authentic railway, which has all its original loco fleet, carriages from early in its history, many buildings, and is to this day very much as the builder intended to be, is The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch and that's the one that would get my vote.

 

I quite agree

Balancing the original Locos and Coaches in stunning Victorian setting as well as catering to the modern day need for excellent facilities. 'Keep the Railway as a going concern, not preserve it as it stood in 1950'.

 

I'm uncomfortable with the Talyllyn, and other Welsh narrow gauge railways, being listed as being the closest to preserving the history of their lines. Most are now so changed from when they were preserved that it's hard to see where some of the history lies. Take Tywyn Wharf and Porthmadog Harbour stations, while some of the original buildings have been integrated into modern stations, I find it hard to look at them and think that it's a perfect representation of the TR or FR. Some lines have had their 'spirit' preserved well though, the TR is still a slow trundle up a small Welsh valley at a sedate pace while the FR is still about long trains with big and small engines working very hard. I love both!

 

May be so, but what SG preserved line accurately portrays the original. Most of them have become a venue to run steam locos on rather than saving what was there before closure. Not necessarily a bad thing and there are many lovingly restored stations and items of rolling stock individually, it's just the whole that is missing I think.

Didcot was quoted earlier. and even here the shed could be better portrayed...even not pointing all the locos in the same direction would help!

 

The Mid-Suffolk gets my vote. None of it is really original, but it feels absolutely dead right. The Worth Valley does a very good job of holding on to its period feel too, thanks in no small part to the gaslit stations.

 

.

 

All the Welsh lines have changed and the T.R. has changed every bit as much as anywhere, particularly at Wharf. What a pity the museum was not found another site at the time of the rebuild so the building footprint and mass could be kept relatively moderate, whilst improving space available for catering, which was needed. As it is, the site is seriously overbuilt and I am surprised planning consent was received.

Sadly my informant has died so I cannot confirm this but I was informed that the reconstructed Wharf station led to a rethink about proposed alterations on another line and their indefinite postponement.
P.H.