Southwold Railway

Yes, except that there's only one main road in (and the alternative minor one is often flooded). I have seen traffic backing up several miles pre-Covid on a summer weekend. Things have changed, anyway - I doubt public transport use will ever return to pre-Covid levels - so private cars will continue to be king, however bad that is for the town.
Many heritage railways have tried to be transport providers as well - but few if any have succeeded - and the ticket price rises and pre-booking which we are (probably) stuck with now make such ambitions even more unrealistic.
Anyway it's political - Southwold would seemingly very much prefer to be clogged up with SUVs than try anything else - opposition to the railway continues unabated.

 

With the kind permission of this Forum, we'd like to invite Nat Pres contributors to our Open Day at Blythburgh Station on Sunday April 3rd, 10 till 4. Free entry, free tea/coffee.
Blythburgh Station is off the A12 just north of Blythburgh village - turn almost opposite the White Hart - there are signs.
We have cleared the 1879 platform, and have permission to lay the main line alongside, with connections to the sidings. It's very much a work in progress - but come and have a chat and a cuppa with us. If you like what you see - maybe sponsor a sleeper (£35.00)
Events will be held there also on Suffolk Day (Tuesday 21st June) and on Sunday September 11th (with a model show)

 

This is probably a long shot, but I’m visiting Southwold from Sussex this week and I’m wondering if there’s anybody around at either of the sites this week for me to stick my nose in? I’d have loved to time my visit with an open day but we’re a bit restricted by imminent arrival of our first baby!


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Hi - we'll be working at Blythburgh Station tomorrow (Tuesday March 29th) 10 till 4. The site entrance is pretty-well opposite the White Hart pub - and it's signed - photo attached. I should be there most of the day, but all our volunteers are always happy to talk.
If you can't manage that, most of the site is open to public view anyway - if you wanted to see inside the Goods Shed, then let me know on this forum, and I can usually be there (not Wednesday, sorry).
Out track at Halesworth is on the Millennium Green and is always open to view (follow signs to "The Folly")
I doubt the SRT's Southwold site will be open for a week or so yet, but you could always check on their website.
Congratulations in advance..... James

 

Ah, thanks James - that’s very kind on all counts! I’ll pop over tomorrow - looking forward to it


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Having come accross the Blythborough bunch by accident last year, I can vouch for them being very friendly and haopy to answer questions.

 

Big thanks to James for showing me round the Blythburgh site yesterday - as Bikermike said above, a very friendly bunch!

So interesting seeing the combination of railway rebuilding and archaeology going on there. Excellent stuff


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Get a load of this- Blyth has a voice at last!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1158378624917411&id=222968755125074&m_entstream_source=timeline&__tn__=*s*s-R

 

How wonderful!

 

There are images on Facebook of Blyth on home territory.

 

I hope they’re able to extend the length of their running line, even if it’s just as far as the harbour.

 

It appears you actually have to be a Facebook member to view the Southwold groups FB page - Rather a contrast to the Halesworth & Southwold groups one which is available to view by anyone! (and is well worth perusing occasionally...)

 

Facebook throws a wobbley from time to time, which is why you' occasionally see a log-in screen. Just wait a day and it'll be back to normal. Here's the 'public' page, which is working OK as I post this:

https://m.facebook.com/pg/Southwold.Railway/posts/

 

Thanks 30854 but that link doesn't work for me - but I am not a Facebook member so does "public" mean only open to any Facebook member?

 

It worked fine on the previous link and I'm not a member.
Anyway, wonderful to see. Still hoping to have that first pint of adnams on the train. We'll be there in October, can you get it done by then...

 

Thanks Bikermike, I've just tried both links and neither works for me so it is probably how my system is set up and I'm not good with IT! Much happier with a 1/2" AF spanner or paintbrush...

 

Ok, at that point, I can only suggest burning your computer and sprinkling the remnants with holy water... (tbh, I'm better with a 10mm spanner and paintwork has been charitably described as wattle and daub)

Tbh facebook is terrible at lots of things, but it has one great advantage. A bloomin' great load of eyeballs. I think one just has to grit one's teeth and put up with it.

 

Hmm! It depends whether you focus on the reader who is looking for information or the organisation that is trying to promote itself. Restricting which eyeballs can see what you're doing seems counterproductive.

 

In my book, if you want to see the pictures, you put up with it, and use it wisely. Leave the nonesense that people detract it for to others. It's a very useful resource and not just filled with pictures of people's cats and dinners.

 

I don't think it's so much restricting as making best use of time. It's very easy to upload to facebook, and fb will put the link under the noses of people who it thinks might be interested.

Also, fb updates and refreshes it's look. I'm not saying I like it, but compared to the resource any individual organisation can devote to a website, the result looks more contemporary and slick than many websites that are not as regularly updated.

So for one or two clicks, you post, promote and update your internet presence. Which means you can do that in spare time rather than having to work through a website.