Bristol Dramway (reopening?)

Good evening.

After discussions with South Glos council, we finally met at the site of the old Dramway at Warmley, Bristol today (beside the railway path at the signal box)

I wanted to see how many people on here around the Bristol and South Glos area who would like to see this narrow gauge reopened? The councillor who met today seemed very interested in my proposal.

The plan was to use 2 foot gauge rail along a approx mile length of old dramway track bed and to have it as a fully working museum sort of railway and passenger hauling. (I do Need some contacts to people with rail sections and bits and peices to add to the plan!) the railway would be one or if not the only narrow gauge railway today in the south west area? Helping bring business to Warmley cafe and the signal box project too!!

I've now got to do a presentation to the rest of the South Glos council and to do a lot of meeting up with local groups too!

Anyone who has any comments on this, any good or bad points which I could add in the presentation, would be amazing!
Want to get as many peoples views and help with getting this done!

Thank you all!


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Why not have a horse drawn line - as was the old Dramway

 

I think you'll find the Lynton and Barnstaple has a good claim to be the current only NG railway in the South West region!!

 

What space is there for the necessary buildings and facilities?

Other things to include in the presentation:

Where the locos and stock will come from and how much they will cost.
What the running costs will be.
How many visitors you will expect and how much they will spend elsewhere in Warmley/Kingswood.

 

Douglas horse trams available next year.....

 

Isn't the Launceston Railway an NG railway in the South West then?

 

... not funny!!!!

 

Very good idea! See if they've got any ideas and stuff for the line!


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It's all in our plan. You're welcome to come along to the presentation? So is anyone!!


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Do you know when it will be?

 

Not yet. I will let you know when I know?


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that's an excellent idea...a unique possibility

 

Would be interesting to see more details but at present I'm not convinced.
Warmley is a bit of a back water that isn't that easy to get to - long slog out from central Bristol on a road to nowhere (well Chippenham if you go far enough!) so its not going to get much passing traffic. Is it therefore going to be viable to invest tens of thousands in stock etc for potentially little return.
Also the heritage of the Dramway as already been stated is a horse drawn standard gauge (or thereabouts) goods tramway - a steam powered narrow gauge line on the trackbed would be little more than an amusement attraction in terms of historic association.
It is also the case that the Avon Valley line chose not to extend to Warmley because of local opposition - although you wouldn't be on the exact same route you'd be pretty close to it and may face the same opposition.
Councillors are very good at being encouraging when it comes to someone suggesting bringing business to their patch - that doesn't mean however that they'd stand alongside you against a fierce local opposition.

 

The Avon Valley Railway is another issue - as they are just a short amble away. Do they support your scheme, and how do you justify the Bristol suburbs needing two separate steam lines so close together?

 

Top tips:

1. Write an absolutely bomb proof business plan for the scheme as a matter of priority.

2. Ensure you are talking to someone at the Council of sufficient seniority to approve the scheme.


(And arguably 3. Have a large fortune ready to fund the scheme).

Britain's Great Little Railways (trade organisation for miniature railways) put together a few pages of advice on establishing a railway, which I recommend you have a good read through if you haven't already - their website is www.bglr.org.

If, as others have suggested, there may be local opposition, keep an eye on how the Lynton & Barnstaple counter the significant local objection they have to their extension plans - it may prove useful.


Good luck!

 

Do they know where to find narrow gauge horses? And what colour they should be.

 

good point.....although I thought I read the Dramway was standard gauge.

 

Do we really need another line in this area plently of preserved lines allready all short of volunteers leave the remains of the dramway as it is.

 

It will be unique if the horse tramway on the Isle of Man has finished.