Anyone fancy joining a putative line revival project?

Good god... I only had to read the name Neil Jackson to know this was a non starter. Owns several businesses or had one, which is dissolved? My only advice is to be sure you know who you are dealing with and ensure you do your research into their history and financial status!

 

In response to the original question - not me.


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I'd forgotten what a good read this thread was. My favourite part is possibly the bit where its originator states - albeit not explicitly - that he believes in the politics of General Franco. There aren't many people still saying that today! And I'm also left wondering what happened to those court cases...

 

I certainly don't believe in Franco's politics, how did you reach that conclusion?

I am aware Neil wound up his company, "Heritage in Motion". I believe he is carrying on business as a sole trader, but I haven't discussed the details with him. I do know he's had some changes in his personal life, which may perhaps explain his decision. I haven't really spoken to him in a couple of years, but he never gave me any reason to mistrust him, and he spent his time and his money on taking the project as far as it's got for the time being (it's currently on what I shall term an indefinite pause). There is no suggestion of impropriety on the Companies House website: he applied to have his business voluntarily struck off, rather than being thrown off for any kind of misconduct. Our would-be benefactor is involved in ongoing lengthy litigation: I am not at liberty to disclose any more than that, and do not expect to have any updates on that front in the immediate future. I have been much involved in another local campaign, unrelated to railway matters, which has been occupying much of my time (as has caring for parents in poor health).

For what it's worth, especially in light of the highly unpopular decision of Waverley Borough Council to approve the Dunsfold Aerodrome New Town, interest in reopening the line has revived, and MP Jeremy Hunt has mentioned the possibility, though I have had no contact with him on the subject. If at some point the project as previously discussed gets relaunched, it will be on a much firmer footing than before, with cash in the bank and a site secured by whatever lawful means. No point wasting anyone's time or money on something that can't make progress.

 

If it is re-opened (and I still think it's highly unlikely) then it will be as part of the National Network and not an enthusiast led scheme.

David R

 

We shall see. I have no faith in politicians or Network Rail sorting it out, but there is a local appetite for reopening in some form... but I would be lying if I said there is any way I can get the scheme up and running in the here and now, short of some significantly more experienced people coming on board. I know the Leatherhead Hawthorne Leslie group are looking for a local home for their loco (currently at the Lavender Line), and I've no idea where they might go... there's also the nascent B17 project at Woking... I might have a word with both groups, put the idea to them, just on the off-chance they might be interested...

 

By reading your own words, of course, as posted above about 15 months or so ago. The reason I said "not explicitly" is that I suspected you didn't actually know yourself that Francoism is the variant of fascism you said you were in favour of. Yes, I know you think you're a socialist; we'll come to that.

You said:

So you'd like us to be ruled by a military dictatorship, in the name of the monarchy? Yes, that's a good description of fascist Spain. One of Franco's big problems, in terms of his philosophy, was that he couldn't actually trust the King to be suitably politically correct, so he had to reign himself as Regent until the crown could go safely back to the Royal Family on his death, and the next King would carry on the dictatorship. Unfortunately for Franco, the next King (who is still King) realised that fascism was a load of old hogwash and returned to democracy as soon as was sensible.

"But fascists aren't soci..." I said, I was coming to that. People tend to see them as opposite ends of a spectrum, but it's not exactly like that. Many fascist movements have come out of socialism, particularly the more syndicalist end of socialism - including one of the main streams of thought in Franco's own political party, the Falange.

Anyway, much as I find your politics repugnant, this thread is about your railway, not you. So I have to ask you: how are those court cases coming along? You said over 15 months ago now that "the victories are starting to stack up", and I read the news daily, but I still haven't read anything that I've been able to identify as your mystery benefactor's case. Where has it been reported in the press so far? Have you attended any of the court hearings yourself? I am still as greatly intrigued as I ever was.

 

Just so you know: I was being sarcastic. It was a sideways commentary on the objectionable uselessness of our elected representatives of all parties. Fascism certainly can arrive disguised as a form of socialism, or at least as nationalist populism (as we are now seeing with a certain Tribble-haired oompa-loompa in a large house near the Potomac River...), but there's still a big difference between that and democratic socialism. That said, Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party and Ireland's Sinn Fein are trying to build democratic socialism, and I think they're a waste of space, so what do I know. I certainly don't support renationalising our railways as a 'cure' for the current mess stemming from the rushed privatisation under the John Major government. I am utterly confused as to where I stand and who to support. Last general election, I spoiled my ballot. I anticipate doing likewise next time.

Regarding the court cases, all I will say is that the final breakthrough to victory has yet to occur, and the matter is currently in limbo after a significant (if not insurmountable) setback. That is my final word on the subject. I am not at liberty to discuss any more.

 

Prospective Reopening Scheme Debates From Start To Finish In Seven Easy Steps
(aka The NatPres Sliding Scale of Desperation.)

1. It has almost limitless potential!
2. A commuter/shopping service is a viable proposition.
3. Parry People Movers could be used.
4. I've started a Facebook page and people think it's a good idea.
5. But it's a railway and reopening any railway has to be A Good Thing (aka WIBN)
6. People who have raised significant funds (around £3.52) for a new-build steam locomotive will need somewhere to run it.
7. I have inside information and I am not at liberty to discuss any more.

And repeat with the next new 'great' reopening fantasy... and the next... and the next...

 

1) I've always been aware of the scheme's limitations. The loading gauge is extremely limited even by LBSCR standards. There is no question of double track. Line speeds were never much above 25mph.
2) In this instance, with some form of ultra-low-maintenance rail-car or multiple unit, a shopping service could be viable. Absolutely no reason why not. This isn't an isolated rural branch line going from nowhere to nowhere like the Bluebell was and to some extent is, and it isn't paralleled by a major arterial road like the Mid-Hants is.
3) Never suggested PPMs. Don't like them at all.
4) This can be useful but I've always been mindful of its limitations.
5) This is true to a significant extent, but you must always be mindful of the scheme's limitations and obstacles - which is why the entire route was surveyed first. No money was ever taken from the public, and if ever an appeal is launched, it will be in the full knowledge of exactly what has to be tackled.
6) I am not party to the financial success or otherwise of the 61662 project, nor what progress has been made other than what they have publicised - at no time have I said "This is the obvious choice for the locomotive's home". They're a very long way off a complete loco - I've just suggested that I might speak to them about the possibility at some point.
7) In this instance, there are sensitive matters of both financial and security nature. I wish I could tell you more, and I wish better progress had been made. I'm quite depressed about it, but not as depressed as the litigant (our would-be benefactor).

Some "fantasy" reopenings have happened. For years, the Epping-Ongar was deemed to be beyond the realm of reality. Likewise the Vale of Berkeley railway, and the Aln Valley. Somehow, they've made their schemes work. That is not to say that I have the capability to achieve similar progress, nor that all cases are alike, as I am under no such illusion on either front.

 

Was Epping Ongar ever really beyond the realm of reality? After all the track all remained in place and trains ran intermittently. Always seemed with them more of a case of getting the right people in charge and then it would properly flow.

 

So a line which is slower than driving, less practical than driving, more expensive than driving and relies on stock which doesn't even exist.

 

Where do I send my money?

 

My list was not a blow-by-blow commentary on your impractical dream. It was a comment on the regular dreamers that crop up here, each one as 'convinced' as the next in the viability of their fantasy railway reopenings. You, my friend, are just another in a long line...

Please, for the sake of your own rapidly legging-it credibility, stop pontificating about schemes (and indeed locations) about which you clearly have no knowledge and seem to have never even visited. You have already been corrected up thread about the EOR, while the Aln Valley's 'beyond the realm of reality' aspect is that it would need to cross the A1 to reach Alnwick. Crossing the A1 is still - and always will be - 'beyond the realm of reality', which is precisely why they have set up camp to restore the line between the A1 and Alnmouth.

Your pet project isn't going to happen. Ever. Why not join an established scheme where your obvious reserves of time and energy could be put to some practical use?

 

How about locking this thread until the court case is settled (in the Litigant's favour of course) as nothing appears to be possible without their vast funds, time input or whatever.
Currently, this thread of over 150 entries appears to show there is little/no support from forum contributors. It also seems to have the same arguments going round and round with nothing new on the table so-to-speak.
So, to summarise the OP's question - Anyone fancy joining a putative line revival project?
NO.