Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

Can anyone confirm that work started yesterday and that the planned timing for completion is around November 2017?

 

Completion of what?

 

Sorry just the bridge in place over the MML...

 

I'd completely disagree with this. I'd argue the most pressing need for the joined GCR is a viable northern terminus as close to Nottingham as possible. The current arrangement to get into Rushcliffe Country Park is awkward at best and I think confusing to regular punters. Much better, I'd argue, for a direct route between Nottingham and Leicester, with a shuttle from Nottingham into the museum at the country park. I know it'd be difficult, but connecting to trams at Ruddington Lane would seem like a massive win, and would make the GCR completely unrivalled as a preserved railway.

 

I have to agree that a 'cross platform' connection between the GCR and the tram would be fantastic! They are so near yet so far apart............
Andy

 

A few years ago a study was done into a tram interchange but 'cross platform' it wouldn't be as there is a nature reserve occupying part of the trackbed. The best they could come up with is a slight deviation across a field and a short walk. Not ideal, really. I'm not sure what the latest is anyway as this was a few years ago now.

 

I really don't think that's viable, and with the new NRM outpost to be built next to Leicester North I don't think it makes any strategic sense either.

 

At least the new museum is, as you say, to be built next to Leicester North and not blocking the trackbed, so doesn't prevent an extension at some future date.
Andy

 

Well whatever happens I wish both Railways all the best.
I am realistic enough to expect the attractions at Leicester will not be 'joined up' but punters will be left to muddle about by car between them in a classic British way. I can fully see the attraction of a joined up GCR to enthusiasts and it would indeed be unrivalled, but am still doubtful if families in sufficient enough numbers from either end of the combined line will travel for the amount of money and time they will need to invest.

Brian

 

As an armchair member of FoGCML (i.e. GCR South), I have yet to see quite how the two operations will be integrated. I suspect that there are a number of cans of worms lurking as that is worked through.

 

You would hope........

 

As a life member of both ends with friends involved in both I am really not that worried, sure there are issues but there is also, from what I can see, a determination to make it happen and make it work.

 

According to latest update on:
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/

 

From memory, the brachline project started off as an RVP project which grew into something much larger than originally intended. The actual ownership of the rebuilt line was transferred (last year?) to the GCR as part of a deal involving the site at Swithland where RVP have erected their carriage shed.
The Heritage Centre is still being operated as a seperate body, but their recomendations for donations are the ones to follow - ie through the DRCT.

 

"The bridge itself will be dramatically craned into place over the Midland Main Line."



What are they going to do, have pyro and a light show going off as it happens? Slowly inching something into a precise position tends to be rather more prosaic than dramatic.

Sounds like the GCR's PR is yet to learn that superlatives aren't an essential part of every press release. (At least they didn't use 'super-excited' or 'awesome')

 

They've slipped up - nothing is labelled 'iconic' in the Press Release!

Steven

 

Apologies for this being in the wrong thread but I could not find a generic GCR thread! We are making our first visit to the line in 7 years on Saturday and I was wondering if anyone could let me know which locos were running this weekend, which way they are facing and if there is anything extra happening or worth looking out for whilst we are there (driver experiences etc worth watching go by)! Many thanks in advance!

 

Look at http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/ - locos shoukd be shown under 'This weekend...'. At least that is the theory, assuming that the person updating the website has the correct info. I haven't really taken much notice of how accurate the photos are from week to week when the text just says "two steam locomotives". But if we believe the photos it is 6990 & 777. Both of which face south (although there is a turntable so this can change) (other caveats may also apply).
The current working timetable includes a couple of driver experience light engine paths but whether or not they run depends on whether or not they are booked. But they usually do. Obviously they're not in the public timetable but they tend to run from mid morning to early afternoon.

 

Well, it may be that they don't immediately join the two operational groups; i.e. they may continue to run much as they are now, with a southern and a northern service (maybe end-end for special occasions, and such like). That way, there will be no increased operational costs, as there would be with end-end services.

But there will still be benefits from the bridge: right now the southern section is not accessible from the national network, but the northern is; once they join, both will be. As the southern section does a lot of hiring out for testing, training, etc it may have a positive impact on that business, once stock can be brought in by rail (as opposed to having to come on a low-loader).

Noel