S&D Chilcompton Station Project

and so do I.
However, a business based on real needs and self sustaining?
I rest my case.
One only has to look at the top of the heritage railway premier league.
They currently have their begging bowls out for track renewals, bridge repairs, covered accommodation etc.
Even with volunteers that they cannot make their railway pay for basic infrastructure repairs or future investment.
I really fear for the future of our obsession.
A full refurb of a Mark 1 TSO is around £70K +, Class 4 10 yearly £300k+, the cost of coal and water, less volunteers to go around.
We are in a golden age, enjoy it.
Its 50 years since the end of BR mainline steam, give it another 50 years.
I shall be here and say, I told you so..............

 

Surely Macbetski

 

I'm curious, since there are no plans for No74 to be overhauled. Who do they think will be doing the work and who will be paying?

Keith

 

Their ability to judge feasibility is not really changing then...

As it happens, I saw via Facebook that a couple of friends of mine did go along to Midsomer Norton the other week to shuffle up and down behind a Sentinel - they like vintage things in general, and the station was holding a real ale event, so there you go. MN's museum display isn't bad, rather better than some larger lines; and their signalbox is an excellent rebuild. They have clearly gone, in the case of the signalbox, track layout and signalling arrangements, for fidelity to the original rather than practicality of operation.

 

Ooh, popcorn...

Tom

 

Well I suppose it's nice that he has some fantasist friends to talk to now...

Keith

 

New build coaches with WIFI as well. Theyve cone along way from scraping off some platform edging. Mr Reeders names even come up so some real big names getting behind it.

 

I'm not sure I can tell the difference between reportage and satire any more.

 

Assume satire in connection with any of these schemes until they prove otherwise.

I think Tom's order of popcorn will need to be a large one...

 

One of the reasons why the project almost failed, is mainly because of the “New S&D” groups that Leo and Steve Sainsbury have spread on Facebook, saying that the railway will have a future as a fully operational railway (which is complete BS), and this somehow probably convinced the residents into thinking we were with the New S&D.
Also, I now realize how close the new housing has come to the site. I actually would like to see what happens with the proposed Silver Street bridge towards Radstock.

 

How extensive are the proposals - are they online anywhere?

Having visited a couple of times, I can't imagine you could put in a bridge with acceptable headroom for the modern day, and maintain the current road access into the station yard/car park, without making the road unacceptably steep

 

From what I last heard a bridge would only cover the one side and not be a double track anyway over the road. Which would help with the head room.

 

not sure there are any proposals regarding the Bridge at Silver street the line down to Radstock is now a cyclepath cannot see much advantage going to Radstock where would you have a station sadly the Scheme at Midsomer Norton was thirty years too late cannot see them going any further than the infill sadly although the set up at Midsomer Norton gives a lovely impression of how it was in its heyday.

 

Agree there, i reckon practically the cutting is as far as they'll be getting.

 

From what I have heard the gun clubs lease is coming up for renewal and it wont be renewed and the railway can then reopen the tunnel and head south.

 

Not what I have heard.

I gather the message from Chilcompton is loud & clear - no trains & the S&D are looking at heading back down the hill................

 

Simples. <BJ>

 

Of course the best way forward is from a well established group at Midsomer that expands to others. Having Peoples Popular fronts of S&D just will fail. What are the chances of a new spur to join the Cranmore line for a full sized heritage line?