GCR Ending of Lineside Passes, ex-Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

Not sure if this the right thread, but for anyone who hasn't heard, there's a strong rumour that all lineside access has been revoked for all pass holders from 2019. Their website is currently taking no more applications.

 

I think the way the world is going that the days of "mass lineside passes" will some day come to an end. I don't necessarily agree, but I think that's the way it's headed.

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http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/lineside-access/

 

The rumour has become fact - it's official, the GCR has now revoked lineside access for all pass holders as from 1st January 2019. Totally understand the reasons why the GCR has had to take this action, as apparently it's all down to the costs of insurance and too many lineside permit holders not obeying the rules. But it could have been handled far better, particularly when many people have probably already paid the fee and renewed their lineside permits. It's a PR disaster for the railway and I suspect membership numbers are going to drop quite sharply next year. They also risk losing most, if not all, of the tremendous amount of support and goodwill there is for the GCR from the enthusiast community. Very sad.

 

Well, I've been a member there for something like 22 years now and have never felt the need to have a lineside photography pass. There are plenty of publically accesible locations along the line without having to be on railway property.
At least it will solve the situation such as at the Gala the other week when there are about 25 people on the roadbridge at Quorn waiting to take a photo of an approaching train, only for one orange clad individual to walk into eveyones photo at track level so he could get his "master shot". One of the assembled group did utter the memorable words "Anyone got a gun....?!"

 

So remove the paying person so many freeloaders can take a picture?

 

Strange, as I seem to recall buying a day rover ticket, full breakfast from the Griddle car, beer at the tin shed and tea at various times during the day as well.......

 

And how many of those on the bridge were members and/or ticket holders? I’m uncomfortable with the attempt to categorise photographers into “paying” or “freeloader”, as life is rarely quite that simple.

As someone who visits railways to travel first and foremost, I’ve always had mixed feelings about large scale issue of permits. I like the concept of enabling people to get views they might not otherwise get, but any sense of heritage at an event is diluted by the seas of orange on the lineside at stations like Quorn.


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Yes I get the point, many probably do pay. And I personally don't care about lineside photography or any photography at all. It was just a point. I know a lot of people who go around to loads of galas and I never see them putting their hands in their pockets. The simple thing with the lineside passes is if it's too expensive to insure and/or the risk is too great then remove it. Makes complete sense. I just hope all those that have paid and wish to get a refund will be given one.

 

But that presupposes that a large majority of members and the enthusiast community are actually interested in having and using lineside passes. Is that really the case? I would have thought it was much more a very "niche" part of enthusiasm and interest in the railway?

Whereas I am sure you are correct in saying it could have been handled better, I can't see why it is a "PR disaster". It's a decision that has had to be made for reasons that have been forced on the railway. Whilst some people may not like it, they will understand the line had no alternative.

 

Why is all this discussion of photographic permits on the 'Bridge that Gap' thread?
It should be moved to a 'Photographic Permits' thread rather than be a distraction to those of us more interested in progress on the infrastructure.

 

I have been a member and lineside pass holder for many years. I usually stayed 2 or 3 nights at a local hotel, bought a three day ticket (for gala's) and used the train to travel and access lineside from stations. Photography was the reason for all this activity and spending. I fully accept the GCR's decision, it couldn't last forever and we've had a good run. I'm sure the train crews will welcome it!

My renewals were due in January, but I won't be coughing up now.

How long before all the others follow suit?

 

Where is this stated? As it certainly isn't on the link you quoted in your post.
The link says new applications aren't being accepted. That is not the same as revoking permits.
Until we see a further update from the railway, this is all just speculation.

 

I, like you, picked up on the 'new applications' angle and did what any interested party would do and rang the GCR. I was told that the permits were being withdrawn and no more would be issued. It was suggested by the person I spoke with that there had been some input from the ORR.

 

Another reason to do more overseas steam where such lineside access restrictions do not exist.

 

From a non pass holder my thoughts were
Will this mean the trains will be even fuller at a gala? I already will only travel on a Thursday or a Friday as I am not prepared to stand.
Will it lead to unhappy landowners adjacent to the line if people enter private fields etc (the MHR telling people not to go in the fields at Wanderers Curve never seems to have much effect for example).
Will it make (what are I believe now limited photographic opportunities, post the housing at Woodthorpe, and the now overgrown from "gallery embankment" at Kinchley Lane) even fuller and not worth bothering with. Unlike Johann Marsbar I do not believe the GCR has many worthwhile publically accessible lineside locations, especially when the sun is out. For a four hour journey each way and a couple of nights hotel I may need to seriously think about attending in the future.
Having said all that it must have been on borrowed time. Looked at from an insurance risk perspective 80 or 90 movements on a double track railway (mainly straight or not) is a far bigger risk than 10 or 12 movements on a single track railway.

 

As a GCR supporter/donor, I believe this is probably a considerable exageration (specifically 'disaster' and 'most, if not all').

 

Agree with the sentiments expressed and will mean that I will probably not renew my 'friends' membership next year as well since the main reason I have made the 280 mile return journey 2 or 3 times a year was to visit locations such as Swithland to witness and photograph multiple track operations under semaphore signals. To see the operations here was a real pleasure and privilege and provided me with hours of unique entertainment, well worth the annual £65 (not including ticket costs, catering, a few quid in the gift shops etc.) cost.
I guess that building some sort of safe public access here would not be possible since I'm sure that the cost of some sort of viewing platform and the requirement to 'police' same to prevent trespass let alone parking provision would be prohibitive?
As already noted, the area around Woodthorpe is being built upon at quite a pace and I think that Kinchley Lane will get gridlocked during galas.
Whilst I totally agree that this decision is understandable from a liability viewpoint it's still a loss to the enthusiast world.

 

I recall the KWVR conditions of lineside passes that you ventured on the railway at your own risk. There was no insurance cover for participants. Did the GCR also subscribe to this condition.?