If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Let's look on the bright side........

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by 61624, Dec 28, 2020.

  1. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    612
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Manchester
    I think it’s hoped the N2 will return to the NNR after it’s overhaul
     
  2. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2014
    Messages:
    15,328
    Likes Received:
    11,666
    Occupation:
    Nosy aren’t you?
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Is the plan to still go mainline with the N2? Well as far as Cromer?
     
    Hicks19862 likes this.
  3. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    612
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Manchester
    I believe so.
     
    Matt37401 likes this.
  4. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    612
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Manchester
    From what I’ve read elsewhere a lot of money was spent installing equipment to enable the N2 to venture to Cromer, but unfortunately it never made it out on the mainline before its overhaul.
     
  5. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2017
    Messages:
    1,381
    Likes Received:
    1,739
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    34D, now flexible
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I can't vouch for the order of things nor whether 2021 will be their year of return to service given the time we're seeing but there's also 6024, 34028, 45025 and 6880 all worthy of a shout
     
    Davo likes this.
  6. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    26,103
    Likes Received:
    57,431
    Location:
    LBSC 215
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It'll be the Bluebell's 60+1th birthday (unless things go horribly wrong again, in which case - 2022 will be the 60+2th ... :(

    Tom
     
    Bluenosejohn likes this.
  7. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    I suspect railways are conserving cash against the uncertainties ahead, and Covid-19 has interrupted project fundraising. The SVR, for example, announced a while back it was putting back work on a couple of viaducts and both its plans for Bridgnorth station and fundraising for MPD improvements will be later than envisaged.

    I hope some lines will still be able to achieve things in 2021.

    Patrick
     
  8. Southernman99

    Southernman99 Member Friend

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2009
    Messages:
    894
    Likes Received:
    602
    The other projects which are being shelved/ koved back down the pecking order also applies to carriages. 9615/ 43612/ 24068/ 16267 are all coaches that need an awful lot of work but wifh budget constraints. We are picking off light work ie. Doors, windows and repaints rather than large 6 month projects. We never get the opportunity to repaint our TSOs because they are always in use. The upside of Covid is we can now rattle through some of the previously heavy used coaches.
     
  9. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Messages:
    2,696
    Likes Received:
    5,502
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Leicestershire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think it is actually very impressive that just about all the heritage railways have survived 2020 and most have seen trains running again. There are several that have quietly continued with their expansion/improvement projects.
    Many locomotives have been worked on, with some major overhauls being completed. Several "New builds" have made significant progress. Carriages have been overhauled and repainted on many lines. Goods wagons on many railways are looking better than ever.
    Congratulations to all involved, whether wielding spanners/paint brushes or supporting with donations/good wishes.
    Have a Happy 2021!
     
    MattA, 240P15, flyingcow and 6 others like this.
  10. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2016
    Messages:
    14,118
    Likes Received:
    7,644
    Occupation:
    Layabout
    Location:
    Naughty step
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I've just been looking at the Hatton's website and their forthcoming 4/6 wheel carriages - an N2 with a short rake is suggested as a suitable suburban. Myself, I'd like to find a model of a C12 (GNR C2) to run with a few as a recreation of a Ramsey North branch passenger train.
     
    240P15 likes this.
  11. MattA

    MattA Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2014
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    342
    Location:
    82F
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    240P15 likes this.
  12. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Messages:
    1,598
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Norway
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That is the outcome of the enormous generousity and (financial) donation from all the supporters of these railways. Just look at the amount that many of them have recieved! It`s so impressive and something you brits can be proud of in such difficult times! :)I really admire you for this!

    Knut:)
     
    Bluenosejohn and Sunnieboy like this.
  13. lostlogin

    lostlogin Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2007
    Messages:
    428
    Likes Received:
    205
    Whilst I hate to give credit to Government I think that it must also be recognised that a huge amount of funding has been received from government bodies, be it furlough schemes or grants, especially in England.

    It has been a pain not being able to operate as normal this year or volunteer as normal, even if that is only helping water or weed a few plants for a few hours on one day. Staff being furloughed and volunteers not being able to work as normal will have put projects back but I don't think it should be all doom and gloom, especially on the cash front. With donations, grants and furlough schemes it may be that many railways are not much worse of financially than they would be if there had been no restrictions. I expect some may be better off especially in England where the Government funding was much more generous than in Wales. I am not sure about Scotland.

    In Wales the bigger you are the harder you have been hit as the maximum Government contribution I think was £150,000. Several railways in England have had over a £million. Whilst £150,000 is not to be sniffed at that does not go that far on the FR/WHR compared with say the Bala Lake Railway who if you review their website have had decent passenger figures since they re-opened. I am not picking on the Bala Lake Railway just that both they and the FR announced they received the maximum £150,000 from the Welsh Government and I don't think I am being unfair to suggest the scale of their operations are markedly different. The FR obviously would have been able to benefit more from furlough schemes and donations with a larger supporter space.

    I will be interested to see accounts for this year when they are published, and I am sure there will be a wide range of results, but depending on what happens 2021 I am hopeful that for many it is only a case of projects being put back a year or whilst railways preserved cash and volunteers and staff could not work rather then projects having to be shelved. I appreciate there will always be exceptions.
     
    jon5051, 240P15, Bluenosejohn and 2 others like this.
  14. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    2,564
    Occupation:
    UK & Ireland Heritage Railways Webmaster
    Location:
    Ruabon, Wrexham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I guess it shows how much more can be done when your staff aren't busy running trains and dealing with visitors. Of course there are limits to how much can be done before running out of money. . . and then it's back to playing running trains to generate income. :)
     
  15. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2008
    Messages:
    2,027
    Likes Received:
    1,319
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Bus Driver
    Location:
    Loughton Essex
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Not forgetting that many pre-booked passengers have generously donated their fares rather than demand refunds. And these passengers are not necessarily 'enthusiasts' but ordinary 'Joe Public'.
     
    jnc, 240P15 and Bluenosejohn like this.

Share This Page