Oswestry Update

Certainly didn't see that coming but that is a very handy locomotive to have in the fleet!

 

The new Oswestry council want a rail connection to Gobowen within their 4 year term of office.

 

A few local councillors visited last week for a trip from Oswestry to Weston and back, to see how the grant money is being spent. By all accounts they were very impressed with progress.

 

Dunno how anyone else sees things, but as good as it undoubtedly is to have Local Authorities onside, such aspirations are inevitably a sight more useful when they come with some means of addressing those many things needed to resolve issues, like finding a way past a certain trunk road.

 

The only thing missing is the money! Many things can be achieved but not on the turnover of the current operation. Big projects require big money. When the money is available the trains will run to Gobowen. I am slightly more realistic on the timescales. Personally I think 4 years is highly optimistic.

 

Is Gobowen the direction CHR is heading once Weston is settled in?

 

That is a key question and it is all down to money. As I mentioned the investments necessary are well beyond the means of CHR. Thus the crossings will depend on external funding. CHR, behind the scenes, is working with many partners to unlock funding but obviously such discussions are highly sensitive so very little can be said.
On the ground the team are keen to carry on South as we have equipment in place and have the necessary skills.
To the north of Oswestry there are quite a few challenges not least the A5 for which we have the categoric refusal to consider any form of level crossing.
I personally can't see much point in a halt by the A5 but something alongside the orchard and castle mound may offer a mini destination.

 

Though if any aspects can be integrated within some wider project, as per the RhLT's* Bala Town extension, that can reduce costs big time. In that respect, active support from LAs can come in jolly handy, when it comes to opening certain doors.

*The Bala Lake Railway was the first company to be officially registerd in Welsh (in modern times) back in 1972. So if you didn't know that before, you do now!

 

Thats understandable. I had a quick peek at everyones favourite satellite extension-wibble website and I see another busy looking road immediately. Are the local department as unhappy with that level crossing?

 

Indeed the A5 bridge would-be part of the wider works to improve tha road. Similarly the A483 would come under road improvements. It will need multiple funding channels and all has to be tied together, that is why I think 4 years is optimistic based on how long it took to unlock the Weston funding.

 

All authorities, including NR, are unhappy with level crossings (see Rother Valley Rly thread for the kerfuffle over a neccessary one over the A21). AIUI an LC here is a complete non-starter.

 

Basically Yes as it is a trunk road. The TWAO specifically excludes the two crossings of trunk roads.

 

I had a feeling that was going to be the case.

 

How did the Festiniog/WHR get away with the Portmadoc street running? Is it the "small-ness" of the trains (ahem), or the "urban" nature of the roads crossed.

Nice electro-diesel btw - looking forward to seeing the third rail...

 

Different times when the Portmadoc crossing was installed. With the bypass the road returned to local traffic so that will have helped.
I have been told to keep the third rail very quiet for the moment! ;-)
Before the froth starts that's a joke by the way..

 

In Porthmadog, the option of using tramway legislation was mooted. I suspect, with LAs onside and the by-pass already in the offing, it was likely a serendipitous meeting of minds.

 

cor Tram garratt! would you need to put skirts in the middle?

I'm glad they did manage it, it's quite a thing, but it's a bit harder now isn't it.

Edit - lordy! there even was such a thing
https://www.modelrailroading.nl/articulation/netherlands/pages/NMVB 850-851.html

 

When was the last movement from Gobowen to Oswestry?

 

The WHR was given powers to cross Britannia Bridge with the Transport and Works Order back in 1999. No doubt the construction of the bypass around the same time smoothed things along though. The road over the cob is no longer classed as a trunk road.

It is definitely a level crossing and not a tramway though. Just in case anyone was confused.

Tim