GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Ah thanks Pete, you learn something new every day

 

It's not an earthen embankment, but a brick built one:


This marches through the northern suburbs for quite a stretch.



I would question the stability of these long brick walls now, they might need tie rods all the way along.

Re the EA suggestion, there are no patches of trackbed to buy. The southern bit is owned by the council and is now a cycle track, with various bridges made unusable. There is no suggestion at all from the owner that we might be able to use it one day.

The northern (Honeybourne ) end is owned by Railway Paths Ltd, and that is one integral 4 1/2 mile stretch, unencumbered by development or bridge removal, but with the liability of 7 old, unmaintained bridges.

If you want to make a comparison with something, I'd suggest the Rother Valley connection structure. A special company was set up, at arms length from the KESR. That vehicle takes all the risks and finds the finance. If it loses, never mind, the KESR is unaffected. If it succeeds, everyone's a winner.

 

SBR group?

 

Stratford and Broadway group, had a few items of rolling stock at long Marston but didn't achieve much else. Finally disbanded in 2010 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratford_on_Avon_and_Broadway_Railway

 

Also known as the Judean People's Front.

 

Why didn't the GWSR buy the remaining mile or so of trackbed into Cheltenham Spa in the 1980's? Lack of Money?

 

With my construction hat on I’d say that all of it looks to be possible, the civil engineering is perfectly do-able. The bridges would be the most expensive items especially the Waitrose replacement bridge. The most significant factor in these sorts of projects is the attitude of stakeholders e.g. local authority, Ntwk Rail and property owners. If they all believe in a project then it is likely to succeed. If there is opposition or lukewarm support then it will be a struggle.

As a rough ballpark I’d say £6m - £12m depending on how structurally sound the existing structures are. The Ntwk Rail connection could push this higher depending on what work is involved.

 

It was never on the table. What we managed to buy was the maximum that was available.

 

That's true at the Cheltenham end, but I thought we did originally try to buy up to Honeybourne but a local farmer objected, it was easier to scale back our purchase than to appeal the objection. All well before I was born of course so just what I have heard, could be wrong!

 

And now it has become an order of magnitude harder to reach Honeybourne. As I said in an earlier post carpe diem, i.e. go for what you might want in future now, whilst you can...

 

Thanks Pete. I do understand how the GWSR has been re-created from next to nothing and a wonderful job it is making of what it has. Crises are regularly overcome and the route is repaired, hopefully with an enhanced resilience. The GWSR is one of the jewels in today's GWR scene. (Although I do wish the blood and custard livery could be consigned to history but 'tis but a small matter!)

Nevertheless, if there is an opportunity to safeguard the route north to Honeybourne now then it should be taken regardless of whether it might be used within the next five to ten years or not. The chance to do so might otherwise be permanently lost.

 

I believe that the G&WSR should stay with what they have i.e, success. A line too long could end up like the WSR - unprofitable. There will a few unwanted surprises probably plus projects still to achieve.

 

Agreed, I could quite happily think of ways to spend the money it would take to get to Honeybourne several times over, and at the end of it we'd be left with an improved railway rather than one that is too long.

 

Recent posters are completely missing my point: deliberately or otherwise...
For the umpteenth time, what I am talking about is PROTECTING THE ROUTE! Any extension north might be ten years away or longer, but action now at least safeguards that opportunity. Sitting on one's hands and saying that we are good at what we do might not actually be what you want in ten years time... Some future vision is required.

 

Curious, it's our most requested livery to do!

Completely agree, important to protect the route. I'm just not sure whether is owning it along with all the liabilities is the best way forward.

 

If the State reckons the Honeybourne section important they would have/will open it.