Oswestry Update

The end to end of the running line is 1 7/8 miles. The absolute key is to get Weston station all correct. Then to work back to Oswestry, at least until the cattle creep. We shall have to see where we get to at the end of the week.

 

Good luck with all that.
Hope there is someone around with a good set of spanners.
Those tampers really do shake themselves to bits.

 

https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=0073422ad24bffb78cac8dad7&id=3962dae7cf

Latest newsletter. Interesting article about the training - good to see my dad is keeping busy in retirement!

 

Regarding a carriage shed....is there a donation page/site for this?

 

I am not sure if there is a specific ring fenced fund. I think that you can state on the donation where you would like the funds spent. I shall have to investigate!

 

The tamper continues to level out the 'umps and 'ollers...

 

The blog has been updated with extra photographs. The track looks a lot better after the first run through of the tamper.

https://ilvaporista.blogspot.com

 

Les has flown his drone over Weston today. There are plenty of pictures to upload to the blog in an update next week. Here is a sneak preview with a view from above the bridge.

 

As promised the drone pictures have been uploaded to the blog. Take a look at the impact the tamper has made. Now all we need is a Manor or 2MT to come running in to the station....

https://ilvaporista.blogspot.com/

 

Excellent work by the Tamper - and everybody else in the team!

 

I would echo that comment.

 

Well there is a long-time Oswestry 2MT rapidly returning to service * ducks *.

 

Today is the day that the Suburban Coach was outshopped. The weather was not the best to show off the finish. Thanks to CHR Facebook for the picture. This has taken three years of effort by the team at Oswestry. Well done to the team

 

Genuinely unsure whether this belongs here or the 'Lost Rail Routes' thread. If the bid is successful, getting past the A5 becomes someone else's headache!

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news...-back-the-re-opening-of-shropshire-rail-line/

 

I hate to sound cynical but Shapps is about as switched on as an unplugged fridge so I'd say it doesn't matter because its all hollow words. Going taking a picture and getting Shapps to make a hostage video is an easy political news feed filler but 50k in consultant fees to be told what people already know about the infrastructure (a not cheap pricetag for either crossing) is not really cutting the mustard here. Having some insight into passenger numbers and effect on the local economy is always handy for detractors and applications though.

INB4 People Get Mad: I do want to see the Cambrian project succeed because we've seen preserved railways be agents for economic uplift in their area but the money would be better spent on a solution to the A5 crossing or rehabilitation of the line north itself.

 

Nowt there to disagree with .... not only that, but you've also successfully highlighted why I was undecided which thread to post it on! Rather than take over the CHR thread, as the points are relevant across the board, probs best I respond on the 'Lost Rail Routes' thread, so I'm afraid you'll just need to imagine the 'buffering' .gif here.

 

The other point is that Owen Patterson is in trouble and could be subject to an attempt to recall him. So a bit of favourable 'aren't I a good local MP' publicity with help from Michael Green/Grant Schapps.

 

I do apologise if I rammed through the subtext of your post. Something thats rattled loose in my mind was that feasibility studies always end up under-guesstimating the potential income. I think the original study for the Borders line ended up being out by a significant margin.

 

I've just noticed the several unused frogs in the line in the foreground there. Will they be retrieved at some point (for use elsewhere - I assume there's no way/plan to use them in situ)?

Noel

 

Those crossing frogs are part of the history of the station. Last time I asked there was no plans to move them. It would be nice to relay the whole southern station throat as was but lots of siding space has been lost through development.
The blog is silent at the moment whilst the finishing touches are being made. If you are a member you are invited to the AGM and witness first hand the extension before reopening next year.
In the meantime keep up to date with the CHR newsletter, for which you can sign up on the CHR homepage.