Oswestry Update

Do you have any more details on the point geometry, radiuses, switch and crossing types/angles? Might have something but depends on exactly what sizes your after. Mike

 

Hi Mike,
I don't know that level of detail (I'm not a P.Way guy, just an occasional ballast shoveler). If you wouldn't mind, PM me your email address and I will forward your message and details to our Head of P.Way so the 2 of you can discuss the technical stuff.

 

If only ...

 

I see a model railway weekend being mentioned on a thread about a railway down south, so thought I'd point out that if you live in Shropshire you don't have to travel that far for a combination of heritage and model railways. . .
The Cambrian Heritage Railways have a model railway show next weekend (15/16 July).
https://cambrianrailways.com/chr/events/model-railway-23/

PS. I'm second man on E6036 on Sat, and Alun Evans on Sun, so do say hello if you visit us).

(I just hope the weather is better than it has been this weekend. My waterproofs got a thorough testing on crossing duty yesterday, and it looks like today is going to be a repeat performance. )

 

The Heritage Open Days on 9/10 Sept will give a rare opportunity to visit the Cambrian Heritage Railways site at Llynclys. There will also be a free 'rail replacement bus' between Weston Wharf and Llynclys (Note there is only limited parking at Llynclys and no parking at Weston. Visitors are recommended to ride from Oswestry to Weston and then go onward to Llynclys if they wish).
See https://cambrianrailways.com/chr/heritage-open-days-2023/ for details.

 

I hadn’t realised trains no longer ran at Llynclys. I had a trip there with Isabel the Hawthorn Leslie a few years ago and at the time members seemed quite optimistic of extending towards Llanymynech. Presumably, those plans are now on the back burner?

 

I've only been here just under a year, so not 100% sure of this but I don't think they've run regularly there for a few years now. They used to advertise DMU running, but this year will just be brake van rides. The main thing is a shortage of staff to regularly operate at 2 sites. Maintaining the Oswestry - Weston section is taking up most staffing (aka volunteer) resources, but progress is also being made with improving facilities. The main current project is a pit outside the loco shed and the Oswestry signal box has been sprouting lots of point rodding.

 

Sadly the small team at Llynclys have been unable to keep up with the natural degradation of the DMU's there. Certainly admirable attempts, particularly to one vehicle (of the four) which I believe was the focus of the efforts, but maintenance/restoration has reportedly been stop start with non of them being used for some time.

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

 

It's the usual story (repeated on many heritage railways) of not enough people to do everything that needs doing.

 

... and one which is worthy of repeating to those railways that think that multiple site operations offer significant additional benefits... Are you watching L&B??

 

All I'll observe is that ministers once said "HS2 will go to Manchester". I won't count my chickens.

 

What will this mean to the heritage service running to Weston?

 

My own opinion, but I see the confirmation of investment in the A5 as the best news. That should include the doubling of the existing carriageway and a bridge over the railway. I still remain to be fully convinced of the viability of a regular full public service to Oswestry.
But it's good to have the local MP on board!

 

Probably don't even know it exists. Giving the same report proposes extending Manchester Metrolink to the airport (which happened in 2014) but apparently means a 500m extension to Terminal 2 (that is properly needless), I really wouldn't worry about this rapidly thrown together turd: https://twitter.com/thomasforth/status/1709830153130406159

 

Wouldn't think that it would make much difference. By the time, if ever, the connection to Gobowen is restored the down platform and centre release road will have been completed and both services could be handled separately. Pity the former Gobowen bay at Oswestry is no more.
Ray.

 

Beat me to it. Plenty of room on the up platform for a bus shelter for main line passengers (Just leave us the original building ). We also have a footbridge available if someone wants to erect it.

In the unlikely event that this actually happens, it will obviously be good for the town, and also indirectly for the CHR (more visitors = more passengers for CHR).

BTW. I'm not entirely sure, but I think CHR actually own most, if not all, of the trackbed between Oswestry and Gobowen, so that could work to our advantage.

 

I'm sure there was a bay behind the main platform. The GWR station was separate to this.

Bob.