How many preserved railways now have main line connections ?

Is there a comprehensive list of which preserved railways have main line connections ??

 

I would have said go to: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/2220.aspx but, if you do, you'll find it is being updated!

 

There was quite an extensive list on here in a thread a few months ago

 

This? Its list is of same-station interchange for passengers, which is not the same thing as a rail connection.

 

Here are the ones I can recall:

Bodmin & Wenford
Boness & Kinneil
Dartmoor Railway
Dean Forest
East Lancs Railway
East Somerset
Keighley & Worth Valley
Mid Hants Railway
Nene Valley Railway
North Norfolk Railway
North Yorkshire Moors
Mid Norfolk Railway
Paignton & Dartmouth
Severn Valley
South Devon Railway
Strathspey Steam Railway
Swanage
Weardale Railway
West Somerset Railway

I am sure there are others too. Of those listed, I think that only the NYMR and WSR connections are fully approved/signalled for (unrestricted) use by passenger trains. Quite a few lines have connections which can be used regularly for non-passenger trains eg Severn Valley, Swanage, East Lancs, Paignton & Dartmouth etc, but are not signalled for passsenger trains. These require staff on the ground for operating ground frames or clipping points etc, and many have limitations on the no of though passenger trains per year. Some lines have a through siding connection only which maybe ok for occasional light engine and stock movements.

David

 

Add Didcot to the list.

 

Also add Midland Railway Butterley.

 

Do the Keith and Dufftown have a connection? About time they had some steam up there!

 

Wensleydale Railway

 

Not forgetting Ribble Steam Railway at Preston.
With regular freight operations.

 

GCR(N)
Peak rail

 

"I am sure there are others too. Of those listed, I think that only the NYMR and WSR connections are fully approved/signalled for (unrestricted) use by passenger trains."

I'm sure that the Mid Norfolk connection is also fully signalled as it comes under the control of the Network Rail signalman at the Wymondham box - the trains that ventured down as far as the Network Rail boundary at the gala last weekend had to get permission from the signalman at Wymondham to pass signal W37 at danger and were then stopped at the boundary by the signalman with a red flag.

 

Eden valley railway has a mainline connection, is how they brought the cep's and thumper in!

 

Liverpool Road Railway, MOSI in Manchester. Rail connected and used back in february.

Regards
Duncan

 

NRMs at York and Shildon
Cheers
Anthony

 

I don't believe Peak Rail has a connection yet but Tyseley certainly has.

 

The Bluebell has a connection at EG, which I believe is signalled for unlimited use. The only problem is the lack of connection between there and the rest of the line, but we'll get there!

Tom

 

Peak Rail's mainline connection was temporally severed a couple of years ago due to the development work at Matlock i.e. the new bypass and supermarket etc. The re-connection is currently being worked on as Peak Rail's track needs to be realigned to meet up with Network Rails track. This is all part of the work that will get Peak Rail into the unused platform at Matlock and allow incoming charters now the branch from Ambergate has been upgraded along with the iminent commisioning of the turntable at Rowsley. For more info see http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/21492-Peak-Rail-update-of-whats-occuring!

Pete

 

Spa Valley Railway, Eridge Station, also running for a mile parrallel to Southern servies. Commencing 2010

 

The Middleton Railway ( LEEDS)