An "NRM" in the South?

Anthony, out of interest, and with no vested interest or ulterior motive, can I ask if any consideration has been given in recent times to establishing a "satellite" NRM, along the lines of Shildon, anywhere in the South of the UK?

I fully appreciate the issues of both a suitable location, and nowadays the availability of finance for such a project.

Thanks

Rob

 

Hi Rob

Yes it has been considered - but as you say, it's all down to location and cost. Of course, there's also a lot of the collection down south in Swindon, and at Mid Hants, Bodmin, Isle of Wight and elsewhere - but if the cash and a partnership was a possibility...who knows?

Cheers
Anthony

 

After visiting Shildon it would be a fantastic idea, however as you say, lots of hurdles. Shildon was fantastic and also so is York.

 

It would allow us to collect more stuff however...

 

Now there's a challenge, plenty out there to preserve and catalogue for future generations.

 

I know, it concentrates my mind every day...

 

Anthony you have a PM from me.

 

.....

 

That is what I thought that Railworld in Peterborough was set up to do? As a location it has some good points and a direct connection to an exisiting Berne Gauge line would allow those std gauge locos to steam. The narrower gauges wold be a problem, but it's a start.

 

I know there are examples of world heritage traction within the NRM's walls, but I think being a multicultural society, our view of preserving examples for people to see is commendable, you could even have a world tour. Would be fascinating for schools and indeed the general public.

 

in preservation it has been an often brought up subject indeed Eastleigh was at some stage said to have been a contender if it ever got off the ground .
There are plenty of locos on preserved railways that are not likily to ever steam again for a long time and not everywhere can display out of ticket locos i would take it a stage further and have a shared workshop facility where engines can be overhauled away from their "home" railway.
Heavy overhauls done this way could be a shared cost and possible fast track way of getting some old favourates back into steam and could be self supporting by contracting its services to the local railways

 

Hello to all, this is my first post.
I certainly agree there should be an annexe to the NRM in the South of England, the North seems to be already well blessed with York and Shildon. I would very much like to see the annexe built at Ashford on what is left of the Old Railway Works. The site is already under regeneration development for housing etc but I am sure if there was a will, room could be made for a museum of Railway Skills within that regeneration.
Ashford lends itself for an annexe on many levels, as railway enthusiast know; Ashford was a major player in the railway industry not only for Britain but the Commonwealth. Given that there are many artefacts still surviving that were built at Ashford Railway Works it should be a sure-fire winner of a site. It is also well catered for regarding access routes to Ashford from other parts of the country, even the continent.

 

I hadnt thought of Ashford, but yes, part of the old steam works is still there, next to the outlet centre
direct services run from St Pancress and London Bridge, its idealy placed for servicing steam so it could be a working centre in the same way as Shildon
is there isnt much steam traffic on the marshline so theres scope for regular specials to london via hastings from ashford southeastern could get involved, high speed unit out, herritage steam and mk1s back in the same way as FGW did with the recent runs in the west

 

Manchester MOSI has made a start. It has a narrow gauge SA garrett, a broad gauge India Pakistan 4-4-0 and an ex-Woodhead electric that was used in Holland