GWSR General Discussion and Operations

a. No one knows
b. None that I am aware of.

We have plenty of costs on our plate at the moment, so I suspect we are not actively looking to take over that piece of trackbed - much as I would like the connection reinstalled - unless something attractive happens, such as a re-opening of Stratford - Honeybourne. There's a study going on there, should have been published round about now.

Some at the GWSR say that there is nothing to do at Honeybourne station, and that is perfectly true. It's an awful place. To me, the attraction is reaching the site of the nearer West Loop yard. It's 10 tracks wide...
From there you can think about turning west to Honeybourne station, or going north to meet the (re-opened) line going south.
It's probably also true that you can't charge much more for a ride that is 4.5 miles longer. You just get the extra length of line to maintain. 7 poor bridges. That said, the terrain is easy and flat.

 

I absolutely agree, Jo. Tempting though it is to have a mainline connection, it would only ever make sense if the link to Stratford were reopened, and even then, it's probably still tenuous. Until then, Honeybourne is Adlestrop without the charm.
"No one left, and no one came on the bare platform. What I saw was only the name- Honeybourne".

 

Sorry, just catching up on this as internet has been out. There was some serious talk about this over the summer, see https://www.gwsr.com/news/Press_Office/Securing_the_Broadway_to_Honeybourne_trackbed_1.html and https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...edundant-track-bed.220243/page-2#post-5238755 the last few posts on that latter link reported that RPL had offered the land to WCC for £1. What their reply was and subsequent developments, if any, I know not.

 

Thanks for the railforums.co.uk link. I wonder if anyone knows how Worcs CC are treating the offer?

 

Why would a cash strapped council wish to take on the liability for those seven poor Bridges if RPL are offering the line for a £1 that tells you all you need to know

 

Back from self isolation due to a (mild) spell of Covid, I've done another report on the canopy build at Broadway:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/preview/5835854219772837675/1578120807725429503

We are on budget, ahead of time, and almost finished. The scaffolding will come down in the week beginning 28.02. Can't wait what it looks like, when it's free of all those boards and poles!

 

Excellent progress. This link ought to work better though http://haylesabbeyhalt.blogspot.com/2022/02/playing-catch-up.html

 

Would there be any chance you and the team could show some of those contractors that quote for jobs on Network Rail how to do it?

 

Can you add any more info on the new RRV from swanage railway. Looks a very useful piece of kit. Does it come with any extra bits, wagons etc?

Now the garden centre is demolished. What the plan for the space? Looks a bit like a wasteland without it. I hope the railway already has some outline planning on the land or at least something from the planners. You normally leave a building standing till you have planning as it sets the president.

The glass lean to structures could be used in Churchill House yard as cover for vehicles / materials or a covered work space. Rebuild frame and stick some cheap roof cladding in lieu of the glass and jobs a good un.

 

Your idea for covered accommodation for vehicles is a good one. Currently there is only a small 2 bay car port in the yard of Churchward House.
I don't have any more info on the RRV, except to say that it came with a low trolley.

As explained during a shareholders' meeting last summer, the plan for the space vacated by the garden centre is to build a combined shop and new cafeteria with a museum space, termed a 'visitor centre'. To date, the architectural style of this proposed building has not yet been revealed. When we sought reassurances that it be a railway style building (to preserve the unique Honeybourne line site that is Toddington) we were turned down flat at that same shareholders' meeting. Since then, no news.

 

The site presents a great opportunity to improve the visitor experience and provide a profitable income stream for the railway. It has the potential to be a year-round attraction in its own right. Some other railways have for example embraced the retail / cafe / bar experience. Ideally the attraction should appeal to a wide a range of people especially families, because heritage lines need to hook the youngsters if they are to survive long term.

That’s not to ignore the heritage aspect, there are lots of possibilities for sustainable developments that can be dressed to look the part and enhance the railway ambience. Constructing large warehouse sized buildings using traditional block and brickwork is rarely cost effective nowadays. Steel framed, modular concrete or prefabricated buildings are common, you can have a flexible space that can be expanded if required. Facings can be ‘proper’ brick, stone or timber or lower cost bonded facings and such like. It will be interesting to see how the proposals for the site develop!

 

For anyone who has the time today, the big reveal has started :
https://www.ipcamlive.com/broadway2

 

I was enjoying the scaffold slowly vanishing, but it appears the camera has either gone down or been switched off, sadly.

Johb

 

The camera is working again, and the canopy is looking great! Well done to the team @Breva

 

What scaffolding?
I can't see any.

Well done to all concerned.

 

Camera is on, then it's off again....
I took some pictures this afternoon, and when I have a moment I will write a blog item later today.

 

Here we go then, a new Blogpost with, at last, pictures of the canopy unveiled in all its beauty:
https://haylesabbeyhalt.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-unveiling.html

Do come and visit and see for yourself. Your custom would be much appreciated.

 

Absolutely brilliant, I can't wait to take a train there!

 

Jo, it's gorgeous. As I said on the blog comments, how could anyones eye fail to be drawn upwards by this? Of COURSE people are going to look up! You guys must be cock-a-hoop at the results, and I'll bet you're all chafing at the bit to get cracking on P2.
Question- do you think you'll face the same obstacles, re. intransigent builders and impositions from management, or will this result hopefully put all that to bed? I know P1 is not quite how you'd want it ideally, but it's award- winning stuff, nonetheless.

 

2014 - 2016 was a very difficult time for those who believed in GWR heritage on the GWSR. The breakthrough came when someone offered to build the riveted canopy for no more than the one proposed earlier with box section steel and the blank wall. Certain people then left, and our heritage credentials are now on a rising trend.

For P2 we will be facing different obstacles, as the personalities today are different. That said, as I write there is no go-ahead or funding in place.
However, we have a new champion for the little canopy team, and he has promised to promote the P2 build if we do something for him in return: Repair the Winchcombe (front) and Toddington (platform) canopies, which are worn out and need urgent attention. This is perfectly within our skill set, and we have agreed to do it. However, afterwards we expect the other half of the bargain