Oswestry Update

One photo just arrived. The works train loco passes under the bridge. Two months ago this was a storage space for station materials.

 

This looks interesting. How is this station connected to the rest of the line and how long is it? I don’t know much about your railway.

 

As a new member, I'm interested to know more about the line as well. In September, I explored what I could of the line from Gobowen to Llanblodwel and, from bridges and other vantage points, could see that a lot of the trackbed had track on it - some with rolling stock as well. The level crossing situation appeared to be "interesting".

I had a very welcome guided tour around Oswestry, am aware of the Llynclys (old) station situation and have followed the excellent work at Weston on the blog but that's about it!

 

Welcome to the Cambrian. It’s a long story and there is plenty of history to the society. There are multiple parts to the project and you might well ask how did we get to the current situation? The website has a lot of information. To start here is the map of the overall project.

http://cambrianrailways.com/twao/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Location-map.pdf

I will put a bit more meat on the bones in another post.

 

After closure of Oswestry in early 1965 the line to Llanblodwel quarry remained in use for stone trains. This left the main line at Gobowen and passed through Oswestry and then turned right at Llynclys towards the quarry. The rest of the line was lifted and the land sold. The Cambrian as a preservation group was born in the early 70’s and at one time Foxcote Manor was under restoration at Oswestry, initial services were run along a series of sidings to the cattle dock to the south of Oswestry station.
After it seemed that access to the freight only line would still be years away the possibility to create an operational line was pursued at Llynclys towards Pant and at Nantmawr sidings.
Not long after the whole branch became available and Shropshire County Council took over the line.
CHR obtained a Transport and Works Oder for the old quarry line with the exception of the two level crossings on the A5 and A483 Trunk Roads.

The track is still in place from Gobowen to the A495 at Blodwel. Some sections are overgrown with a couple of lengths missing here and there after attention from the metal fairies.
The current activity is to reopen the line from Oswestry to Weston, about 1 3/4 miles, as a heritage railway. There is also an operational section from Llynclys towards Pant of about 3/4 of a mile.
Expansion after that will require the level crossing issue to be addressed. It is planned at some point to dual the A5 which will pass over the line north of Oswestry. To the south the A453 is also planned to be upgraded and again a road over bridge is required. Both of these projects require big money which are likely only as part of government investments.
There is a proposal for a community railway from Oswestry to Gobowen to provide a public service. Personally I am not sure that there are sufficient passengers to make this attractive for a commercial operation.
Oswestry station is an attraction on its own with long platforms and a centre through road. Though it will be a while before the second platform is operational. There is a museum at Oswestry and Buffers Cafe offers a good selection of snacks and homemade cakes.
The future is to work together in order to connect the various sections and create a linear route of just over 7 miles.

 

Pant is south of Llynclys.

 

By penygarreg?

 

Either use Google as suggested or Streetmap - Pant Shropshire

 

Really? Thought it was on or just below the waist?

 

Lazy patter aside, the continued uptick in whats happening at Oswestry should be a cause of celebration. Rehabilitating an existing line is no easy feat especially one spreading its resources across multiple sites. I have a friend who works near Shrewsbury I should go check in with when its safe to do so and check out the goings on while having a pint next to Weston.

 

Stonehouse brewery is a destination in itself, an excellent combination for the railway.

Gobowen is now a busy commuter station, the large car park is often full, whether the customers live within walking distance of an Oswestry connector is a moot point.

 

An enviable feather in the cap!

 

I can confirm hic that Stonehose hic brewery is an eggskellent hic destination.... Great people as well. ;-)

 

They also serve meals of course which could lead to a dining train option in the far distant future.

 

Unfortunately as far as that area goes, I'm really only familiar with Salopian.

 

I was taken with the pizza evening, thinking it had been laid on just for me!
The subject of catering is still to be developed. First we need to have a working railway and functional station.

 

I have uploaded the last of the photos from the working week. It will be a bit quiet now until we can welcome back more volunteers. Rest assured much work is going on behind the scenes until the larger working parties can be restarted.

http://ilvaporista.blogspot.com

 

Work continues with completing the station at Weston. Here is the lever frame base at the northern end of the run round loop.