Is there such a thing as too many heritage railways?

Totally agree about critical mass. Another benefit is that Preserved Railways are more likely to figure in the public consciousness than they would if they were really thin on the ground.

A potential down-side of some railways is that they might give the first-time visitor a distorted impression of what a preserved railway can offer. An infant scheme offering a short nowhere-to-nowhere ride behind a diesel shunter might put families off visiting more established lines.

 

People coming up that there are too many preservation railways isn't new as it has been going on for at least 50 years, as you can tell by this letter in Model Railway News May 1966. Yes the group trying to save the CM&DP railway failed.


But to say that he considers that the railway who was after the £25,000 was a non starter, and most likely was going to fail didn't and the money was raised and over the years knocked his railway group into the sideline and the railway is called SVR. Yes it is a lot harder as complete railways now are few and far between, and most track beds have been sold of.

 

I like the Hobby for the wife letter! If only I could get my good lady to make her own presecco!

 

On a slight tangent from what is being discussed. The sustainability of the movement through new build locos or replacement of major parts such as boilers and cylinders is a point of debate - but how much attention is paid to the rolling stock? If anything I think it's likely that a line's main 'service rake' of carriages cover more miles than an individual loco, and the majority of preservation stock is MK1's which are now 50+ years of age. There is the MK2 stock still, but past that there is a lack of suitable loco hauled stock available because of the near eradication of loco-hauled trains from the national network. Is the deterioration of the carriage fleet a potentially more serious issue than the loco renewals?

 

I don't know who you lucky folks are who get to visit multiple railways on a holiday!?!? I am allowed a strict limit of one only, even on frequent family holidays to N Wales, where I have to drive past lovely narrow gauge railways while my family taunts me! I once wangled a second on a week of truly appalling weather, and can highly recommend Penrhyn to Tan-y-Bwlch in fog and driving rain, most atmospheric. Otherwise I am reduced to claiming I need to stop at Llanfair Caerienion for the loo....
That was before having three children, too, I can just imagine the looks I will get if I suggest going on another train on holiday - quite expensive for a family, often.
Sigh.
I have managed to somehow have work meetings in places including Ravenglass, Horsted Keynes, Dinas, Bury, Loughborough....

 

It comes of being Vice President (holiday planning and related tasks) as well as being the only driver - hardly my fault if the car keeps making a swerve every time it passes the entrance to a railway...

Tom

 

I was thinking about a separate thread for this BUT with predictions of frozen real incomes for the next 10 or so years coupled with many of the other factors discussed here and elsewhere I don't think we can work on the basis of the last 10 years being the same as the last 10......................

 

you poor man....you have to be bit crafty....this year I managed to take Herself for a short break in Arundel and SHE found Amberley on the net and suggested a visit....

 

I think you can be 101% certain on that one....

 

Mrs 6968 has a friend who's parents have a cottage in Holt... She keeps suggesting a weekend away there unfortunately it usually tends to be in January, February when the NNR isn't running or it's a DMU! I'm gonna have to put the B12 on to do list for 2017, cracking looking engine, it doth elude me no more!

 

That's a very intresting point. But I think we are turning a corner and railways are starting to cotton on that a decent well looked after coach is worth it's weight in gold, look at the mk1 subs now at the North Norfolk.

 

Really? I would suggest that it's been a good clearout for the GWSR, so actually of benefit rather than detriment.

 

the availability of suitable engines and coaching stock will be an ongoing problem for any start up group, all that will be available will be other railways throw aways, coaches that are in need of major repairs the former home deemed non economic, and engines that railways have out grown, that also will need major repairs, unless you have a millionaire backer, you will strugggle to get off the ground, i think that there is only so much good will the public expect far more now than was the case back in the 70's when you got away with pot holed car parking, semi derilict stations, in the middle of being rebuilt , portaloo toilets , in todays market Mrs family and 2 kids wont put up with it,and they wont be making a return visit.

 

Well that's your opinion and of course you're entitled to it, but others would think the loss of the 4F, the LMS diesel, the future possibility of the Turkish 8F along with some original GWR carriages is a shame.


Keith

 

Well yes and no. Must stress this is strictly a personal opinion but there'll be some stuff I'll be happy to see go (or has gone) to declutter our railway, but equally there are some items of stock that if they go I shall be sad to see gone, and I think others may too. So it's swings and roundabouts as ever.

The 8F left by mutual agreement as we were in the unusual situation of having too many operating steam locos and not enough steaming days to pay steaming fees so I'd suggest that is probably a separate issue. Again I was sad to see this go as it brought a bit of variety. Much as I love the GWR, I shall miss the welcome change of a stanier hooter.

 

You missed one......visit the Mid Hants and then for your non league fix go to Fratton Park.....

 

That's not a non league ground although I have been to non league grounds that are in the 21st Century rather than the dump that is Fratton Park.

 

Yes I think there could be a Dissertation at Uni here. The Preservation Law of Diminishing Quality, established outfits will hang on to the best generally and the newcomers will struggle.

 

There are exceptions to the rule though... Look at Epping Ongar. Ok they have a wealthy backer. But they're having to stand on their 2 feet a bit more.

 

I am absolutely at one with you but there are places, big ones too, that have been going for forty years and still show some or all of the deficiencies you castigate so rightly.
This is why I have been so critical of "extension fever" or "big chufferitis" which divert attention from such vital but unsexy things as car park surfacing or lavatory cleaning.

Paul H