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Oswestry Update

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by ilvaporista, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Certainly didn't see that coming but that is a very handy locomotive to have in the fleet!
     
  2. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    The new Oswestry council want a rail connection to Gobowen within their 4 year term of office.
     
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    A few local councillors visited last week for a trip from Oswestry to Weston and back, to see how the grant money is being spent. By all accounts they were very impressed with progress.
     
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  4. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Dunno how anyone else sees things, but as good as it undoubtedly is to have Local Authorities onside, such aspirations are inevitably a sight more useful when they come with some means of addressing those many things needed to resolve issues, like finding a way past a certain trunk road.
     
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  5. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    The only thing missing is the money! Many things can be achieved but not on the turnover of the current operation. Big projects require big money. When the money is available the trains will run to Gobowen. I am slightly more realistic on the timescales. Personally I think 4 years is highly optimistic.
     
  6. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Is Gobowen the direction CHR is heading once Weston is settled in?
     
  7. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    That is a key question and it is all down to money. As I mentioned the investments necessary are well beyond the means of CHR. Thus the crossings will depend on external funding. CHR, behind the scenes, is working with many partners to unlock funding but obviously such discussions are highly sensitive so very little can be said.
    On the ground the team are keen to carry on South as we have equipment in place and have the necessary skills.
    To the north of Oswestry there are quite a few challenges not least the A5 for which we have the categoric refusal to consider any form of level crossing.
    I personally can't see much point in a halt by the A5 but something alongside the orchard and castle mound may offer a mini destination.
     
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  8. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Though if any aspects can be integrated within some wider project, as per the RhLT's* Bala Town extension, that can reduce costs big time. In that respect, active support from LAs can come in jolly handy, when it comes to opening certain doors.

    *The Bala Lake Railway was the first company to be officially registerd in Welsh (in modern times) back in 1972. So if you didn't know that before, you do now! ;)
     
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  9. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Thats understandable. I had a quick peek at everyones favourite satellite extension-wibble website and I see another busy looking road immediately. Are the local department as unhappy with that level crossing?
     
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  10. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    Indeed the A5 bridge would-be part of the wider works to improve tha road. Similarly the A483 would come under road improvements. It will need multiple funding channels and all has to be tied together, that is why I think 4 years is optimistic based on how long it took to unlock the Weston funding.
     
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  11. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    All authorities, including NR, are unhappy with level crossings (see Rother Valley Rly thread for the kerfuffle over a neccessary one over the A21). AIUI an LC here is a complete non-starter.
     
  12. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    Basically Yes as it is a trunk road. The TWAO specifically excludes the two crossings of trunk roads.
     
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  13. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    I had a feeling that was going to be the case.
     
  14. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    How did the Festiniog/WHR get away with the Portmadoc street running? Is it the "small-ness" of the trains (ahem), or the "urban" nature of the roads crossed.

    Nice electro-diesel btw - looking forward to seeing the third rail... :D
     
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  15. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    Different times when the Portmadoc crossing was installed. With the bypass the road returned to local traffic so that will have helped.
    I have been told to keep the third rail very quiet for the moment! ;-)
    Before the froth starts that's a joke by the way..
     
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  16. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    In Porthmadog, the option of using tramway legislation was mooted. I suspect, with LAs onside and the by-pass already in the offing, it was likely a serendipitous meeting of minds.
     
  17. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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  18. 32110

    32110 Member

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    When was the last movement from Gobowen to Oswestry?
     
  19. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Probably mid-1980s, I can remember seeing a 31 with an inspection saloon, also several pairs of 20s on ballast trains around then.
     
  20. meeee

    meeee Member

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    The WHR was given powers to cross Britannia Bridge with the Transport and Works Order back in 1999. No doubt the construction of the bypass around the same time smoothed things along though. The road over the cob is no longer classed as a trunk road.

    It is definitely a level crossing and not a tramway though. Just in case anyone was confused.

    Tim
     

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