Linear Scrapyard Award 2011

And in my case as well I am afraid

 

I presume that I am one of those issuing 'generalistic destructive criticism', and for that I apologise unreservedly. That was not my intent. Various railways have been mentioned on here - as a regular visitor to the GWSR when someone mentioned it I was inclined to agree with them to an extent - although taking into account the current situation there are much, much worse offenders I appreciate.

 

Much appreciated and humbly accepted. I guess we all have our favourite heritage lines and, with spending tight at the moment we do have to present the best possible image to customers, most of whom won't be enthusiasts. In my experience, many railways have improved dramatically since the days when the "name and shame" tactics described in the first post were put forward but current lack of disposable income will continue to affect heritage railways' attempts to continually improve their visitor experiences.

 

Thanks . We do indeed, and whilst it is easy for me to point the finger it is a very hard, and emotive subject, to do anything about. Very few, if any, railways can honestly say they haven't got a line of iffy looking vehicles anywhere.

 

This thread goes and hand in hand with another thread regarding a LNWR Crane which was nearly lost. When the Churnet Valley sold a LNWR crane to a scrap dealer in April 2011. But with good fortune this crane has now been saved.

http://railways.national-preservation.com/showthread.php/31138-Lost-LNWR-Crane

 

I ought to mention a railway which would be about the last to justify this "award". The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, visited today, has an unrivalled reputation, certainly in relation to its size, for actually getting on and sorting out decrepit rolling stock. Items awaiting attention, some of which may prove eventually to be just one stage too far gone, are tucked away and don't spoil the experience of the line for holiday visitors.

As for enthusiasts, how about a complete Brighton Railway train of three bogies and an A1x? It was rather choice.

 

Is it against the rules to nominate your own railway? (Ducks for cover....)

 

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has over the years purchased a number of the fields that surround Havenstreet station, this has allowed the railway to expand out from a very resricted site. The sidings that have been laid in those areas have allowed vehicles awaiting restoration to be tucked away out of sight.

Another avantage is that the railway owns all the locos and stock (except one NRM owned wagon) so no muptiple owners to complicate matters and makes work programs easier to program. Still have to find the funds to do the work though!

 

Sounds like a good idea; go for it!

Paul H

 

I wonder if some "interpretation" signs would help. Thus an unidentified heap of rusting metal becomes a "1937 steam crane awaiting restoration" and so on. Just a thought.

 

The only problem I can see is that such stock is visible but may be just too far from public access for a discrete sign. That sign might have to be as big as the item itself for it to be read! Hmmm, may be not such a bad idea after all.........................

And yes, Fireline, since you and I are members of the same railway and if it is appropriate, be brave!

 

It's a great idea if the item(s) concerned are only seen whilst walking around the yard. If they're only seen whilst travelling, they could be pretty ineffective. It's certainly worth considering.

 

I guess it's only enthusiasts who will walk around the yards and see such signs.

The much bigger problem is those rotting vehicles on sidings close to/parallel with the running lines which can be seen by the average passenger from the train. It is they who will be getting the scrapyard views

 

Even the Isle of Wight used to have a linear scrapyard - before the railway was extended to Smallbrook the former running line towards Ashey was known as the "Ashey Siding". Many of the vehicles that were accommodated there have now been restored and the others awaiting restoration are stored out of direct sight as Gary says.

In the 70s and 80s we did have a few private owner vehicles, but we adopted an active policy of encouraging the owners to sell/give the vehicles to the railway. This was 100% successful, allowing that the National Railway Museum vehicle is an understandable exception. I would suggest that other railways should look seriously at adopting such a policy.

 

How happy that this policy is so evidently successful and how sad that it appears to have been so seldom emulated elsewhere!

I should add that I am not involved with the IOWSR

 

The Severn Valley was once a contender but The Engine House and Carriage shed at Kidder have helped considerably in addressing this. Indeed 4150 and 75069 are the last locos to be in 'stored outside' state. Unfortunately, the bid for funding for a waggon shed was unsuccessful so Hartlebury triangle will remain scruffy for a while yet. Such has the SVR improved it's stations that the appearance of a scruffy Mark 1 at Arley cause a number of comments on the SVR forum as to why it was there. It was not such a long time ago that Leander, Gordon, Hinton Manor, 43106 and a few others were dumped at Arley and Highley in all weathers.
It isn't just deterioration that is an issue here (at least £70,000 of damage alone attributed to open storage in the case of 43106), but also security. Both the Great Central and Churnet Valley have had to scrap stock after damage from metal theft. Where the owners are known and particularly in the case of locomotive and unique stock then storage off site and undercover must be a priority. Barrow Hill for example in my opinion is an under used facility for this, however, it is doing a great job in protecting 45110, Blue Peter and the Half cab and could do the same for others. Also members of the public are able to visit and learn about the locos while they wait their turn.

 

A bit expensive, I know, but driving into London on the M4, I have noticed several large buildings being renovated with tarpaulins completely covering them. The unsual thing about them was that they were printed with an architectural impression of the finished article. I wonder if this could be done in a railway context? This would not only hide the monstrosity beneath, but also give the passer-by an indication of what it will look like when completed. May even lead to a few hands being put into pockets if marketed correctly.