Elsecar Railway

Absolutely, it's a dead duck.

I hadn't realised that Barrow Hill are also going through the process of developing a centre for training and innovation for rail- again, another reason Elsecar's plans are never going to happen.

I note in the latest blurb it makes reference to a cafe being included......

For anyone not familiar with Elsecar heritage centre it boasts no less than 2 Cafes, and a further pub type thing that serves food at weekends and through the summer, PLUS a pub immediately outside the heritage centre that also serves food- this is all within a 2 min walk.

It's incredibly badly thought out as a scheme.

It's a shame, Elsecar has/had massive potential to be a real showcase for industrial history in South Yorkshire and it's never really been realised, the Railway is an example of another opportunity missed.

Chris

 

I always thought the plan for a new-built loco to operate the steam line represented an unnecessary expense. If nothing else, there are a fair number of Leeds-built locos in preservation which worked in South Yorkshire or not too far from Barnsley. Try and agree a hire for one of those and play on its local connections.

 

Not forgetting the Yorkshire Engine Co loco built in Sheffield currently at BH iirc?

 

Yes, good point - would also be a great shout.

 

I've just come across this newspaper article in the Rotherham courier by Paul Whitehouse:

https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co....back-dearne-valley-visitor-attraction-8799657

 

"Mandy Monster." Another piece of top quality journalism....

 

Funnily enough I walked most of section of the Trans-Pennine trail adjacent to the former Elsecar Heritage Railway last weekend.

The station yard looks much the same as it has for the last year where excavations have been undertaken then left open with rubble and spoil lying about the place.

The Toad Brake van and one diesel still sit forlornly by the road crossing at the heritage centre.

The deterioration of the route towards Cortonwood from 5ish years of no maintenance is quite remarkable- there is a large amount of tree encroachment either side of the trackbed and a lot of vegetation including small self-set trees growing through the track.

The longer it's left with no action, the more expensive and less likely any scheme to save it becomes.

The Heritage centre has had some building work done, but seems quieter than ever as there are fewer events this year than I can remember in the 15 years we have lived locally.

One of the Cafes (the better of the two) has also closed- there is no indication whether this is a temporary or permanent closure.


At one stage (early 2010s ish) it seems like there was events on almost every other weekend through the main season and it was quite a "buzzy" place.

We have tried to enquire via a couple of channels about renting a unit on site for our small business and have had no response.

Chris