[trivia] Examples of heritage railways connected to the National Rail network at more than one end?

[jonathan01n]

Are there any Main lines/Branch line connected by a heritage rail in between, either sharing a station or not? What I mean is you will not doubling back at the heritage rail.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

If you are young enough the Wensleydale Railway might get there one day.

 

[Adsy125]

The Spa Valley Railway connects Eridge to Tunbridge Wells, admittedly not the mainline station in Tunbridge Wells but it's possibly the closest.

 

[Stuwhu]

What about the Festiniog?

 

[Parallel]

Ffestiniog railway connects Blaenau Ffestiniog with Minffordd/Porthmadog.

Edit: I’ve just been beaten to it!

 

[30907]

The Bluebell, only you would have had to wait about 40 years en route
The RHDR until ?1951 (question: was it then an heritage railway?) though the two Hythe stations were a fair way apart.

 

[Ianno87]

The East Lancs Railway has two physical connections to other networks: One to NR at Castleton, one to Metrolink south of Bury.

Formerly, the Metrolink connection subsequently connected to NR tracks again at Manchester Victoria, but that connection has now been removed. In any case, the Metrolink tracks have a very restrictive gauge due to their overhead wires, particularly through Collyhurst Tunnel.

 

[6Gman]

Depends what you mean by "connected to"!

Blaenau Ffestiniog to Minffordd is fine, but using a 150 on a through service would rearrange the civil engineering a bit!

 

[Spartacus]

The East Lancs Railway has two physical connections to other networks: One to NR at Castleton, one to Metrolink south of Bury.

Formerly, the Metrolink connection subsequently connected to NR tracks again at Manchester Victoria, but that connection has now been removed. In any case, the Metrolink tracks have a very restrictive gauge due to their overhead wires, particularly through Collyhurst Tunnel.

I suppose there's a few locos that could physically get into Man Vic both ways, even if it was just a small shunter. Is there still the link between Metrolink and NR just East of Victoria? Totally impractical for railtour usage though, before anyone asks!

 

[Ianno87]

I suppose there's a few locos that could physically get into Man Vic both ways, even if it was just a small shunter. Is there still the link between Metrolink and NR just East of Victoria? Totally impractical for railtour usage though, before anyone asks!

No, the Victoria connection is no longer there. I don't believe the signalling on it was ever fully commissioned in the 1998 resignalling into Manchester North, and the track was finally removed during the Victoria Metrolink remodelling works a couple of years or so ago.

There is still the NR connection at Altrincham - though I don't think any ELR locos could possibly comply with the radii/gauging through the city centre (though it'd be quite a sight!)

 

[Spartacus]

There is still the NR connection at Altrincham - though I don't think any ELR locos could possibly comply with the radii/gauging through the city centre (though it'd be quite a sight!)

They've a Simplex that'd do if it was in any fit state, I'm sure, and a larger chain drive loco undergoing restoration. For steam though they might have to borrow a Pug, but even then the cylinders might pose a problem for platform clearances.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

No, the Victoria connection is no longer there. I don't believe the signalling on it was ever fully commissioned in the 1998 resignalling into Manchester North, and the track was finally removed during the Victoria Metrolink remodelling works a couple of years or so ago.

There is still the NR connection at Altrincham - though I don't think any ELR locos could possibly comply with the radii/gauging through the city centre (though it'd be quite a sight!)

A few years ago, a Steam Loco, I think from the ELR was assisting Manchester Trams when they were doing some trackwork overnight, there is a photo somewhere on this forum.

 

[4141]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hughesfowler/21738553336

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hughesfowler/21738553336

Yes that is what I was thinking about. Nice photo.

 

[4141]

There was an atmospheric piece of video as well IIRC...can't seem to find it now, sadly...