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Dartmoor & Weardale Railways for sale

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michael74

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Seen on FB last night... Also RMS Locotec as well.

https://www.walkersingleton.co.uk/m...EJ3vjHSp_3-j3dU09tZQps2gCU-Pb-hr-4XgmZ0IOup4I

Railway Operator, Rolling Stock Rental and Rail Maintenance Company, United Kingdom

Rail focused business through development of community/heritage lines, revitalisation/renewal and repair of existing rail lines and rolling stock rental.
Interlinked but independent divisions offer opportunity for acquisition as a whole or separately.

Further information is available behind a Non-disclosure Agreement. Contact the Agents Offices

Instructed by the Directors

PROJECT NORTHERN

Operational Heritage Railway business based in the North East of England
Turnover £650,000 (y/e December 2018)
Assets encompass intellectual property, freehold/leasehold interests, rolling stock and stock/fixtures

PROJECT MIDLANDS

Rolling stock hire/track maintenance business
Turnover £545,000 (y/e December 2018)
Operates from leasehold premises
Blue Chip client base and excellent reputation

PROJECT SOUTHERN

Operational Heritage Railway based in South West of England
Turnover £465,000 (y/e December 2018)
Leasehold line and stations
Recognised and respected brand; scope for business development
 
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trainmania100

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Good to see Dartmoor Railway turnover is reasonably strong considering they're quite small and not the easiest of places to get to from outside of Dartmoor national park area. And considering they only run summers that's not bad at all. I've been a few times and hope the best for the Dartmoor Railway!
 

michael74

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Only been on it once, a nice trundle up to the quarry with the post apocalyptic feel to the old quary and sidings lol, but the walk to and across the viaduct with the view is marvellous, then a pasty and beer on the station. All very civil and not at all expensive, The Polar Express at Christmas seems to get a lot of airtime on local TV and good reviews.
 

Cowley

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I always get a bit confused as to who owns the actual line (Aggregate Industries I think?), with Devon County Council owning the station (again I think), British American Railways and The Dartmoor Railway all being involved it’s quite a complicated setup.
 

Worf

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Turnover figures are pretty meaningless on their own. Have any of these made a profit?

Edit: Just checked. Dartmoor made a loss of £275k in 2017 and Weardale a loss of £450k the same year.
Neither have filed accounts for 2018, which are now well overdue. Who would take either of them on?
 
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Ben Bow

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Turnover figures are pretty meaningless on their own. Have any of these made a profit?

Edit: Just checked. Dartmoor made a loss of £275k in 2017 and Weardale a loss of £450k the same year.
Neither have filed accounts for 2018, which are now well overdue. Who would take either of them on?

Indeed, "turnover is vanity, profit is sanity"...
 

michael74

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One of the comments off the FB thread was that one of the US based parent companies Iowa Pacific was in receivership.
 

MarkyT

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I always get a bit confused as to who owns the actual line (Aggregate Industries I think?), with Devon County Council owning the station (again I think), British American Railways and The Dartmoor Railway all being involved it’s quite a complicated setup.
ISTR reading about Network Rail being interested in purchasing the freehold of the Okehampton line a few years ago. I don't know whether they were successful or not.
 

STEVIEBOY1

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I have not been on the Dartmoor Railway but have been on the Weardale Line a couple of times, it was good. There is also a good pub near the station before Stanhope. :D Hope both lines do survive.
 

Cowley

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ISTR reading about Network Rail being interested in purchasing the freehold of the Okehampton line a few years ago. I don't know whether they were successful or not.
I’ve got a friend who works for Network Rail who thinks they do own the trackbed. But I’m still not totally convinced.
 

pdeaves

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I’ve got a friend who works for Network Rail who thinks they do own the trackbed. But I’m still not totally convinced.
First Greater Western's track access agreement with NR for Okehampton services defines the rights as 'Applies on Network Rail infrastructure only' (i.e. only as far north as Coleford Junction).
 

michael74

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I was under the impression the track after Coleford Junction is owned by BAR. I was reading the feasibility report via Devon CC into the Oakehamptom Park and Ride and it mentions that about 1/3 of the track and some bridges etc are in poor condition, as well as some level crossing issues, is there a risk that Network Rail would not wish to take it on?
 

fgwrich

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I was under the impression the track after Coleford Junction is owned by BAR. I was reading the feasibility report via Devon CC into the Oakehamptom Park and Ride and it mentions that about 1/3 of the track and some bridges etc are in poor condition, as well as some level crossing issues, is there a risk that Network Rail would not wish to take it on?

Reading the report by Jacobs indicates that the trackbed is owned by Aggregate Industries, but is on a long term lease by BARS, with BARS being responsible for the track maintenance up to Coleford Junction. Looking at Google Maps, the Level Crossings appear to be farm type user worked crossings, and the report says that while a good proportion of the track is in good to fair condition, there is at least a stretch roughly 5 miles long of some concern, where it is listed as poor.

BARS does have a safety case, however when GWR operates up there it does it on their safety case - there is no GSMR up there although the report states that NR is considering it, pending the outcome of services returning up there - and when it’s decided who will take the ownership & responsibility of the track bed.

However, some of the ideas for the Okehampton Parkway Station is bizarre! They range from a simple platform built over on the up track bed and a groundframe & catchpoint to separate the GWR to Exeter with Dartmoor Railway to Meldon to a fanciful arrangement with a number of options for bay platforms and East Grinsted style loops for the line up from Exeter / Line down from Meldon. It’s no wonder why fairly simple projects like this seem to take so long.
 

Cowley

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Reading the report by Jacobs indicates that the trackbed is owned by Aggregate Industries, but is on a long term lease by BARS, with BARS being responsible for the track maintenance up to Coleford Junction. Looking at Google Maps, the Level Crossings appear to be farm type user worked crossings, and the report says that while a good proportion of the track is in good to fair condition, there is at least a stretch roughly 5 miles long of some concern, where it is listed as poor.

BARS does have a safety case, however when GWR operates up there it does it on their safety case - there is no GSMR up there although the report states that NR is considering it, pending the outcome of services returning up there - and when it’s decided who will take the ownership & responsibility of the track bed.

However, some of the ideas for the Okehampton Parkway Station is bizarre! They range from a simple platform built over on the up track bed and a groundframe & catchpoint to separate the GWR to Exeter with Dartmoor Railway to Meldon to a fanciful arrangement with a number of options for bay platforms and East Grinsted style loops for the line up from Exeter / Line down from Meldon. It’s no wonder why fairly simple projects like this seem to take so long.
Good bit of detail there thanks Rich.
 

AnthonyRail

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Real shame. I only have visited Dartmoor once. No trains running but had the locos for the Christmas trains stabled; class 33 and peak I think. So quick photos before heading back to work.
 

trainmania100

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From a post on Facebook the Dartmoor Railway has gone into administration

(Talking from the point of view of the okehampton station cat...)
Sadly today Dartmoor Railway went into adminstration. So in a mad rush I've moved to a temporary new home whilst we work out iong term plans. Thanks for everybody who offered to look after me and I know people are trying to work out whats best for me. Maybe one day I'll be back at the station.
The DM is coming to visit me tomorrow and hopefully he'll get a picture of me and an update.
Presently the station is locked up and all my friends who worked there no longer have jobs there so ist been a sad day all round.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2584544391825212&id=1787757494837243

What does in administration mean, will they not be running this summer?
 

plugwash

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Administration means that control of the company is taken over by an administrator, whose job it is to recover value for the businesses creditors.

For retailers, generally the administrators will gradually wind down the business, while looking for a buyer, if no buyer is found then the administrator will generally shut the business down and sell off the remaining assets.

I don't know what the likely implications will be for a steam railway, but probably not good.
 

Edders23

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In the current climate I doubt there will be many bidders but more likely a council or public body for the railways as for RMS well I would think if the price is right either Boden or Harry Needle will snap that up but only if it is going cheap

It would be a brave businessman takes on the Dartmoor line although I would think the Weardale has more scope for tourism given the scenic location
 

Iskra

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In the current climate I doubt there will be many bidders but more likely a council or public body for the railways as for RMS well I would think if the price is right either Boden or Harry Needle will snap that up but only if it is going cheap

It would be a brave businessman takes on the Dartmoor line although I would think the Weardale has more scope for tourism given the scenic location

Perhaps Network Rail could take it. If recent political statements are serious about reversing the Beeching cuts, here lies a solid opportunity, probably going cheap too. Although I should imagine some serious investment would subsequently be required.

It was a nice railway when I visited it a few years back on a railtour. My thoughts are with all those affected locally, I hope a solution that keeps operations going is found.
 

STEVIEBOY1

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Perhaps Network Rail could take it. If recent political statements are serious about reversing the Beeching cuts, here lies a solid opportunity, probably going cheap too. Although I should imagine some serious investment would subsequently be required.

It was a nice railway when I visited it a few years back on a railtour. My thoughts are with all those affected locally, I hope a solution that keeps operations going is found.

Yes the Weardale is a nice line.
 

Flying Phil

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There is a report in today's Sunday Times that " It is understood that the Auckland Project, a charity based in Bishop Auckland, has made a bid for Weardale Railway" so all might not yet be lost...
 

STEVIEBOY1

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There is a report in today's Sunday Times that " It is understood that the Auckland Project, a charity based in Bishop Auckland, has made a bid for Weardale Railway" so all might not yet be lost...

Keep fingers crossed then.
 

duffield

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Perhaps Network Rail could take it. If recent political statements are serious about reversing the Beeching cuts, here lies a solid opportunity, probably going cheap too. Although I should imagine some serious investment would subsequently be required.

It was a nice railway when I visited it a few years back on a railtour. My thoughts are with all those affected locally, I hope a solution that keeps operations going is found.

NR will only take it on if specifically required to do so by the Dft which is highly unlikely.
 
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