Connection to the national rail network can be nothing but beneficial when it comes to passengers and additional use - Ploughman you are correct, a military train rain from Redmire a fortnight or so ago. Having stayed in Hawes when I went from Redmire I agree it and other localities are very busy but the cost of extending the line anywhere west of Redmire would surely be prohibitive in the current climate? I'd argue to gain significant additional numbers the bare minimum location is Asygarth and probably Hawes itself but the investment to reach there is simply not viable. Roads in the locality are not great either, okay they're not single track roads but they are generally slow progress - I reckon it took me 45 minutes to get to Redmire from Hawes and it's hardly on the "beaten track". You've got to want to go there and let's be honest besides the station it's just another Yorkshire village, albeit with a better than average hostelry. It seems to me the WR needs to consolidate, concentrate on improving what it's got, in particular the condition of it's passenger coaches and getting that link sorted at Northallerton
I think you make a few fair points, however, picking up on the Aysgarth angle. Mr Smith of WCRC I understand now owns Aysgarth Station.
According to recent Council meetings, not only does he wish to develop the Aysgarth site back into what it was, but is also looking to secure and relay the P-Way back to the proposed station at Castle Bolton.
I don't know what time scales this represents, but the word on the street is that its not a dream and discussions are taking place behind the scene with all parties to enable this to happen.
So....if this were to happen, then that would get the line from Aysgarth within touching distance of Redmire .....1000 yards??.
There's the question of Apedale Beck bridge to replace immediately west of the head shunt at Redmire.
But if and its a big IF this actually occurred how would this all come together for Mr Smith and the WR?
I can understand the driver behind the WR's wish to get to the honeypot that is Aysgarth (Shame it wasn't possible when they owned the site....however?), but to be fair, what would be in it for Mr Smith? Why would he wish to put in 2.5miles of track, presumably at some great expense, to benefit the WR?
Perhaps and only perhaps, it could be a destination for rail tours arranged by WCRC along the WR?
As has been mentioned previously in the thread, big isn't always beautiful. Another three or so miles to look after, would put even more strain on the WR.
So whilst in "fairy dust" land it would be really great to get to Aysgarth for the WR, in reality, even getting across Apedale Beck to a halt at Castle Bolton could be "one bridge too far" for them?
Yes consolidate, forget about anything west of Redmire, let some one else fund and operate it if they want to. Leave the WR to get their house in order and make something of what they've got?