That is a Railway Touring Company charter.
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Wensleydale Railway seems on the up?
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That is a Railway Touring Company charter.
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Worf
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AFAIK it is also owned by the National Park
Journeyman
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Agreed - look at the number of cars and coaches at heritage railways in the height of summer.
A full run of the line Northallerton West to Redmire has been announced I see:
https://www.wensleydalerail.com/tornado
https://www.wensleydalerail.com/tornado
duffield
Established Member
I wonder why whatever method of working used over the relevant 'unsafe' level crossing on the Northallerton to Leeming bar section can't be used for some normal services until the 'unsafe' crossing is upgraded? It would still only be 4 services (say) once a week. I realize this might require a number of flag marshalls (? terminology) at this crossing but when I rode of the line a while back, they seemed to have a lot of such people at various crossings anyhow.
Halifaxlad
Established Member
Surely it wouldn't cause too many problems? After all it only occupies only one of the two platforms, especially if the railway is only going to run their bubble car. If they needed a run round loop then it may be possible to construct one further West, with regards to the coaches I can imagine in a few years the museum will probably want to get rid of them anyway in order to lower their maintenance costs. So what better way than allowing the railway to connect up, let them take them over. In turn it might even bring in more visitors to their museum.
nanstallon
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I'm sure that the Museum, and the town of Hawes generally, would welcome the railway returning, with open arms. Let's hope that it eventually happens, and that the traffic will require more than a bubble car!
Halifaxlad
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Im sure it eventually end up back to Hawes and to Garsdale to say David Smith of West Coast railways is planning on extending the existing Wensleydale Railway line West. Its certainly got an interesting future ahead!
47434
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Flying Phil
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Indeed good news!
I think the WR is truly going in the right direction - Judging by the latest Facebook - it seems as they have embarked on installing platform lighting at Leeming Bar - I spoke with a colleague who has seen them and he says they really show the platform off.
I dont believe they are connected yet to the electrical system, however I understand this is happening in a few weeks time??
It would appear that the WR somehow have got sponsorship with a company called Matrix Power? Well done to those who instigated this at the WR - I think if more railways could attract commercial sponsorship it would go someway to helping them all?
I understand that 5 have been installed along about half of the platform length - Is the other half getting lights too? - Does anyone know?
https://www.facebook.com/wensleydal...V8uQQJEeJcPIZL7z3T_xpotB3KHyhIGNCmKK_ii4n9qsE
I dont believe they are connected yet to the electrical system, however I understand this is happening in a few weeks time??
It would appear that the WR somehow have got sponsorship with a company called Matrix Power? Well done to those who instigated this at the WR - I think if more railways could attract commercial sponsorship it would go someway to helping them all?
I understand that 5 have been installed along about half of the platform length - Is the other half getting lights too? - Does anyone know?
https://www.facebook.com/wensleydal...V8uQQJEeJcPIZL7z3T_xpotB3KHyhIGNCmKK_ii4n9qsE
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ThetrackMaster
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As far as I am aware the reason as to why only half of the platform has been lit is because the west end beyond the new lights is going to be widened. Once this has been done, then a further 5 column posts, cable ducting and of course lamp tops will be installed.
I dont know when this is scheduled for, particularly as the WR has just recently secure a HLF grant for the refurb of Leeming Bar station?
I would agree with your comments that the lighting really does make it much more attractive for the visitor.
Im not so sure about the YD Museum "welcoming" anything associated with a railway?
I had heard several months ago that the group who used to operate at Aysgarth, reappeared with a few proposals to do the same at Hawes working with the museum. However, I understand that despite some early interest from the YD Museum, the YDNPA, owners of the museum didn't appear as keen to develop a mini standard gauge railway on site.
It would have complemented the YD Museum immensely and no doubt brought visitors in to the area, whilst at the same time awaiting the connection of the WR from the east.
I believe its the ex Aysgarth volunteers who are renovating the exteriors of the coaches and loco at Hawes.
Its a shame, because having been to Aysgarth several times, this group was brilliant custodians for the site for the WR right up until the point it was sold to DS and I have no doubt they would have have made a brilliant go of things.
I guess with all things, when you are dealing with major national bodies, perhaps you have to view things differently?
The latest edition of Steam Railway says that one of Greg Wilson’s Churnet Valley-based USATC S160s will be spending most of 2019 at Wensleydale. This hasn’t been reported elsewhere as far as I can see including the railway’s own social media.
It’s a move that surprises me though - it’s excellent that the railway continues to recognise the importance of having a steam locomotive running through the summer, but I would have thought that a) a large locomotive like an S160 would be much more expensive to hire and run than the J27 they hired last year*, or similar and b) an American locomotive might not draw the crowds in the same way that a British engine would.
I really hope though that I’m wrong and that it’s the start of a new era for them. I will get up there if I get chance.
* On another note, does anyone know what’s happening to the J27 this year? They loaned it out last year h because it isn’t powerful enough to use on peak season services through the summer, would be a shame for it to sit dormant for 6 weeks.
It’s a move that surprises me though - it’s excellent that the railway continues to recognise the importance of having a steam locomotive running through the summer, but I would have thought that a) a large locomotive like an S160 would be much more expensive to hire and run than the J27 they hired last year*, or similar and b) an American locomotive might not draw the crowds in the same way that a British engine would.
I really hope though that I’m wrong and that it’s the start of a new era for them. I will get up there if I get chance.
* On another note, does anyone know what’s happening to the J27 this year? They loaned it out last year h because it isn’t powerful enough to use on peak season services through the summer, would be a shame for it to sit dormant for 6 weeks.
Worf
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Maybe YDNPA are not interested because they are "in bed" with the new owner of Aysgarth station who has applied to lay track on their property on the Hawes side of Aysgarth station? Or is it just me being cynical
Worf
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Try reading my post no29. Fake news eh?
"See ref R/55/79 at http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/living-and-working/planning/planning-applications"
Plan showing track on YDNP site http://pacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.uk//Carperby R55/079/R_55_79C_PLA.pdf
Maybe YDNPA are not interested because they are "in bed" with the new owner of Aysgarth station who has applied to lay track on their property on the Hawes side of Aysgarth station? Or is it just me being cynical
Unlikely, it’s David Smith from Carnforth who wants to help the WR relay the full line...
Wow got to say visited the WR Leeming Bar on Saturday for a look around and got to say those lampposts and lights they've installed are awesome - Really change the appearance of the station.
I always thought given that LB was supposed to be the "gateway" to the WR, that is was more like a scrapyard in years gone by.
So with the visual that somethings happening for the good to make it look the part, plus their recent announcement that they've been awarded nearly £400k in HLF funding for the site, at long last there's definitely some big positives occurring.
A friend tells me that they've also started a Signalling group, so this suggests a serious note is being considered.
I wish them well.
All they need now is a few steam locos!!
I always thought given that LB was supposed to be the "gateway" to the WR, that is was more like a scrapyard in years gone by.
So with the visual that somethings happening for the good to make it look the part, plus their recent announcement that they've been awarded nearly £400k in HLF funding for the site, at long last there's definitely some big positives occurring.
A friend tells me that they've also started a Signalling group, so this suggests a serious note is being considered.
I wish them well.
All they need now is a few steam locos!!
33117
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Marmaduke:
Their signalling team are motoring along at quite a decent pace now, network rail are donating them (I think) the old hertford east signalbox.
Apparently it's heading for constable burton to be used there. I think as well that both bedale & the box & associated signalling at both sites have had attention not that long ago too.
Their signalling team are motoring along at quite a decent pace now, network rail are donating them (I think) the old hertford east signalbox.
Apparently it's heading for constable burton to be used there. I think as well that both bedale & the box & associated signalling at both sites have had attention not that long ago too.
Halifaxlad
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GOOD LUCK to him! I shall one day look forward to a rail tour up the S&C to Garsdale then Wensleydale and maybe even Whitby if he plans on going that way!
Paul Kerr
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As far as replacing the bridge over Apedale Beck, didn't they already purchase an old railway bridge from the Richmond branch that used to cross the A1 to bridge that gap? The last figure I saw was they only needed about £13,000 to actually put the bridge in position over the river. If that's the case, at least getting to Bolton Castle should be doable as the trackbed appears to be free of obstructions other than that missing bridge. Extending the railhead inside the national park boundary could help attract more visitors; with a halt at Bolton Castle there would be a tourist attraction right on the doorstep.
Worf
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I see that Smiths planning application for track laying within the YDNP (towards Hawes) is to be decided by their planning committee this month, and that Steve Davies (WR Director) is involved in the planning application (as "International Rail Heritage")
See here for example https://pacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.uk//Carperby R55/079/R_55_79C_TREE1.pdf
See here for example https://pacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.uk//Carperby R55/079/R_55_79C_TREE1.pdf
They did; I visited Redmire station some time in early 2018 and the bridge decks were on stands in the car park there.
I think the key thing for them is that over the last couple of summers they've really established a reputation for running quality, regular steam services and great events - the new running shed has meant that loco owners are more inclined to lend them an engine as they know it will be safe undercover, whilst the Tornado events (as a result of that) have proved that they can manage a high-profile event and a high-profile visitor. Add in the improvements they've been making to infrastructure (Leyburn loop) and their stations, and all of a sudden it's a world away from the mess of just a few years ago.
If they can consolidate all of this and continue to build at a sustainable rate, Castle Bolton and hopefully Aysgarth will become realistic prospects far sooner than expected.
On an aside, I understand that one of Greg Wilson's S160s is meant to be spending the summer at the Wensleydale Railway. Given we're now into July, does anyone know when it's arriving? And is the NYMR's J27 also returning? Surely there won't be much work for that at it's home line over the summer, especially as they have a thriving steam fleet now?
Paul Kerr
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According to this news article the park authority approved the application this week:
https://www.darlingtonandstocktonti...t-gets-approval-yorkshire-dales-station-plan/
It's good news, especially if he starts extending the rail head eastwards towards the WR rail head at Redmire. Here's hoping...
STEVIEBOY1
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I saw on their website this week, that there had been some vandalism there very recently. Such a shame.
Has the line been affected by the recent bad weather?, I think I heard mention of Leyburn on the radio in connection with flooding.
Has the line been affected by the recent bad weather?, I think I heard mention of Leyburn on the radio in connection with flooding.
Thankfully no; there was flooding at Leyburn but the railway announced the following morning on social media that they were able to run as normal.
STEVIEBOY1
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Thank you.
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