Fantasy Preserved Line.

[Trainbuff]

How about the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe line. Diesel wise how about an early Warship, or Steam what could be better than an Ilfracoombe goods loco!

 

[LE Greys]

How about the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe line. Diesel wise how about an early Warship, or Steam what could be better than an Ilfracoombe goods loco!

Maybe the occasional West Country, just to see what happens when you try to take one up the bank. I'd also love to see a T9 in action.

 

[blackettstreet]

I'd like to see trains running again on the Blyth and Tyne, a Class 108 would be nice!

 

[7029cluncastle]

The Mid Wales Railway from Moat Lane Jnc to Rhayder (dont want to ver do it ) with Dean Goods, Small Prairies, 2mt's etc
The Wantage Tramway, Shannon, nuff said.
The Wisbech and Upwell Tramway with 2 trams and 2 diesel shunters. Done!

 

[60163]

I'd turn the traction on the Lichfield Trent Valley - Redditch line into top&tail 73s/92s/90s, instead of the 323 EMUs. With mk3 coaches. Oh yes.

And once a week, or even once a day, an A4 top and tailing with a Deltic. Why not?

 

[Bon Accord]

My nomination would be Montrose - Inverbervie (Bervie), with the loco to serve the line being the quintessential J37!

 

[NightatLaira]

Fantasy... Well this is stretching the limits. How about a completely new line from Ludlow to Stratford-Upon-Avon via Droitwich Spa that is heritage. It would use a variety of 1st gen DMUs and some 2nd gen when the time comes; also with a nice selection of GWR Steam Locomotives. I have made a map for it here (it isn't finished as you can see!)

I think a scehduled steam hauled pullman service from somewhere like London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon would work really well - especially in the summer with the American tourists. It could do a mid-morning working, and an evening return timed to coincide with RSC Matinees. It would tie in with that whole 'chocolate box Britain' image international tourist love to immerse themselves in.

I'd recommend something quite substantial like an A3 with 7 mk1s, so that it could keep up with line speeds. It would be fun to see a steam loco doing 80-90mph as standard!

 

[Class172]

I think a scehduled steam hauled pullman service from somewhere like London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon would work really well - especially in the summer with the American tourists. It could do a mid-morning working, and an evening return timed to coincide with RSC Matinees. It would tie in with that whole 'chocolate box Britain' image international tourist love to immerse themselves in.

I'd recommend something quite substantial like an A3 with 7 mk1s, so that it could keep up with line speeds. It would be fun to see a steam loco doing 80-90mph as standard!

That makes me think, how much would it cost to build such a line of it's length (let's assume double tracked)?

 

[NightatLaira]

That makes me think, how much would it cost to build such a line of it's length (let's assume double tracked)?

The same as a modern unelectrified line I would imagine, if you were to build it in a heritage style with fishplates, wooden sleepers, semaphore signals it would cost a lot more these days.

But if you were to use stock and engines capable of 90mph you could run them along existing routes without too much of an issue.

 

[Class172]

The same as a modern unelectrified line I would imagine, if you were to build it in a heritage style with fishplates, wooden sleepers, semaphore signals it would cost a lot more these days.

But if you were to use stock and engines capable of 90mph you could run them along existing routes without too much of an issue.

Sorry, I'm not an expert on these things - how much would that cost?? I do think semaphores are a must though, preferably lower quadrant.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Sorry, I'm not an expert on these things - how much would that cost?? I do think semaphores are a must though, preferably lower quadrant.

The cost of rebuilding the Welsh Highland was put at £1 million per mile, so think substantially upwards from that figure!

 

[Class172]

The cost of rebuilding the Welsh Highland was put at £1 million per mile, so think substantially upwards from that figure!

Anyone got £100million??? It would be cheaper than the Hindhead tunnel or the Olympics.

 

[Drsatan]

I'd reopen the line from Romsey to Andover via Stockbridge, which should be possible given that most of the formation still exists today as a cycle path. Anyone for T9s, Maunsell's S and U15 class locomotives, Bulleid pacifics, Manor class locomotives, M7s and Thumpers?

 

[Bittern]

I think I'd choose Strathaven (pronounced STRAY-VEN) - Darvel. Not the entire route to start with, but obviously that would be a long term aim. The ultimate aim would be to connect with Network Rail should they extend the Larkhall branch back into Strathaven.

The trackbed of the Strathven - Darvel railway is in such good condition that in some locations sleeper indents are still visible despite the track being lifted nearly 50 years ago. It also passes through some of South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire's most beautiful countryside and certainly shows off Scotland a bit.

Motive power would predominately be, of course, steam. Anything from pre-grouping to Standards to Tornado, Hengist and The Unknown Warrior. No reason for Peaks, Deltics and the like not to show up as well.

 

[ACE1888]

Having walked the moorland section (from Princetown to Peek Hill bridge) the Yelverton-Princetown line, given a few million to re instate it, would be something else, not your typical GWR branch, but with scenery second to none, it would be a real money spinner for the tourist trade, having closed in 1956, it would be pure steam I would assume...to keep the 'purists' happy

 

[Foxhound]

Having walked the moorland section (from Princetown to Peek Hill bridge) the Yelverton-Princetown line, given a few million to re instate it, would be something else, not your typical GWR branch, but with scenery second to none, it would be a real money spinner for the tourist trade, having closed in 1956, it would be pure steam I would assume...to keep the 'purists' happy

I'd agree with that to a degree - stick a 14 or a Hymek on it....

Personal choice would be Bere Alston - Okehampton, hydraulics and Bulleids only.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

The line over the Crumlin viaduct would have been nice to keep....

http://www.crumlinviaduct.co.uk/

...although the volunteers would have had their work cut out raising money to maintain it.


Swansea & Mumbles would have been nice as well

and Workington-Penrith-Kirkby Stephen....

the Potteries loop (in particular Hanley station)

.... in fact pretty much any closed line.

 

[Boothby97]

I would have the Great Coates-Immingham Docks line, operated by a Class 03 and 09 (for shunting) and would use a 56, 37 and 60 for passenger service.
The Marsh and Dock Railway Company.
Thanks, Sam

 

[Bedpan]

I'd have Welwyn Garden City to Luton, (wouldn't want to extend beyond Luton as they are building this marvellous guided busway on the trackbed, and I wouldn't want to spoil that (NOT).

Realistically you could have a narrow gauge line from near the Red Cow in Westfield Road, Harpenden to near Luton Airport Parkway station without incurring too much cost, and still keep the cycleway alongside. It would be easy to get to from North London and so have a high population catchment area, and the ride iwould be quite interesting, with views ofr the main line on one side and the Loton Hoo estate on the other. Alternatively, the section from Wheathampstead towards Ayot and Welwyn, goes through nice copuntryside.

 

[HSTEd]

Part of the Woodhead Line and a Class 76..... electrics are fun and we dont have anywhere else that electric trains can run around under power.

 

[Schnellzug]

Part of the Woodhead Line and a Class 76..... electrics are fun and we dont have anywhere else that electric trains can run around under power.

I'd back that idea. Could use the EM2 as well. Even better, contrive it somehow to be dual voltage so 25 kv locos could run as well, without needing to worry about NR certification & Pathing and all that sort of thing.

My own idea, well, I would like to be able to link these various schemes that have sprung up on the Somerset & Dorset at various places; could be a new Welsh Highland.

 

[Aictos]

I would have kept the Watford Junction - St Albans - Hatfield - Hertford route but electrify at 25kV OHL with 312s being used after being fitted with central locking.

Or how about the Luton to Dunstable line using a 1st Generation DMU to run a shuttle service connecting with MML and TL services at Luton.

 

[YorkshireBear]

woodhead for me would be great to see preserved even if only from sheffield to penistone.

 

[HSTEd]

Perhaps fit a heritage line with both overhead wiring and third rail and then run "AC galas" and "DC Galas"?
The overhead line equipment ofcourse being able to provide 750V, 1500V, 3000V (for visitors if its cheap to add?) and 25kV AC, they have this capability at that Czech test track.
Only running AC or DC over each line at the time would remove the signalling immunisation worries assuming the line even had modern signals.

 

[SWTCommuter]

Yatton, Axbridge, Cheddar, Wells (plus branch to Glastonbury), Shepton Mallet then back on to the main line at Whitham.

 

[yummy125]

The Watercress Line / Mid Hants through to the Mainline just north of Winchester.

 

[bocaj]

Hi,
Not many members will know about this one! It was a old line which I think used to connect two pits but I may be wrong! It ran from a Village called Allerton Bywater (Where I live!) to a town called Garforth. It is now a footpath. The Line is was about 6 miles so a simler lenth to the KWVR. If it was to be turned into a preserved line the only place possible for sidings is going to be turned into houses, so I don't it's got a chance of changing into one.

My perfet loco on the line would be an A4 Pasific, but unfortunatly I don't think it would be long enough for one to stay pernmently so maybe a LNER Thompsen L1 one be good for the line, or for a large tender loco maybe a G2A or a Southern ''West Country" Class.

Jacob

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

The Watercress Line / Mid Hants through to the Mainline just north of Winchester.

Yes that would be good, but I think there is a main road that would cause a problem. Didn't that line also call at Itchen Abbas?

 

[yummy125]

Yes that would be good, but I think there is a main road that would cause a problem. Didn't that line also call at Itchen Abbas?

Just build a fly-over to solve that problem

 

[Schnellzug]

Just build a fly-over to solve that problem

Tunnel under the M3; no problem.