Heritage railways that will probably be still running in 25 - 30 years time

[duffield]

I seems to remember one heritage railway (which shall be nameless) allowing its station and carriages to be used in a porn shoot, I don't know how much money they made from it, I certainly enjoyed watching it

From a purely railway interest point of view of course?

 

[Cowley]

From a purely railway interest point of view of course?

And to point out that a mk3 sleeper carriage would never have run behind a Black 5 in BR service.

Ahem, anyway. I worry for the future of some the smaller lines mentioned that haven’t diversified into other areas (for example the engineering business at Buckfastleigh). It seems to me that those lines that draw in extra work (engineering/rolling stock testing/crew training etc) have a good chance of keeping up with the world as it changes.

Ironically I could see some of the really small outfits holding on because they’re essentially just a few people’s weekend hobby plaything!

 

[ian1944]

I'd be surprised if the Bo'ness and Kinneil doesn't survive. Apart from the rides, there are Thomas and Santa events, railtours via mainline connection, income from films and Network Rail training, and the Scottish Railway Museum. No real like competition in the area, which is right in the middle of the central belt - half of Scotland's population within 30 minute drive (I've just made that up, but suspect it's not too far off). It's a pity that Birkhill mine closed, but visiting that was a bit of a niche market anyway, with a lot of climbing (on steps) involved. I don't know if they do market it this way, but linking with the Wheel and Kelpies more or less on the doorstep would make a varied trio.

 

[krus_aragon]

From a purely railway interest point of view of course?

I'm sure they watched it to check how good they were at shunting.

 

[johnnychips]

I'm sure they watched it to check how good they were at shunting.

I’m sure I’ve seen the film. It’s from the early 70s and it’s called Debbie Does Dinting Railway Centre with the Bahamas providing an excellent backdrop.

(Apologies for OT but we need a laugh today)

Edit: just realised it is on topic, because Dinting didn’t survive. I don’t know why though.
http://blogs.bbk.ac.uk/mapping-museums/2017/12/22/dinting-railway-centre/
(Link contains images)

 

[Alan Warren]

For what it’s worth I think the Mid Norfolk Railway should be up there amongst those who will survive.

This under-appreciated railway receives little publicity in the media but nevertheless seems to make a healthy profit each year - £115,000 in 2018 (the last published accounts).

This could be because of many factors, including

1) it runs between two reasonably medium size towns i.e. from somewhere to somewhere

2) has a main line connection which brings railtours in

3) has several commercial contracts with the big railway (storing rolling stock and servicing of Rail Head Treatment trains etc), the MOD uses them occasionally to transport vehicles, and because of its length is popular with railway plant manufacturers who wish to test their new equipment

4) has a good combination of steam and diesel services to please both the public and the enthusiast

5) runs a good number of other special trains that seem to sell out such as cream teas, fish n’ chips, jazz trains etc

In terms of infrastructure, it has a lot of track to maintain but as part of the recent contract deal with Greater Anglia, had two miles of brand new track installed on the main line.

 

[superjohn]

The big success story for the Mid Norfolk has been the Polar Express trains. These have run for a few years now and each year they put on a bigger and better show. The extra money spent has certainly paid off.

A perfect demonstration of the importance of looking beyond the traditional enthusiast market. That market alone will not sustain the number of heritage railways we now have. Being a general local attraction is the way forward.

 

[Harvey B]

For what it’s worth I think the Mid Norfolk Railway should be up there amongst those who will survive.

This under-appreciated railway receives little publicity in the media but nevertheless seems to make a healthy profit each year - £115,000 in 2018 (the last published accounts).

This could be because of many factors, including

1) it runs between two reasonably medium size towns i.e. from somewhere to somewhere

2) has a main line connection which brings railtours in

3) has several commercial contracts with the big railway (storing rolling stock and servicing of Rail Head Treatment trains etc), the MOD uses them occasionally to transport vehicles, and because of its length is popular with railway plant manufacturers who wish to test their new equipment

4) has a good combination of steam and diesel services to please both the public and the enthusiast

5) runs a good number of other special trains that seem to sell out such as cream teas, fish n’ chips, jazz trains etc

In terms of infrastructure, it has a lot of track to maintain but as part of the recent contract deal with Greater Anglia, had two miles of brand new track installed on the main line.

it's also 17 miles long so I'm not surprised that the longer ones will survive

 

[Vespa]

I’m sure I’ve seen the film. It’s from the early 70s and it’s called Debbie Does Dinting Railway Centre with the Bahamas providing an excellent backdrop.

(Apologies for OT but we need a laugh today)

Edit: just realised it is on topic, because Dinting didn’t survive. I don’t know why though.
http://blogs.bbk.ac.uk/mapping-museums/2017/12/22/dinting-railway-centre/
(Link contains images)

It was quite recent I would say 2018/19
I recognised the station, there was a bit of media hoo ha about it, personally I don't see anything wrong in it as long as nobody got hurt and everybody is paid.

 

[Meerkat]

the MOD uses them occasionally to transport vehicles

I think the relevant barracks is down for closure so that won’t continue for long

 

[ABB125]

I'd be very surprised if the GWSR wasn't still running in 25 year's time.

 

[SteveM70]

it's also 17 miles long so I'm not surprised that the longer ones will survive

I’m not convinced that merely being relatively long is actually a positive attribute for longevity.

For the typical family of normals, with smallish children, they want a trip on a steam train and not much more. If the fares are commensurate with length of journey, it becomes a very expensive day out and also risks the kids getting bored. I’ve been on the nymr and heard plenty of “are we there yet”.

So, long enough to be worthwhile but not too long.

The key seems to me to be attracting enough visitors, but as importantly extracting maximum spend from them whilst they’re there. The Talyllyn has done a lot in this regard over recent years, especially by improving the catering offer.

 

[robkitchuk]

I'd be surprised if the Bo'ness and Kinneil doesn't survive. Apart from the rides, there are Thomas and Santa events, railtours via mainline connection, income from films and Network Rail training, and the Scottish Railway Museum. No real like competition in the area, which is right in the middle of the central belt - half of Scotland's population within 30 minute drive (I've just made that up, but suspect it's not too far off). It's a pity that Birkhill mine closed, but visiting that was a bit of a niche market anyway, with a lot of climbing (on steps) involved. I don't know if they do market it this way, but linking with the Wheel and Kelpies more or less on the doorstep would make a varied trio.

Tbh I think Scotland has it about right. A good number of lines, each is spread out. So appealing to different areas and different markets.
England and Wales, both have lines in clusters which I think will be a part of the issue.

 

[Edders23]

I seems to remember one heritage railway (which shall be nameless) allowing its station and carriages to be used in a porn shoot, I don't know how much money they made from it, I certainly enjoyed watching it

I'm sure I read that the railway in question wasn't quite aware of the true nature of the film but hey they are in Essex girl territory

 

[jumble]

Yes. I'd be astonished if the Ffestiniog weren't still running in 25 years time.

On the other hand, while it's been going just as long, I wouldn't put the Talyllyn in the "absolutely no way it'll close" category. Not that I'm sat here waiting for it to fail, it's just that it's in a slightly more obscure location.

My impression is that the Talyllyn is likely to have some wealthy benefactors and be left considerable legacies
I suspect that a combination of these two will make very sure that the oldest preserved railway in the world will never be allowed to die
https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/news/trefri
Their news says they used some of their generous legacies to buy a couple of properties

 

[leytongabriel]

Yeah, there's certainly a dysfunctional environment in some places which will put people off. I wonder if the answer to the volunteer supply problem is for railways to change their business model, and take on more paid staff. It's difficult to do because a lot of them shut over the winter and it obviously massively increases running costs, but it might become necessary in time, especially as the increasingly strict safety and regulatory environment changes old habits.

Yes - that was my experience as a volunteer. And I was put off.

 

[Yorkshire222]

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned here is the future price and availability of coal. Production in the UK is likely to dwindle and the only supply may be from overseas - which is likely to be inherently more expensive. Coal is already quite an expensive fuel for railways, will they be able to afford it?

 

[Harvey B]

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned here is the future price and availability of coal. Production in the UK is likely to dwindle and the only supply may be from overseas - which is likely to be inherently more expensive. Coal is already quite an expensive fuel for railways, will they be able to afford it?

I have no idea why some of them don't change to diesel powered steam locomotives surely diesel is cheaper than coal

and before anyone asks yes steam locomotives powered by diesel exist and no Im not making it up

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