Great Western Coffee Shop

https://www.facebook.com/groups/108569009172507/


As someone who was brought up in Southern Electric territory, I would love to see ...

My thoughts turn to the Bromley North branch

http://www.londonreconnections.com/2013/the-past-and-future-of-the-bromley-north-branch/

It's still a very useful line, Graham.  My preference is for the Bluebell to reopen the Ardingly line as a third rail preservation line.

I too come from Southern Electric land.  I'm very much looking forward to the new Brighton Belle next year.   Too young to have travelled on it in BR service.  Plan to make up for that!

Very true [useful line]. Bromley North + Sundridge Park has around a million passenger journeys a year, 20 minute service.  But closed on Sunday, and I suspect that still with double track and 2 platforms at Bromley North capable of supporting a 10 minute service.  My (incomplete here) thought wondered about the spare capacity and the sharing of resources ... Whitby - Grosmont is very different in character, but an example of an already-running resource share.

For Ardingly, you do have a line previously electrified and an added draw to the Bluebell rather than a fresh setup - and that's a big advantage to "not another setup" too.  As a branch off a preserved line, you don't have the safety issued with dangerous track level electricity at the main operational points for your steam service. You do have extra costs in terms of infrastructure reconstruction and maintenance, and you have drags to get the stock online and off.  You can probably use less updated / less reliable / lower top speed stock too.

Two very different approaches ... with other approaches being something that's little more that a train-length test track somewhere, running preserved electric multiple units as carriage stock (already happening in places), or accepting that they'll be static exhibits.  Interesting, I would love to take my grandchildren on a 4EPB  or a 2HAP, and I suspect there are many, many others with south London roots who might be of similar mind. 

http://www.brightonbelle.com


I never tried it either ... but perhaps next year or the year after.  Or perhaps when I retire in the next decade  ;)

A few electric train preservation snippets:

After a local spat, the successful EPB group is in the expensive process of moving its stock from the East Kent to the Epping Ongar line.

Finmere station, which plays hosts to some nicely presented SR electrics may be at risk from HS2.

The ERM at Coventry has the cloud of a motor giant wanting planning permission for its site. It is just spectacularly  re-commissioning the ex-Victoria line signalling and control centre in a carriage body, probably ahead of the Swindon panel.

The Brighton Belle is really commercial as most of the cars' underneaths are now Class 421 transplants, losing originality.

The problem that this part of the heritage movement has is that it does not have a secure site, in the SE, where most of its support would be found. If the Bluebell c/wouldn't oblige, then a branch, such as Ludgershall or Fawley would suit but would need a Lottery winner's backing.

Ideas?

OTC

It appears there are a lot of cards and different ideas up in the air, and a fragmentation of ideas.  I asked a question on a closed group (4DD) and found that very informative too.

Wasn't Epping to Ongar electrified?

Perhaps what's needed is someone respected, with knowledge and vision, to suggest a strategy.   Or is the strategy of each group to work along to their own objectives even though achievement could be far less that if they had coherent cross working?

For me ... I have a sentimental attachement to 3rd rail electric - southern in particular.  But it's not my scene nor does it even overlap at the moment.

The strategy is to find a secure site where local interest is a maximum, also an approach to propulsion.

Steam centres may tolerate a small presence but are liable to get out the cutting torch (vide a 504 and the 506). They prefer to preserve really chunky, rusty scrap.

There is cross- and net-working in that activists (such as those in the HERO) often support each others' groups with their specific skills and access to spares and artefacts. However, like the electric railway, they are widely distributed geographically, too far apart for a single activity site.

Coventry's open days are very popular with the large car park full, a heritage bus service to town and excellent trip advisor reports for the type of attraction.

Sugar daddy needed

OTC

To quote the Bluebell Railway's long-term plan (http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/soc/ltp.html):


Something like this would do the job nicely:

(http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/history/2098aa.jpg)

Image source: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/extend.html