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Journey by Journey / Plymouth and Cornwall / Re: G7 Summit - Cornwall - June 2021
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on: January 17, 2021, 23:28:40
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they will fly into Newquay and helicopter to the hotel. They won't arrive on a 150.
Well, I said it was a pipe-dream! But, purely as a matter of academic interest, I would be glad if anyone with local knowledge, or access to a track diagram, could confirm or correct my speculation as to access from London to the St Ives branch. |
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Journey by Journey / Plymouth and Cornwall / Re: G7 Summit - Cornwall - June 2021
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on: January 17, 2021, 22:29:11
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Boris, I'm sure, could cycle to Paddington. Not sure how other leaders would get onto the rail network. I had assumed Heathrow, but there is then the issue of accessing the rail network, as you say. If not Heathrow Express to Paddington, perhaps the remains of the Colnbrook branch could be used, or maybe Windsor & Eton Central could be commandeered? I suppose the problem is that the leaders would arrive from different countries at different times, so maybe the special train should be for the press corps and entourage only. Prior to 2013, there was an airfield at Filton that would probably have been long enough, with a railway track close to the runway and although there's no regular service along there, the line does take diverted passenger trains and I'm sure a platform could have been built - indeed it would have made an excellent rail / air interchange more generally. And the IETs▸ run close to there - little issue with gauging issues. Indeed -- and there was the North Filton Platform. Don't know - but it could certainly bounce back at Penzance if not. There are through trains from Penzance to St Ives and back at the start and end of the day. The branch issue would be the length of the carriages around corners for clearance, but well-broadcast trouble spots such as Narberth tunnel turned out to not be a problem. Yes -- going via Penzance would certainly be possible, and might be the only way if a loco-hauled service were used, unless double-headed. Yep - but also a busy man so you have to find somewhat to get him onto the railway 'towards' the West Country, and where the terminal / aircraft to train transfer would be easy - alongside would have been good at Filton ... I can only think of one other airport where it would be really close. There's a 7,500 foot runway here, and a perimeter gate off the taxiway a few yards from the station. Problem - very long way from St Ives and more than a bit run down ... Ah -- Tees-side Airport to St Ives? Well, there's a first time for everything! |
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Journey by Journey / Plymouth and Cornwall / Re: G7 Summit - Cornwall - June 2021
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on: January 17, 2021, 19:35:52
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I have been wondering what route would be taken by a through train from Paddington to St Ives (which appears to be the nearest station to Tregenna Castle), if a special train were to be run. Looking at Google maps in satellite view, I see there is a crossover just to the west of St Erth station. So I suppose a train from Paddington would run through St Erth station on the down line, stop west of the crossover, reverse over the crossover onto the up line, pass through St Erth again and then take the branch. Would the signalling permit such a manoeuvre? Would there be any gauging issues on the branch? It looks as though the platform at St Ives would take a five-car IEP▸ ; if not, selective door opening could be used. This is doubtless a pipe-dream, but President-elect Biden is known to be an enthusiast for rail travel, as we discussed here, so perhaps he would be supportive of such a plan. |
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Campaigns for new and improved services / Re: Minehead Rail Link Group
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on: November 08, 2020, 16:06:45
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Whilst a move of some items to other locations may enhance public access and broaden appeal of S&DRT assets, I can't help wondering if the move is something they would have done as a regular decision had it not been for the actions of the PLC, or if the move is something that they were forced into and have spent money on, and are now looking for and promoting what positive they can from it?
There's a little more indication of the S&DRT's thinking in a statement from its Chairman, Ian Young, who writes: It has been an interesting year for the S&D▸ Railway Trust. The Chairman and Board of Directors have worked hard, ably supported by volunteers at Washford and, elsewhere, to continue the work of the Trust through incredibly difficult circumstances. We soon came to the conclusion that, notwithstanding the situation which prevailed at the time regarding the West Somerset Railway, this was an opportunity to review the Trust?s standing in the heritage sector and what the priorities should be.
It was decided that a physical move of at least some of the artefacts away from Washford where access has always been difficult, is desirable. It must also be said that, over the considerable period in which I have been involved with the Trust, this thought has cropped up time and time again, including at AGMs▸ . Up until now we have not displayed the courage to carry this out. It is, therefore, that our joint venture with the Watercress Line is an exciting prospect.
https://www.sdrt.org/images/files/news/press_release_05-11-20.pdf |
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Sideshoots - associated subjects / Campaigns for new and improved services / Re: Minehead Rail Link Group
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on: November 08, 2020, 14:12:37
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Joint Statement from West Somerset Railway PLC & The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Limited Published: 6th November 2020 ((here))The West Somerset Railway PLC (PLC) and the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust (S & DRT) can confirm that they have opened discussions regarding a new 10-year lease for the Trust to occupy the Washford site. This follows from Washford Yard not now being required by the PLC in its entirety in the foreseeable future although the PLC will still, by agreement with the Trust wish to use the Yard from time to time during the period of the new lease. Any future arrangement will exclude the station which will revert to PLC management. This will allow the Trust to continue with their restoration and maintenance work on their rolling stock at Washford whilst at the same time making arrangements for relocation of artefacts to other sites. The Trust had already completed a strategic review of how it is fulfilling its charitable objectives. It has concluded that moving its Museum items and some of its rolling stock to other locations will enhance their access by the public and broaden the appeal of the Trust. On 5 November, the day before the date of the joint statement linked above, the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, the Mid Hants Railway Ltd and the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society announced that 'they are in detailed discussions regarding the relocation of rolling stock and artefacts belonging to the S&DRT from Washford on the West Somerset Railway to the Watercress Line in Hampshire': https://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/news/entry/rolling-stock-and-artefacts-to-be-relocated-from-west-somerset-railway-to-w |
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