Mid Cornwall Metro

[whole diary]

[RichardB]

"Good news. Newquay needs a more regular and faster service. The success of the increased capacity on the Falmouth branch shows what could be achieved."

Indeed - some Falmouth services yesterday were reminiscent of urban rush-hour services. However, the tale of woe that greeted anyone trying to use branch line services to Gunnislake or Looe yesterday suggests that the first goal needs to be ensuring that resources are there to ensure / guarantee that the existing advertised service actually runs (and by "advertised service" I mean the service advertised as available when people are making plans several weeks in advance not "the service advertised online at 22.00 the previous evening"!)

Don't know why the first bit doesn't show as the quote it actually is!

Looe and Gunnislake have been running pretty well recently so I had a look at Real Time Trains for yesterday and see what you are talking about - not a good day at all on those lines.   Friday perfect - yesterday not.

Look forward to hearing what yesterday's announcement means in terms of next steps.  It's certainly good news though.

Interesting to see that Heathfield isn't being taken forward.  There have been some interesting things coming from some well placed sources recently.  Clearly not enough of a runner.

[AMLAG]

Newquay to Falmouth is about 25 miles by main roads and takes about 50 mins. and longer by direct bus; whereas even a through train would take about 2 hours.

Resurrection of a past scheme to divert the Newquay to Par service to St Austell by reopening just 2 miles of former railway between St Dennis Jn and Parkandillack and thence via the now mostly relaid with CWR^▸ (Continuously Welded Rail) line but only now used by just two clay trains a week line to Burngullow Jn, would be far quicker for a through Newquay/Falmouth service, reduce (even halt ?) the decline of St Austell; why is everything centred on Truro ?!
It would mean closure of the line between St Dennis and Goonbarrow and the little used stations of Roche, Bugle and  Luxulyan, avoid further track renewals etc on this stretch and potentially save £millions in resignalling St Blazey and Goonbarrow.
The long term future of the declining clay industry in Cornwall is uncertain and thus with no railway between Par and St Dennis an opportunity could exist for creation of a multi use trail.

[onthecushions]

I would have thought that the "Metro" idea would have longer legs if it concentrated on the route that rail can serve effectively, i.e Falmouth to Truro, St Austell and points East.

Newquay is about on the same Longitude as Truro, being due North, so is truly  a "great way round" by train, even (at present) from St Austell.  Lostwithiel and even Bodmin are however quite direct.

The heritage line would not have to increase its services much to give a year round connection to the General station.

Have I missed something?

OTC

[REVUpminster]

Heathfield not being taken forward is understandable as all the new housing is being built between the A382 and A383  and Wolborough well away from the Heathfield Line.
GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) still sends the odd empty coaching stock past signal 706 to keep a small stretch operational.

[johnneyw]

Heathfield not being taken forward is understandable as all the new housing is being built between the A382 and A383  and Wolborough well away from the Heathfield Line.
GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) still sends the odd empty coaching stock past signal 706 to keep a small stretch operational.

I'm guessing that for now at least, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) (or GBR^▸ (Great British Railways)) will just continue to cooperate with the current Heath Rail Link group to further their aims of getting a combined commuter/heritage/general service running.

[RichardB]

Heathfield not being taken forward is understandable as all the new housing is being built between the A382 and A383  and Wolborough well away from the Heathfield Line.
GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) still sends the odd empty coaching stock past signal 706 to keep a small stretch operational.

I'm guessing that for now at least, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) (or GBR^▸ (Great British Railways)) will just continue to cooperate with the current Heath Rail Link group to further their aims of getting a combined commuter/heritage/general service running.

Given there is no prospect of funding for the time being, I'm sure people will be polite but it won't go anywhere.