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Author Topic: Swindon and Cricklade Railway - heritage line  (Read 31253 times)
trainer
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« Reply #30 on: August 17, 2016, 22:15:51 »

And of course I have seen HSTs (High Speed Train) at Minehead, but as visitors, not as heritage stock in use on a daily basis.

...yet.  Smiley
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grahame
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« Reply #31 on: August 18, 2016, 07:03:57 »

And of course I have seen HSTs (High Speed Train) at Minehead, but as visitors, not as heritage stock in use on a daily basis.

...yet.  Smiley

On the Great Central (Nottingham) an original HST power car is said to be something of a regular already - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_41_(HST) - although that line runs only at weekends rather than daily and there seems to be plenty more stock listed on the line.

Preserved and heritage lines tend to "major" on previous generation equipment, I suggest.  So it's a natural progression to see trains we knew in our youth running on preserved lines, and that today's youth will, as grandparents, take their grandchildren to see the trains they knew on the main line.   The future may bring some significant challenges in running technically sophisticated trains with long-since unavailable electronic gizmos being a vital part of their systems, just as we see a dearth of operational third rail preservation today due to the additional issues with ground level electricity.
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TonyK
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« Reply #32 on: August 18, 2016, 09:09:52 »

So it's a natural progression to see trains we knew in our youth running on preserved lines, and that today's youth will, as grandparents, take their grandchildren to see the trains they knew on the main line.   The future may bring some significant challenges in running technically sophisticated trains with long-since unavailable electronic gizmos being a vital part of their systems, just as we see a dearth of operational third rail preservation today due to the additional issues with ground level electricity.

Exactly - a train capable over over 125 mph on the West Somerset would bring issues. Would the driver actually need the throttle? It would be a bit like using Red Rum, Shergar, and Nijinsky for kiddy-rides on Weston beach.
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grahame
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« Reply #33 on: August 18, 2016, 15:36:26 »

It would be a bit like using Red Rum, ... for kiddy-rides on Weston beach.

Red Rum, of course, used to carry little people (jockeys rather than kiddies) up and down Ainsdale beach.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sport/horse-racing/legend-born-aintree-hero-red-9168179
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bobm
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« Reply #34 on: February 18, 2017, 10:18:50 »

Another vandal attack on the railway reported by the Swindon Advertiser

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VOLUNTEERS at Swindon and Cricklade Railway are in despair after vandals targeted their rolling stock yet again.

The discovery comes after they were told the suspects arrested on suspicion of causing last May’s devastating fire, which destroyed one of their prized vintage diesel trains, would not be prosecuted.
Volunteers were already reeling after finding out that their insurance company would only cover 15 per cent of the £80,000 claim.

Then on Tuesday a working party discovered unsightly graffiti had been daubed over one of their prized trains and the Moonraker dining car.

“It is something that the railway can do without,” said secretary Roger Barber. “We have a limited amount of time to do the work and we don’t want to divert that effort to cleaning up after idiots.”
The damage is believed to have been done between volunteers leaving on Sunday and arriving on Tuesday morning.
 
“There were people working on them at the weekend so we’re sure it was not there on Sunday,” he said, adding that people had contacted them, offering to help with the clean up but the group was going to contact Swindon Borough Council’s graffiti team for expert advice because of the risk of damaging the delicate paintwork underneath.

The DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) train is believed to be the only one of its kind in working order in the country. “It was built by the Gloucester Carriageworks and it is relevant to this area,” said Mr Barber. “It is in the throes of restoration and we expect to have it running later this year.”

Suspects were arrested in the wake of the arson attack on May 20, but Mr Barber said they had been told by the Crown Prosecution Service that the case had been dropped because there was no realistic chance of a conviction. “It is gutting, simply because of the message it sends out,” he said.

As well as the train, two wagons containing rare electrical equipment collected to extend the signalling system were obliterated. It was this loss that the insurance company refused to pay out for.
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grahame
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« Reply #35 on: November 27, 2017, 05:08:27 »

From This is Wiltshire

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HERITAGE volunteers have got up a head of steam clearing decades of undergrowth as they prepare to begin extending the track along its historic route towards the old Cricklade station.

The line shut more than half a century ago but Swindon and Cricklade Railway is working on a plan to re-open it and they will be using sleepers taken up by Network Rail during their own major project to upgrade the Great Western route.

“The track bed is severely overgrown with trees and alike which have been able to take root as the line was closed and lifted on this section by 1961 and we would appreciate any available help,” said Adrian Thompson, one of the volunteers.
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onthecushions
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« Reply #36 on: November 27, 2017, 18:52:38 »


The photo in "This is Wiltshire" shows the clearing work being undertaken with the pinnacles of Cricklade's St Sampson's church tower in the near distance. Good news.

OTC
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Oberon
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« Reply #37 on: November 27, 2017, 21:49:05 »

I think the original track was lifted later than stated, 1963-4
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johnneyw
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« Reply #38 on: November 27, 2017, 21:55:30 »

And I am going there soon
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bobm
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« Reply #39 on: July 28, 2018, 08:50:48 »

Disturbing story from the Swindon Advertiser

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YOBS tried to derail a train as it approached a station on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

Staff on the train spotted two youths stood on the line at Taw Valley Halt, near Mouldon Hill, on Wednesday afternoon attempting to jam pieces of wood into the tracks.

Fortunately, the train driver managed to stop in time and one youth fled while the other was taken back to the station.
Railway spokesman Adrian Thompson was shocked by the the encounter.

He told the Advertiser: “When they saw the train coming towards them they ran towards the train would you believe.

(Continues in link)
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bobm
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« Reply #40 on: August 12, 2018, 12:29:16 »

Makes a change to read a story about the Swindon & Cricklade which doesn't involve vandalism - from Swindon Advertiser.

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Police asked volunteers from the Swindon and Cricklade Railway for their help in moving the woman, who had broken her leg, from a remote field near Oakhurst back to the station. The Spartan steam engine came to her aid.
 
Adrian Thompson, a spokesman for the railway, said it was the first time the volunteers had been called to help with a medical emergency of this kind. He added: “We’re proud of having been of assistance in getting the patient to hospital.”

On Facebook, North Swindon police said members of the public had called 999 on Saturday morning after hearing screams for help near the old steam railway line in Oakhurst.
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grahame
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« Reply #41 on: July 21, 2019, 22:06:42 »

From This is Wiltshire

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10 ways in and around Swindon to nip boredom in the bud

1 Swindon and Cricklade Railway is worth a visit at any time of year, but sunny summer days are ideal for experiencing all the much-loved heritage railway, based at Blunsdon, has to offer. This summer’s programme includes a series of services hauled by both steam and vintage diesel locomotives, as well as various special events.

[etc]
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bobm
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« Reply #42 on: August 21, 2019, 16:04:56 »

Wiltshire Police appealing for witnesses after more vandalism.

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We are investigating two incidents of criminal damage at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway where vintage carriages have been damaged by vandals.

Overnight into the early hours of Tuesday 13 August, three vehicles were damaged - six carriage windows were smashed on the Moonraker dining coach which is currently undergoing restoration.

A window on a carriage used for regular activities in the school holidays was also damaged, as well as a window on the recently acquired exhibition coach which had not long been refurbished.

Then overnight into Saturday 17 August, volunteers arrived at the site to find that two further railway vehicles had been attacked overnight. The Mk1 BR (British Rail(ways)) Brake Coach which was awaiting restoration had the majority of its windows smashed, while a specialised track maintenance vehicle was targeted and had a window broken.

PC Teresa Herbert said: "The railway is a charity and is run by a group of dedicated volunteers who give up their time not just because they have a keen interest in the railways, but to enable members of the public, both young and old, to enjoy the facilities and it is extremely disappointing to hear of these latest incidents which have threatened to disrupt some of the school holiday activities they regularly host.

"The members tell me the impact on them is considerable. They are now facing a bill for several thousands of pounds, and in operational terms, it also puts them back several months, if not years.

"I'd like to appeal to those who are responsible for these mindless acts of vandalism to think long and hard about their actions, and the impact their behaviour can have on the local community."

Anyone with information should call 101 and ask to speak to PC Teresa Herbert.

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infoman
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« Reply #43 on: August 22, 2019, 08:01:17 »

Film footage being shown on BBC1 local news at 07:55 on thursday
Might be shown again at 08:25 and 09:05am
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bobm
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« Reply #44 on: April 27, 2020, 16:44:03 »

More problems for the Swindon & Cricklade..

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Fences have been damaged as members of the public illegally accessed a railway line near Swindon.

It’s believed people have been visiting the site despite the locked gates to walk alongside the railway, or cross the tracks at Swindon and Cricklade Railway over the weekend.

More here
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