Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 05:15 29 Mar 2024
- Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45
* Easter getaway begins with flood alerts in place
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
29th Mar (1913)
Foundation of National Union or Railwaymen (*)

Train RunningCancelled
07:00 Bedwyn to Newbury
07:22 Newbury to Bedwyn
08:13 Newbury to Bedwyn
08:46 Bedwyn to Newbury
09:54 Bedwyn to Newbury
10:22 Newbury to Bedwyn
11:29 Newbury to Bedwyn
11:57 Bedwyn to Newbury
12:52 Bedwyn to Newbury
Short Run
04:54 Plymouth to London Paddington
05:12 Reading to Bedwyn
05:33 Plymouth to London Paddington
05:55 Plymouth to London Paddington
06:00 Bedwyn to London Paddington
06:37 Plymouth to London Paddington
07:03 London Paddington to Paignton
08:35 Plymouth to London Paddington
10:35 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids
Delayed
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance
05:03 Penzance to London Paddington
06:05 Penzance to London Paddington
07:10 Penzance to London Paddington
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance
08:15 Penzance to London Paddington
09:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
09:37 London Paddington to Paignton
10:04 London Paddington to Penzance
11:03 London Paddington to Plymouth
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 29, 2024, 05:22:54 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[92] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[91] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[81] Return of the BRUTE?
[69] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[56] 2024 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury...
[50] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
 
News: the Great Western Coffee Shop ... keeping you up to date with travel around the South West
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1]
  Print  
Author Topic: North Wales velorail moves a step closer (Daily Post North Wales 20/10/2011)  (Read 3635 times)
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« on: November 14, 2011, 04:39:18 »

From last month and possibly a candidate for 'The Lighter Side', but it does seem to be a genuine transport idea:

Quote
Ceri Cunnington, of Antur Stiniog, said: ^The velorail is three metres long and two metres wide, weighs 100 kilos and can carry five people. It was built in the South of France at an existing velorail. Local firm Hughes Specialised Transport brought it to Blaenau.



^We^ll have five of these vehicles in use at the start and we hope the others will be built in Blaenau. We have already held discussions with local firms and colleges.^

The railway line has been disused since trains stopped running to the nuclear power station at nearby Trawsfynydd, a ^wasted resource^ according to Mr Cunnington.

He added: ^The views from the line are fantastic and allows people to get out and about into the countryside.

^We expect to reopen the line in stages, the first stage to Llan Ffestiniog in the short term and to Trawsfynydd in the longer term. The target price for renting a velorail is ^12 which will make a cracking day out with a picnic for a family. The line will only have one level crossing so will be a wonderful clear run.^

Velorails are popular in Europe and working arrangements vary. Mr Cunnington said: ^What our operation will be depends on what funding we get. I expect initially we^ll run a one-way system with velorails able to leave Blaenau four times a day. But in time, as funding allows, we^ll put in passing loops and turntables and increase the number.^

Mr Cunnington hopes the venture will eventually bring an additional 20,000 visitors a year to Blaenau Ffestiniog and create two new jobs. ^There will be a knock-on effect with people visiting to ride the velorail. The Velocipede Society are already planning to stage their festival here next year,^ he said.

Negotiations to lease the track from Network Rail are continuing but Mr Cunnington is confident there will be no delays. ^We^re not opening a railway so the line just needs to be cleared of some growth.

^We^re keen to leave as much of it as it is so the line can be a sort of nature reserve as well.^

^Track clearing days are being held on November 9 and 17 and anyone who would like to help would be welcome to join us.^

Anyone keen to help Antur Stiniog clear the line should contact 01766 832214.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/10/20/north-wales-velorail-moves-a-step-closer-55578-29629641/
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
Rhydgaled
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1500


View Profile WWW
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2011, 09:23:18 »

Interesting idea. Shame that stretch of line is out of use though. If the Conwy Valley Line was extended through to Trawsfynydd (some extra track would of course be needed to get to the village itself rather than the power station) it would provide a link from the TrawsCambria X32 bus service to Bleanau Ffestiniog and Llandudno. It would also provide a TrawsCambria (X32) link between the Conwy Valley line and the Cambrian coast line.
Logged

----------------------------
Don't DOO (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
eightf48544
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4574


View Profile Email
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2011, 10:03:56 »

Interesting control problems. It's a single line how do they pass?
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2011, 10:20:43 »

At last, a suitable replacement for pacers  Grin
Logged

A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2011, 20:22:42 »

I'd like to place an order for twenty, for use on the Severn Beach Line ...  Grin
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2011, 21:16:34 »

I'd like to place an order for twenty, for use on the Severn Beach Line ...  Grin

Fine by me. I could do with the exercise. Nice bit of cardiovascular exercise climbing up from Sea Mills to Clifton Down. Pretty much be able to freewheel from Clifton Down down to Narroways Junction. Just don't overshoot the signal at St Werburghs!

Chris, if you do place that order, can we have a 'refreshment car' similar to this one seen in GermanyGrin

Moderator Note: In view of the direction this thread has been pedaled in I'm going to put it in 'The Lighter Side' after all.  Grin
« Last Edit: November 17, 2011, 03:23:09 by bignosemac » Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
inspector_blakey
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 3574



View Profile
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2011, 21:17:43 »

Those things are much more fun when fitted with a two-stroke petrol engine - they're used by engineers in possessions you know.
Logged
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 40690



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2018, 20:45:18 »

If the Conwy Valley Line was extended through to Trawsfynydd ...

I can't believe it's six years since we mentioned the line from Bleanaeau Ffestiniog to Trawsfynydd as is was formerly a GWR (Great Western Railway) line - branch off the Ruabon to Barmouth line at Bala Junction via Bala itself.

In recent years, a great deal of vegetation has been cleared from the in situ tracks that used to feed the nuclear power station on the remaining stub of the line - still owned and ruled by Network Rail.   Alas, it seems that the volunteers have strayed from those Network Rail rules and so Network Rail have revoked their license.  As reported in The Daily Post

Quote
Plans to reopen a seven-mile section from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Trawsfynydd were revealed 15 months ago, with work already done to clear vegetation.

But the operation was suspended pending an investigation after a bridge was damaged near Trawsfynydd in August.

Officials had hoped to restart work in the next few weeks, but Network Rail have now confirmed the licence has been revoked.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We have revoked the Trawsfynydd Railway Company’s licence agreement after an investigation highlighted serious breaches to health, safety and environmental legislation and the terms and conditions of the licence.

“We have written to the relevant parties to confirm this and outline the key outcomes of our investigation. Community rail projects can make a fantastic contribution in the areas they serve and we continue to support groups and volunteers across Wales and borders.”

When news of the Network Rail investigation emerged in October, Trawsfynydd Railway Company director Colin Dale, who leads the project, described the bridge incident as “slippage”.

The Daily Post understands volunteers used a 10-ton digger on that section despite Network Rail authorising the use of machines no bigger than five tons.

In another incident, a railway trolley used to carry vegetation away crashed into level crossing gates.

Enthusiasts who have backed the project were quick to express their disappointment on social media.

Writing on the Facebook, Nicholas Hair said: “If the people currently ‘in charge’ cannot do the job, they must stand down. If nobody can be found to replace them, regrettably it must be a case of putting the project on hold.”

The news came as Trawsfynydd Railway Company announced plans to reopen a further seven miles of track to Arenig. This section was lifted of rail soon after its closure in 1961 and the trackbed sold, and landowners have demanded meetings with officials claiming they have not been consulted.

Dan Hornby, acting chairman of Blaenau Ffestiniog & Trawsfynydd Railway Society that fundraises and provide volunteers, said: "The licence was issued to the Trawsfynydd Railway Company.

"The licence was signed by Colin Dale on behalf of the company. The society has in no way been involved in procuring the clearance licence.

"We therefore feel that the company should step down immediately and allow the society to take the lead in this project to restore this scenic railway."

Mr Dale has been approached for comment.

Logged

Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page