Minehead Rail Link Group

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Recent reports refer to a plan to run a modern battery train from Bishops Lydeard to Taunton and Swindon.

Details herehttp://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

Text and discussion in "Transport Scholars" area at http://www.passenger.chat/24561 ...

[grahame]

Recent reports refer to a plan to run a modern battery train from Bishops Lydeard to Taunton and Swindon.

Details herehttp://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm

Edit to add that this is discussed in "transport scholars" Suggest NOT replying here so as to keep it in one place

Indeed ( http://www.passenger.chat/24561 ) ... but ... I have a naughty thought that says "why not run it on through to Minehead" ... Open Access in its very setup is designed to provide service which are not provided by the franchises, EMAs, ERMAs, and whatever we get next.  Yes, best follow up in Transport Scholars.

[grahame]

From Somerset Live - it's a repeated story ... won't go away.   Good 

Every effort must be made to get regular train services running from Taunton to connect with the West Somerset Railway, MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Ian Liddell-Grainger has insisted. He says establishing a permanent shuttle service would boost passenger numbers on the heritage line and deliver benefits to the entire West Somerset economy.

Mr Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, said he was enormously impressed by the way the 22-mile long railway had been hauled back from the brink of financial failure.

[snip]

Mr Liddell-Grainger said the long hoped-for establishment of regular services between Taunton and the line’s current terminus at Bishop’s Lydeard, five miles away, had to be the next priority.

“I am aware discussions have been taking place with various service providers and since the benefits of getting a regular shuttle service - even of running commuter trains to and from Minehead - are undeniable every effort should be made to bring them to a successful conclusion,” he said. "Apart from anything else the influx of new passengers such a service would attract could be a major factor in securing the long-term survival of this much-valued tourist attraction.”

and as ever the useful comment gives an interesting view.  Newly posted but the following are already there

A normal passenger service linked into the national network would be fantastic for the local economy. It would enable people living in villages along the line to commute to work in Taunton, Bristol, etc. and improve access for tourists, perhaps reducing car traffic. The steam trains are wonderful, we wouldn’t want to lose them and they are great for tourists but they are far too expensive for local people to use regularly.

A normal passenger service would help the tourists coming to Butlins in Minehead. This would eleviate the over cramped bus number 28 in the high season.

[TonyK]

From Somerset Live - it's a repeated story ... won't go away.   Good 

I wish it would go away - to be replaced by a report from the first day of regular scheduled services from Minehead to Taunton and beyond.

[grahame]

From Somerset Live - it's a repeated story ... won't go away.   Good 

I wish it would go away - to be replaced by a report from the first day of regular scheduled services from Minehead to Taunton and beyond.

There are occasions like this one when I would want a LOVE button as well as a like!

[Red Squirrel]

So… if the Minehead line were to return to the national network, which stations would be served?

[grahame]

So… if the Minehead line were to return to the national network, which stations would be served?

Reply no. 141 on this thread had a sample timetable

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=17237.msg293536#msg293536

[Red Squirrel]

Interesting, but not quite what I meant. Our recent trip to Okehampton, and also decisions being taken (or not taken) on the Marston Vale and Kingswear line lead me to wonder just how many stations would be considered to be worth serving…  Norton Fitzwarren, Williton, Watchet; any others?

[johnneyw]

Norton Fitzwarren, Williton, Watchet; any others? Ok

Dunster perhaps.... despite the station being a little "out of town"?

[grahame]

"Where would it call?" remains detailed work to be done.  The big mass flow for the mass transit system is from Taunton (where, surely, trains will call without exception - no skipping as they run from Minehead to Reading or Bristol) to Minehead (where the National Rail Station may well a new platform outwith the level crossing. 

Outside that, Taunton and north / east thereof national flow, further discussion is needed and looks at the costs and just how other flows work, and the balance between costs, traffic levels, and effect on running time and those are all factors greatly effected by just how the "job" is done and by the planning and future development of West Somerset.

In addition to places already mentioned recently in this thread, there may be decisions to be made concerning passenger service at Bishop's Lydeard and at Blue Anchor.  The case for Stogumber, Crowcombe, Doniford and Washford calls would almost certainly not be made if they were to be served by though trains of holiday makers at the start / end of their journeys between their homes and Butlins!

[IndustryInsider]

"Where would it call?" remains detailed work to be done.

Has the in-fighting stopped and is anyone taking the lead in drawing up some detailed proposals?

[Witham Bobby]

Has the in-fighting stopped and is anyone taking the lead in drawing up some detailed proposals?

Thoroughly depressing that this question needs to be asked, near enough half a century after I joined the original in-fighters.

Still, we did actually manage to get the branch re-opened along its entire length, passed fit for passenger trains, and started a year-round service over 20 miles of route (sadly, abandoned after a few years) and kept the drea,/nightmare alive

[ChrisB]

I suspect no agreement until such time as the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) wants to pay for the services....

[grahame]

I suspect no agreement until such time as the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) wants to pay for the services....

Could we (err - wider public in general or some other body- NOT a Coffee Shop project!!) take an active positive roll in persuading the DfT / GBRR / NR^» (Network Rail - home page) / land owner of the railway / LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about) to get significant funding options in place?  And it just might be then that with money available all the various interested parties would be much more positive in looking for a way to spend that money to improve what they offer be it in heritage trains and stations, holiday maker travel, local traffic or the general economy of the area.

Other bodies to do the persuading - I can think of two or three bodies, and a handful of respected all around individuals, who might be up to the task or be suitable to grow into it.

[ChrisB]

Possibly best to wait the outcome of the upcoming election?