Swindon and Cricklade Railway

[whole diary]

[trainer]

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. 

[grahame]

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. 

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.

[TonyK]

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.

[grahame]

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

[patch38]

From Wilts & Glos Standard

http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/15038361.Rare_chance_to_walk_Swindon_and_Cricklade_railway_line

Residents are being offered a unique opportunity to walk along the tracks of the Swindon and Cricklade railway.
The railway team are holding the sponsored walk on Sunday, February 26, to help raise funds to purchase a new marquee.
By finally owning a marquee, rather than hiring one at various times during the year, the railway will be able to make their various events more profitable.
The fundraiser promises to offer attendees the rare chance to walk along the railway line, which is seven miles long.
It will start at Mouldon Hill, Taw Valley Halt, and go to Cricklade, before returning to Hayes Knoll for a tour of the engine shed for those interested.
The walk will then continue to Blunsdon for tea, coffee and a cake, before the final stretch back to Mouldon Hill.
For walkers that do not wish to walk the full length, the route can be broken into smaller segments.
As an incentive, anyone raising more than £400 will get a free driver experience, for which there is an age limit of 18.
For under-18s that raise this sum, two family passes to events are on offer.
For more information, or sponsorship forms, contact Bill Daly by calling 01793 778110, emailing daly1968@hotmail.com or visiting swindon-cricklade-railway.org

Raising £400 and getting a drive sounds like a fair deal!

[JayMac]

Anyone else think, from the topic title, that this was going to be about an opportunity to walk along some of the Settle & Carlisle line? 

A walk across Ribblehead Viaduct would be fantastic!

[Western Pathfinder]

It's quite a climb up the bank from underneath but a great view once you are up on top
I should add that at no time was I on the Railway .

[ChrisB]

Anyone else think, from the topic title, that this was going to be about an opportunity to walk along some of the Settle & Carlisle line? 

A walk across Ribblehead Viaduct would be fantastic!

Errrr....yup!

[patch38]

On a Great Western forum? I mean, really chaps... 

[grahame]

Anyone else think, from the topic title, that this was going to be about an opportunity to walk along some of the Settle & Carlisle line? 

On a Great Western forum? I mean, really chaps... 

Clearly Midland and South West Junction and not GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), right?

[JayMac]

Clearly Midland and South West Junction and not GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), right?

Depends. Are we talking pre- or post- 1923 grouping? 

[patch38]

Yes, but 'Midland and South West Junction Coffee Shop' just hasn't got that ring to it... 

[bobm]

Another vandal attack on the railway reported by the Swindon Advertiser

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.

[grahame]

From This is Wiltshire

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.

[onthecushions]

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