North Wales velorail moves a step closer (Daily Post North Wales 20/10/2011)

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

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

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/

[Rhydgaled]

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.

[eightf48544]

Interesting control problems. It's a single line how do they pass?

[broadgage]

At last, a suitable replacement for pacers 

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

[JayMac]

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

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 Germany. 

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. 

[inspector_blakey]

Those things are much more fun when fitted with a two-stroke petrol engine - they're used by engineers in possessions you know.

[grahame]

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

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.