Most boring preserved railway?

[Runningaround]

I think I once heard or read that the ideal heritage railway:
(1) actually served at least one town or point of interest other than the railway itself
(2) would be between 5 and 7 miles long thus giving a journey time of C20 - 30 minutes - long enough for an experience but not too long for children
(3) such a length would allow a reasonable frequency of service with just one loco in steam
(4) had a shop
(5) had a cafe / tea room/ refreshment facility
(6) had a car park
(7) had decent toilets

Yet the Severn Valley, FR & WHR and the LLangollen are longer run more services and are more popular. They are worth a day out on their own. The ones that even enthusiasts get bored by are the short one train operations.

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

Sorry but I do suspect a bit of railway enthusiasts wishful thinking here.

 

[Runningaround]

It does seem though if a heritage line is considered boring by contributors of this forum then what must the experience be like for regular visitors? There are some short, interesting operations that concentrate on the history rather than a spin on an old train.

If someone's first experience is to pop into see whats there and find a one mile Pacer operation how much will that influence their decision when deciding where they'll visit any again.
The big operators have the benefit of free promotion off Michael Portillo and Channel 5 programs.
But then others have had the misfortune of getting shown on you tube leading to me deciding thank god I checked it out before wasting a trip.
It's the decent middle ground operators that have it tough, not big enough for TV exposure or in an attractive tourist location but will sell itself out by running cheap historic free ''1/2 mile up and down job''.

I'm sure the Welsh Narrow Gauges had grouped together to offer a package I'm not sure if there's a criteria that each operator should meet to be a partner.
Perhaps there could be a National Trust/CAMRA type members club that helps each other out with each meeting a;
Experience
Historical representation
Safety
Disability compliant
And more criteria. Those that don't get left out the packages and publications.

 

[trebor79]

Perhaps there could be a National Trust/CAMRA type members club that helps each other out with each meeting a;
Experience
Historical representation
Safety
Disability compliant
And more criteria. Those that don't get left out the packages and publications.

Isn't that part of what the Heritage Railway Association does?

 

[D6968]

I do wish people had resisted the temptation to cite specific lines in support of their points of view.

And you’ve never done the same with IOWSR Paul?

 

[Ken H]

It does seem though if a heritage line is considered boring by contributors of this forum then what must the experience be like for regular visitors? There are some short, interesting operations that concentrate on the history rather than a spin on an old train.

If someone's first experience is to pop into see whats there and find a one mile Pacer operation how much will that influence their decision when deciding where they'll visit any again.
The big operators have the benefit of free promotion off Michael Portillo and Channel 5 programs.
But then others have had the misfortune of getting shown on you tube leading to me deciding thank god I checked it out before wasting a trip.
It's the decent middle ground operators that have it tough, not big enough for TV exposure or in an attractive tourist location but will sell itself out by running cheap historic free ''1/2 mile up and down job''.

I'm sure the Welsh Narrow Gauges had grouped together to offer a package I'm not sure if there's a criteria that each operator should meet to be a partner.
Perhaps there could be a National Trust/CAMRA type members club that helps each other out with each meeting a;
Experience
Historical representation
Safety
Disability compliant
And more criteria. Those that don't get left out the packages and publications.

www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk

 

[Paul Hitchcock]

And you’ve never done the same with IOWSR Paul?

Not latterly

 

[thedbdiboy]

Whilst I admit to being very hard to please where preserved lines are concerned; I've always felt re the Lakeside & Haverthwaite, "they shouldn't have bothered" (and I have seen that undertaking more than once, though not travelled on it). I'm rather allergic to preserved lines which are totally physically isolated (as distinct from actual-physical-connection or not, at junction points with the main system) -- so the L & H is for that reason, a "loser" for me; and it is indeed to my mind, woefully short. If it could have been possible to preserve the whole of the branch: can see self greatly liking it -- set basically in a lovely part of the world, even if views might be better (dratted trees ! -- often [not without reason] found a scenic detriment these days). Always fearsome obstacles, admittedly, to any reopening south of Haverthwaite -- a big bridge gone, and a lot of the formation obliterated by road construction.

And when the branch was in normal service, trains joined the main line at station-less Plumpton Junction, and ran the couple of miles along the main, to / from Ulverston. That would be unthinkable nowadays. A similar issue has been addressed on the Isle of Wight, with Smallbrook Junction having come into being; but don't think that any equivalent of that has been possible, administratively or practically, on the "mainland".

Apologies if already answered but the L&H was originally intended to be preserved throughout, with the operation linked to Steamtown Carnforth. The road that occupies the southern half was given permission in preference, hence the truncated nature. A similar fate befell the original Totnes-Ashburton preservation effort, although in that case the main-line connected end survived with the A38 severing the formation north of Buckfastleigh; whilst Swanage was only extended via Corfe Castle once the bypass planned for the formation was shelved - a good example of the change in priorities from the mid 90s when at long last roads ceased to automatically trump any other possible use for a transport corridor.

 

[Runningaround]

www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk

Cant see any that's not included perhaps they all meet the grade or the ones that haven't are so forgettable they've dropped out of mind.

 

[Shrewbly]

This thread intrigues me. I don't think I've ever been to any preserved railway that hasn't interested me in some way, but I'm often with the family, and their response can be very different. They loved an open day at Tyseley, but Barrow Hill didn't impress; the GWSR seems to rank higher with them than the SVR; the Dean Forest Railway gets very reasonable marks (possibly down to an unexpected ride on a brake van). Welsh narrow gauge they're OK with, but often a small miniature railway will get an even bigger thumbs up.

Anyway they'll happily travel on anything running on rails, but they're not entirely sure about buses, even trolleybuses - hmmm, maybe I've had more of an influence than I ever thought possible!!

 

[alexl92]

Apologies if already answered but the L&H was originally intended to be preserved throughout, with the operation linked to Steamtown Carnforth. The road that occupies the southern half was given permission in preference, hence the truncated nature. A similar fate befell the original Totnes-Ashburton preservation effort, although in that case the main-line connected end survived with the A38 severing the formation north of Buckfastleigh; whilst Swanage was only extended via Corfe Castle once the bypass planned for the formation was shelved - a good example of the change in priorities from the mid 90s when at long last roads ceased to automatically trump any other possible use for a transport corridor.

Have I head in recent years that there is a scheme that may possibly find a way round the issue of the A38 to allow Ashburton to be revived?

 

[Cowley]

Have I head in recent years that there is a scheme that may possibly find a way round the issue of the A38 to allow Ashburton to be revived?

There was a scheme in the more recent and optimistic past. The price of it now would make it an instant non starter though (it was probably a non starter 10-15 years ago actually).
I think the railway works pretty well as it is and bit by bit seems to be improving.

 

[Robert Ambler]

I omitted Peterborough's Nene Valley Railway from a forthcoming visit from overseas to UK as while its scenery might be fine, 'foreign' locomotives gave me the impression it was 'faking it.'

But I include East Lancs Railway at Bury due to what may be an enjoyable trip on Manchester Metrolink to reach it, historic stations and probable interesting locos despite some above expressing concerns about how part is apparently continually adjacent to backyards of housing. Agree 'the rural look' such as NYMR delivers in spades is optimal.

Mid Norfolk Railway is too time consuming to reach and at the time of planning, lacked a date for resumption of services all the way. In one day, starting at Norwich, I can do the short North Norfolk Railway (which receives much praise, though it may not be especially scenic) and using fast main line connections should be at Bradford for an evening meal and brief stay at glorious looking, railway-built Midland Hotel so that next day K&WVR is among the activities.

The North Norfolk Railway actually runs through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) so I doubt you will be disappointed with the scenery.

 

[Richard Scott]

The North Norfolk Railway actually runs through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) so I doubt you will be disappointed with the scenery.

Also got a decent incline on it to make locos work. Sheringham a pleasant place to visit as well.

 

[yorksrob]

The whole area is outstanding. Holt is very pleasant of you make the stroll into the town as well.

 

[trebor79]

The whole area is outstanding. Holt is very pleasant of you make the stroll into the town as well.

Indeed, and it's quite a nice stroll from Holt back to Sheringham through the heath and Sheringham Park if you only want to ride the train one way.

 

[SteveM70]

I think it depends on your perspective. Based on my kids’ point of view when they were a lot younger, the NYMR is the most boring by far, simply because it’s the longest journey of any we visited. For them, the excitement was seeing stuff happen, like shunting, running round, taking water etc etc. Trundling through the countryside at 25mph was pretty meh for them

 

[railfan99]

The North Norfolk Railway actually runs through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) so I doubt you will be disappointed with the scenery.

Thanks for yours and the following contributions. Great to know, as foreigners like me are often deficient in knowledge only locals can possess. With the need to keep going and return on the train on which I arrived, I doubt there'll be time to walk into Holt town as it looks to be a few hundred metres. Any English village with historic buildings is music to my ears because it differs from where I live. On that day, I have to be at Bradford by teh aim of prior to 1800 hours for a brief stay at Midland (ex railway) Hotel near Forster Square railway station.

 

[trebor79]

Thanks for yours and the following contributions. Great to know, as foreigners like me are often deficient in knowledge only locals can possess. With the need to keep going and return on the train on which I arrived, I doubt there'll be time to walk into Holt town as it looks to be a few hundred metres. Any English village with historic buildings is music to my ears because it differs from where I live. On that day, I have to be at Bradford by teh aim of prior to 1800 hours for a brief stay at Midland (ex railway) Hotel near Forster Square railway station.

Crikey, I think I'd rather stay the night anywhere but Bradford!
Holt really is lovely and worth seeing. Some good eating options there and a genuinely independent department store as well as the usual touristy shops in such places.

 

[xotGD]

Crikey, I think I'd rather stay the night anywhere but Bradford!
Holt really is lovely and worth seeing. Some good eating options there and a genuinely independent department store as well as the usual touristy shops in such places.

Quite a few antique shops too.

A couple of hours in Holt and a delayed arrival into Bradford would be my recommendation.

 

[Western Sunset]

Once, when the children were young, I won some tickets to a "Meet Thomas" event at the Mid-Hants. The children were more interested in the playground at Ropley than travelling on any trains...

 

[EbbwJunction1]

The Railway's web site says this about Holt: "Regular bus services to Holt town centre stop on the main road at the entrance to the station site."

 

[nanstallon]

Crikey, I think I'd rather stay the night anywhere but Bradford!
Holt really is lovely and worth seeing. Some good eating options there and a genuinely independent department store as well as the usual touristy shops in such places.

Bradford isn't that bad! I've often based myself there for a Yorkshire holiday, and it's no bad place for an evening meal. Especially if you like curry! An unpretentious Northern industrial city.

 

[railfan99]

Quite a few antique shops too.

A couple of hours in Holt and a delayed arrival into Bradford would be my recommendation.

Thank you, excellent suggestion, but I wish to arrive Bradford at 1753, stay at what looks to be amazing Midland (railway!) Hotel and next morning by rail visit Saltaire famous industrial site briefly, connect at Keighley, travel on K&WVR, then to London and out to Heathrow to meet my wife.

A 2000 hours or later arrival in the eponymous industrial town/city means travelling the last stretch to Bradford Forster Square in darkness: not ideal if one wishes to 'learn the line'.

 

[Ken H]

Thank you, excellent suggestion, but I wish to arrive Bradford at 1753, stay at what looks to be amazing Midland (railway!) Hotel and next morning by rail visit Saltaire famous industrial site briefly, connect at Keighley, travel on K&WVR, then to London and out to Heathrow to meet my wife.

A 2000 hours or later arrival in the eponymous industrial town/city means travelling the last stretch to Bradford Forster Square in darkness: not ideal if one wishes to 'learn the line'.

When in Saltaire take time to have a quick walk round the houses near the mill. All were built by Salt for his mill workers, so are important as the mill.

 

[SteveM70]

Thank you, excellent suggestion, but I wish to arrive Bradford at 1753, stay at what looks to be amazing Midland (railway!) Hotel and next morning by rail visit Saltaire famous industrial site briefly, connect at Keighley, travel on K&WVR, then to London and out to Heathrow to meet my wife.

A 2000 hours or later arrival in the eponymous industrial town/city means travelling the last stretch to Bradford Forster Square in darkness: not ideal if one wishes to 'learn the line'.

If you’re here before September 18th there’s a temporary exhibition right up in the roof space of Salt’s Mill of Hockney’s latest extravaganza - it’s a 91 metre long frieze entitled a Year in Normandie. Which is basically what it is. All done originally on his iPad but the level of detail is incredible.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...normandy-goes-on-show-in-saltaire-3678662?amp has more details and a picture. It’s truly incredible

And also, if you do have a wander round the streets, you can go full puerile schoolboy and have your picture taken on Fanny Street

 

[Pinza-C55]

In which case why are the North Yorkshire Moors and the Severn Valley two of the most profitable preserved railways in not only the country but possibly the entire world distance wise..?

Edit - Let’s add the 13 mile long Ffestiniog to that.

The NYMR is long enough to justify a long journey to visit it, it hosts famous locomotives and has tourist destinations at either end (Whitby and Pickering) plus of course Goathland with the Heartbeat connection though that is obviously fading with time.

 

[Iskra]

Bradford isn't that bad! I've often based myself there for a Yorkshire holiday, and it's no bad place for an evening meal. Especially if you like curry! An unpretentious Northern industrial city.

It's a lot better than it used to be and they've done up the centre. Lots of good curry options as you say.

 

[yorksrob]

It's a lot better than it used to be and they've done up the centre. Lots of good curry options as you say.

Would be a lot better if they hadn't have demolished the magnificent old Exchange Station.

(Same could be said of Birmingham and the magnificent old Snow Hill station as it happens).

 

[Future]

It came across over commercialised

The Paignton and Dartmouth is one of my local heritage railways and I definitely agree with you on that one, seems more angled at tourists than enthusiasts. The Plym Valley Railway is a brilliant one for enthusiasts, made friends with the chairman very quickly when I was there as it's only a small railway. Got a cab ride in their 142 and 143 as well!