Looking for a Christmas stocking-filler? Look no further than Martyn Hilbert's Excellent book Merseyrail Electric.
Martin's book is superbly written and full of images of the Merseyrail system over the years, along with a detailed account of its history.
Highly reccommended.
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Friday, 11 November 2016
Preston Trams Get the Green Light!
After years of delay, the first stage of Tram Power's plans for Preston finally received approval yesterday afternoon.
The first stage is not a passenger-carrying service, but will see wheels-on-rails on the Deepdale branch between Skeffington Road and Deepdale Street, for the first time in decades.
The approval gives permission for Tram Power to build and operate the tramway; depot, track & electrification as a demonstration and training line for their own tram vehicle, track and catenary, which are designed to be significantly lower-cost than "traditional" light rail systems.
Further planning approvals will now be sought to develop and extend the line into a passenger-carrying service.
The first stage is not a passenger-carrying service, but will see wheels-on-rails on the Deepdale branch between Skeffington Road and Deepdale Street, for the first time in decades.
The approval gives permission for Tram Power to build and operate the tramway; depot, track & electrification as a demonstration and training line for their own tram vehicle, track and catenary, which are designed to be significantly lower-cost than "traditional" light rail systems.
Further planning approvals will now be sought to develop and extend the line into a passenger-carrying service.
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Preston Trams on the brink of becoming a reality
Could this finally happen? It really does look that way!
Tram Power's revised planning application to resurrect the former Longridge / Deepdale line between Skeffington Road and Deepdale Street, goes before the Planning Committee tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 2pm. It is understood that all the outstanding issues have been dealt-with and the application should be approved. If this happens, it will be a huge step forward after years of struggle. Work to clear the line would start before the end of the year.
This application, if approved, will allow Tram Power to run their prototype vehicle on this section of the mothballed branch, for the purposes of demonstration and driver training. A further planning application will be submitted soon which, would see the line extended to provide a passenger service from Red Scar.
Tram Power's revised planning application to resurrect the former Longridge / Deepdale line between Skeffington Road and Deepdale Street, goes before the Planning Committee tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 2pm. It is understood that all the outstanding issues have been dealt-with and the application should be approved. If this happens, it will be a huge step forward after years of struggle. Work to clear the line would start before the end of the year.
This application, if approved, will allow Tram Power to run their prototype vehicle on this section of the mothballed branch, for the purposes of demonstration and driver training. A further planning application will be submitted soon which, would see the line extended to provide a passenger service from Red Scar.
Thursday, 22 September 2016
Preston Trams latest
Tram Power, have suffered a string of setbacks since they first embarked on plans to bring trams back to Preston. Those plans have evolved over the years and the most recent incarnation was denied planning permission in 2015, on some rather nebulous grounds.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Tram Power would have given up - not so. Quietly and at a frustratingly slow pace, progress continues to be made and a renewed application will now be made to the Preston Planning Committee in the coming weeks. If successful, that would give the green light for the proposed short demonstration line to be constructed, on the former Preston-Longridge line between Deepdale Street and Skeffington Road. Work could begin on that before the end of the year.
It is planned that a passenger-carrying service would follow, between Bluebell Way and Deepdale St in 2017.
You would be forgiven for thinking that Tram Power would have given up - not so. Quietly and at a frustratingly slow pace, progress continues to be made and a renewed application will now be made to the Preston Planning Committee in the coming weeks. If successful, that would give the green light for the proposed short demonstration line to be constructed, on the former Preston-Longridge line between Deepdale Street and Skeffington Road. Work could begin on that before the end of the year.
It is planned that a passenger-carrying service would follow, between Bluebell Way and Deepdale St in 2017.
Thursday, 24 March 2016
West Coast Railways - Ban lifted
The ban imposed on the Carnforth-based firm by the ORR (Office of Road and Rail) has been lifted. The ORR are apparently happy with the changes made by WCRC, which include properly rigorous safety standards and substantial changes to the management structure. It is expected that WCRC-run services which haven't yet been cancelled, will now run as planned, including the Jacobite season.
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Longridge Line Talk / Slide Show
David Hindle will be giving his excellent talk on the Preston-Longridge Branch, in Leyland on 27th February.
The talk and slide-show complements the author's excellent book "All Stations to Longridge" and will be at the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre, in the Museum Exhibition Room, The Old Grammar School, Church Road, Leyland and begins at 11.00am
The talk and slide-show complements the author's excellent book "All Stations to Longridge" and will be at the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre, in the Museum Exhibition Room, The Old Grammar School, Church Road, Leyland and begins at 11.00am
Thursday, 18 February 2016
WCRC Licence Suspension
The ORR has now announced its findings regarding West Coast Railway Co, following a consultation with other TOCs. THe result is that WCRC has now had its licence to operate on the main line (steam AND diesel) suspended. The door is left open for them to return, but it seems that the Carnforth-based outfit will need to make some substantial changes to their management structure as well as their safety procedures, training and enforcement.
The upshot of all this is that there will be NO WCRC-operated services, moves or tours for the forseeable future, putting the vast majority of the upcoming 2016 rail-tour programe in doubt.
The ORR's report can be read here : http://orr-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/heritage-train-operator-prohibited-from-running-rail-services
The upshot of all this is that there will be NO WCRC-operated services, moves or tours for the forseeable future, putting the vast majority of the upcoming 2016 rail-tour programe in doubt.
The ORR's report can be read here : http://orr-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/heritage-train-operator-prohibited-from-running-rail-services
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Preston Trams... still on-track?
When Tram Power's planning application for the Deepdale branch and the site of the former Deepdale Coal Concentration Depot, was rejected by Preston CC last year, understandably most people thought that would be the end of the road. Not so, it seems.
The team behind the planned "Guild Line", have prepared new reports to address the two remaining issues which were cited as the reasons for the rejection in July. They now plan to re-apply for planning permission by the end of February. Below is a copy of a letter being circulated to Councillors ahead of the application.
Dear Councillor,
The Trampower team met last week to review progress and discuss our fresh application for phase 1 of the Guild Line.
To try and overcome the objections to our previous application we attended a pre application meeting with LCC and PCC back in July 2015. We have since tabled an amended noise report and modifications to our crossing at Deepdale Mill St to try and allay the safety concerns of LCC. To date despite several enquiries we have failed to get any feedback from this meeting that cost us £400.
In view of this and the short time frame available for our re-application, (we must re apply within twelve months of the refusal) we intend to resubmit our application for this pulpit tramway by the end of February with a revised noise report and in the absence of a response from LCC, a crossing for Deepdale Mill St that complies with national guidelines and meets the approval of the railway inspector.
To address the safety objections of LCC we will have special arrangements in place whilst testing and training are in progress until local residents become used to the tram system.
Wishing you all a happy New Year and hoping that this year will see us able to start to deliver our vision for Preston.
The team behind the planned "Guild Line", have prepared new reports to address the two remaining issues which were cited as the reasons for the rejection in July. They now plan to re-apply for planning permission by the end of February. Below is a copy of a letter being circulated to Councillors ahead of the application.
Dear Councillor,
The Trampower team met last week to review progress and discuss our fresh application for phase 1 of the Guild Line.
To try and overcome the objections to our previous application we attended a pre application meeting with LCC and PCC back in July 2015. We have since tabled an amended noise report and modifications to our crossing at Deepdale Mill St to try and allay the safety concerns of LCC. To date despite several enquiries we have failed to get any feedback from this meeting that cost us £400.
In view of this and the short time frame available for our re-application, (we must re apply within twelve months of the refusal) we intend to resubmit our application for this pulpit tramway by the end of February with a revised noise report and in the absence of a response from LCC, a crossing for Deepdale Mill St that complies with national guidelines and meets the approval of the railway inspector.
To address the safety objections of LCC we will have special arrangements in place whilst testing and training are in progress until local residents become used to the tram system.
Wishing you all a happy New Year and hoping that this year will see us able to start to deliver our vision for Preston.
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