Wildebeeste wrote: Perhaps you would give us the benefit of your ideas on what "you" would do in "our" situation and then let "us" evaluate your ideas?
Oh good, I enjoy a challenge!
A few musings then...
The business plan seems to be tapping up EYCC for money. Understandable, but that limits your options on the route. The more scenic half is in NY.
You're marketing yourselves as the "Wolds" railway, so you really ouight to be on the section of the line that's actually in the Wolds.
South of Fimber, it's a pretty bland landscape. Accessing any length of that route will presumably involve buying what looks to be decent arable farming land. Stations on that section are private dwellings, which poses obvious difficulties.
Work on the assumption that you will not be able to cross any sort of road. Forget real world risk. An ABCL at Fimber, with the train bought to a stand until it has operated, presents no risk to anyone. But you're dealing with the health and safety industry, so common sense doesn't come into it.
I'd target the Fimber - Burdale section, hoping to get the landowner on board with the benefits of the project. If that doesn't work, hope to get political leverage from the council. Forget the original fimber station site. Keep it as a car park, which you will need anyway. Build a new station, ie platform and wooden hut, on the Burdale side of the road. Same at the other end. Have a very long term aim of building a more impressive and permanent structure, should visitor numbers ever reach those that you're aiming for. Build a visitor centre at Burdale, to add to the experience. (see next para).
This scheme needs to offer something apart from a train journey, as that is never likely to be long enough to generate much interest in itself. Even if you only ever end up with a mile of line, you can turn that into something good, if you use a little imagination. If those behind this project haven't visited/ talked with the WHHR, they really ought to. They've made a fantastic childrens' attraction, with only a token railway journey. It could offer an alternative model for you, certainly if it is impossible to get access to a decent amount of formation.
The Northampton & Lamport reminds me of your line to some extent. Stations obliterated, and bounded by roads that they will never be able to cross (and I've never heard them suggest that they would). They've not created a tourist industry in a non - tourist area though.
If you want to get people to support your project, you need to keep what's being said realistic.MikeE wrote:I have to say Mr Lucas, you are certainly determined in your attempts to discourage and disillusion everyone in this venture, you are the YWR equivalent to lord Haw Haw.
