In Britain's mad system of franching services ... the franchise through our local station at Melksham, in Wiltshire is up for renewal next year. And the Quango that sets the service level has asked for bids that slash the service to just two trips a day, none at weekends. In two years time, some of the scenes I've posted here may be history. BUT ... the service isn't going to be lost without a fight. Please visit the web site at http://www.savethetrain.org.uk Thanks! Graham
Sorry to hear about it. I suppose in it's place you'll get a bus. Twenty years from now a consultant will come up with this crazy new concept.They will call this concept Passenger Rail. That's what is happening in denver. They wiped out the trolleys after the war. I have old maps showing trolley lines running everywhere in the city. There are still places downtown where you can see rails embedded in the street. Now we are building a new rail line with "LIGHT RAIL". Whao crazy new fangled inventions.
And the 'light rail' system will cost many times the amount of the old trolley lines Good luck with the Melksham campaign. Now is not the time to be pushing people from trains onto the ever more crowded roads
Graham, there is much to be worried about with the new 'Great-ish Western' franchise. We look to be losing all daytime trains between Exeter and Westbury, and the night sleeper if their plans happen. Welcome to Trainboard BTW
Thanks for the welcome. Yes - there IS much to be concerned about in the new franchise - I agree. However, I'm trying to avoid "campaign creep" by starting off talking about "a" then adding in "b" "c" and "d" too so that "a" gets swamped. Quite happy to provide support for those other campaigns, but my focus is on "a" ... trying to avoid diliution, if you like ... and trying to concentrate on the line I know most about / the area I live in.
A year on from my original post ... and December 2006, when the service is due to be cut, is getting very close indeed. We've had a huge interest in our campaign - nearly 10,000 unique visitors to our web site in just under 12 months, with our own member of parliament and 3 others raising the matter there, and support from all sides of the political spectrum. We even had the guy who will probably be looking after transport after the next election here in town to add his weight. But ... we've not *yet* succeeded. I'm not totally despondent; I'm reminded that the railway from Liskeard to Looe was saved just two WEEKS before it was due to close, some 40 years ago. It's still going strong, to the extend that the conductor can't get round to check everyone's ticket on the journey these days. I really (really really) would like to reach 10,000 unique visitors over the next few days - can I ask you to visit http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/ and perhaps ask your friends to do so too? Many thanks Graham
This is the kind of situation, which causes me to worry about closures. What appears to no longer be necessary, can change so swiftly these days. And be very much needed! :sad: Boxcab E50
Too true, Boxcab .... in the year, I've learned that the ticket sales have actually gone up 7 times over in the past 5 years and yet the service is STILL to be withdrawn. The UK system of operating trains, with one company running the service, with trains leased from a second and the track owned by a third (and that third being government owned and not exactly accountable) has put costs through the roof; on a level field, the service would be making a profit, but our government has decided that it doesn't just want the services to break even ... it wants the operator to make so much profit that they pay can pay a franchise tax.
I wish you well in your efforts for it's loss will mean another ex-RAF memory will be gone. Dave M. (caedave)
GrahamE- Unfortunately, we suffer from the same troubles here. Meddling by bureaucrats who've no business acumen. :angry: Let us know how this project progresses. :sad: Boxcab E50