For you lovers of the Electrics

[NiallGray]

It seems to me that around the UK there a lot of preserved trains of either the overhead and/or third rail variety. Yet there is not a preserved line (at least to my knowledge) that is set up for electrics to run on.

I hate going to a preserved line and seeing a slammer that I know can only be loco-hauled, never to run again under it's own power.

One reason I won't go to Barrow Hill is that I know I will be saddened knowing that the locos there are not going to be running around (How I would love another cab ride on a 81 or 82 after all these years!) Likewise the East Kent Railway seems to have a few slam-door emus, but because I know it's not electrified, I'm not interested!

After all this rambling , my question is, do you think we'll ever see dedicated preservation routes that electrics (3rd rail, overheard or even both) could run on, or is this just a (expensive) pipedream?

[eddief]

I don't think it will happen, overhead line has a slight chance but 3rd rail doesn't. Can you imagine the insurance costs for a 3rd rail preserved line? Staff would need extra training on dealing with the extra rail, the public would have to be kept back to make sure they don't fall onto the rail and god knows what else.

[jonathanmlewis]

I don't think it will happen, overhead line has a slight chance but 3rd rail doesn't. Can you imagine the insurance costs for a 3rd rail preserved line? Staff would need extra training on dealing with the extra rail, the public would have to be kept back to make sure they don't fall onto the rail and god knows what else.

I would think 3rd rail is more likely. Can you see a preservation group messing about with 25kV.... But it is possible some electrics will work on the main line again.

[Christopher125]

Well the Lymington Branch is being run as a heritage operation - 3CIG's. 3rd rail, even a bit of BR signage and some luggage trolleys to give some atmosphere. The closest to an 'actual' 3rd rail heritage line there is ever likely to be.

Chris

[arabiandisco]

If preservationists can convince HMRI or whoever it is at the time that they are capable of playing with 25kV safely, then there is nothing other than cost to stop them. Cost is something of a show-stopper though, as it would be vast. 3rd rail would be just the same, though the conductor is a tripping hazard as well. If it can be done safely on the big railway, then it can be done safely on a "heritage" railway. It all comes down to money. In the current climate, electrics don't have enough of a following for it to pay for itself. Loads of people would go on a railtour behind the 84, but most would only go on one, and there aren't any truely outrageous routes you could use it on. Norwich doesn't have the same attraction as Kyle would...

There is potential to use Lymington as a "proper" heritage route too, as there's plenty of space at Brockenhurst for a fully segregated platform etc. Purists may whinge about the possibility of fitting CDL to the 4COR, and they would have a point, but if it allows the thing to move under it's own power... That's really in the land of fantasy though.

[jp4712]

I believe that the Bluebell has some (semi-serious?) aspirations to open the line via Ardingly towards Haywards Heath with 3rd rail (as it was before closure), but this is simply a possibility that has been voiced and is not AFAIK a definite and serious plan at the moment.

The re-signalling work currently under way at Horsted Keynes includes provision for the eventual re-laying of the line to Ardingly. The option of re-electrifying the branch, for use by preserved electric trains as well as our own steam trains has been suggested by many people, and this has not been ruled out.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/extend.html

Paul