Hi all

I have heard the name "Don Valley Railway" bounded about a lot recently. Does anyone know who they are and what they do???

Cheers!

A =)

A bunch of train spotting loonies at Stocksbridge who want to turn the train line into a tourist venture...

Train spotting loonies?

What is wrong with turning a railway line into a tourist venture?

They have a nice idea, but I don't think they will ever have the finances or the influence to pull it off.

They are wanting to establish commuter trains between Deepcar and town on the existing and underused line. And restore old stations along the way, and run occasional steam engines.

http://www.donvalleyrailway.org/

Surely a venture like this would create job opportunities abound.
And steam trains you say, wouldn't that bring the tourists in.
It would be a great shame if they can't get financial backing
for this.
Mind you , didnt the North yorkshire moors railway start off with nothing, and look at it now.

Originally posted by tara
Surely a venture like this would create job opportunities abound.
And steam trains you say, wouldn't that bring the tourists in.
It would be a great shame if they can't get financial backing
for this.
Mind you , didnt the North yorkshire moors railway start off with nothing, and look at it now.

Yeah, i thought that NYMR started with not much more than two pennies to rub together!?

From the website I can see the potential for job opportunities, and tourists cant be a bad thing for Stocksbridge!?

I think it would be a great idea, not only for the reasons already mentioned, but have you ever tried using the main road into Sheffield from Stocksbridge, especially at rush hour?

More and more houses are being thrown up

No thought is going into the logistics of getting people from A to B

Maybe they could also teach the few hundred more children living in this area whilst being on the train too? as no extra schools are being built.

Originally posted by beansforyou
I think it would be a great idea, not only for the reasons already mentioned, but have you ever tried using the main road into Sheffield from Stocksbridge, especially at rush hour?

More and more houses are being thrown up

No thought is going into the logistics of getting people from A to B

Maybe they could also teach the few hundred more children living in this area whilst being on the train too? as no extra schools are being built.

Yeah, more houses, same road....makes no sense really?

Well that killed the conversation....:suspect:

Originally posted by Internetowl
A bunch of train spotting loonies at Stocksbridge who want to turn the train line into a tourist venture...

Can I ask what your hobby is? Lets assume it is X. Then I can make a comment such as "People who enjoy 'X' are a bunch of loonies and deserved to be locked up'

All because you don't share the same enthusiasm for someones hobby, it doesn't make them a loony. Infact it makes you ignorant for not being able to respect that the person has a passion for something.

The trainline from Stocksbridge to Sheffield is a fantastic idea, the road is always busy especially as you get into middlewood, and taking the bus isn't the most fantastic form of public transport.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Can I ask what your hobby is? Lets assume it is X. Then I can make a comment such as "People who enjoy 'X' are a bunch of loonies and deserved to be locked up'

All because you don't share the same enthusiasm for someones hobby, it doesn't make them a loony. Infact it makes you ignorant for not being able to respect that the person has a passion for something.

The trainline from Stocksbridge to Sheffield is a fantastic idea, the road is always busy especially as you get into middlewood, and taking the bus isn't the most fantastic form of public transport.

Well said Skatiechik :thumbsup:

yawn - well said - its never going to be a goer - if there was any mileage in it the rail companies would still be sending trains that way - as they are not - its fair to say its probably not viable...even with the Thomas the Tank engine pulling from the front..

Check out their website and then convince me otherwise....

Upcoming Events - for those interested...

April 9th 2005 - Stocksbridge Library 10am-2pm

Come along and talk to us at our Open day at Stocksbridge Library on April 9th. See our plans and talk to the committee. There will be a table-top sale and a free raffle.

19th June 2005 - Deepcar Gala

3rd July 2005 - Midhope Gala

We will be at both of these events publicising our plans. It is a great opportunity for you to come and support us!

Going full 'steam' ahead I see :)
:clap:

Originally posted by Internetowl
yawn - well said - its never going to be a goer - if there was any mileage in it the rail companies would still be sending trains that way - as they are not - its fair to say its probably not viable...even with the Thomas the Tank engine pulling from the front..

Check out their website and then convince me otherwise....

You really do have some kind of problem dont you?

If was not for dedicated volunteers donating their time, alot of services and charities we have today would not be here today.So we would be a much poorer society without their help. Several closed railway lines around the UK have been restored with voluntary help. North Yorkshire moors Railway,North Norfolk Railway, Wensleysdale Railway to name 3.

Well internet owl, to say you think they're a bunch of loonies,
youve took the trouble to visit their site and seem to know all the info on forthcoming events etc.
now why would you do that. ?

Originally posted by Internetowl
...if there was any mileage in it the rail companies would still be sending trains that way - as they are not - its fair to say its probably not viable...
Not necessarily, these guys are a not-for-profit organisation whose interest is based on their own passions. Railway companies are <i>only</i> interested in making profit.

This 'private' railway is extremely popular and gets vistors from all over the country.

http://www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk/index2.php

Ignore morons like Internetowl. I'm sure he prefers a derelict railway than an attraction bringing tourists to Sheffield.

For those interested they have just updated thier website...aparently they have got 400 signatures on a petition to re-open the line.....www.donvalleyrailway.org (http://www.donvalleyrailway.org )

Originally posted by Internetowl
A bunch of train spotting loonies at Stocksbridge who want to turn the train line into a tourist venture...

Just to add to the talk about the aspirations of the DVR, can I say that a group that includes retired senior civil servants, transport consultants, engineers, businessmen and has a local MP as President should be described as a bunch of train spotting loonies. Their plans are realistic and it is a shame that such groups that are trying to do something positive for their local communities should be dismissed so disrespectfully. But then, that’s easy to do isn’t it?

Well I for one think it's a great idea, i've printed off the petition sheet thats available on their webaite and will take it to the local post office tomorrow.

If everyone* takes 5 minutes to do that it might make a surprising difference :)

*Those with chronic pessimism omitted

Originally posted by beansforyou
Well I for one think it's a great idea, i've printed off the petition sheet thats available on their webaite and will take it to the local post office tomorrow.

If everyone* takes 5 minutes to do that it might make a surprising difference :)

*Those with chronic pessimism omitted

It is good to see that there is some community spirit left in the world......:)

Any further info on these people???? :suspect:

seems not...

:hihi:

Originally posted by Internetowl
seems not...

:hihi:

Indeed.

They are having an open day this saturday...i might pop along and see if they really are trainspotting loonies! Anyone else going? :suspect:

Looks like im going on my own then......:confused:

Aww, only just caught up with this thread, after reading the other train argument thread lol, did you go Avalon?

Ineed i did!

I had a good chat with the Chairman and the rest of the gang and they seem pretty fired up about the whole project. They have some good plans, and i was pleasently surprised that they are sensible plans too!

They intend to run in a true "not for profit" way - all money made will go straight back into the running of the railway. Sounds good to me!

It will also take a load off the roads, especially when the 400+ new houses come along when the steelworks closes.

Overall i was dead impressed. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Avalon
when the 400+ new houses come along when the steelworks closes.

Its not all closing.

Is this referring to the steelworks up the Stocksbridge end?

I hear the little train going through wharncliffe crags every night, will be strange to have them running all the time, strange, but good.

There was talk of extending the supertram through to stocksbridge if I remember correctly, via the crags again...now that would be a lovely ride!

Only thing I can't see is how they will connect it up with the main - drag, for people walking from the train/tram etc.

Hey all - sorry to revive this thread. Someone spoke to me about these folks a few days ago. I thought id do a bit of research and its led me to here, as well as their website. The site's not been updated for a while so I wondered if anyone else knew what was happening with them?? Does anyone know??

Apparently the conservative parliamentary candidate for Stocksbridge & Penistone; Spencer Pratfield...sorry Pitfield, is backing it now, that is until he gets voted in or out at the election then he'll drop it like a red hot poker.
SYPTE is contributing £10,000 towards the professional assessment and business plan which should improve the chances of getting funding. Apparently.

The trainline from Stocksbridge to Sheffield is a fantastic idea, the road is always busy especially as you get into middlewood, and taking the bus isn't the most fantastic form of public transport.

All credit to the Don Valley Railway for at least trying to re-open part of the Woodhead Line.

It would be rather easy for them to make some form of money running trains all they have to do is reopen Wadsley Bridge station and run a shuttle service from Sheffield Midland - Wadsley Bridge on a match day, there is also the site of the old superbowl place which would make a great Park n Ride if they wanted to run a train on a Mon-Fri Morning / Evening Peak , Good Luck DVR :D

All credit to the Don Valley Railway for at least trying to re-open part of the Woodhead Line.

It would be rather easy for them to make some form of money running trains all they have to do is reopen Wadsley Bridge station and run a shuttle service from Sheffield Midland - Wadsley Bridge on a match day, there is also the site of the old superbowl place which would make a great Park n Ride if they wanted to run a train on a Mon-Fri Morning / Evening Peak , Good Luck DVR :D

Sheffield Midland would indeed be an achievement, but seriously it could not be done. Victoria would be possible though. Good luck and just ignore the muppets whose only offering is to belittle these efforts. If they put as much passion into their lives as this group then maybe they would have less time to stalk this site slagging off others.

good luck to them fetch back the train , get rid of the buses they charge to much as it is lets hope they get it going

Can I ask what your hobby is? Lets assume it is X. Then I can make a comment such as "People who enjoy 'X' are a bunch of loonies and deserved to be locked up'

He never said that he wanted trainspotters locked up.