LASRUG Newsletter December 14 Email Version.Pages
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! LASRUG ! Lancaster and Skipton Rail User Group Newsletter - December 2014 A ‘lesser-spotted’ Class 158 DMU № 816 waits at Skipton with the 10.34 Morecambe to Leeds service on 5th November 2014. © Gerald Townson As we reach the end of LASRUG’s 25th Anniversary year, it’s fair to suggest that there is a strong sense of optimism about the way things are developing. The government now insists that community rail has to have a much greater priority in the considerations of the train companies as they approach bidding for the new franchises, and the train companies themselves are also willing that it be so. At last we have the will; now we, the CRP and the train companies must find the way that will more quickly achieve what we have been patiently working towards for so long. Meanwhile the committee of LASRUG wish you all the Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for 2015. NEWS FROM GARGRAVE THE NEXT NORTHERN FRANCHISE - LASRUG Consults with Arriva Rail North Ltd Back in the early 1990s, in the latter days of British Rail, the original car park adjacent to the Leeds-bound platform was In early November, Railfuture arranged for Arriva, one of the bidders for the next sold to the owner of the adjacent stone yard. Northern franchise, to spend time with those Rail User Groups who were interested in Users of Gargrave station will have noticed that Gargrave putting their case for service improvements in the new franchise. Parish Council has recently provided a footpath between the Naturally we at LASRUG were keen to make the most of the opportunity, and Richard top of the steps to the down platform and the new car park, Rollins, Gerald Townson and I duly took up the half-hour slot allotted to us at the south of the station, which North Yorkshire County Council meeting in Leeds on 4th November. recently provided (at the behest of the Parish Council). We were impressed with the Arriva representatives. They had clearly read the LASRUG It is hoped that a layer of tarmac will soon be installed over the present chipping finish to the path. Our further ambition consultation response, travelled the line several times, understood many of the issues which our current timetable and rolling stock present and clearly reflected on the discussion held earlier in the year with the LLMCRP. We were able to emphasise the key points made in the responses of LASRUG and the LLMCRP to the Department for Transport and Rail North joint consultation, as well as highlighting possible joint developments to increase passenger numbers on the Bentham line. Arrangements are also being made for Rail User Groups in the North to meet the other two bidders, Abellio and Govia, and we are eager to speak with them too. is for two solar-powered street lights Hugh Turner to be installed, one to illuminate the footpath and the other to light the car park itself. The onset of dark winter MICHAEL WILLIAMS - A Steaming Success evenings has added to the urgency with which this is being pursued. Railway author and journalist, Michael Williams, returned to Bentham on 8th October to talk to members of LASRUG and Hugh Turner the Ewecross Historical Society and members of the general public about his most recent book ‘Steaming to Victory’. Using striking illustrations and some evocative period Those were the Days … photographs he revealed just how vital was the part played by Enclosed with this newsletter you the railways in winning the war, not only in maintaining the will find a leaflet advertising for sale necessary movement of goods, vital materials, troops and three railway prints by local weapons but also in keeping the country together socially to artist John Robinson. These are sustain the will and morale of the British people. splendid individually signed and Michael recalled his interviews of a number of people still numbered prints. John has kindly alive, who had worked on the railways through the war. These offered proceeds from the sale of interviews add considerably to the human interest of the book, these prints to support LASRUG. We so that its appeal is wider than that of many railway books hope there will be a good response to targeted simply at the railway buff. this generous offer. Michael also gave us a tantalising preview of his latest book to be published next May with the working title ‘The Trains Now Departed’ and the subtitle ‘Sixteen excursions into the lost delights of Britain’s railways’. In it he will visit Blackpool’s Golden Mile, famous named trains, Annual Subscriptions Reminder dining cars, the Stainmore line, the Night Ferry to Paris and, as they say, much much more. The AGM approved the increase of the annual subscription to £7 per annum outlined on page 5 of The wide appeal both of his material and of Michael Williams’ presentation was evident in the the September newsletter. Subscriptions are now due and, for members who have been awaiting warm reception given by the very mixed audience. confirmation of the increase, a renewal form is enclosed. Let us hope that LASRUG can find similar common ground with other local groups for future events enabling us to widen railway interest in the community. 2 3 BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE THE SECRETARY’S RAMBLINGS In its annual report for 2013/14 the BTP reports During the past year I have lost track of the number of miles I have travelled on behalf of a significant fall in crime, but opportunist theft the organisations associated with the Bentham Line; however, the diverse destinations and drunkenness on trains and stations continue and venues stay in mind. to take up most police time. Vehicles on level crossings in the path of trains keep recurring. On a number of occasions this year I The incident below occurred at Silverdale have visited The Old Water Tower at earlier this year. Lancaster NPT – Autumn 2014 Huddersfield, the home of the Cases of violent behaviour also continue Association of Community Rail Silverdale collision to concern BTP. An assault on a Virgin Partnerships, a beautifully restored Page 1 train manager at Oxenholme in August, and very ‘green’ building housing Train Manager assaulted who was punched, knocked to the modern offices. The roof-top water Page 2 ground and kicked, was particularly tank now disguises arrays of solar serious. Transformation of BTP panels and water-recycling facilities. Page 2 However, the offence that LASRUG members probably witness most (and The building lies within a Grade-I Social media Listed conservation area which Page 3 certainly report to us) is most prevalent: fare evasion. It is pleasing to note that includes the magnificent neo- Training at Carnforth such cases as can be are pursued to court classical station building, which Page 4 opened in 1850, and the splendidly and result in substantial fines. Fewer Recent arrests passengers might try this, however, if renovated St. George’s Square, with Pages 4 & 5 train guards and conductors were more a very lifelike statue of Sir Harold thorough in issuing and checking tickets. BTP annual report Wilson. Page 5 Other destinations for meetings have Our contact details SilverdaleAGM 2014 Crossing Collision included Preston, Accrington, York, Page 5 Leeds and Scarborough, as well as The driverOur guestof a car speaker who lost this control year commenced.was Chris TheBeet, difficult whose process father of Dr. Peter Beet, it will be remembered, 20:20:10 objectives on thehelped approach found to Silverdale both Steamtown Level removing and the the car Lakeside from under theand front Haverthwaite of Railway. Chris’s upbringing many other venues along the Crossing ended up with his car stuck the train took time with the fire service Bentham Line. By 2019 we will: on thewas, running therefore, lines. against the backgroundbringing in an Urban of railways Rescue Team and from so he has had steam coursing through his veinsThe fromcrossing infancy. is situated on a Chorley. tight bend, and fortunately the driver The car driver subsequently Be the meetings in grand hotels, ñ Reduce disruption by managed to escape from the vehicle appeared at court where he was 20% He began with his early years, when he and his sister were truly railway children, more at home in council chambers, railway offices or without injury. Moments later the convicted of Driving Without Due Care Reduce crime by 20% ñ crossingthe activatedshadow asof athe freight coaling train stageand Attentionat Carnforth and received than ona finea garden of swing. Then he took us to his work company headquarters, the main ñ Increase passenger approached. With no time to stop, the £35, plus £105 costs, and four points on confidence by 10% as an engineer at the National Railway Museum and a fascinating episode in Ecuador, when he was theme has been the development of train ploughed into the car and shunted his licence. For Endangering the Safety ñ Deliver value for money it a sentconsiderable out to distance offer helpalong andthe adviceof a Person to onan the embryonic Railway he was heritage fined railway movement there. Finally we the line for the future, to ensure it plays its fullest part in serving the residents of the local track.heard about his most recent worka further at £3West5. His Coast insurance Railways company at Carnforth. will likely be paying significantly more. communities and bringing in visitors to enjoy this scenic line and the nearby natural BTP, local police, fire and ambulanceAll the services, members plus Network of the Rail Beet family have owned steam locomotives and Chris himself owns five, attractions, whilst at the same time promoting greener travel and outdoor activities.