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Press Release 28th December 2011
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DON VALLEY RAILWAY 7.30 PM MONDAY 16th JANUARY 2012 – HARLEQUIN PUB
Don Valley Railway hold their Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 16th January 2012 at the Harlequin Pub, Nursery Street, Sheffield.
At this meeting DVR will announce that railway safety training will be offered to anyone volunteering to help with the project and set out how new-innovative-British-built light weight trains could be trialled on the Don Valley Line which could potentially transform branch line services across the country.
Volunteers wanted:
Don Valley Railway are putting into place an action plan for starting conservation voluntary work on the route. This involves inviting volunteers to take part in track safety training. So anyone interested in volunteering should Contact Don Valley Railway via our email at donvalleyrailway@hotmail.co.uk
Or call 07986 759259 for further details, or just turn up on Monday 16th.
Don Valley are also to engage in discussions with Network Rail regarding a plan to realise the aspiration to start environmental enhancements along the Don Valley Line. It is hoped that this could result in one of the disused stations on the route being re-furbished such that it can allow rail tours and folk trains to visit the area and for passengers to disembark.
Introduction of a passenger service:
At the AGM research into how the business case for funding introducing a commuter rail service serving the Upper Don Valley between Sheffield and Stocksbridge can be improved with the use of innovative rail vehicle technology provided by West Midlands company Parry People Movers.
For some years Parry People Movers Ltd, based in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands have operated their unique rail vehicle on the One kilometre long Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction line linking the town centre to the rail network.
Having received a grant to develop a suitable train to operate on branch lines which raises the quality of service and reduces the cost of operation. The Don Valley Line with its good quality track along a busy commuter corridor into a large city represents a good test bed for for Parry.
Notes
1, Don Valley Railway aims to introduce passenger services between Stocksbridge/Deepcar and central Sheffield using the currently freight-only railiway line between and serving Corus Steelworks in Stocksbridge from Woodburn Junction in Sheffield with the future aspiration of extending this service along the route of the Woodhead Rail line from the Junction at Deepcar.
2, The Don Valley Railway Business Plan is based on developing three main aspects:
- Delivery of a business plan for a commuter rail service between Deepcar/Stocksbridge and Sheffield
- Develop Environmental improvements along the route
- Develop fundraising
- Look at ways of integrating the Don Valley Railway project into other rail aspirations linking the service to Penistone and possibly Manchester vial the Woodhead Rail Route and to the East into the South Yorkshire Rail Network.
3, In 2010 Ove Arup and Partners Ltd (Arup) produced an engineering feasibility study on behalf of Don Valley Railway to evaluate the potential for operating a reliable commuter rail service along the route between Sheffield and Stocksbridge which it is hoped will contribute to creating a business case for the re-opening of passenger services on the rail link.
4, Arup’s study recommended that the easiest to get into operation is a rail service operated by a single Diesel multiple unit between a re-opened station at Sheffield Victoria and Deepcar providing a half-hourly.
5, This service would require the relatively small cost of £4.3million to implement but if done on a tranditional franchised basis it would require a subsidy. However that subsidy would be lower than the average subsidy per passenger for rail travelers on SYPTE local services (based on 2006 data).
6, As part of the business plan Don Valley Railway are investigating cheaper methods of operation. As part of this we have investigated Parry People Movers ultra light rapid transit.
7, Parry People Movers are small light weight rail vehicles that can operate on rail lines Further information can be found about the project on Parry People Movers Website. www.parrypeoplemovers,com
8, Further Enquiries can be addressed to Paul Denton (0752 845 2898)
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Group meeting, December 13th 2011
Hello all, just a quick note to say our next meeting is being held at the Harlequin pub, Sheffield, on Tuesday the 13th of December at 7pm.
These meetings are open to any interested parties, so if you’re keen to find out more about the project or if you’d like to get involved, please feel free to come along.
See you there folks.
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Interested in attending our next meeting?
Want to find out more about the project? Would you like to get involved? Attend our forthcoming meeting on Thursday 15th October, between 7pm – 9pm held upstairs at the Harlequin pub, Nursery Street, Sheffield.
Potential new committee members will be welcomed!
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Innovative vehicles under investigation on the Don Valley Line
Initial talks have taken place between the Don Valley Railway and Parry People Movers, manufacturers and operators of specialist Ultra-Light Rapid Transit vehicles.
For some years Parry, based in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands have operated their unique rail vehicle on the One kilometre long Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction line linking the town centre to the rail network. They have received a Government grant of £247,000 to develop a suitable rail vehicle to meet the future needs of rail travel on local lines reducing the costs of operation whilst developing the quality of service.
Last year the McNulty Report set out to the rail industry the need to develop new methods to drive up standards of service and drive down costs to enhance the provision of rail services.
We have held initial discussions with Parry with the aim of developing a business plan for the development of the technology.
Further information can be found about the project on Parry People Movers Website
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Tunnel Vision Ale is here!
Its available in Sheffield at The Harlequin, The Hillsborough Hotel, The Riverside and The Kelham Island Tavern, and should shortly be arriving at the Rutland and The University Arms. It is available far and wide across the country with orders coming in from as far away as Berwick upon Tweed.
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Tagged Beer, Real Ale, The Brew Company, The Harlequin, Tunnel Vision
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Press Release 22nd June 2011
Don valley railway drinks to a sucess at re-launch on 30th anniversary of closure of woodhead line
As Saturday 16th July 2011, the 30th Anniversary of the Woodhead Line’s closure approaches, Don Valley Railway can see light at the end of the tunnel with a new website launching, plans for re-introducing trains on the line between Sheffield and Stocksbridge on track and a new beer to mark the momentous 30 year wait for the route’s re-opening. To mark the anniversary members of the group will walk the line and are inviting interested members of the public to join them.
Saturday 16th July 2011 marks exactly 30 years since the last train ran through the Woodhead Tunnel along the Manchester-Sheffield Trans-Pennine line. Ever since then there have been voices calling for the route’s re-instatement, pointing to the economic, social and environmental benefits the line delivered.
Don Valley Railway, a not-for-profit company and a registered charity run by the community, for the community, have been working to introduce a viable commuter service between Sheffield and Stocksbridge using the existing freight route in the Upper Don Valley.
With a new steering group working hard to deliver the Sheffield-Stocksbridge project on time, a brand new website is to be officially re-launched on July 16th 2011 stating the groups aims and outlining the work it’s been carrying out.
To mark the website re-launch and the anniversary, Don Valley Railway, asked Pete Roberts, micro-brewer and landlord of the Harlequin Pub, Nursery Street, Sheffield to produce a suitable beer for the occasion and he has duly obliged.
Tunnel Vision Bitter, a mid brown 4% strength session beer has been produced and should be available in real ale pubs in Sheffield, Huddersfield, Manchester and at many other locations across the north of England.
Don Valley Railway treasurer Paul Denton says:
“At the time of its closure Woodhead was the most modern rail tunnel in Britain. Calling the beer ‘Tunnel Vision’ sums up what a lot of people think. The potential of reopening this railway for passengers from Sheffield to Stocksbridge or Manchester should be taken seriously.”
On the day of the anniversary, Don Valley Railway invites you to walk the line with them. A walk along the railway will take place starting at Deepcar Station(11.00). You can join at Penistone (12.30) or Hazelhead (13.30) before going on the route of the line to Dunford Bridge and then up onto the moors where we will rendezvous with the Re-Open the Woodhead Line Group at 3pm, who wish to see the whole line open and will walk the line from Hadfield on the other side , before returning.
Notes
1 Don Valley Railway aims to introduce passenger services between Stocksbridge/Deepcar and central Sheffield using the currently freight-only railway line between and serving Tata Steelworks in Stocksbridge from Woodburn Junction in Sheffield with the future aspiration of extending this service along the route of the Woodhead Rail line from the Junction at Deepcar.
2 Ove Arup and Partners Ltd (Arup) last year produced an engineering feasibility study on behalf of Don Valley Railway to evaluate the potential for operating a reliable commuter rail service along the route between Sheffield and Stocksbridge which it is hoped will contribute to creating a business case for the re-opening of passenger services on the rail link.
3 Arup recommended that the most cost effective train service option is a simple shuttle between a station close to the site of the former Sheffield Victoria and Deepcar. This could operate on a 2 trains-per-hour basis with no intermediate stops, utilising a single train. Diesel-powered rolling stock is seen as the most suitable for the operation of the line.
This option is also potentially the easiest to get into operation. Enhancements could be made in the future as funds allow to extend into the centre of Stocksbridge, and provide additional stations at Oughtibridge and Wadsley Bridge, and extensions towards Penistone
4 Further Enquiries can be addressed to Chris Bell (07986 759259) or Paul Denton (0752 845 2898)
5 More details available about the walk on the website
Walking the Woodhead
On Saturday the 16th of July, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the closure of the Woodhead Rail Line, Don Valley Railway are inviting people to join them in walking the line.
We plan to walk from Deepcar to a point above the mid-point of the Woodhead Tunnel where we will rendezvous with people from the ReOpen the Woodhead Line Group, who are walking from Hadfield. We will then walk back.
This wall is about 16 miles there and back, but because we are walking on the old railway line it will be very easy going. If you do not wish to do the whole trail, you can of course just join us for a section of it.
We aim to depart from Deepcar Station at 11am.
We aim to arrive at Penistone by 12.30pm – People can meet us off the train from Sheffield which leaves Sheffield at 11.36 and arrives at Penistone at 12.18.
We will leave Penistone at 12.42pm after the train from Huddersfield arrives
You can meet us at Hazelhead at 13.30pm – where the line crosses the A616 just north of Flouch
You can meet us at Dunford Bridge at 14.30
We will then head up Windle Edge and onto the moor to the midpoint of the tunnel, arriving at 3pm.
After that we will return via the same route.
As I say just join us for a short section if you wish. If you plan to join any or all of the walk, remember to wear good walking shoes or boots, bring sun block, rain gear and a good supply of food and drink!
See you on the 16th to walk the line.
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Wharncliffe Woods Access Campaign
If you’re a regular visitor to Wharncliffe Woods you might be interested in supporting the Wharncliffe Woods Access Campaign.
Though strictly unofficial, the level crossing just north of Oughtibridge Station was used by countless local residents for years as a far safer way of getting into the woods than using the official access point further up the hill. Recent residential developments have now blocked this unofficial route, forcing visitors to the woods to walk over the narrow bridge carrying the main road, which can be very scary at times with its limited visibility, heavy, fast traffic and no footpaths on either side.
The group are trying to sort this problem by reinstating the original crossing point at Oughtibridge station. It’s a worthy campaign, visit their website for further details.
Posted in Local Information
Tagged Campaigns, Local Info, Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Woods
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Guide Bridge Event
This Thursday the group will be taking a trip over the Pennines to attend the Rail Campaigner’s Summit at Guide Bridge Theatre.
We’ll be there along with representations from campaigns from Reddish North Station and Denton Station, as well as the host group, our friends from the Campaign to Re-open the Woodhead Line. We’ll also be hearing from Jim Bamford, the Rail Officer for Notts County Council, on the success of the re-opening of the Robin Hood Line and the broader lessons for rail campaigns.
Hopefully we’ll be able to share some useful information and we’re looking forward to hearing what the other groups have been up to.
We’ll let you know how it goes.
Thanks to Flickr member Roger Marks for making the above photo available for reproduction under a creative commons licence.