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| Mull Rail Press Release and statement from the Directors | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 10 Aug 2012, 04:57 PM (1,834 Views) | |
| Phil Ashworth | 10 Aug 2012, 04:57 PM Post #1 |
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I have been asked to post this by the directors. If there is any serious interest I would suggest the party/parties makes contact with the railway without delay. Here is a press release issued on behalf of the Mull and West Highland Railway Company, Mull Rail, which sadly marks the final act in the railway’s history. Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Press Release The following statement has been issued on behalf of the directors of Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway Co. Ltd. “With the imminent ending of the Mull and West Highland Narrow Gauge Railway’s ground lease at Torosay and no forthcoming interest in retaining the line, the directors have taken the reluctant decision to lift, remove and dispose of their Isle of Mull assets. It had been hoped that a purchaser of the castle would look sympathetically upon the railway as a valid tourist attraction and either take over the operation on Mull or allow its continuance with a new lease and license to operate. However it is understood that the castle and grounds have now been sold and the agents have advised that the railway is no longer welcome. Extensive discussions with local authorities, the National Park and Scottish Enterprise investigated an alternative location at Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond but time has run out for the move to the West Bank in Balloch. A recent assessment of potential passenger volumes shows that a 10¼” gauge line would have difficulty in coping with the requirements of this proposed community rail link from Balloch village to Lomond Shores. It is hoped that the extensive work done to date by the Mull team will be diverted now to progressing the Balloch/Lomond Shores proposal but with equipment capable of greater capacity. The railway’s directors are therefore now seeking serious buyers for their 10¼” gauge locomotives, coaches, 1.5 miles of track and ancillary equipment. Interested parties should contact the company at: info@mullrail.co.uk. Notes to Editors Full services were suspended at the end of the 2010 season. Last year a skeleton service was run. The lots include two locomotives; Steam engine Victoria 2-6-2T. Built by Mouse Boiler Works in 1993. Frances, a Bo-Bo Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive completed in 2000. In addition 13 coaches, 1.5 miles of track, 17 points, spare rail, tools and ancillary equipment. |
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| Murray Tremellen | 10 Aug 2012, 05:46 PM Post #2 |
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Sad news indeed Dare I ask why Lady of the Isles is not included in the sale?
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| Phil Ashworth | 10 Aug 2012, 05:52 PM Post #3 |
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LOTI is privately owned. |
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| colinpeake | 10 Aug 2012, 08:48 PM Post #4 |
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MRW Digest Editor
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Sad news indeed. I had hopes the Balloch scheme would give some compensation to the loss on Mull. I suppose it is odd to see passenger expectations being too high as the reason for not going ahead... Are the existing Mull team behind the larger gauge scheme at Balloch or is another operator being sought? Colin |
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Colin Peake MRW Digest Editor My blog: O9 Modeller | |
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| Merlin | 11 Aug 2012, 08:04 AM Post #5 |
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A new company the Balloch & Loch Lomond Railway Company was registered in Scotland on 22nd May 2012. |
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Mike Hanson Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, Nr. Leek in Staffordshire, ST13 8PF Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website | |
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| Merlin | 11 Aug 2012, 08:17 AM Post #6 |
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I forgot to add that Victoria is in steam today and will run on a number of other dates which will be agreed next week. If people are interested in her please contact Mull or email me first rather than simply turning up unexpectedly at Rudyard. We are running the daily service at the moment so you could well have a wasted journey if we are not expecting you. |
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Mike Hanson Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, Nr. Leek in Staffordshire, ST13 8PF Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website | |
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| swaffrail | 13 Sep 2012, 11:40 PM Post #7 |
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I understand that the complete railway stock that is currently still on the Isle of Mull has been sold to a private indivual, further more it is to remain in Scotland. Victoria remains for sale & is curentlly on the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway. I suspect I drove the last train to Craignure on the 21st August driving Frances with 3 coaches whilst I was viewing items with a view to purchase. The track was to be lifted at Craignure station the next days. A geat shame as it was a good set up, but at least it has been sold as a complete railway. |
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| Merlin | 14 Sep 2012, 10:25 PM Post #8 |
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I understand that swaffrail is right and Victoria will be re-advertsied for sale. She will steam at our steam gala at Rudyard next weekend (September 22 & 23) for the last time at Rudyard then go into store at another location. So after the gala we will be removing the air brake system we fitted and clean her down for storage wherever that might be. |
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Mike Hanson Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, Nr. Leek in Staffordshire, ST13 8PF Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website | |
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| Merlin | 17 Sep 2012, 06:48 PM Post #9 |
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As a follow up to the previous post if you are interested in buying Victoria you must first make contact with Mull Rail first at info@mullrail.co.uk to arrange to see her. Please don't just turn up unannounced at Rudyard as someone did at 4pm on Sunday when we were packing up at the end of a busy weekend. You will be as disappointed as this person was. |
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Mike Hanson Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, Nr. Leek in Staffordshire, ST13 8PF Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website | |
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| Merlin | 11 Oct 2012, 12:15 AM Post #10 |
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Latest update is: Victoria will probably stay with us at Rudyard until its sold. Do email info@mullrail if you want to see it. The track on Mull is lifted apart from Torosay station area. Most of the rolling stock has gone and all will be gone very soon. The site has to be cleared by the end of the month. Edited by Merlin, 11 Oct 2012, 12:43 PM.
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Mike Hanson Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, Nr. Leek in Staffordshire, ST13 8PF Rudyard Lake Steam Railway website | |
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Dare I ask why Lady of the Isles is not included in the sale?
1:53 AM Jul 11