What If??

[johnofwessex]

The GWR had taken over the S&D

 

As far as I can see

 

1. The Somerset Coalfield could have been serviced via the Frome to Bristol line

2. The line South of Evercreech isnt particularly restricted in terms of loading gauge as prior to WW2 GWR Outside Framed 4-4-0's worked Weston to Bournemouth trains

3. Until the early 60's there wasnt enough capacity to take the traffic from The Midlands to the South Coast other than via the S&D

4. The interesting 'what if' however has to be the tunnels outside Bath as they are rather restricted

 

Ideas?

[Guest Jack Benson]

19 minutes ago, johnofwessex said:

The GWR had taken over the S&D

 

As far as I can see

 

1. The Somerset Coalfield could have been serviced via the Frome to Bristol line

 

Ideas?

 The Somerset Coalfield was serviced by the Bristol and North Somerset line, indeed after closure of the SDJR a link was installed at Radstock. Moreover, by the end of the 40s Highbridge Wharves had become almost moribund as larger modern colliers could not access them and the decreasing level of coal traffic precluded further investment. 

 

Try the Mike Vincent, Through Countryside and Coalfield for a full explanation.

 

Cheers

 

Jack

[RailWest]

>>>4. The interesting 'what if' however has to be the tunnels outside Bath as they are rather restricted...

 

That would have been dealt with by the GWR/LMS proposal for a new 'joint' station at Bath with the S&DJR tunnels being by-passed using new connections to an upgraded Camerton Branch....

[Captain Kernow]

4 hours ago, RailWest said:

That would have been dealt with by the GWR/LMS proposal for a new 'joint' station at Bath with the S&DJR tunnels being by-passed using new connections to an upgraded Camerton Branch....

The whole 'Bath Central' scheme is indeed a fascinating 'what if?'.

 

There must be quite a few interesting possibilities for a layout, based on that scheme.

 

I once got to the stage of surveying a possible link to a new shed in the western suburbs of Bath, complete with clip board, to the bemusement of anyone who could be bothered to give us a second glance.