Andy Tunstall

Just to share - I asked Network Rail what the status of the line from Madeley Junction to Ironbridge Power Station was: "We don’t hold any information about works to enable the reopening of the line. In the course of our normal work, however, we have undertaken bridge strengthening works on the Albert Edward Bridge. The Line of Route is technically still in use though currently carries no trains, we are carrying out these works with programmes due to complete in Spring 2023. We are aware of a proposal by the developer of the former Ironbridge Power Station to consider the possibility of removing materials by rail. Our structures renewal noted above, and some additional relatively minor maintenance, will allow the Line of Route to carry trains following the completion of the works at Albert Edward Bridge. Network Rail 7th July 2022" So it isn't disused, and reopening an existing freight line for passengers would be to the lower end of the scale. Compare to Okehampton reopening, that was £41 M for a longer section or relaid track. Major cost would be a station in Coalbrookdale, they seem to be about £10 M for a single platform (e.g. Bow Street near Aber). Unlike Okehampton though there are at least 500,000 visitors per year to the 10 Ironbridge Museum sites, plus many who just come to look at the bridge, so there would be substantial savings in Carbon, Pollution and Congestion if even some people diverted from cars to a simple train service from Wolverhampton to "Ironbridge Gorge". Further possibilities could be extra stations at the new homes site at the power station and Madeley for the Academy. Connecting to Telford Steam Railway would be interesting but the idea of connecting Ironbridge to Bridgnorth is ridiculous: - Poor condition of viaduct from the power station to Ironbridge - Nowhere for a station in Ironbridge as it is now a car park - Subsidence issues around Jackfield - Coalport and Linley stations are privately owned - Golf Course across the way at Bridgnorth - State of Brignorth tunnel - A new home built on the SVR side of the tunnel - No bridge into the SVR All for what benefit - the SVR is already successful. Keep it simple, start with a single station (with a hire bike hub), served by Hydroflex hybrid (electric/hydrogen) trains and connection to the mainline, look at the TSR project over time and connect all the other parts of the Gorge with hydrogen fuel cell buses.