Soar Valley Light wrote: ↑Wed May 08, 2024 9:02 pm
Hi Andrew,
That's sad to see and hear. I hope something can rise from the ashes. Maybe not a phoenix, perhaps Y Rhiw Goch in your case? Changes are sometimes forced on us but they aren't always all bad. I hope that you can monopolise on the opportunity.
I can sympathise, It's been ages since I was on here because I'm sad to say that my SVLR is officially closed and defunct. The track became unusable over 18months ago and the vegetation has crept in and over. I have to say I chose my plants well as it now presents a really good impression of a long disused railway. Using the Filcris in the way I did was a shocking idea. Complete demolition and rebuilding is inevitable (on concrete!) - if I can find the will. I might be more inclined if I'd ever really got things up and running.
Your line was well and truly up and running though, it's been an established line a for quite a while now. It has it's own history, besides it's back story. I hope you can find the motivation and drive to rebuild and even develop the (WH)WHR. Your line has always been an inspiration to me and I'd be delighted to it come back to life. You have some beautiful rolling stock which fits your garden setting really well. I think that was one of the big attractions to me. I hope I'm providing some encouragement for you to plan and execute a restoration plan - that's certainly my intention!
Looking forward to great things .....
SVLR Andrew
Hi Andrew (and all!)
Thanks for the kind words, which are very much appreciated!
Please don't worry, it's not so much a lack of drive and motivation as changed short-term to medium-term priorities. There's lots to do to the house, now accelerated by the recent settlement of an insurance claim, plus the issue of where and how we live now the children are all independent-ish, which
may result in a move.
In addition, the railway is in an increasingly bad state of repair, particularly the wooden bits, some of which were used under a previous line and are now approaching twenty years old. Plus, although the overall concept works, there are definitely things I'd do differently that get in the way of enjoying the existing set up.
The plan (when I can find those bloomin' fishplates!) is to temporarily reconnect the line asap, then to run trains merrily for another summer. After that is uncertain, but may well result in lifting the current line, in order to facilitate either a house move or rebuilding. Either way, a new railway will emerge, incorporating all the lessons learned building this one - it might just take a little time.
I'm sorry that the SVLR is no more, Andrew. I enjoyed watching it evolve, and the thought and imagination you put into it all. I hope you find a way to resurrect it. You're right though - that old cliche about getting something running is key to maintaining enthusiasm, I think. I'm contemplating an oval of Peco set track on the patio if the current line does indeed cease operating.
All the best,
Andrew.
We have to move on with things I suppose and maybe it is for the better that space to build something that is crying out for it. 
