Thoughts on the M&D line

[M&D]

I just come back from a holiday in Scotland and visited the site of the Waverley route heritage association @ Whitrope. What they have do is a miracle! I can recall not too long ago, this was a waste land track, now they have a growing railway and platform being built.
Returning to the M&D...
1) the route is rural, but near population centres for tourists and supporters ( Hull- Malton- Brid)
2) They got the same problem with a Tunnel (Whitrope and Burdale tunnel will cost millions to put right), but they have not given up on it, just mark it as a future project funding and grants willing.
3) Motive power and rolling stock is not an issue... once the railway is being restored, groups will appear. The Chairman told me they had many offers
4) Lastly, anybody who knows the area, it is beautiful and there is loads of things to visit!!
So, please log onto the Driffield online forum and leave a message of support

[M&D]

I spend several hours just looking at the possible M&D route from the Fimber roundabout to Southern portal of Burdale tunnel:
1) There seems good access @ the roundabout for supply/loco/rolling stock delivery
2) Two overgrown cuttings and possible L/c needed for farmer acess.
3) One road over rail bridge blocked up on the way to Towthorpe. Bridge looks in petty good nick
4) Trackbed seems cut by a property on Burdale lane. Is this a problem or opportunity?? Problem the railway is effectively finished. Opportunity?? possibly buy the property. Use the field in front of the house as a car park/Caravan site. Some sort of barn structure is visible: possible cover for wagon/loco work
5) Clear trackbed into the Burdale valley: Two minor over bridges missing :good supports
6) Large bridge missing @ access road to private house
Well I feel if the property on Burdale lane could be sorted at some stage (Visitors centre/caravan park, etc) A railway of 3.3 miles running through great scenery is assured. But it needs strong support locally/nationally. I'm not too sure about crossing Fimber roundabout to recreate a station base @opposite side of Beverley road. This would be logical: car park, easy access. What do you think??

[M&D]

A history lesson for those who are interested? On Friday 9th October 1845, the Malton & Driffield Junction railway was formed in Malton near the Market place. Then construction, closure to Passengers in 1950 and shut for freight in 1958.
Spurred on by other preservation successes and the will of various folk, 163 years later a meeting is going to be held in the same town at the same day (+/- one day)
So if you are serious about rebuilding a small section on the M&D, passionate about seeing the return of the Malton dodger to the Burdale valley with the tourism benefits or feel able to help? the invitation is there.
Friday 7th October 2008 @7pm the Old lodge, Old Malton gate, Malton,
So if you are serious, not just slightly interested! The decision is yours. Let's give the Yorkshire Wolds back it's railway!!
The power to return a G5 pulling the Malton dodger in Burdale is in your hands!!

[John B]

Great,

Just one small correction, the meeting is on Friday 10th october at 7.00pm.

Here are the full details from the Driffiled online forums.

John B

First Meeting

Just a quick note to say that a meeting is planned for Friday 10th October 2008 at Old Lodge, Malton at 7pm.

Venue details below taken from the hotel website...

The Old Lodge, Old Maltongate, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7EG

The Old Lodge is situated on Old Maltongate, a short walking distance from the town centre. The hotel offers ample and secure parking and is surrounded by a large garden, open fields and woodland. The setting is peaceful and ideal for relaxing after a hard day working or travelling.

From the South
From the A1M junction 45 take the A64 East, by-passing York, continue to the Malton exit. Follow this road to a set of traffic lights, straight over and we are approx. 200 yards up the hill on the right hand side.

From the North
From the A1 take the A61 to Thirsk, A170 to Helmsley then right onto the B1257 into Malton. Once in Malton turn left at the second set of traffic lights and we are approx 200 yards up the hill on the right.

Travelling by Rail or Bus
The 2 stations are next to each other, 5 minutes easy walking from the hotel. Cross over the Derwent river up to the 'T Junction'. Turn right and cross the traffic lights, heading up the hill. The hotel can be found 200 yards on the right hand side.

Sat Nav: Old Maltongate, YO17 7EG, but your Nav will probably take you to the Church that's next to us, just over our back garden wall. Once you're at the Church, go down to the main road (Old Maltongate) and turn right and we're about 100 yards on the right.

[52D]

Just a quick note to wish you and your meeting good luck

George52D

[Solario]

All the best for tonight's meeting!

Please keep us posted.

[M&D]

Thanks for all the support! I just hope serious folk show 163 years later in the same town (+/- one day) when the original company was formed. I want to say the following:
1) Many folk have already put in loads of behind the scenes work. (You know who you are!!)
2) The Lner faithfully brought back Tornado from the dead...can't you help the "Main line that never was"?. BRB state they can only maintain structures for a certain amount of time before they are gone!!
3) Honestly, I had my doubts before. Just do a track walk at Wharram, Burdale and Fimber. Most of the stations are still there as well as earth works. If Peak rail can capture the peak district, WRHA are doing it in the Borders and THE S&D trust are going from strength to strenght at Midsommer Norton ...why not in the Beautiful yorkshire wolds?
I promise to keep you informed...Anybody up for "the friends of Wharram station?"

[M&D]

On Friday, there was one good sign before the meeting started, one of our members spotted a Network rail van in Wetwang!
Well we have founded the Yorkshire Wolds railway, got our committee and posts sorted. Look out for press releases in the Malton & Driffield press. So officially we have started work, everybody at present is busy seeing what they can do! Our website will be up and running soon, the bank account will be sorted soon. So LNER faithful, you brought Tornado back from the dead...now it is the time for the "Main line that never was".
We already got several pledges and good contacts with the press. Our next meeting will be held in Driffield..you are free to come ago. Date and place to follow.

[richard]

Keep us in touch with what is happening - and don't forget the news folder in these forums.

Good luck!

Richard

[6700mike]

The Network Rail van was mine and I intend visiting the next meeting, I have a large collection of M & D photographs which I have been collecting for over 30 years including pictures of inside Burdale tunnel showing the collapse, i also have the act of parliament for building the line plus numerous other artifacts

[M&D]

Well Sir, it was a pleasure seeing your van in Wetwang. A good omen, I hope in my lifetime we will be in Wetwang station ballasting the track, sorting out the tea-room, tending the garden, etc..
Well let's get down to business. Next meeting 7pm on Monday 7th November in the Access centre, Exchange street, Driffield. Everyone is welcome, you have all a role to play; Join the party, we are here to meet new people, restore a scenic Branch line, and be that friendly iconic English rural line. Please check out the Driffield on-line website to contact us!

[M&D]

Great to see folks are actually reading about this project. We still know there is loads of interest in East Yorkshire / Ryedale area for this project. Not just from a railway point of view, but from a tourist angle (just imagine the view on top of Wharram Lime crushing tower), environmental concern (Wharram/ Sledmere can't take anymore car/coach parks) and regeneration (villages like Wetwang have been craving a decent attraction for years: Folks are not going to Stop and Spend just because Richard Whiteley once was the local top man)
So folks there is a meeting in Malton (the old lodge) probably on the 11th December @ 7pm. Please come on and see what you think! We are a friendly lot, not rose-tinted specs here, just a serious challenge to reopen the M&D (at least a small portion for now!)

[Cath Neal]

Dear all, I am an archaeologist just writing up a PhD about the archaeology of the dry valleys on the wolds, and Fairy Dale /Burdale is one of my study areas. I have been researching some background to the railway and the quarry and I was really interested to see 6700Mike has some photos of inside the tunnel and also some artefacts .... I would be really keen to know what the artefacts were and to have a copy of an internal tunnel shot if possible - with due acknowledgement of course!
Many thanks
Cath

[M&D]

Dear Cath Neal,
Thanks for your input. As far as I am aware the NRM holds the staff to control Wharram to Fimber section and apart from that its all a grey area. One local has warned against purchasing any lamps from Burdale station (as they maybe ripp offs).
Can I ask a huge favour? If we ever get the Yorkshire Wolds railway off the ground, would you be prepared to exhibit your works as a public display? I know it seems like a long way off, but I think such a public exhibit would be great at a re-built Fimber & Sledmere station. It would surely capture the essence of the M&D. If you or anybody you meet have stories, photos or any information likely to help, please post them on the Driffield online forum.

[Solario]

Hi M&D,

Have you got a membership subscription set up? If so could you post the details?

Cheers,
Richard