The Southwold Railway are having a few problems from the locals. They don't want Southwold turned into 'Toy Town'.
They obviously have a 70s idea of preservationists - as knuckle dragging Asperger's Displaying NHS-wearing train buffs. And a 70s idea of what the Southwold Railway will be - a plaything for the socially inept and wealthy.
Perhaps the Southwold Railway need to be proactive and explain that all communities will need railways in the future as Peak Oil hits. That what they are planning is first and foremost a transport link that will keep them attached to the wider world once their cars splutter to a stop. That a railway will be able to carry freight in and out, that unless they stake their claim now and start building their line before the rush they'll be left behind as the skills of railway workers and builders become a fought over commodity.
Fortunately at Midsomer Norton we seem to be bereft of the Learning Difficulties Community, and that we are welcomed with open arms. We have the advantage of having many members in the community who remember the line running up to 1966. The Southwold of course closed in 1929, few locals there will remember it.
The Southwold Railway WILL be rebuilt, it's just such a shame that a few locals can't understand what's going on ...
5 comments:
The Southwold countryside is for EVERYONE not just some selfish overgrown "enthusiasts" who wish to play trains at everyone else's expense.
LOL! You have quite spectacularly misunderstood my post and made an instant kneejerk reaction. If you'd READ my post you'd have spotted that I AGREE with the generalist position if taken on the surface. No-one is planning to 'play' trains - that attitude vanished in the 1970s. Southwold and its area will need transport into this century - as roads will be unable to do this post Peak Oil then rail, horses, bikes and walking will be the only solution. Not all of us can use the self-propulsion method, through youth, age, disability etc.
As you say, the countryside is for EVERYONE, including those who wish to help keep communities moving and prosperous in the future. That includes rail enthusiasts who, if you ever dared meet any, are neither selfish or 'overgrown' (whatever that means!)
Thanks for cheering up Sunday morning. With attitudes like yours reinstatement of your transport link is likely to happen sooner rather than later.
I assume you are also campaigning for the closure of roads which do far more damage to the countryside rather than the occasional train steaming through your lovely countryside!
I think that 'anonymous' has hit the nail on the head when he/she says quote 'The Southwold countryside is for EVERYONE'..., so I take it that he/she is NOT going to object, and to let EVERYONE enjoy the area - residents, the paying public, enthusiasts et al.
Its good to read that the reborn S&D is being welcomed with open arms, at least at the moment. I don't know what effect the Southwold Railway would have if it were to be rebuilt but, from what I can see from its website, it was always a bit of an oddity and, as it closed in 1929, I guess it hasn't been missed.
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