Don Valley Railway Annual General Meeting Meeting

The Don Valley Railway Project’s aim during 2014 of funding and commissioning a detailed study showing how passenger trains to Stocksbridge will be introduced is the main issue for discussion at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

In addition, news that a petition to Sheffield City Council, endorsed by Stocksbridge Town Council, demonstrates the scale of support for the idea of bringing passenger services back to the line.

Don Valley Railway’s future aspirations received two boosts during 2013 as Sheffield’s City Centre Strategy included Supertram extensions and it was confirmed that the Rotherham Tram Train Extension and Study will go ahead. This will demonstrate whether or not Tram Train technology is viable on the route to Stocksbridge.

Supporters were also pleased to see a passenger train back on the line last Saturday.

UK Railtours ran the train for enthusiasts to see some of the less used parts of the rail network. As well as the Don Valley Line, the train visited rail lines in Hull Docks and the freight-only South Yorkshire Joint line between Worksop and Doncaster.

Unfortunately it was not easy for locals to be on board as the train picked passengers up at London Kings Cross and Peterborough only. “We hope to see the day when passengers are regularly transported along this line again soon” said Chris Bell of the Don Valley Railway Project.

Notes

1, Don Valley Railway aims to introduce passenger services between Stocksbridge/Deepcar and central Sheffield using the currently freight-only railway line between and serving TATA Steelworks in Stocksbridge from Woodburn Junction in Sheffield.

2, Ove Arup and Partners Ltd (Arup) in 2010 produced an engineering feasibility study on behalf of Don Valley Railway to evaluate the potential for operating a reliable diesel powered commuter rail service along the route between Sheffield and Stocksbridge which it is hoped will contribute to creating a business case for the re-opening of passenger services on the rail link.

The proposed study to take place in 2014 will ascertain if a service is viable and consider what type of rail vehicle is used (i.e. tram or train, electric, diesel or renewable power); the stopping pattern of the service (i.e. where intermediate stops are located and the frequency of service); and how the service on the Don Valley Line may extend onto the wider rail network or Supertram network.

3, Arup recommended that the most cost effective train service option is a simple shuttle between a station close to the site of the former Sheffield Victoria to Deepcar. This could operate on a 2 trains per hour basis with no intermediate stops, utilising a single diesel multiple unit train. According to Arup this option would require subsidy. Don Valley Railway have since investigated alternative rail methods that may the need for subsidy via Ultra Light Rapid Transit vehicles that use low carbon methods without the need for overhead electrification.

4, Further information about Don Valley Railway can be found at http://www.donvalleyrailway.org

6, Further Enquiries can be addressed to Chris Bell (07986 759259)