TRACK TALK

➜ We really need those LSWR dining cars to be rescued

YOUR story in issue 280 that LSWR dining cars Nos. 70 and 76 face the possibility of being broken up at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway is a surprise, given that the heritage railway movement has been established now, and progressing, for more than 60 years and has an enlightened view of the value of such very old vehicles.

I know all about the problems; transportation costs, storage, and long-term and expensive restoration. I've been involved in four coaches myself. But dining cars?

Wine and dine trains are purported to be a big money-spinner and these cars are more than 100 years old with a chequered history the public love to be told about.

If heritage railways are serious about getting young people involved through apprentice schemes, they need to be given something really interesting to work on, and a coach offers both woodworking and mechanical engineering skills.

The more recently-formed preservation sites have precious little, if any, vintage coaching stock. A short ride in a ‘Pacer' may cheaply earn a few bob but is unlikely to enthuse potential new members to get involved.

Few LSWR coaches of any sort have been saved. Surely, we can't allow 1907/1908 vehicles, already partly restored, to be destroyed.

NJ Bailey, email

➜ Louth reopening is a goer – but only from the north

THERE is, in my opinion, no conceivable way, despite good intentions, that the 18 ½ mile section from Firsby northwards to Louth will ever be rebuilt (News, issue 280).

Extending the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway southwards from Ludborough a further 4 ½ miles to Louth as a tourist railway is, however, a realistic possibility, unlike some other far-fetched ideas currently being promulgated.

Charles Allenby, Malton, North Yorkshire