The UK's rail network is not in a good state - undermaintained, expensive, dirty, slow and not much fun to use. Contrast this with the large number of volunteer-run steam railways - these are run on almost no budget, are staffed by happy people, the trains run on time, the trains and carriages are attractively painted and the smells of oil and steam are everywhere.

So, this idea is to return the UK's rail network to steam power - this would make it attractive for volunteers to run it and they'd make a good job of it because they'd be doing it out of love.
-- hippo, Jan 10 2005

South Devon Railway http://www.southdevonrailway.org/
I travelled on this railway last year [hippo, Jan 10 2005]

I think this was the one I travelled on last year! http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
all staff in original costumes / tea & scones on board. [po, Jan 10 2005]

life's a beech(ing)
-- po, Jan 10 2005


I love this idea! I've always wanted to be a fireman (one who stokes the fire, not a firefighter) on a real steam engine. I also agree with Ian, it doesn't have to be strictly steam.
-- Coal Drag, Jan 10 2005


Train robbers need trains that are on time.
-- mensmaximus, Jan 10 2005


aaah, the Rickmansworth to Amersham line.. it's a crazy plan [hippo] but it just might work (+).
-- neilp, Jan 11 2005



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