Elsecar heritage railway R.I.P ?

Will it ever reopen?

[@borderlands6606]

I've only visited heritage railways, including Elsecar, as a punter not a volunteer. Interesting you say there was a lot of behind the scenes nonsense. I think preserved lines can be separated into those whose sole aim is to serve and entertain the public, and those run for the benefit of volunteers who see the paying public as a necessary inconvenience to maintain their hobby. The kindest description of some heritage railway volunteers I've come across is eccentric, and a few should definitely not be in public facing roles! Sorry to hear Elsecar has shut, as there aren't many standard gauge industrial lines to visit.

[@DicksonUK8]

What a fantastic video here. You represented the current situation in a sad and very moving way. It seems only yesterday that back in 2016 I enjoyed a footplate experience on the Birkenhead Steam Loco, a fantastic experience. I am so saddened to learn that post covid, this fabulous bit of history has fallen by the wayside. Your videos are so brilliantly presented, and genuine to the core. Thank you for your efforts here.

[@mcgowansontour]

Thank you. That means so much.

[@levelcrossing150]

What a great little video and how sad, I never knew anything about this railway. Heritage railways have had a good beating over the past few years and little or no help has been offered to keep them going. Everything is still there to bring this railway back to life and it has great potential for expanding in the future if the local authorities can just open their eyes and slacken the strings a little. This country needs to stop messing around with peoples lives and decide on what kind of world they want to live in by sorting this mess out soon. These railways need to be there when it happens or else our heritage will be lost forever and another car park or supermarket will be there to show for it. A lovely little railway and an important asset to the rest of the area, it's well worth fighting for just like people used to do. Good Luck.

[@mcgowansontour]

Well said. 👍👍

[@paulwakefield5633]

My wife and myself were volunteers for a short time in 2010 before I started with neuropathy in my legs and I can remember the early may bank holiday being an open day and we sat freezing on the station selling second hand books, but I can remember that certain people thought the railway was their hobby or a particular job was theirs and I thought then, the railway was not going anywhere other than its short length to the road as everyone had different ideas of what should be done. I still have my photos of the Class 14 that was painted in a rather strange way, the class 31 along with the Mardy Monster and the Earl Fitzwilliam. It is a shame what has happened as there are no heritage lines in South Yorkshire and living in Doncaster, it gets me that despite its Railway Heritage it has very little, only the new museum with its various exhibits but nothing functional. I do hope Barnsley Council can get some grants and get it going as I would love to come back and visit. Thanks for the video - Paul

[@mcgowansontour]

Hi Paul. Well said. I’m going back down in a week and trying to get answers as to what’s happening with it. So watch this space for another update on the railway. 👍

[@richardmessenger9474]

This is were lottery money should be going Instead of the arty farty and pc related groups...

[@grendel_nz]

I really enjoyed visiting a few times when MADfest ran. Lovely heritage. Please still take care of it. All in one place and the ironworks. Amazing. Shame it couldn't reach the shopping area and have another platform to bring ppl up to the Heritage Centre. Weedkiler will get rid of the weeds. Good to see the pump engine opened up. I only saw it covered in weeds in around 2004? Need new ppl hopefully w the skills.

[@richardpike6846]

Cracking little video pal. Would love to see it reopen. Sad state of affairs when a heritage attraction goes the same way as it’s industry 😕

[@steamfandan9682]

Know the feeling know of at least 3 heritage schemes that have sadly folded

[@steamfandan9682]

Sadly Elsecar not the only heritage group that has gone sadly

[@terrigoddard3448]

Such a shame
I used to call down from Leeds, on the old motorbike
A few years ago.
Even got pics of a class 31 & a class 08 and class 14 there.

[@octopus680]

Ive been a few times to that site and too late to have seen it in action and its a crying shame but i enjoyed your video and passion for it.

[@BritishPatriot662-4]

It is a shame these sort of things happen these beautiful little railway should be preserved and looked atfer

[@michaelhart895]

I guarantee you the council will have had their eyes on this site for some time .

[@likklej8]

The Government should give cash to these heritage lines to keep them open

[@mcgowansontour]

I totally agree with you. It’s such a shame.

[@dancedecker]

What a shame that it is currently closed and mothballed.
I visited this railway many years ago and was thinking of doing so again, but probably not just now, if it's closed.
Surely you would think that an area the size of Barnsley and it's hinterland, should have sufficient railway and heritage enthusiasts, such as the canal barge and steam pump engine guys (and gals), to be able to resurrect this place, but first, hopefully learning from the mistakes of the original incarnation.
As for it being overgrown.
I'm part of what is currently a potential heritage line over the border in Lancashire, that is shortly reopening as part of the national network, all things being equal.
We tackled undergrowth that made that lot at Elsecar, look like a window box, in about a month.
Ten lads and lasses, a petrol strimmer and a lot of tea, in a month, job done.
I really do hope there is a lifeline being offered as it was and could be again, such an asset to tourism in the area.
And I used to run holidays to Barnsley. Yes really and they were fantastic. Lovely people, beautiful places and much of it unspoilt too.
I wish the lifeline every success.
Please keep.us updated if you can.
Cheers.

[@mcgowansontour]

At moment we are waiting on Barnsley council to make the decision ,but if they reopen it I’m sure there will be plenty of volunteers like myself who will go down and bring it all back to life. 👍

[@dancedecker]

@@mcgowansontour Excellent. Glad to hear that. Good luck with it all.

[@andrewball2708]

That's a pity, and strange because the rest of the site seems to be doing really well and it's always busy down there. Surely if it did get resurrected it would be popular. But, like you say, anything like this needs a few people on side who can deal with the 'Real World' and not antagonise the people who ultimately make the decisions and usually care little for history.

[@robertclare6137]

That center has so much history, if only the people who actually had money to keep it going new

[@mcgowansontour]

It is such a shame Robert. I am truly gutted that this heritage railway, I think will not run again.
I’m going back down this week or next to do another video and try to find out what’s happening to the railway. So stay tuned. 👍

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

I believe that Birkenhead has gone to the Strathspey Railway. It was owned by GW Loco Group based at Southall. Before Elscear it come from Lincolnshire Wolds Railway where it was repainted there and run there throughout 2014 into 2015.

[@andrewcutts3197]

I visited Elsecar for the first time yesterday. What a shame. The rest of the site is amazing.

[@mcgowansontour]

Subscribe to me on TH-cam and I will let you know if anything changes. I will be the first to volunteer down there. 👍

[@stuartrawson5057]

Very sad to see this video i have only visited once and i had a fantastic day i hope one day this railway will return and finally get the extension to the line🤞i would definitely visit again

[@mcgowansontour]

Hi Stuart tune in next week for an update on the railway.

[@stuartrawson5057]

@@mcgowansontour will do thanks 👍

[@mcgowansontour]

Hopefully it will reopen 👍

[@oliverg9334]

Shame about this railway really. I only read today it had closed in 2020😢 hope someday someone buys it. Such a waste. Build the level crossing then never got permission

[@mcgowansontour]

It is a shame. We did get planning permission for the crossing but couldn’t get permission to use it with passengers on. Only works trains could use it. Hopefully it will reopen 👍

[@tonygibbs136]

I support everything in this video, except that I quite liked the Sentinels - local built for simplicity.
Let us hope!

[@mcgowansontour]

Everyone to their own Tony. Not my cup of tea those sentinels 😂😂

[@caroleast9636]

3:07 Not everyone’s cup of tea maybe, but interesting machines certainly.

[@tobycaunt9257]

Many a happy Sunday there good old John roebuck tim rodber aka turnip muncher as for mardy she's back on the rails after full rebuild

[@BritishPatriot662-4]

They are important history

[@AllensTrains]

What a sad video! From the sound of it, this heritage railway was badly constituted from the start with work roles and functions not being clearly defined. That lead to arguments and disagreements as to how the line should be run. The buildings do not appear to be in poor condition. From the state that it is in, I think it would not be an insurmountable task to reopen it. I think you best reopen it as a museum with static exhibits, as that would incur a lower cost. The public can be charged an admission fee to cover the cost of maintenance. I would consult the Beamish Open Air M,museum for help.

[@Crewecabking]

It’s making a return I’ve just seen a post about it being revived

[@mcgowansontour]

We will see?

[@iansmith3845]

I visited just a few years before it closed and was very interested to learn of your plans for the future.
Sorry to hear that there was some dispute and the railway was to be closed, what happened?
Hopefully, one day you will be able to get things running again.

[@eggs_trains]

One more sub and 1k!

[@elsecarheritagerailwaymyti695]

hi russ lv the video

[@djburland]

So sad

[@jetteraismabash4186]

Great video!
Do you what happened to Mardy Monster? (Where it is now)

[@mcgowansontour]

Yes it went somewhere in Nottingham. I have heard it’s done now?

[@pilgrim.5630]

Didn't know anything about this, shocking. Bloody councillors. 😡 Did they sell all the trains or scrap them ?

[@mcgowansontour]

They sold them all. 🤬🤬

[@flyingdroneswiththescoob9488]

a great but sad video :( its a shame to see our heritage closing down 1 by 1 and no one seems to wanna do anything about it, has there been an progress since this was recorded or is a dead ghost

[@mcgowansontour]

I’m afraid it’s a dead loss. All the track has been lifted in the station area, it’s a matter of time before the rest go. I’m so gutted. It’s sad to see all our hard work just ripped up. Wast of our time and effort.
I need to go down and do an update. ☹️☹️

[@flyingdroneswiththescoob9488]

@@mcgowansontour oh man this sucks to hear :( sorry to hear this, i really do feel for you and everyone else that was involved, but on the plus side at least you have your memory's of what was there and you still have your story's to tell :) no one can rip them up

[@mickd6942]

Visited loads of times with my daughters , would have loved to take my grandson

[@mcgowansontour]

Maybe one day. Fingers crossed 👍

[@steamfandan9682]

Birkenhead has being sold

[@NathanielPiscian]

R. I. P

[@milehighclassics]

Houses

[@mcgowansontour]

Unfortunately you could be right. ☹️☹️

[@patthewoodboy]

I have heard rumours it might be resurrected

[@mcgowansontour]

So have I Jonathan. Rumours!!!
I’m off down there in a week or so to do an update and see if I can get to the bottom of it. So watch this space. 👍👍

[@eggs_trains]

So is there plans to reopen or not?

[@mcgowansontour]

No just hearsay. Nothing from council yet.

[@eggs_trains]

@@mcgowansontour Thats sad. I love small railways so itl be sad to see this go completely