Friends of the Lymington to Brockenhurst Line
NEWSLETTER NO. 4: AUGUST 2010
Dear Friends,
Recent news and concerns. In addition to a very enjoyable excursion on 3rd July to Swanage, which gave us a chance to travel on the Swanage to Corfe Castle Line, the Friends have been addressing more serious topics which are relevant to travel on “our” line. We have intervened in problems relating to the limited number of bicycles allowed on the train since 22nd May, and in thoughtlessly parked buses at Lymington Town station. If any of you hear about problems which we can perhaps help to solve, please let us know: or if you have any other concerns or suggestions.
The timetable. The present lack of tie-up between the London trains and the branch line is to be remedied on December 10th, when the new timetable comes into force: tremendous news! Please tell as many people as you can, as it will help to encourage people back to using the branch line as part of their daily commute.
Future events for the Friends. On Saturday 25th September is the visit to Eastleigh, with a gathering at 09.00 am and departure from Lymington Town on the 09.16 am train to Brockenhurst, followed by the mainline train to Eastleigh at 09.33. We shall visit the museum, which has a fascinating collection of photographs of the Eastleigh railway works and trains. For those who would like to, we return by train as far as South ampton Airport Parkway, where we walk to the Lakeside miniature ride-on railway, with a proposed return to Lymington Town at 17.06 pm. Would those who are interested please email me on gc@gcraufurd@wanadoo.co.uk to make sure that enough people are interested. (Thanks are due to John Canavan for devising the timetable.)
On Monday 8th November we have a not entirely serious talk from David Brace on “Confessions of a Rail Tour operator – Canada”, at Lymington Community Centre at 7.30 pm, cost £2 per person to cover room hire etc. Coffee and biscuits will be available. David’s hobby is organising tours by rail all over the world, but things don’t always go according to plan….. This is a follow-on from his talk ten days before on 29th October to the Railway Club of the New Forest; contact me for further details.
Early in the New Year will be the AGM, which will probably be followed by showings of short DVDs of the 22nd May and other recent events. Details will be announced later.
Finally, your Committee member Mike Hedderly is organising two French (Alsace & Lorraine) steam tours (UK start/finish) on 17th-21st September and 8th-11th October; email him on mthedderly@btinternet.com . They sound fun! Details at Lymington Town station.
With best wishes from your Committee, who hope to see you at these events.
Georgina Craufurd
Hon. Secretary. gc@gcraufurd.wanadoo.co.uk