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Originally Posted by 60159
It was a godsend for the then Minister for Transport, Earnest Marples, who was very much a "roads" man and anti railway who took the opportunity of describing such railway enthusiasts as "unbalanced nutters in need of help"
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Yes Marples was certainly the scourge of rail enthusiasts and certainly not the type of Cheshire MP that we need today when trying to get this project up and running.
Rumour has it that he was instrumental in the decision not to award a knighthood to Ian Allan for his services to trainspotting. Although Ian Allan did publish road transport books Marples never forgave him for bringing out the ABC railway series.
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Originally Posted by 60159
I remember reading somewhere that a disillusioned member of HOLTS actually challenged Beeching to a duel on the lawn outside the House of Lords when he heard his local railway was to be axed. Press got a hold of the story putting the future of the Society in some doubt and it went Underground for a while.
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Originally Posted by steam for ever
Heres something I should mention, it isnt that lord Millet. It is lord Millett who is a completely different person. Sorry for the confusion.
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I'm glad we've sorted out that misunderstanding. Actually I'm not even sure that Lord Millet of HOLTS fame is still alive. I know, after being forced Underground, that he suffered horric injuries when his ceremonial robes became caught in an escalator at Victoria tube station. In fact, it was this incident which resulted in the society's members changing to ermine-trimmed anoraks for all future spotting trips.
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Originally Posted by 60159
Another thing to consider is the Health and Safety Executive - they might have a view on steam trains running right alongside a cycleway and footpath but I suppose your chum Lord Millett will have these boys in his pocket already.
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I notice from the Middlewood Way publicity material that the route is also a bridleway. Have you canvassed the RSPCA's view on this matter? Steam trains and horses in close proximity could be problematic. You could issue the horses with ear-plugs (
http://www.saddleandtackwarehouse.co...p?item_id=1255) but at nearly 20 dollars a pair this would soon eat into the railway's profits.
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Originally Posted by steam for ever
Sadly we cannot get a football stadium as it is far too expensive .
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On the subject of football......a considerable number of professional footballers and indeed TV celebrities live in East Cheshire. Have you approached any of them for sponsorship? A loco could be named in their honour or they could even become guest drivers for a day. Coincidentally I read in today's news that Kerry Katona from Wilmslow is now available(subject to the necessary testing). What a crowd-puller that would be in this celebrity obsessed World we live in?