The preserved railway where I used to be a volunteer back in early '70s has now completed its connection to the main line. Click the link to see some pictures. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-21888887
I'm really pleased to see how much the Bluebell has grown since the days when I used to clean fireboxes, polish boilers and make tea. 
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The preserved railway where I used to be a volunteer back in early '70s has now completed its connection to the main line. Click the link to see some pictures. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-21888887
I'm really pleased to see how much the Bluebell has grown since the days when I used to clean fireboxes, polish boilers and make tea.
It was a cold day there, 0 degrees C! I have some pictures which I will look at posting tomorrow. I couldn't decide if I sould eat my hot pasty at Horstead Keynes or use it as a hand warmer.
A good day and well worth the wait!
Neil
I wish we had British steam locos here in Texas... closest thing we've got are some Swiss GTW 2/6's.
Aaron
A short video of the opening day on 23rd March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...youtube_gdata_player
Regards,
Neil
I wonder if there is any chance of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway being extended beyond Wootton towards Newport. Much of the original grade is still there but unfortunately the parts near Newport have been built over. A former rail tunnel near Newport now has a trail.
The Bluebell Railway story of excavating a filled-in cutting to rebuild the abandoned line reminds me of the situation at Wootton. This is where the line used to continue to Newport ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I..._Wight_Steam_Railway
An extension of the line westwards from Wootton to Newport has been suggested in the past. It is unlikely that the full extent will ever be restored as there is now a road on the site of Newport station and houses have been built on another part of the former line. However a stretch of trackbed from Wootton to the outskirts of Newport at Halberry Lane is still free from development and could in theory be used in the future.
Roughly 2.5 miles of former rail grade are mostly intact; the last half-mile into Newport is mostly redeveloped.
I'm not familiar with the IOW railway and I am going to say if housing has been built over part of the line then the chances of restoring the line are basically nil.
Neil
As a Brit, transplanted to LA, I found the Bluebell story and the video fascinating and very inspiring. I used to visit the Bluebell and the IoW and, when my home was near Alton (Hants), I regularly rode the Watercress Line.
This thread made me feel quite nostalgic - don't miss the weather though!
N.Q.D.Y. I guess you're a transplant too?
That last video shows trains at Victoria Station in London, with one departing for East Grinstead.
Some of that track looks like LIONEL Super "O"..
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