i would have kept open the great central. it would have been a very usefull third line to the north. it was also built to continental loading gauges so i suspect we would have been seeing some very interesting trains using that route.
One thing that wasnt really mentioned in the film was the issure of redundency. some of these branch lines would be extremly usefull when engineering work is taking place or when there is an accident. there is simply no belt and braces to the current railway an i thnk its getting worse in this respect. you only need an out of control barbecue with a gas bottle nearby and it closes a railway for 24 hours. the minor routes would be invaluable.
Peter
One thing that wasnt really mentioned in the film was the issure of redundency. some of these branch lines would be extremly usefull when engineering work is taking place or when there is an accident. there is simply no belt and braces to the current railway an i thnk its getting worse in this respect. you only need an out of control barbecue with a gas bottle nearby and it closes a railway for 24 hours. the minor routes would be invaluable.
Peter
