Appleby East in the early 1860's ©

The railway age came to Appleby when the Eden Valley Railway ran its first passenger trains, operated by the Stockton & Darlington Railway to the original station in 1862. It became Appleby East in 1952 to avoid confusion with the former Midland Railway station which became Appleby West.  This situation continued until 1962 when passenger services were withdrawn on the Eden Valley Railway. From 1968 the remaining station became simply Appleby.

When the Eden Valley Railway Trust reopens the Eden Valley Railway to passengers the original station will be called Appleby East once more.

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A Land fit for Heros

It became Appleby East in 1952 to avoid confusion with the former Midland Railway station which became Appleby West. From 1968 the remaining station on the Settle and Carlisle line became simply Appleby.

Rail transport in decline
Road transport prospers

Appleby East 18.05.67 - © H. Botwell

Closure,

Dr. Beeching and all that

Passenger services were
withdrawn from the Eden Valley Railway
January 1962

The British Army withdraws

followed by the occasional excursion
until the line was mothballed

Initial negotiations for the acquisition of the line began between the Eden Valley Railway Society and the British Railways Property Board in York way back in 19xx
 

"Railway Paths Limited was established as a Charity in May 1998 to take ownership of a number of disused railway lines from Rail Property Ltd. One of the charitable objectives of Railway Paths Limited is to make these lines available to Sustrans for development of walking and cycling routes."
Source: Sustrans 2006 Annual Report

The nature in which Railway Paths Ltd originally acquired the land, by effectively gazumping the Trust, could be as a result of a possible conflict of interest with former British Railways Board / Rail Property Ltd., employees who went on to hold positions of influence within Sustrans / Railway Paths
We intend to deal with that later.

Technical Difficulties

It is impossible for an operational railway to be sold. The Warcop Branch stayed with BR on privatisation as a disused branch line with track and materials still present

The Eden Valley Railway Order 2004

The undertaker (Eden Valley Railway Trust) may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, sell or lease the railway, or any part of it, to any person on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the undertaker and that person
Source: The Eden Valley Railway Order 2004

But - No closure order?
 

A first attempt
"We'll remove some of the track between"
Robert Western, David Adams & Peter Walton, Trustees, EVR Trust (then Directors, Stainmore Properties Ltd.) David Greenhalgh, Trustee, EVR Trust (now Director, Stainmore Railway Company Ltd.)

"Are you people working for Sustrans, or just stupid? Sorry guys, you will have to go!"
Roger Hercock, Secretary, EVR Society

Go they did! And Kirkby Stephen got its very own private railway, after all it would have been a pity to waste all of the time, effort and money spent on promoting their own enterprise at Kirkby Stephen East. - But that, as they say, is another story!

Start Again
"OK, we want to continue negotiations, but this time the track stays where it is!"
Roger Hercock, Secretary, EVR Society

"Let's take the cycles to make a point."
Mr. Bradshaw, Sustrans / Railway Paths solicitor overheard talking to Mike Thornborrow whilst getting out of a Volvo estate car at Warcop, following their car journey from Birmingham.

"The only point he made is that he was both anti railway and bloody common sense!"
Stuart Davey, Chairman, EVR Society

Thank you Mr Thornborrow?
 

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"From a modest, grassroots beginning as Bristol-based CYCLEBAG (Channel Your Calf and Leg Energy Bristol Action Group), a group of cyclists keen to restrain the inexorable growth of motor traffic and convert abandoned railways for cyclists’ use, Sustrans has now become a large corporate institution, with nearly 200 staff and 14 offices around the country, responsible for spending millions of pounds of public money channelled to them from central and regional government.

A charity is a fascinating entity.  It tends to thrive on the tension created between the status quo, and a significant element of the public who wants to change that status quo.   If the tension is relieved, by, for example, actually changing the status quo in some lasting and significant way, the charity has potentially put itself, and the hundreds of employees who depend on a wage every month, out of a job. By actually succeeding in its mission, Sustrans might place its very existence on the line." Source

So as it turns out, what’s good for Sustrans is not necessarily good for the UK…..
 

"If the internet cycling forums are anything to go by, a significant proportion of the cycling community seems to disagree with the aims and objectives of Sustrans, let alone the practical effects of its work. So why don't these objectors join the organisation and have a say in the way it's run?

Put simply, Sustrans, a registered charity, is a company limited by guarantee. It has no shareholders, just members. It's run by a group of trustees who are appointed by the members of the company. The members of the company are the existing trustees, which mean that the existing trustees appoint their successors.

Many people talk of 'joining' Sustrans (Sustrans originally used the expression itself but no longer seems to do so) and of being members of the organisation but they're not. They are simply supporters and donors. They have no right to participate in the decision-making of the organisation. They cannot attend the AGM of the organisation, they cannot vote on its policies, and they cannot decide who they would like to see running the organisation. Despite being awarded vast sums of public money and carrying out 'public works' Sustrans is accountable only to itself and, as Thomas Paine said in his book Rights of Man, 'A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.' Disturbingly, Sustrans is regarded by many local authorities as being the 'voice of the cyclist' when in fact it represents only itself." Source

Is there an alterative?

Yes, and much more sensible!

CTC - Keeping you on the road and trails since 1878

CTC has a long and illustrious history of working for travelling, recreational and utility cycle users. Founded in 1878 as the Bicycle Touring Club and subsequently re-named the Cyclists' Touring Club, we are the forerunners of a world wide network of cycling, motoring and tourism organisations, many of whom based their services on CTC’s.

The organisation has its origins in the early days of cycling when the bicycle opened up new horizons for independent travel. CTC set out to identify suitable hostelries for its members and include them in members’ guides and handbooks. Occasionally you will spot a round plaque on the wall of older hotels showing the CTC emblem of a winged wheel, indicating a long tradition of welcoming cyclists.

CTC Today

Today CTC has around 60,000 members encompassing all ages and types of cyclists with elected representation at national and local level backed by a professional staff.

CTC provides a wide range of activities and services designed to enhance the riding opportunities for existing cyclists and make it easier for new entrants to take up cycling. These include CTC Cyclists Helpline for advice on all cycling matters, local groups with a huge range of rides, local and national events. Our services have been refined by thousands of cyclists to make sure they are exactly what you need to get enjoyment and security whether you ride 100 miles or 100 yards. In particular third party insurance and legal aid are free to all members. CTC also offers a wide range of insurance and public liability products tailored to the needs of cyclists, employers, clubs and associations, cycle hire centres etc. If you are not out on your bike, the members’ magazine, Cycle, is free six times a year and sets your imagination free to plan your next ride. Search the site for lots more

CTC has campaigned for cyclists’ rights throughout its existence. Major successes include the development of the National Cycling Strategy and representing the cyclists’ voice in the countryside, protecting the right to ride on roads, paths, trails and towpaths. The CTC’s Right to Ride Network has over 500 accredited local representatives throughout the UK and Ireland working for all cyclists.

In 1936 CTC created a first cycling proficiency scheme in response to increasing cyclists’ casualties at the time. This was adopted as a national programme run by RoSPA in 1948 and has been in use almost ever since. Today CTC is at the forefront of a next generation of cycle training initiatives enabling people to cope with the conditions of today.

What they are aiming for

CTC is committed to a vibrant and broad base that encompasses all sectors including offroad and adventurous cycling, sport and leisure. CTC believes that all cyclists must defend all elements of the existing road and trail network as safe and comfortable places to ride, so the diversity of cycling can be maintained. We use the phrase "Making cycling enjoyable, safe and welcoming for all" to summarise our aspirations. Join us and help us make it come true.

A better alternative for those wanting recreational rural routes is the National Byway; The National Byway is a 4,500-mile (7,240 km.) sign-posted cycling route round England and parts of Scotland and Wales. Providing discreet sign-posted direction along some of the most attractive and peaceful rural lanes, which carry traffic at only 2% of the national average level. In addition to the main route, there are 50 circular Loop rides developed at a fraction of the cost of the National Cycle Network.

The National Byway is the place on which to ride: peace and quiet, meandering rural lanes on which it is safe to cycle, lovely countryside and fascinating places to visit along the way. The Byway passes through 42 counties: it meanders through the countryside, visits 150 market towns, hundreds of rural communities and more than 1,000 places of interest along the way including 8 World Heritage Sites, all providing a reason to ride.

The bridleways in this part of Cumbria have been neglected over the years and are nearly impassable in places. As ancient routes they deserve a much better fate than being ignored by the many visitors to the Eden Valley and Cumbria by the construction of a new and some would say, unnecessary duplicate route.
Bridleway - Warcop Bridge / Eden Gate along south bank of River Eden via Sandford, Little and Great Ormside before turning north through either Lowfield farm to Bondgate Inn.
Bridleway - As above but more direct route from Great Ormside over Bondgate Hill into Appleby.
Bridleway - From Great Ormside via Far Bank end and join B6542 (old A66) to Appleby.

The images below were taken on 1st March 2009

© EVRT

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Sustrans / Railway Paths failure to deliver does have an adverse affect on the Eden Valley and Cumbria!

Possible plan for Appleby East

EVR need to prepare the site at Appleby for the train service, the plan below gives some idea of the initial arrangement.

If you visit please remember that the former station building is a now a private dwelling, please respect the owners privacy.

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It is delaying

The ability to obtain grants for the development of the railway

The ability to create business and employment opportunities

Sustrans / Railway Paths lack of investment in the railway estate, continues to have an adverse effect on Upper Eden Valley, with the people of Eden being denied business and employment opportunities, despite income from the property, £50k from EVRT and £1000’s from the tenant at the former Appleby station.

Involvement in the Horse Fair Park & Ride scheme

The railway have been approached by Eden District Council to run a park and ride service from Warcop to Appleby to reduce the number of cars going into Appleby for the Horse Fair in 2010.

Failure to inject money into the local economy

Sustrans / Railway Paths lack of investment in the railway estate, continues to have an adverse effect on Upper Eden Valley, with the people of Eden being denied business and employment opportunities, despite income from the property, £50k from EVRT and £1000’s from the tenant at the former Appleby station. Their lack of management has resulted in the condition of the land at the former Appleby station with regard to pollution, encroachment onto railway land, drainage and fencing, maintenance to structures for which they have liability, all of which they have been kept informed about by the Trust.

Sustrans / Railway Paths have actually taken money out of the Eden District. Indeed our Public Liability insurance cover is twice the national norm for UK heritage railways at the insistence of Sustrans / Railway Paths