Clifton Rocks Railway - Amnesty for 'railway rascals'

[AJR]

Ref.: thisisbristol.co.uk

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayN ... erPk=83726

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AMNESTY FOR THE RAILWAY RASCALS

11:00 - 10 November 2005

By Simon Peevers

YOUNG scamps who pinched bits off the Clifton Rocks Railway in the 1960s have won unlikely praise for helping to preserve part of Bristol's heritage.

Numerous items from name plates, to brackets and measuring sticks, disappeared when young boys, or girls, in the city ran off with them as souvenirs.

Now a number of middle-aged men have come forward after deciding their consciences have got the better of them.

But instead of being rapped on the knuckles, the confessors have been praised by Clifton Rocks Railway chairman Peter Davey, who said they have helped to preserve parts of the railway which may have otherwise ended up on the tip.

And Mr Davey has appealed to anybody else who may have a part of the railway's history to come forward and return the stolen items - with no questions asked.

He said: "A couple of gentleman have approached me over the past few months to say that they want to return pieces to the railway.

"The first was a machine bracket which is now back at the station, and there was also an original name panel with the initials of the railway company on it.

"My father has a photograph of the railway taken back in the 1960s, which shows where the missing panel should be.

"A gentleman from Somerset has had it in his garden since he took it more than 40 years ago.

"It is quite funny to think that at the time some youngsters pinched bits from the railway and in doing so have made sure some parts have remained intact and not ended up on the scrap heap.

"It would be great if anybody else could come forward with original bits and return them to us."

The railway was re-opened in August after a major renovation and years of hard work by the Clifton Rocks Railway Refurbishment Group.

It was officially opened by Sir George White, the great-grandson of one of the railways founders.

[madhattie]

The railway was re-opened in August after a major renovation and years of hard work by the Clifton Rocks Railway Refurbishment Group.

Eh!

Is there another Clifton Rocks Railway that I don't know about??

I shall pop down this weekend and sample a ride..

[AndyK]

I can remember when the railings around the top station still displayed the name Clifton Rocks Railway in - I guess - wrought iron. Then some time in the 70's or 80's this disappeared. This wouldn't have been the work of innocent young scamps, as I imagine it would have entailed the use of sophisticated metal-cutting equipment.

I don't know if it was theft; I always supposed that it was an act of wanton iconoclasm on the part of an owner who had an aversion to historical relics. Or perhaps someone had offered to buy it.

Does anyone know what happened it it?

At any rate I see that the name has now been reinstated, albeit as a solid plate rather than see-through iron letters.