Looking at the map on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway site got me thinking. Might it be possible to build a small southern extension to connect with the Swindon to Gloucester line, thereby connecting the railway to Swindon station? I know that line used to continue south to the Old Town (and not the New Town) station...but it was just a thought.
I did see plans years back, though, to continue the North Swindon ring road (Thamesdown Drive?) down to the Transfer Bridges - which could get in the way if ever built.
Nice idea, but fraught with difficulties....firstly just a few years back the old track bed up north of Akers Way, from where you had a clear run to Cricklade, was ripped out in the North Swindon expansion....it's now even difficult to find a pleasant walk through there.
Secondly, it's very difficult for preserved railways to get permission to run over Railtrack's metals.
Not impossible...I think the North York Moors runs through to Whitby, when it previously terminated at Grosmont..but the NYM is a very successful enterprise, whereas the S and C is very much a small scale operation.
Of course there used to be a link from the M and SWJ, Old Town station down to Swindon Junction, on the loop.
