Amongst all the “good riddance” remarks aimed at the
departing 2016 [for very obvious reasons], I was warmed by the Guardian’s
attempt to redress the balance last Saturday [31/12/16]. In the plus column, they
cited a plateauing in the rate of global CO2 emissions, an increasing list of
countries declared free of malaria and various other diseases, fewer deaths
through conflict worldwide [surprisingly], a continued downward trend in
overall UK crime rates, improved worldwide mobile phone connectivity, a continuing
decline in worldwide murder rates, greater use of contraception contributing to
a levelling off in worldwide population growth and the downward trend in the
numbers suffering from extreme poverty on a world scale.
In our own neck of the woods, meanwhile, we have had the decision
to go ahead with the new railway museum at Leicester North and the commencement
of work on the Bridge to the Future Project to re-join the two sections of the
old Great Central Railway. Elsewhere, track has been laid into Corwen on the Llangollen
Railway, the Borders Railway is up and running, Flying Scotsman experienced an
astonishingly successful relaunch and the Severn Valley Railway completed its fabulous
nine-coach ex-LNER teak set in time for her arrival there in September.
You can pick your own favourite moments from a long list of
2016 achievements. The railway heritage movement is in rude health, so here’s
to 2017 and a Happy New Year to all.
Flying Scotsman on the
Severn Valley Railway, 23rd September 2016.
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