http://the.snailbeach.com/ 

Interesting

can't open that link from any direction ( although this may be a firewall or server issue since I'm at sea at present ) but did find several in this general vein

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.railway/browse_thread/thread/d5c063a43709ef02 

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Some extracts from the site

Announcement 15 October 2010
Contrary to comments being made this web site has not been closed or just reopened aparts from a couple of weeks in June 2010 when I was in the Philippines attending a sick sister and mother it has been open to all in fact since May 2010 over 1500 visits are recorded. As with all things SDR it would be good is the few could get their facts correct.

Announcement 12 October 2010 By order of the directors the sale by tender of two 710mm locomotives 1 steam and 1 diesel the former new with 9 years certification is brand new and the latter a rebuild of American design. (Both are stored at our works in the UK). Both will be offered by closed sealed tender and forms can be downloaded  shortly.
Our museum will open at the works as soon as planning permission is granted on converting a milking parlor, we did not take the Minsterley Village store as it did not pass the survey, and there were planning difficulties, hence the newly announced museum and library will be some 30 miles from the Snailbeach Railway area.

Our European works has started limited production upon 3 diesel shunters for a Middle Eastern client with delivery expected for late 2nd quarter 2011 we do not have the required certification for the plant to be accessed by members of the public, we are not expecting this until mid-2011 when we may have a limited open day.

The injunction on our History publication was lifted in September and the SDR was awarded substantial costswhich we have donated to charity. We are making arrangements as time permits with Amazon to market the book and we will announce when that agreement is in place. Meanwhile the remainder of members copies will be despatched free of charge.


🅱

Another extract with an un-missable offer.

Our two main directors are suffering age and ill health one is 75 the other 67 so both want to offer A Challenge
If any group feels they could do better than we have done over the past 10 years we would be happy to assist them to revive the SDR. Funding could be available to the right group with the best ideas for the way forward. We have one and a half 2 feet 4 inch locos available which we would donate to the any successful group with a small amount of rolling stock.
A group must be properly formed we will not entertain requests from individuals. We would retain the name and allow any group to use for a nominal sum and the only proviso being space for the SDR museum on site as and when practicable.
The railway must be built at a gauge 2 feet 4 inches
A proper legal agreement would be drawn up to the satisfaction of both parties.
We think the project is worth the effort but we do not think it warranted the condemnation it received from so called enthusiasts.

I feel confident that someone like the Shropshire Mines Tust would be happy to follow up such a generous offer! :devil: :devil:

How can a company formed 17/07/2006 claim "Established 1873"?

Just cut & paste the address into your browser, it all makes 'interesting' reading!!

Cheers

Alan

P.S. If it's a wind-up, someone's gone to a lot of trouble - remember that a few years ago 2 of the directors of this concern were killed in a car crash whilst on their way to Shropshire from Switzerland - according to the 'Shropshire Star' - this story just seems to have it all!! Can't wait for the mini series on TV!!!

I just tried to use the contact us form on their website. It doesn't work!

Just so long as Bobby Ewing doesn't reappear out of a shower!

P.S. If it's a wind-up, someone's gone to a lot of trouble - remember that a few years ago 2 of the directors of this concern were killed in a car crash whilst on their way to Shropshire from Switzerland - according to the 'Shropshire Star' - this story just seems to have it all!! Can't wait for the mini series on TV!!!

My first post here, i just couldnt resist the chance to talk about this bizarre scheme once more. I was one of the first people to 'explode the myth' on a railway forum, when i was sent an email showing that a photo of their austrian loco works was actually that of an unrelated workshop in germany. Their response, ranging from the repeated deleting of my questions, the removal of their forum right through to legal threats was telling! In the days that followed its even alleged they phoned up the workplace of someone who had been involved in the 'mythbusting' to try and get them sacked...

To be honest im not sure 'wind up' is quite right, more a fantasy that was taken way too far and the same applies to the so-called death of the two directors - there was never any proof of their existence nor any record of the accident. Indeed it seems highly unlikely that anyone other than Wayne, his wife and his son Jeorge have ever involved.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Welcome aboard!! Yes indeed, fantasists is probably the best description. Such people pop-up on the radar fairly regularly, although the railway preservation/trainspotter fraternity seems to have a higher quotient than in most other areas of life - they walk amongst us!!

Anyway, you seem to have walked into a strange and bizarre world with this one, I hope that you can look back with a smile on your face with no visible scars to bear witness to rubbing up against these, er, 'strangers'!!

Cheers

Alan