What kind of Railway

Additional costs for other types of operation (other than the CKP mainline standard proposal):

+ Cost for a new link bridge into Penrith (if light rail or heritage operation): £ 15 million

+ Cost for a maintenance depot (if light rail or heritage style operation): £ 25 million

+ Cost for a fleet of trains (if light rail or heritage style operation): £ 20 million

Hertfordshire County Council considered converting the Watford to St Albans line to a light rail operation in 2010 but decided not to proceed for similar reasons.

To access Penrith station, trains need to use the Network Rail (West Coast Main Line) tracks crossing the M6 by a long bridge near Junction 40 of the M6. Heritage or light rail trains would probably not be permitted to do this for many technical and safety reasons.

As an independent Railway, Keswick to Penrith would need its own trains, crews, maintenance depot, ticketing and revenue systems. These all add enormous costs without increasing revenue.

Being forced to change trains at Penrith would also make long journeys less attractive.

Herittage railways rely on volunteers - none have been able to find enough volunteers to run a reliable every day public transport service.

THe CKP proposal to build and manage the track and stations, with established Train Operators bringing in trains from other areas each day is much simpler, cheaper and more effective.

The train service in the CKP proposal would be part of the national network with through tickets, "visible" to potential travellers all across the UK and coming from abroad.

A "light" railway would not be able to carry freight or heavy main line passenger trains - Keswick would be permanently isolated.