Volunteers at Ruddington’s heritage railway report that work has got underway on schedule to finish building the long-planned covered storage area for its vintage carriages.
This will complement the existing locomotive shed and engineering works at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre on Mere Way.
Great Central Railway (Nottingham) Ltd (GCRN) reveals that contractors have been onsite at building number 4, their new ‘Carriage Shed, for about two weeks now. Work completed to date includes the installation of new rear security door, marking out the position of the new steelwork and necessary work on buildings number 3 and number 5 (the carriage shed fits between the two) to accommodate the new structure.
Inside the building the ground is being prepared for the concrete floor which will be installed flush to the height of the rails for its full length. This will mean, when carriages aren’t inside, the building can be used for events.
Prior to any funding, preparatory work had already been carried out by volunteers to lay sidings into the part-built shed, as shown below. Then, over this summer, £40,000 was awarded to the ‘Carriage Shed Project’ by Rushcliffe Borough Council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) – part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda providing funding for local investment.
The money, combined with match funding from East Midlands Railway Trust and LNER (GC) Heritage Trust, means the work can finally be completed.
This week two councillors – RBC’s Deputy Leader Cllr Abby Brennan and Ruddington Borough and Parish Cllr Graham Fletcher {pictured top} – visited the site to see the progress for themselves.
Cllr Brennan said: “This is a great example of how Rushcliffe Borough Council has been able to use UK Shared Prosperity Funding from the UK Government. It is among the groups we are reaching out with support for community and place projects and the scores of wonderful volunteers here who will continue this site’s heritage and restore four further rail carriages with the help of this storage.
She added: “The GCRN continue to go from strength to strength as a group and have overcome many challenges and we’re delighted to be able to support their efforts so more people can enjoy the railway and experience a part of Rushcliffe’s rail history.”
However, a GCRN spokesperson says further funds are still required: “We need to raise the final £15,000 to install a roller shutter door and complete the electrical fit out. So far we have raised over £3000 towards our target. Please consider a donation.”
Contributions to the ‘Carriage Shed Appeal’ can be made via the Charities Aid Foundation >>HERE<<.
As for news about when ‘big’ trains will finally start running from Ruddington again? We’ll let you know as soon as we do!
