Cotswolds News
Steam train buffs make final appeal
5:00pm Sunday 5th February 2012
THE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) has launched a final appeal to raise much-needed funds for repairs to a collapsed embankment.
Work is due to start soon on the £670,000 project to reconnect the severed heritage railway just north of Winchcombe station but at least £170,000 is still needed to complete the repairs.
The collapse, which happened at the beginning of January last year, was one of a number of setbacks to plague the volunteer-run enterprise including the loss of about £60,000 in revenue after heavy snow in 2010 and repair work to a similar embankment collapse at Gotherington.
Malcolm Temple, GWR chairman, is delighted that work can now begin. He said: “It has been a long struggle but I am overwhelmed by the generosity of local people, railway enthusiasts and the heritage railway movement as a whole.
“There is clearly a strong affection for our scenic Cotswolds railway which has enabled us to raise most of the money in our £1 million emergency appeal, which was launched by our president, music and television personality Pete Waterman.”
The work is expected to take about four months to complete, which will include substantial rebuilding work on the embankment and laying of new track to reconnect the severed sections.
“Many railways and railway organisations have organised events in aid of the appeal, or made donations and we are honestly humbled by their recognition of our difficulties,”
added Mr Temple.
“It’s clear that at times of difficulty other railways do what they can to help. This extraordinary generosity won’t be forgotten.”
The GWR took over the abandoned route in 1981 and since then has gradually been rebuilding the line. For details or to make a donation visit gwsr.com