‘EXTENSION’ FOR COLNE VALLEY AS LOTTERY DEVELOPMENT BEGINS

A slightly longer train ride is in prospect at the Colne Valley Railway - thanks to the Heritage Lottery-funded development that is now getting into its stride. With the track layout in the yard at Castle Hedingham to be remodelled for a new engineering workshop, some of the lifted materials are being used to extend the loop at Nunnery Junction - by approximately one coach length. This is primarily intended to provide extra clearance for the Pullman dining train, which is currently a tight fit - but will also mean that service trains can proceed slightly further towards the southern extremity of the line. On Platform 1 at Castle Hedingham, the old toilet block has been demolished to make way for the ‘Brewster Interpretation Centre’, an extension to the existing museum. Contractors for this building were expected to be appointed in early June, with a target opening date of August. Its interior is designed to resemble that of a carriage, with interactive displays in the ‘window’ spaces. The yard is being cleared for the three-road ‘Cubitt Skills Centre’ workshop, while earth is being moved in the nearby field that will form the new public entrance and car park, with a temporary access ramp being constructed. A new reception building and shop will be built here, and ‘Platform 0’ behind the museum provided with a wider disabled access ramp. The CVR received the £1.75 million grant in December 2016, allowing it to purchase its ¾-mile running line, station and rolling stock from Australian owner Christopher Young (SR462).