Thanks a million GCR fans – and HS2
SUPPORTERS of the scheme to reunite the two heritage-era Great Central railways have raised £1 million towards the next stage.
The money for the GCR Reunification Project has come from the local community and rail enthusiasts who want to see a unique 18-mile heritage main line created between the outskirts of Nottingham and Leicester, using the new bridge that has been built over the Midland Main Line at Loughborough to link the Great Central Railway and what has just been rebranded as the Nottingham Heritage Railway.
The new bridge and refurbishment of an original one crossing the Grand Union Canal at Loughborough are two of the seven phases of work completing the link, which will not only create an internationally recognised tourist attraction, but will also sustain and create jobs in the local economy. The project requires 550 yards of the original Victorian railway to be rebuilt.
The money being raised will go towards completing two more stages, in the crossing of Railway Terrace on the northern side of Loughborough and an adjacent factory car park.
Incredible achievement
Andy Fillingham, chairman of the Friends of the Great Central Main Line, the membership club which is leading the fundraising for the project, said: “Raising £1 million is an incredible achievement by everyone involved. To everyone who has supported the appeals and got involved – a heartfelt thank-you.
“This is a real people power project, putting back a railway which so many didn't want to close in the first place.
“With the railway reopened after the various lockdowns, we're getting back to face-to-face fundraising, not only at the GCR but around the community, too. We are looking forward to meeting people and bringing them up-to-date with the latest news on Reunification. It's the biggest heritage railway project in the UK and has really got people fired up!”
Meanwhile, Reunification has received an unusual boost from the new High Speed 2 line which is being built between London and Birmingham.
The line is due to cross the site of the original Great Central Railway station at Finmere Bridge, Oxfordshire. During the demolition of the old station, some masonry has been recovered, including eight handsome bridge coping stones.
Andy said: “The plan is that these coping stones will be used in the course of the construction of the Reunification scheme, giving the new project a real connection to the past.”
➜ To donate to the GCR Reunification project, visit www.gcrailway.co.uk/ unify or text UNIFY to 70970 to give £5 or text UNIFY to 70191 to give £10. Alternatively, cheques made payable to The David Clarke Railway Trust may be posted to: DCRT, Lovatt House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1SL.