Ecclesbourne funding will assist with track repairs
ECCLESBOURNE Valley Railway operator WyvernRail plc has been awarded £81,900 under the third round of the Culture Recovery Fund.
The money has thrown a lifeline to the nine-mile railway which, as a result of the 2021 lockdown, was left without vital income during the busy early summer period and therefore its cash reserves were depleted going into winter.
The railway successfully operated diesel trains once again at weekends and on some weekdays since July 25, using a format whereby families of up to six passengers can book a private compartment and naturally socially distance themselves from other visitors.
With the arrival of the colder months, the railway hired in a steam locomotive to provide steam heating to coaches – but at a premium cost over the heritage diesels.
Furthermore, the restored carriages in use require upgrades to their battery and lighting systems to cater for the additional running in the winter months.
The railway operates a continual programme of track repairs to enable it to operate safely, and will remain closed until April 22 while track between Gorsey Bank and Idridgehay is relaid. However, lockdown saw maintenance programme suspended for four months in 2021, when the infrastructure lay dormant.
“The award will greatly assist with kick-starting the maintenance programme once again which looks at lineside vegetation, track repairs, and drainage issues,” said a
WyvernRail statement. The railway is also working to address issues raised during a recent inspection by the Office of Rail and Road.
A WvyernRail spokesman said that the ORR inspector was satisfied with the plans to relay the section of track, but pointed out the need for certification of an industrial electrical supply serving Wirksworth yard. Accordingly, moves to appoint a firm to carry out the certification in line with the ORR requirements were in hand as Heritage Railway closed for press.
WyvernRail plc managing director Michael Evans said: “This funding will significantly help the railway continue throughout the winter. It has been a very difficult year with continual concern of how we could manage so that we are strong for the start of next season.
“I am personally very grateful to our dedicated team of volunteers who have continued to operate the railway during this challenging time.”
The next big event on the EVR will be the April 22-24 diesel gala, with the Deltic Preservation Society’s Class 55 No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier as the star guest. The locomotive will arrive in mid-April and stay until the end of June.