Doon Valley £10,000 appeal is launched to replace culvert
DOON Valley Railway volunteers have launched an appeal to raise £10,000 to replace a culvert on the line near Chalmerston.
The existing one was condemned following a professional track survey. Now, extensive civil engineering works are needed as soil at the site has been washed away, threatening total collapse.
The DVR has been co-operating with its landlord and the railway’s landowners, Hargreaves Land, with the firm working with volunteers to produce a design solution. Hargreaves is offering to contribute £15,000 of the total, leaving the DVR to raise the remaining balance of £10,000.
Hargreaves Land development surveyor Ross Macdonald said: “As owners of the rail lines, Hargreaves Land is pleased to continue supporting the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group and its operations in the Doon Valley.
“Repairing the culvert is the last part of a larger package of improvement works which will allow steam trains to once again run down the Doon Valley to Minnivey Station, near Dalmellington, and significantly enhance an existing, successful tourist destination. Hargreaves Land has offered to contribute £15,000 towards bringing the line up to standard so that, in 2023, we can once again see these wonderful steam trains – an integral part of Scotland’s industrial heritage – travelling the valley”.
Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group chairman Gavin Steele said: “We are very grateful to Hargreaves Land for the kind offer. The challenge for us, as a small, industrial railway group, is to raise our £10,000 share. That might seem a small amount for a larger heritage railway, but, for us, it’s a large sum of money.
“We’ve already raised £1000 and we’d be delighted to receive donations. Just click on the donate button at www.doonvalleyrailway. co.uk to help the culvert repair to be completed so we can run steam to Minnivey in 2023.”