Vale of Berkeley to build new 85E motive depot at Sharpness

THE EMBRYONIC Vale of Berkeley Railway is to build a new motive power depot at its Sharpness headquarters, as it progresses towards running its first public services.

Located in the former Sharpness freight exchange sidings, the new locomotive and rolling stock stabling and maintenance depot will be designated 85E as a continuation of the subsheds in the Gloucester locality. Since obtaining the lease to the site from Network Rail in June, volunteers have been pushing ahead to clear 30 years of undergrowth, secure the site, re-timber points, re-lay track and build the storage facilities. This is the vital first phase in the VoBR’s plans to restore heritage passenger services to the Sharpness-Berkeley Road branch, formerly jointly operated by the Great Western and Midland Railways.

VoBR charitable trust chairman Howard Parker said: “As soon as the ink dried on our lease for Sharpness, we started talking to Direct Rail Services (whose nuclear flask trains still run on the branch) and Network Rail about the next phase. This covers what needs to be done so VoBR trains can run halfway up the branch from Sharpness to the old Berkeley Station site, a distance of just under two miles.

“Clearly there needs to be safe demarcation between their operations and ours, and working through that will be a major task. The subsequent phase will address the other half of the branch, to the main line connection at Berkeley Road, making a total run of four miles.

“Right now, a lot of work needs to be done at the sidings to create our new depot. We welcome new volunteers and, crucially, donations. The permanent way costs for this first phase will be close to £50,000 in point timbers alone. We are hoping the enthusiast community will support us and donate to help get this exciting new venture up and running within the next three years. The more we receive the faster we can go.”

● Donations can be made via www.vobr.org.uk/donate