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How You Can Help
Maintenance Shed Appeal
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How You Can Help
Maintenance Shed Appeal
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A shed of the kind we want to build. |
The Mid-Norfolk Railway has launched an urgent appeal for donations to secure undercover accommodation. With a fleet of 9 diesel locos and over 40 passenger carriages, undercover facilities are vital for the railway's expansion. Recent bad weather has shown just how desperatly this facility is required. The 2012 steam season will also see two visiting engines which must be kept undercover for the duration of their visit.
The MNR has a final track plan that we are working towards and we have calculated that the optimum size of building is 3 roads wide by 3 vehicles long. This equates to a building approximately 70m long by 19m wide, which will hold 9 vehicles. It is intended to construct the building in stages so the first stage will provide 3 roads by 1 vehicle long (around 25m long by 19m wide. As funding allows we can extend the length of the building. The centre road will be have enough height to allow jacks to be installed.
Getting a shed is only part of the project. We require a fair bit of ground clearance and of course there is the track to install. We have obtained a 3-way point which will enable access to the three roads. There is the digging of footings, building erection and provision of basic services.
Approximate costs of the project are as follows:
The total cost is expected to be around £25,000.
The MNR is a rapidly-growing railway with an enthusiastic volunteer workforce. Recent years have seen the record passenger numbers attending such well renowned events as the Class 37 Golden Jubilee and the relaunch of King Edward II into service. 2012 will see the first visits of a Deltic and Class 40 during the March English Electric Event, through the summer with the Stratford Depot weekend and then another major celebration in September sees the Brush Type 4 Class 47 Golden Jubilee.
The MNR also now has a complete collection of Mk2 passenger coaches ranging from the former National Railway Museum's prototype Swindon coach, through to early versions and the more modern air-conditioned varieties. Recent arrivals have seen earlier Mk1 vehicles including the prototype booth car 1106 currently undergoing restoration. 2006 saw the launch of our highly regard blue/grey rake of coaches, the first time a railway had deliberately put together a rake of coaches in this livery to match our 1960s and 1970s diesel fleet. Our vehicles do need extensive maintenance and for the last 11 years, all maintenance has been done outside. This opportunity represents the biggest chance of enhancing our facilities so far.
To make your donation, visit the Online Shop or you can donate by post by filling in the donation form.
All donations will be gratefully received. As an incentive, anyone who donates over £1,000 will be entitled to a free diesel driver experience course. Donations over £2,000 will lead to a free steam driver experience course in the summer with one of our visiting locomotives. Anyone donating over £250 who is not already an MNR member will receive a year's free membership, and anyone donating over £100 will receive a discount voucher for one of our special events.