History is made as first steam train runs on GCR's restored Mountsorrel branch line
03/05/2012
The branch took part in a private photo charter that involved no. 47406 ‘Jinty' which made several runs along the branch with a selection of wagons, including the Mountsorrel Granite Company wagons, which were restored by project volunteers last year. When complete the restored branch line will create many opportunities for historical recreations, allowing the story of our industrial past to be told for today's generations to experience and learn from. "We were so excited to witness the first train in steam on the line" said Steve Cramp, Project Leader "It was a monumental day for the railway - finally the hard work of all the volunteers is starting to pay off, what a brilliant achievement!" A short film of the event has been uploaded to YouTube and can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBCj3kosqYI&feature=youtu.be
Phase 2 Track Laying Under Way
Community volunteers have started laying track along phase 2 of the Mountsorrel Railway trackbed. Phase 2 involves the laying of an additional 450m of track and will extend the line to almost half a mile in length. Progress has been rapid with up to 80 metres of track laid by hand in a single morning. The railway is being restored using the traditional skills of the original navvies who built the railway 115 years ago. Great care is being taken to use historically correct materials as well. Phase 2 will be constructed in two halves. The first half is almost complete and further materials will be sourced for the second half early in the New Year.
