Golden Valley Light Railway

The GVLR is now desperately short of covered storage space. It has two former Ffestiniog Railway coaches (old 118 & 119) and the historic Ashover Light Railway coach No.4 currently securely stored in the Running Shed. This arrangement is far from ideal as repairs and refurbishments to rolling stock are carried out in the immediate vicinity of these valuable assets. It also has four former Coal Industry passenger carrying manriders which unfortunately currently stand outside in all weathers! There are many other smaller items of rolling stock stored in rail connected former shipping storage containers which are nearing or past the end of their useful life.

The GVLR has decided to build a new 3 road Carriage Shed, 36 metres long and 8 metres wide, to house all the passenger carriages and some of the smaller diesel locomotives (whether restored or awaiting restoration). As well as removing the vehicles from possible harm and contamination, it will allow more projects to be undertaken in the Running Shed - a win, win situation for the railway.

Planning permission and building quotations for the Carriage Shed have been obtained. Over 60% of the required funding is in place. Bridging the gap will enable construction to take place in 2024.

We are, therefore, opening an appeal to help fund the construction of a new Carriage Shed. The project will cost £120,000 and the GVLR is now looking to friends of the railway to help raise this sum. The much needed building will not only provide permanent, dry and secure storage, but also help reduce the maintenance burden imposed when rolling stock is constantly subjected to exposure to the UK weather! The stock to be housed in the proposed building is both vital for the future success of the GVLR and to the continuing preservation of our narrow gauge railway heritage.