The Great Central Railway in Leicestershire is set to relocate its locomotive shed, allowing the construction of an authentic double-track mainline north from Loughborough Central station. Removing the old shed will also allow the railway to rearrange how it services, repairs and overhauls vintage locomotives and carriages to best protect, operate and display them for decades to come.
The existing locomotive shed at Loughborough was first moved to the line in 1973 when heritage operations were just beginning. It was a second-hand building and has now ‘lived’ two very full lives.
The decision to move the shed has been recommended by the board steering the ambitious Reunification project and approved by the main GCR PLC board. The Reunification project will see the section of the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire reconnected to the section in Nottinghamshire to create an eighteen-mile heritage line. The locomotive shed, while not completely obstructing the route, prevented track between the two railway’s being re-laid in the best possible place.
Malcolm Holmes, general manager of the Great Central Railway said: “This is a very exciting plan. Given the loco shed was built in 1973 this is not a decision taken lightly. It was already a second-hand building then and it has given us sterling service too. However, there’s no escaping the fact, that while tracks could have been squeezed around the outside of the building to reconnect both halves of the Great Central, it would be far better to dismantle the shed, put the tracks through the centre of the site and have a fully authentic double track main line heading north.
“We’re now developing our plans for our future covered accommodation for locomotives, carriages and maintenance carefully bearing in mind the needs of our local community, our workforce and stakeholders.”
The current building is not only where the line carries out heavy maintenance but also serves as a base for operational locomotives, full-time staff and volunteers. It has been repaired and upgraded over the last half a century, however it is widely regarded as being past its prime.
Recently Charnwood Borough Council had allotted money from the Loughborough Town Deal Fund to improve it further, but no public money has yet been spent. The GCR has invested some funds in recent work to install new lights and doors, which along with some forthcoming and badly needed improvements in staff accommodation, will take the building to ‘the end of it’s life’ approximately five years from now.
Discussions have taken place with Charnwood Borough Council on using the Town Deal Fund grant to make more improvements to the current building, including allowing public access for the first time in many years. Where public funds can be used, they will be invested with care to ensure the benefits they deliver can be transferred to a new building.
A project group is now examining possible locations for a new engine shed, from across the entire proposed eighteen-mile line. A review is also being carried out into the uses of existing shed buildings. A full plan will be announced in due course.
“This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime change for the railway touching on many aspects of how we operate.” continued Malcolm.
Great Central Railway PLC Chairman, Richard Patching said: “We are fully committed to the Reunification project. Moving the shed means our double-track line can continue north from Loughborough Central station, through the site of the engine shed, to the bridge over the Grand Union Canal. From an aesthetic point of view it delivers the vision of the ‘Double Track Main Line’ the Great Central Railway is.
“Visitors will be able to stand on Loughborough Central station and really get an authentic heritage experience as their excitement builds when they see trains arrive from the north. In practical terms it also makes the layout of track approaching the station simpler and will help future operations.”
There will be a substantial amount of equipment to relocate. The scheme will be developed alongside the Reunification project, subject to fundraising and necessary permissions.
Image credit: Great Central Railway
