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Lottery £3.3-million green light for SVR visitor centre

Discussion in 'On Track.' started by LSWR, Dec 22, 2005.

  1. LSWR

    LSWR Part of the furniture

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    WORK will begin in March on the construction of the Severn Valley Railway's 'missing link’ - a purpose-built visitor centre displaying up to ten steam locomotives in “showroom condition.”

    The long-awaited go-ahead for the project, which will prevent out-of-ticket SVR locomotives being stored outside while they wait their turn in the restoration queue, follows confirmation of a £3.3 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

    To be known as 'The Engine House - Severn Valley Visitor Centre' - the building will be erected on part of the 10-acre former landsale yard at the south end of Highley goods yard.

    The new facility, which is to be developed as an educational resource catering for school parties as well as regular visitors, will cost £4.5-million in total to complete, the balance of £1.2 million being met by grant aid from the European Regional Development Fund

    SVR general manager Alun Rees who has been heavily involved in planning and negotiations for the new visitor centre, described the HLF award as "manna from heaven."

    He said: "This will be a top-drawer loco display facility and will bring an end to the days of dead engines untidily dotted around the railway in sidings and goods yards, waiting their turn in the queue for overhaul or restoration."

    'The Engine House' will be a considerable new asset, incorporating not only locomotive exhibits but a gallery cafe, gift shop, toilets, meeting and lecture rooms, public viewing galleries giving an overview of both the locomotives and the river valley setting at Highley.

    Recognising its prime location in an area rich in wildlife, flora and fauna, the railway also intends to make ‘The Engine House' a focus for a series of woodland walks.

    SOURCE HERITAGE RAILWAY MAGAZINE
     
    LSWR, Dec 22, 2005
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  2. LSWR

    LSWR Part of the furniture

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    LSWR, Dec 22, 2005
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