East Midlands Railway Trust/GCR (Nottingham)

Thanks for that link Johann - very informative!
The GCR(N) website still seems very unclear as to when/if trains will start running as the reference to 2021 timetable still takes you to the 2020 events. Has there been any firm information?

 

Apart from being a member/supporter of two groups based there, I have no involvement with the place, so only see what is posted online or in magazines, apart from the occasional visit there. I'd be very surprised if any public operations are likely for some time yet from what I've seen. Until the outcome of the Inspection of Bridge 307 (Bunny Lane), mentioned in the current Main Line is made public, together with completion of any repairs that may/may not be needed, they won't even be able to run a limited Ruddington to Rushcliffe Halt service. They could, of course run shuttles from say Ruddington to 50 steps bridge once all the "Paperwork/Systems" required by the ORR have been revamped and signed off, but then, presumably, staff competency will need updating given the length of time since services last ran.

 

A further point about Building No4 - this seems to be a Rolling Stock Trust project....but the 125 group are also raising funds (£93,000 so far) for a 4 coach shed, in which they have 3 spaces. Where is that to go? In other words is there an overall plan/vision for the Ruddington site or is it like "Topsy"? Is this a GCR(N) or EMRT question??

 

Details of 125 group shed and location are on the Rushcliffe planning portal, if you search for Mere Way it’s there. Building No4 now has a project manager who has taken up the reins and seems to be getting things heading in the right direction.
As to which organisation is driving an overall plan who knows? Probably now EMRT with a new chairman.
Have read somewhere that there will be a lot more detail etc after 9th July when there is an open event for big wigs etc. Like John I Have no first hand knowledge but last Driving Wheels and updates on EMRT website are hinting that things are slowly heading in the right direction, but will need a few lorry loads of cash!

 

Thanks for the info about the Planning Portal and that, at least that confirms the location of their shed, which, to be honest, is about the only place left there to put it without having to rearrange all of the other trackwork!
They really need to get the access to Building 4 sorted so they can remove the GCR RST stock out of the way so work can proceed on the 125 Group shed, I would think.

The "Ruddington Victoria" provisional plans from 2019 look rather interesting as well.............

 

That link is not working at present but Ruddington Victoria is a very interesting application......but why is it virtually unknown??

 

Further option for those wishing to make a financial contribution - screenshot from the EMRT's Facebook page.
Also, there has been a further email update issued to volunteers, the details of which I am not at liberty to communicate to those who aren't volunteers. However it does indicate a process of change, with many positive amendments, but still things to be done before passenger services can resume. So, please be patient, and donate what you can to help bring that reopening date ever closer!

 

That is good to read that things are happening....but it might help if they could put an on-line payment method onto the EMRT website as well rather than just the "send a cheque" or "fill in the standing order".

 

Agreed! Sadly I don't know any key people in the EMRT to suggest it!

 

There is one:

https://platform.nationalfundingsch...2nV1HhhuldAVTnRaeSQCONnkckL5gb2g#.YOFuukzTVPY

(Hoping the link works). But I note it's not mentioned on the website ( I only found it via social media)...

 

That EMRT "Forward Fund" looks as though it only recently has been set up.
I notice EMRT has a Twitter page now, which also appears to have only been estabished in the last day or so...

 

Reopening plans to be announced at their Community Event this Friday according to this....

https://twitter.com/EMRailTrust?ref...lvbiI6bnVsbH19&ref_url=http://www.gcrn.co.uk/

 

According to their FB page, they are going for new decks on the A60 bridge....
https://www.facebook.com/eastmidlandsrailwaytrust
Presumably something will appear on the EMRT website in due course.

 

Cannot access that FB page but I'm sure new decks are the best way forward - even if it is probably slightly more expensive, it can probably be installed faster and so be less disruptive.
It should have a much longer life........ and possibly give a bit more clearance beneath?

 

Works OK for me, and I won't touch FB with a bargepole!

Text is here so everyone can see it......

Bridge repairs - a plan to reopen the railway

Our #railway has been closed since September 2020 GCRN - Great Central Railway Nottingham. Bridge 326 over the A60 at #Loughborough is out of use requiring major repair. This means freight trains serving the British Gypsum plant at East Leake had to be stopped. We plan to reopen the railway by installing new bridge decks and repairing the rest of the line to Rushcliffe Halt. Freight trains to the British Gypsum factory can then resume, reducing road traffic.

Please help us to realise our 18 mile railway. You can support us by donating here: https://bit.ly/3dRMknC


It will be interesting to see if they have explored to possibility of extracting some money from the County Highways to raise the bridge decks if they are being replaced. Would have thought it would be possible to gain 12" extra height at least if they are working on the whole structure to repair it.

 

Thanks Johann - fortunately the donation function works!

 

Looking at the EMRT Website, their appears to have been several things added in the last week or so and it includes a download of a brouchure about their "Forward Fund"

https://emrtrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Forward-Fund-Brochure.pdf

Looks like a concrete bridge deck is what they are looking at - as per the recent one replaced at Quorn, and the "Ruddington Victoria" station is also featured.

 

I don't know the site but it is not usually easy to raise the level of a highway over the top of a bridge, especially if it is at the crest of the road alignment. In a dip and it could be a different matter, if you have the time to wait for them to do all the design work etc of course.

 

Isn’t it the other way round with the railway going over the road? Depending on the design of the new structure and the rail approach gradients, an increase in headroom may well be a possibility.

 

Hi Northernsteam
The railway goes over the road, but the road is also close to a stream and floodplain so it is difficult to lower the road surface. The rails also are at the end of the slope up the chord line to the MML so difficult to raise the rail level much. However if a new deck is used then I'm sure they will try to design it to get as much clearance as possible. The existing bridge has been hit quite a few times by lorries over the years.
That new EMRT brochure has very little (if any?) mention of GCR(N)......which is interesting....