Mountsorrel Railway August news

August has been another busy month on the project. Work has continued between Wood Lane and the end of the line at Bond Lane. The trackbed has been readied for ballast laying. The next task is to repair the drainage pipe that runs along the side of the cutting; once this is complete we will start to lay the ballast. We thank Lafarge Aggregates Community Fund for their continued support.



Volunteers have spent the last few weeks constructing a volunteer access path at Bond Lane. This path has been built with the correct gradient and dimensions to allow future wheelchair use and will be developed over time to become our public access to the Mountsorrel Halt platform, once the railway is completed and open to the public.



Sourcing of materials for construction of the platform has taken a big leap forward with the kind donation from Lafarge of enough granite blocks to construct a 45 metre long full height platform wall. This kind donation represents a massive saving on the construction cost of the platform. We still require a concrete pour and re-bar for the foundations, plus other materials.  If your company would like to donate materials to help with the platform construction please get in touch.

Lesley Humphries ran her final junior ecology session in July; she has left us now to study at university. So far our attempts to find a volunteer to take over the ecology sessions has drawn a blank. If you or a friend, has an interest in ecology please get in touch with us. The junior ecology sessions can only continue with your support.



Thanks go to our weed killing sponsors Languard Vegetation Management of Husbands Bosworth, who have been back with us for a second session of weed management.

We have successfully completed our second year of wild flower planting sessions with local schools and young people groups. Since these sessions started last year over 400 children have been able to learn about ecology and the railway's history. If your school or group would be interested in taking part in next years sessions please get in touch.









Work continues to progress on the railbus restoration with the body now separated from the chassis. This is to allow work to commence on the mechanics whilst the body is overhauled at the same time.
 
The trackbed appeal is still in full swing. With ever increasing metal prices, we need your donations as soon as possible to secure the track we need, so please see our donations page for full details of how to donate.
 
Finally, an appeal for more volunteers. We currently have trackbed restoration work parties each Saturday, together with a railbus work parties also on Saturdays. We have also recently started a trackbed weekday work party, usually on Thursdays. So we should have an area of the project that interests you, regardless of whether you can only volunteer during the week or at weekends. Please try to find time to volunteer if you can. You'll always be assured of a very warm welcome! Thank you.