Walk along the partially restored trackbed of the Mountsorrel Railway. Walk is 2.6 km long, outdoor clothing and walking boots essential.
Dates: Monday 16 July, Sunday 22 July, Sunday 29 July; all walks start at 14.00
Cost: £3
Location: Swithland Sidings railway bridge, The Ridings, Swithland (grid Ref: SK562133)
To book, contact volunteer Robert Turlington: 0116 2396742 / turlington2008@yahoo.com
Part of the Festival of British Archaeology
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Friday, 15 June 2012
OO Gauge Mountsorrel Granite Company Model Wagon Goes on Sale
Producers of private owner model railway wagons, West Wales Wagon Works, have commissioned a limited run of 100 models of our restored Mountsorrel wagon number 359.
Community volunteers including a group of 7 teenage girls, worked on Tuesday evenings throughout the winter of 2010 to restore number 359 into Mountsorrel Granite Company livery for use as part of historical recreations on the restored Mountsorrel Railway.
West Wales Wagon Works owner Michael Martin commented “It is inspirational to see young people, particularly a group of girls, volunteering their spare time to restore railway wagons and preserve part of their heritage. We thought that as a testament to their dedication and hard work, it would be fitting to produce a OO gauge model of the wagon they restored to allow the public to share in their achievement”.
When ordering please mention that you have read the update on the Mountsorrel Railway website and West Wales Wagon Works will donate £1 from each wagon you order to the Mountsorrel Railway Project. Don't delay in ordering though, only 100 models have been produced and these are likely to sell quickly!
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Mountsorrel Railway Agrees Rail Supply Deal
We are very pleased to announce that the Mountsorrel Railway project has agreed a deal to potentially secure all the rail needed to complete track laying to the end of the line at Mountsorrel!
We have been trying to procure a good deal on rail for phase 3 to reach Wood Lane. This has proved to be a very difficult challenge so we were absolutely delighted to finally agree a deal at a much lower price than we have been expecting to pay. Enough rail has been made available to the project at this price to not only extend track to Wood Lane, but to go all the way to the end of the line at Bond Lane, Mountsorrel as well!
It is unlikely that we will be able to find rail at such a good price again, so we have taken the decision to try to source all the rail we need for both phase 3 and 4 in one go. We are very close to having the available funds to do this and only need to raise a further £8,000 to secure all of the rail. However, the deal has to be finalised and payment made by the end of June. Rail that we haven't been able to raise the money to buy by the end of June will sadly be scrapped.
If we can raise the missing £8,000 by the end of June we anticipate having track laid all the way to Bond Lane as early as February next year! Almost all of the other track materials required to do this are already on site, so this date is very realistic. Everyone involved with the project is tremendously excited and we are exploring every avenue possible to raise the missing funds, but time is very tight and we only have just over three weeks to do this.
Please support us by donating if you can. Any amount both large or small helps to edge us even closer to our target.
To donate please send your donation cheques made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust) with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW.
We need your help now more than ever before, please support us if you can. Thank you!
We have been trying to procure a good deal on rail for phase 3 to reach Wood Lane. This has proved to be a very difficult challenge so we were absolutely delighted to finally agree a deal at a much lower price than we have been expecting to pay. Enough rail has been made available to the project at this price to not only extend track to Wood Lane, but to go all the way to the end of the line at Bond Lane, Mountsorrel as well!
It is unlikely that we will be able to find rail at such a good price again, so we have taken the decision to try to source all the rail we need for both phase 3 and 4 in one go. We are very close to having the available funds to do this and only need to raise a further £8,000 to secure all of the rail. However, the deal has to be finalised and payment made by the end of June. Rail that we haven't been able to raise the money to buy by the end of June will sadly be scrapped.
If we can raise the missing £8,000 by the end of June we anticipate having track laid all the way to Bond Lane as early as February next year! Almost all of the other track materials required to do this are already on site, so this date is very realistic. Everyone involved with the project is tremendously excited and we are exploring every avenue possible to raise the missing funds, but time is very tight and we only have just over three weeks to do this.
Please support us by donating if you can. Any amount both large or small helps to edge us even closer to our target.
To donate please send your donation cheques made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust) with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW.
We need your help now more than ever before, please support us if you can. Thank you!
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Mountsorrel Boys Brigade visit
On the evening on May 21st we hosted a visit from Mountsorrel Boys Brigade who came to study the industrial archaeology of the railway. They brought metal detectors in the hope of finding items of historic track work. They studied the overgrown area that was once Earl Lanesborough's private coal siding. Old sleepers and other track remains are still found here from time to time.
The group also used their metal detectors along the sides of the restored branch line.
A number of historical items were found and all very much enjoyed the opportunity to study the history of the railway.
If you have a similar group who may like to visit the Mountsorrel Railway during the summer evenings, please get in touch with Steve Cramp: steve@mountsorrelrailway.org.uk
The group also used their metal detectors along the sides of the restored branch line.
A number of historical items were found and all very much enjoyed the opportunity to study the history of the railway.
If you have a similar group who may like to visit the Mountsorrel Railway during the summer evenings, please get in touch with Steve Cramp: steve@mountsorrelrailway.org.uk
Saturday, 26 May 2012
News from the Mountsorrel Railway Wildlife Warriors
Over 60 children and parents attended the latest Mountsorrel Railway Wildlife Warriors event. This was a significant increase in numbers and builds on the success of the previous event, and this was despite the weather being cold and cloudy.
The theme of the session was insects. The children had a fun packed 90 minutes at the railway, building insect hotels. Each child had their own wooden box, which had been hand made by one of our teenage volunteers during their Easter school holidays. The children collected up rotting twigs and hollow stems to put inside the boxes before they were placed at suitable locations alongside the trackbed.
Each bug hotel was named by the children and at a future Warriors event they will be able to return to see what different types of insects have taken up residence.
The children then enjoyed biscuits and drinks before going on a bug hunt to see which family could find the largest variety of different insect species. The winning family managed to find no less than 18 different types and won a prize!
Wildlife Warriors sessions are run by the Mountsorrel Railway ecology group volunteers. The aim of the sessions is to encourage children aged 3-11 and their parents/carers to learn about wildlife through fun ecology based activities and games. The events are FREE for families to attend and the next is planned for August. Please check the website for further details nearer the time or contact Wildlife Warriors leader Caroline Bowler at wildlifewarriors@hotmail.co.ukfor further details and to register your interest.
The theme of the session was insects. The children had a fun packed 90 minutes at the railway, building insect hotels. Each child had their own wooden box, which had been hand made by one of our teenage volunteers during their Easter school holidays. The children collected up rotting twigs and hollow stems to put inside the boxes before they were placed at suitable locations alongside the trackbed.
Each bug hotel was named by the children and at a future Warriors event they will be able to return to see what different types of insects have taken up residence.
The children then enjoyed biscuits and drinks before going on a bug hunt to see which family could find the largest variety of different insect species. The winning family managed to find no less than 18 different types and won a prize!
Wildlife Warriors sessions are run by the Mountsorrel Railway ecology group volunteers. The aim of the sessions is to encourage children aged 3-11 and their parents/carers to learn about wildlife through fun ecology based activities and games. The events are FREE for families to attend and the next is planned for August. Please check the website for further details nearer the time or contact Wildlife Warriors leader Caroline Bowler at wildlifewarriors@hotmail.co.ukfor further details and to register your interest.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Will you be a Wildlife Warrior next week?
Our next Wildlife Warriors session will take place on Saturday May 19th from 2pm until 3:30pm. Please note the later start time than the last session. The meeting place will be the same as last time, i.e. the granite railway bridge at the top of Wood Lane/Halstead Road.
Wildlife Warriors are for children aged 3 to 11 and their parents, with the aim of helping to boost the wildlife along the Mountsorrel Railway through fun based ecology activities and games.
The focus of the May session will be insects. The children will be able to build an insect habitat and there'll be a bug hut with a prize for the family who find the most insects. The session will round off with a drink and biscuits.
Wildlife Warriors sessions are FREE of charge, so we very much hope you'll be able to come along to take part.
For further details please email Caroline Bowler: wildlifewarriors@hotmail.co.uk
Wildlife Warriors are for children aged 3 to 11 and their parents, with the aim of helping to boost the wildlife along the Mountsorrel Railway through fun based ecology activities and games.
The focus of the May session will be insects. The children will be able to build an insect habitat and there'll be a bug hut with a prize for the family who find the most insects. The session will round off with a drink and biscuits.
Wildlife Warriors sessions are FREE of charge, so we very much hope you'll be able to come along to take part.
For further details please email Caroline Bowler: wildlifewarriors@hotmail.co.uk
 |
| From The Mountsorrel Railway |
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Edith Murphy Foundation gives boost to Mountsorrel Railway phase 3 appeal
Plans to restore a historic Leicestershire railway line as a linear working museum have taken a major leap forward with the completion of track laying along the second phase of the project, and a significant donation from grantmaker the Edith Murphy Foundation.
Community volunteers from the village of Mountsorrel and the surrounding area have been working hard over the past four and a half years to carefully restore part of the railway system that used to run to the village. When complete the restored railway will connect Mountsorrel to the Loughborough based Great Central Railway, allowing steam trains to run back to the village once again.
"Four and a half years ago we set out with the vision of preserving and restoring an important part of our local heritage. We wanted to be able to tell the story of our industrial past in a way that would engage the community and encourage a better understanding of what village life was like in times gone by" said volunteer project leader Steve Cramp.
Already the project has brought educational benefits to over 500 local children, through school visits to learn about the history of the route and through ecological work along the railway corridor. "We haven't just set out to restore the railway itself, but also to care for the ecology and wildlife alongside the route. We've tried to encourage flora and fauna that would have been native to the sides of the railway during it's original operating life as well as creating wildlife habitats" continued Steve.
Over the winter, sections of the hedgerows alongside the line have been professionally laid by volunteers, giving children and young people an opportunity to learn the art of hedge laying for themselves. Over 1,100 native trees and bushes have also been planted. The project has recently launched "Wildlife Warriors" which are free sessions for children aged 3-11 and their parents, aimed at allowing them to learn about the wildlife along the route and enriching it through fun ecological activities.
The 1.2 mile long railway is being restored in four phases. With phases 1 and 2 now complete, attention is turning to raising the £23,000 required to buy rail for phase 3. "We are very grateful to the Edith Murphy Foundation for helping to launch our phase 3 appeal with a wonderfully generous donation of £5,000! Together with donations already received from members of the public we have raised £11,000, so we are almost half way to our £23,000 target!" enthused Steve. "The railway is being restored using historically correct materials and all the track laying is being done by hand using the same methods as the original navvies who built the railway in the 19th century. Community spirit and hard work have brought us this far but sadly though work on track laying has had to come to a halt pending fundraising of the remaining £12,000 we need. Phase 3 will extend the railway by a further 500 metres and take us to Wood Lane on the outskirts of Mountsorrel."
To donate and help create what will be a much valued educational and recreational resource, please send your cheque, made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust) with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW.
For further details please see the project website www.mountsorrelrailway.org.uk To volunteer and get involved yourself email project leader Steve Cramp steve@mountsorrelrailway.org.uk
Community volunteers from the village of Mountsorrel and the surrounding area have been working hard over the past four and a half years to carefully restore part of the railway system that used to run to the village. When complete the restored railway will connect Mountsorrel to the Loughborough based Great Central Railway, allowing steam trains to run back to the village once again.
"Four and a half years ago we set out with the vision of preserving and restoring an important part of our local heritage. We wanted to be able to tell the story of our industrial past in a way that would engage the community and encourage a better understanding of what village life was like in times gone by" said volunteer project leader Steve Cramp.
Already the project has brought educational benefits to over 500 local children, through school visits to learn about the history of the route and through ecological work along the railway corridor. "We haven't just set out to restore the railway itself, but also to care for the ecology and wildlife alongside the route. We've tried to encourage flora and fauna that would have been native to the sides of the railway during it's original operating life as well as creating wildlife habitats" continued Steve.
Over the winter, sections of the hedgerows alongside the line have been professionally laid by volunteers, giving children and young people an opportunity to learn the art of hedge laying for themselves. Over 1,100 native trees and bushes have also been planted. The project has recently launched "Wildlife Warriors" which are free sessions for children aged 3-11 and their parents, aimed at allowing them to learn about the wildlife along the route and enriching it through fun ecological activities.
The 1.2 mile long railway is being restored in four phases. With phases 1 and 2 now complete, attention is turning to raising the £23,000 required to buy rail for phase 3. "We are very grateful to the Edith Murphy Foundation for helping to launch our phase 3 appeal with a wonderfully generous donation of £5,000! Together with donations already received from members of the public we have raised £11,000, so we are almost half way to our £23,000 target!" enthused Steve. "The railway is being restored using historically correct materials and all the track laying is being done by hand using the same methods as the original navvies who built the railway in the 19th century. Community spirit and hard work have brought us this far but sadly though work on track laying has had to come to a halt pending fundraising of the remaining £12,000 we need. Phase 3 will extend the railway by a further 500 metres and take us to Wood Lane on the outskirts of Mountsorrel."
To donate and help create what will be a much valued educational and recreational resource, please send your cheque, made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust) with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW.
For further details please see the project website www.mountsorrelrailway.org.uk To volunteer and get involved yourself email project leader Steve Cramp steve@mountsorrelrailway.org.uk
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Loughborough Round Table give away to Mountsorrel Railway
We are pleased to announce that Loughborough Round Table (LRT) have chosen the Mountsorrel Railway to receive a £260 donation as part of their "260 Give Away" scheme!
LRT have been making donations to local good causes each month over the past year, so we were delighted when LRT got in touch to say that we were their chosen charity for March 2012.
Project volunteers were joined at the Mountsorrel Railway by representatives from LRT to present them with the donation cheque.
The donation monies are very much appreciated indeed and will be put towards our track appeal for the restoration of phase 3 of the project to Wood Lane.
If you would like to donate please send your cheque made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust), with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW. Thank you
LRT have been making donations to local good causes each month over the past year, so we were delighted when LRT got in touch to say that we were their chosen charity for March 2012.
Project volunteers were joined at the Mountsorrel Railway by representatives from LRT to present them with the donation cheque.
The donation monies are very much appreciated indeed and will be put towards our track appeal for the restoration of phase 3 of the project to Wood Lane.
If you would like to donate please send your cheque made payable to "DCRT" (David Clarke Railway Trust), with "Mountsorrel Railway" written on the back, to 112 Balmoral Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, LE12 7EW. Thank you
Thursday, 22 March 2012
First Wildlife Warriors session is a great success
The launch of our first Wildlife Warriors event was a massive success with over 40 children and parents taking part. Families came from Rothley, Mountsorrel, Quorn and Woodhouse Eaves, and we even had an American family who have recently moved to the area.
Children were able to make "bird dials" to help them identify different types of birds. There was also a scavenger hunt with the prize of a bird feeder for the family with the most scavenged items. Children made bundles of nesting materials which were placed in the hedgerows alongside the railway to help birds find nesting materials for the upcoming nesting season.
It was also possible to observe at a distance, a pair of treecreepers which were nesting in one of the 21 bird boxes erected by volunteers along the route.
Wildlife Warriors leader Caroline Bowler said:
Children were able to make "bird dials" to help them identify different types of birds. There was also a scavenger hunt with the prize of a bird feeder for the family with the most scavenged items. Children made bundles of nesting materials which were placed in the hedgerows alongside the railway to help birds find nesting materials for the upcoming nesting season.
It was also possible to observe at a distance, a pair of treecreepers which were nesting in one of the 21 bird boxes erected by volunteers along the route.
Wildlife Warriors leader Caroline Bowler said:
What a great morning. A big thank you goes to everyone who helped, our regular volunteers were amazing especially the older children who took a really active part in the session. Laura, Lucy, Olivia and Charlotte were great ambassadors for the project! Feedback was great from everyone who attended and there seemed to be a really good atmosphere throughout the morning. It was great to see the trackbed so alive with activity. The youngest child was just three and the oldest mid teens, as whole families turned out. Can't wait for the next one!An attendee posted on our Facebook page:
My son and partner attended the wildlife warriors session, he was sooo excited when I arrived home, he loved it and will definitely be attending again!Wildlife Warriors events are FREE to attend and the next session will be held on Saturday May 19th. Please mark it in you diary! More details will follow nearer the time.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Mountsorrel Railway excellent feature in Railway Magazine
The April issue of The Railway Magazine was published recently and contains a full feature article on the project, which explores the progress made over the last four and a half years.
The magazine is available at all good newsagents. A shorter version of the article, minus superb photos and diagrams, is here, but we'd really recommend you buy the magazine!
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