Network Rail has donated a kilometre of track and sleepers, plus five sets of points and four stop blocks to Devon-based Plym Valley Railway, supporting the volunteer-led local attraction and enabling the preservation of this heritage railway line.
The equipment, which was no longer used by Network Rail, was removed from Lostwithiel yard in Cornwall and offered to Plym Valley, a heritage railway that operates on what was previously known as the Launceston branch line, which opened in 1859 and linked Plymouth with Tavistock.
While the branch line was closed in the 1960s, a group of local rail enthusiasts set out to restore the line in 1982, with the first section from Marsh Mills to Lee Moor crossing opening as a heritage railway and local attraction in 2008.
The donation of the track and rail equipment means that Plym Valley Railway will be able to replace parts of their existing infrastructure, which was constructed in the 1980s, providing more space at Marsh Mills yard and sidings and enabling the heritage railway to obtain and preserve further historical railway items in the future.
Alexander Maltby, Network Rail Devon and Cornwall sponsor, said: “With support from our colleagues working in maintenance, I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to donate disused track and other components to such a worthy cause.
“It has been an absolute pleasure supporting the Plym Valley Railway’s longevity and I cannot wait to see what they have done with our donation.”
Daniel Phillips, Chairman of Plym Valley Railway Company Ltd, said: “The Plym Valley Railway would like to thank Network Rail for their co-operation and generosity in donating these redundant assets for our use.
“As a wholly voluntary organisation, the railway relies on donations to be able to invest in the railway and the assets received from Network Rail will ensure the longevity of Marsh Mills yard and our future operations.
“We hope we can work with Network Rail in future.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
