Tanfield Railway has been awarded almost quarter of a million pounds from DCMS |
Steam line scores £245k coronavirus funding
The world’s oldest railway has received nearly quarter of a million pounds to help it adapt to Covid-19 and improve the experience of visitors thanks to the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The Tanfield Railway, which runs steam trains between Sunniside in Gateshead and Tanfield, near Stanley, has received £245,500 from the Culture Recover Fund to help weather the storm of coronavirus and come back stronger.
The volunteer run line, which predates the
Stockton and Darlington Railway by a century, will use the funding to overhaul
a Victorian passenger carriage, pilot new heritage events and improve outdoor
areas.
The funding, the largest single amount ever
awarded to the Tanfield Railway, will also help to cover the costs of increased
cleaning, safety equipment and digital resources required to ensure that the
railway can operate in the post-coronavirus landscape.
Tanfield Railway is one of 445 heritage
organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost
from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help
them through the coronavirus pandemic.
Tanfield Railway director, David Watchman,
said: “Just like many heritage-led organisations, the coronavirus pandemic
created a whole host of challenges. We’ve always been a very self-sufficient
operation, but these unprecedented times mean that funding from the
Government’s Culture Recovery Fund is going to play a crucial role to our
long-term survival.
“We’ve had very generous support from the
public during the pandemic, but this funding will help us to provide a better
experience for our customers, and safeguard North East railway history.”
Among the projects to benefit from funding is
the overhaul of an 1885-built Great Northern Railway passenger carriage. The
rare vehicle will be rebuilt back to its original style with individual
passenger compartments, which were removed during modifications in the 1930s.
The changes will help to increase the number of socially distanced seats
available on trains.
A new ‘welcome’ building at Andrews House
station on the railway is planned to make the staging of living history style
events feasible with coronavirus related restrictions in place. The first
events are planned to take place in early 2021.
Resurfacing of footpaths and new outdoor
seating areas will also be provided at stations along the three-mile railway
and at the line’s 1854 engine shed; the oldest working building of its type in
the world.
The funding is also expected to ensure that
plans to celebrate the 300th anniversary
of the Tanfield route in 2025 are not unduly hampered by the coronavirus
pandemic.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a
nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn
from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage
for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”
The Tanfield Railway is currently operating a limited steam train service each Sunday with pre-booked tickets available online.
2 comments:
Great news for Tanfield. Well done whoever made the application
Excellent news!
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