Heritage railway launches urgent repair appeal

A heritage railway in Derbyshire says urgent repairs are needed to protect some of its collection.

The Midland Railway - Butterley’s main exhibition hall is currently closed to the public and in desperate need of roof and guttering work, bosses say.

Rain has been making its way into the Matthew Kirtley Building causing “massive damage” to both the building itself and the vehicles it houses.

The visitor attraction near Ripley has now launched a £40,000 fundraising appeal to carry out the repair work and reopen the building to the public once more.

A spokesperson for the railway said: “In periods of heavy rain, water pours into the building and is causing massive damage.

“The unique collection of railway items and vehicles it houses is now suffering rapid deterioration, which will ultimately result in costly restoration if we don’t act now.

“Please help us now so that we can secure this historic collection, and carry on telling the story of the famous Midland Railway to future generations.”

Items inside the exhibition hall include carriages from the late 1800s, two carriages from the Royal Train, the first Midland Railway Pullman car, goods vehicles, railway signs and station items, and a collection of photographs.

It is hoped the Matthew Kirtley Building, named after the Midland Railway Company’s first locomotive superintendent and purchased for the heritage railway in 1981, will reopen by spring 2025.

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