With the completion of the Bury to Heywood line and the link to National Rail network at Castleton, the Buckley Wells Masterplan is the next key project to be taken forward in phases. These will progressively develop the site to provide a high standard heritage visitor attraction which will incorporate the features described below and prioritised as shown.

Phase 1 2007 to 2008
Phase 2 2009 to 2010
Phase 3 2011 to 2012
Phase 4 2013 to 2015

1 The main elements of the site development are as follows:-

1.1 Phase 1

1.1.1 Clearing and grading the site to accommodate the main components in the following sequence:-

• The turn out from the through road (currently carriage siding 1) to the civil engineering area with return to diesel shed.
• The station, turntable, coaling and watering plant.
• The carriage shed northern approach, the carriage shed and carriage shed southern exit.

 

1.1.2 Development of track and point work to provide rail access to the developing exhibition facilities and buildings in the following sequence:-

• The civil engineering area with return to diesel shed.
• The station through road, the turntable through road to the existing loco works approach roads.
• The carriage shed northern approach, the carriage shed and carriage shed southern exit.

 

1.1.3 Turntable

1.1.4 A 3 road x 4 loco shed for heritage diesel locomotive storage to be located to the North West of the site.

1.2 Phase 2

A 6 road x 8 car heritage carriage storage and cleaning facility to be located to the South West of the site, incorporating carriage washing plant.

1.3 Phase 3

1.3.1 Remediation of the existing main locomotive works structure to provide a sound building withinwhich a range of heritage facilities can be developed.

1.3.2 Walkways at various levels which will facilitate the accommodation of the public in a fully interactive environment whilst maintaining the required level of segregation to meet H&S requirements.

1.4 Phase 4

1.4.1 Progressive development of grassed and treed vehicle exhibit and picnic areas, co-coordinated with the proposed walkways and new buildings as the site develops to provide attractive visitor accommodation.

1.4.2 A new works facility for Riley & Son (E) Ltd adjacent to and joining the west wall of the existing building, to free up the facility that the business currently occupies.

1.4.3 Provision of a combined heavy engineering facility for steam, diesel and C&W in the space vacated by Riley & Son (E) Ltd.

1.4.4 A coaling and watering plant in the centre of the site, in the locations originally built by the various railway authorities who owned the site after absorbing the original East Lancashire Railway.

Malcolm Vickers (Commercial and Development Director)
1st December 2006

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