GCRN has secured an £8,500 grant to provide power to Hotchley Hill signal box and now we need your help. The grant has come from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Community Capital Fund, and we’re very grateful for their support.
Hotchley Hill signal box is currently powered off a portable generator which isn’t ideal. The permanent mains supply will make it easier to continue restoration work on the building and get it ready to control trains again.
The project will also get wires close to Rushcliffe Halt station, making it easier in future to add lights to the platform and power into the shelters – essential now we’re welcoming passengers again.
The grant covers half the project cost. We need to raise a little over the same amount so we can proceed straight away. Of course, if we raise more, we can do more – like making a start on the station power.
This remarkable box will be a centrepiece of the GCR Reunification project. It was abandoned for decades but is now watertight, with a floor and cosy stove.
Our charity partner, www.lnergctrust.org, has a Hotchley Hill Campaign. The total we’re aiming for is £18,000.
Every donation is welcome and this is a campaign where every single pound takes us closer to the target.
Postal donations can be sent to LNER GC Heritage Trust, Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham NG11 6JS. Cheques to be payable to LNER GC Heritage Trust.
For those wishing to donate by BACS our account details are as follows: Sort Code: 40-52-40, Account Number: 00010221. The account name is the LNER GC HERITAGE TRUST.
You can watch a YouTube video about the signal box at https://youtu.be/rebigRXeSRk.
Editor’s note
There’s also a new animated video available with the latest visualisation of the reunification project, which you can watch at https://youtu.be/DewQEHBUw2I.