Network Rail experts are helping to get Wicksteed Park’s railway ready for passengers again after volunteering to do essential track repair and maintenance for free.
Around 20 volunteers will begin work this week.
It is hoped that the work will be completed within a few days so that passengers can be taken around the park once again.
The toot of the Wicksteed Park trains has been missing due to the coronavirus pandemic and has resulted in Wicksteed Park Ltd, who operates the park, being put into administration.
The park is owned by Wicksteed Charitable Trust, which has funded a new company, Wicksteed Trading Ltd.
Ben Darling, Network Rail‘s Distribution & Plant Section Manager for the East Midlands route, who lives in Kettering, answered the call for help.
Ben and his wife Gemma will be among the volunteers helping with work on the track. Ben said: “As a local resident, the Wicksteed Park railway project means a lot to me and I’d like to thank everyone with their help so far.
“The park, and its famous train, which takes visitors around the lake and woodlands, is a big part of the community in Kettering.
“I’m proud of my colleagues at Network Rail for helping to support the Wicksteed Charitable Trust. We are pleased to be using our experience on the railway to repair this track and get the train running again this summer.”
Lee Scragg, MD of Wicksteed Park, said: “Over the last few weeks we have been incredibly grateful for all the donations and offers of help that the park has received as we begin the process of rebuilding for the future.
“As we are a much-streamlined company with very restricted income at the moment, much of what has been achieved would have been impossible without the help of volunteers.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ben and his team, as without them we would not have been able to complete this work and get the trains which people love so much up and running again so quickly.”
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Responses
Well done to all concerned, Wicksteed park is a gem we should strive to keep; my grandchildren love it! Here’s looking to a bright future.