Midland Railway Centre

[D Williams]

I was thinking of visiting in July on the 20th but the event for this weekend is cancelled with no replacement as of yet. Also a quick look at their stock list indicates all steam locos are either out of service or elsewhere. Assuming the gates will be unlocked on the 20th is it worth a visit?

 

[Iskra]

They have a Jinty launch weekend at the end of June, so presumably that will be available for traffic from then on. However, they seem to mostly run DMU’s.

I’ve never quite got around to visiting, but intend to do so eventually, I’ve only seen Sams Trains Youtube visit to the line, which you may find informative.

 

[Forty29]

More vandalism there demonstration signalbox damaged. Think only have D4 home fleet advertised for use at the next event and hst.

 

[Ducatist4]

The museum shed has just been closed as most of the roof has now blown off.

 

[Harman]

Possibly they are their own worst enemy, in no way would I condone mindless vandalism but the site for the most part actually looks like it's abandoned.

 

[43096]

Possibly they are their own worst enemy, in no way would I condone mindless vandalism but the site for the most part actually looks like it's abandoned. View attachment 160909View attachment 160909

So no different to any other preserved railway.

 

[D Williams]

Thanks, for the info. I'll give this one a miss, it's not projecting the "visit me" feeling! I wonder what's gone wrong?

 

[Ianigsy]

I was in the area last Saturday and looked at going, but it just seemed to be one of the Pacers going up and down. There are a few transport attractions in that area and I wonder whether they’ve perhaps lost people to the likes of the Ecclesbourne Valley and Great Central.

 

[50002Superb]

It’s probably my closest HR but the one I’m least likely to visit.

The “lure” of pacers and nothing else generally on running days. The run down feel around Swanick.

The website is not very informative so planning visits is not as straightforward as it should be.

Does it have a rich benefactor?

 

[Iskra]

In fairness, one of the Pacers is quite a rare and interesting one in a cracking livery. However, I do agree that it seems left behind a little and not quite sure who it is aiming to attract.

Anyone on the fence about visiting may wish to consider doing so for the Winter diesel gala on 16th & 17th of November where a 31, ROG 37, 44, 47 and 66 are all running. Providing that you can appreciate a diesel, that's a much more interesting line up than the regular DMU service.

 

[43096]

I was thinking of visiting in July on the 20th but the event for this weekend is cancelled with no replacement as of yet. Also a quick look at their stock list indicates all steam locos are either out of service or elsewhere. Assuming the gates will be unlocked on the 20th is it worth a visit?

Looking at the website about that weekend it does say "Please keep the date in your diary as we have a special announcement for this weekend coming soon!" which suggests to me that it won't be an "ordinary" running day and that they're planning something else.

 

[Mollman]

It’s probably my closest HR but the one I’m least likely to visit.

The “lure” of pacers and nothing else generally on running days. The run down feel around Swanick.

The website is not very informative so planning visits is not as straightforward as it should be.

Does it have a rich benefactor?

It used to be home to a number of preservation groups, not sure how many are still there.

 

[Ducatist4]

The West Shed, home to the Duchess of Sutherland amongst others is still there. There is a wagon restoration team and also a bus and fork lift museum. Oh and the 125Group with their HST set. There may be others as quite a few loco's live there - diesels mostly though..

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I was looking at a visit there in a couple of week's time. However, I've decided not to go, partly because I couldn't make any sense of their web site and partly because I couldn't contact them to ask questions.

 

[50002Superb]

It used to be home to a number of preservation groups, not sure how many are still there.

Do they pay a ground rent?

 

[31160]

Nothing ever looks well kept there though, I accept its a massive site to keep under control but sometimes you can go years apart and Nothing seams to improve

 

[paul1609]

I was looking at a visit there in a couple of week's time. However, I've decided not to go, partly because I couldn't make any sense of their web site and partly because I couldn't contact them to ask questions.

Im nothing to do with the Butterley Site but looking at their website I cant really see what your objection is? Have you tried emailling the enquiry email? If your expecting a permanently manned telephone line at a volunteer organisation to answer enthusiasts trivia thats probably unrealistic.

 

[12LDA28C]

Nothing ever looks well kept there though, I accept its a massive site to keep under control but sometimes you can go years apart and Nothing seams to improve

Are you referring to the site itself or the stock based there?

 

[31160]

Well definitely the site looks a mess, some of the stock looks lovely but other stock especially the wagons just look like they've been abandoned

 

[Mollman]

Do they pay a ground rent?

I presume they pay rent to use the site but can't tell you what the actual agreements are

 

[43096]

Well definitely the site looks a mess, some of the stock looks lovely but other stock especially the wagons just look like they've been abandoned

So no different to virtually every other heritage railway!

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Im nothing to do with the Butterley Site but looking at their website I cant really see what your objection is? Have you tried emailling the enquiry email? If your expecting a permanently manned telephone line at a volunteer organisation to answer enthusiasts trivia thats probably unrealistic.

I have tried to contact them, I think by e-mail, but didn't get a reply. They don't seem to run regular services, and they're not doing so when I'm proposing to visit this month. I'll try again in the future, though, because I would like to visit the Centre again.

 

[Ducatist4]

They run at the weekends and in school holidays I think. One of the biggest issues for me is the limited length of line they have available sadly.

 

[JonathanH]

One of the biggest issues for me is the limited length of line they have available sadly.

Unfortunately the main station is in the middle and they can't extend at either end. A bit of a shame as the bit by the reservoir is an attractive bit of line.

 

[Ducatist4]

More that a few people get on at Butterley and think Swanwick is the end of the line so they are not getting much for their £15 or however much it is these days!

 

[Flying Phil]

So no different to virtually every other heritage railway!

I think that is a bit too broad a brush. The GCR has five different freight rakes of running wagons - 24 Grey Windcutter 16T minerals, 18 bauxite vans, 12 tankers, 18 Bauxite Mixed Goods plus 10 ballast wagons/engineers train. True there are still a handful awaiting restoration.

 

[Belperpete]

I was thinking of visiting in July on the 20th but the event for this weekend is cancelled with no replacement as of yet. Also a quick look at their stock list indicates all steam locos are either out of service or elsewhere. Assuming the gates will be unlocked on the 20th is it worth a visit?

It is now many years since I last visited when I lived in the area, but it was well worth it as there was a lot to see. They are certainly not in the same league as the GCR or EVR, but still worth visiting if your interests are wider than than just locos. Unfortunately, it does look like they are struggling, and have scaled back a lot, particularly as regards steam. It would be a pity to see them close, as they have achieved a lot, but there is a lot of competition not far away.

 

[Russel]

The museum shed has just been closed as most of the roof has now blown off.

That's been closed for a couple of years, hasn't it?

It was closed in 2021 due to issues with the roof!

 

[Harman]

It is now many years since I last visited when I lived in the area, but it was well worth it as there was a lot to see. They are certainly not in the same league as the GCR or EVR, but still worth visiting if your interests are wider than than just locos. Unfortunately, it does look like they are struggling, and have scaled back a lot, particularly as regards steam. It would be a pity to see them close, as they have achieved a lot, but there is a lot of competition not far away.

Sadly I'm of the opinion that closure is inevitable and moving some of the better stock away ASAP before bailiffs get to take control. There is to much rot for them to be able to mount a rescue operation. Even with a major input of funds the site is to far gone.

 

[Ducatist4]

Yes you are right, I miss read their post - its been shut for four years and they have only just decided to appeal for £40k so they can fix it. I have some experience of re-roofing projects - £40k wont even touch the sides of the work they need to do. Pop another zero on the end and you'll be in the right ball park.