The complete steam news magazine

GCR needs £100k to finish Loughborough station canopy restoration

In late spring and early summer, the renovation of what is locally known as 'Loughborough's Crystal Palace' will be two thirds complete, including the
station entrance roof in Great Central Road.

Great Central Railway marketing manageress Kate Tilley said: "We
launched the half a million pound canopy appeal two years ago to restore
the hugely complex glass, metal and wood structure, making it fit for
another century of service.

“The response has been inspirational. Thanks to the commitment of supporters and well wishers the work is storming ahead."

The railway has successfully attracted more than £100,000 grant aid towards the project.

However with available funds fully committed, the GCR has now launched the 'One Last Push!' campaign to raise the remainder of the money needed.

Kate said: "Essentially, all that remains is the part of the roof above platform 1. To fully complete the job, we need to raise somewhere between £100-150,000, depending on what we find when we start to dismantle the structure."

The railway plans to renovate the last part of the roof in two phases.

Providing the first £50,000 of the new appeal can be raised, repairs will begin in September this year and finish in December. Again, providing the funds continue to flow, the very last section would begin in January 2013.

Kate said: "We're on track to have finally 'raised the roof' by spring 2013, a little over a year from now. We appreciate every donation which has been given to the appeal so far, the money has been well spent and we hope that inspires supporters to help us with 'One Last Push!'

“Every pound we raise, is a pound less we have to chase. Certainly our visitors at the
gala were very generous and pushed us in the right direction!"

*Donations to the canopy appeal can be made on line at www.gcrailway.co.uk
or by cheque made payable to The David Clarke Railway Trust, c/o Lovatt
House, 3 Wharncliffe Road, Loughborough LE11 1SL.