NAKLO back on track thanks to funding from the Power to Change Trust

South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society is delighted to announce that a major grant has been approved by the Power to Change Trust, to restore the STR’s ex-PKP 0-6-0 steam locomotive NAKLO and to create a new microenterprise delivering Railway Experiences on the South Tynedale Railway for the first time.

 

Starting January 2018, NAKLO will be overhauled and rebuilt in-house at Alston, safeguarding existing jobs and creating new opportunities in the engineering department.

 

As Projects Director Brian Craven says, ‘We receive many requests for Railway Experience days to help people celebrate anniversaries and birthdays, and visitors frequently say, “it’s just something I have always wanted to do”. Sadly until now this is something the STR has not been able to offer, but as NAKLO has a large footplate with plenty of room for four adults, this is a perfect opportunity to make our visitors’ “steam dreams” come true with a fabulous footplate experience.”

 

The Power to Change Community Business Development Programme supports community businesses across the UK to develop fresh innovations that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the overall business. A grant in excess of £200k was been awarded to the Society in October 2017, based on a contractor-led restoration.

 

Further funds will be raised to enhance and further develop the NAKLO Project, as the restoration gets underway and the opportunity to deliver Railway Experiences from 2019 draws near.