THE relocation of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust from Hopetown Works to the nearby brand-new, purpose-built works within the Darlington Railway Heritage Quarter got underway in late May.
Owned by Darlington Borough Council, the new £4.5 million two-road building will provide many of the facilities required for constructing and operating the A1SLT’s locomotives, including a main line rail connection and inspection pits.
Following a detailed site visit by Network Rail, DBC and A1SLT personnel, a clear preferred layout has now been finalised for the trust’s new home. The plan will allow a full-length charter train to arrive into the site without being split. Expenditure has also been reduced by only using one span of the bridge over nearby Otley Terrace, while major signal cable movements have been avoided.
Almost all of the plain line for the track has been sourced. Point work and other requirements are also due for delivery later this year before track work commences in the autumn.