Moseley Railway Trust celebrates Heritage Lottery Fund support for Tracks to the Trenches
On July 13, 14 and 15 2018, the Moseley Railway Trust will host the third of the Tracks to the Trenches events at the Trust’s site at Apedale, North Staffordshire.
These events commemorate the role which light railways played during the 1914-1918 conflict. The event in July will be the third in this series of award-winning events. These events aim to recreate the Western Front in Staffordshire – lots of steam trains, military vehicles and living history re-enactors all combine to make a memorable day out!
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the Moseley Railway Trust an £10,000 grant in support of Tracks to the Trenches. Made possible by National Lottery players through HLF’s First World War then and now programme, the project will focus not only on the event, but also on enhancing the presentation and interpretation of First World War-related exhibits at Apedale. This will ensure a lasting legacy at Apedale and will also support the on-going work of the Trust’s volunteers.
The grant will allow the Trust to extend the existing Field Railway – work on this should have started in time for the event in July. An interpretation board will also be provided. There is also a sub-project to re-create a wagon used for the transportation of heavy artillery pieces on 2’0” gauge tracks – remember, during the First World War, the mud meant absolutely everything was moved by rail – including the largest guns!
Further, the Heritage Lottery Fund grant will also allow a visit to Tracks to the Trenches by a draught horse team and a field gun and limber, and finally will support a visiting steam locomotive of a type used on trench railways during the First World War.
Phil Robinson, Moseley Railway Trust chairman said “We are delighted that we are able to continue our relationship with the National Lottery. We are sure that, with the support of this Heritage Lottery Fund grant, Tracks to the Trenches will not only be a successful event but will also leave a sustainable legacy for the Trust and the site at Apedale”.
Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. Thanks to National Lottery players, HLF has already invested more than £94 million to more than 1,900 projects – large and small – that are marking this global Centenary; with our small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in ‘Tracks to the Trenches’ to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”
Details of the Tracks to the Trenches 2018 event are available at www.ww1-event.org. Advance tickets are now on sale.
