Not the end of the line for CEMEX quarry loco
Barrington Cement Works’ last remaining quarry train donated to local industrial railway museum
THE future of the last remaining quarry train which has been on display at CEMEX’s Barrington Cement Works has been secured following the company’s decision to donate the locomotive and two remaining wagons to Rocks by Rail, a local museum specializing in the preservation of industrial heritage.
In 2005 the loco and two wagons were part of the last working standard-gauge quarry railway in the UK, but at this time it was decided to replace rail transportation within the site by the latest methods of mineral excavation and movement, thus signalling the end of nearly 200 years of industrial history dating back to the beginning of the railway age.
Aware of the significant historic importance, the loco and two wagons have been preserved on permanent display within the CEMEX site ever since. However, with the recent decision to permanently close the site, CEMEX have now decided to donate and entrust their valuable quarry rolling stock to Rocks by Rail, formerly Rutland Railway Museum.
The train and two wagons will be moved to the museum’s site at Cottesmore, in Rutland, where they will join a unique collection of quarry rolling stock. They will be demonstrated to the public at the museum’s own rail-connected mock quarry face.
Ian Southcott, community affairs manager for CEMEX UK, said: ‘We are delighted that these important aspects of the industrial heritage of the Barrington Cement Works will not only be preserved, but will actually be seen in action at the Rocks by Rail museum.’
Simon Layfield from Rocks by Rail commented: ‘Through this generous act, CEMEX have safeguarded the future of historic quarry railway items which they were instrumental in saving. We are very grateful for their support both now and in the past.
‘The arrival of the wagons will allow us to form a genuine quarry train consisting of a loco and four wagons which can be operated in our mock quarry very much in the same way as they used to work at Barrington.’
Rocks by Rail says it hopes to move the items to the museum in time for their initial display on Sunday 21 October 2012, when the museum has its next public open day.
