Arrives at the Heritage Centre
The Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre has welcomed a new exhibit into their Railway Museum. The last surviving standard gauge steam locomotive to be built at Loughborough’s iconic Brush works has recently arrived and has gone on display to the public.
The 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive was built in 1906 and worked at Swansea Docks. It was withdrawn from service in 1964 and presented to the Leicester Museum of Technology in 1968, before going on display at Snibston Discovery Park in 1992.
Managing Director Steve Cramp says
“What makes this locomotive so special is that of all the many standard gauge steam locos that were built over the years at Loughborough’s iconic Brush works, this is the last one that still survives anywhere in the world! We are extremely grateful to Leicestershire County Council Museum Services for choosing the Heritage Centre as the locos new home”.
They are now working towards kitting out their Railway Museum with state of the art features to showcase exhibits including the Brush steam locomotive! This entails the creation of interpretation boards for all the exhibits, new walk-ways will be added so visitors can get a good look at the exhibits and audio presentations will allow visitors to be immersed in their local history.
“It really would be exciting if these touches could be added to our Railway Museum”
Steve exclaims.
“The addition of display boards and audio presentations will bring the exhibits to life and will really help visitors to engage with our local railway history”.
Significant savings can be made through the dedication of the volunteers at the Heritage Centre, who will be working to fit out the museum themselves, the total cost of this project is only £4,800!
In addition to this, a Mountsorrel resident has kindly offered to match-fund all donations until 1st September. This means that every £10 donated is worth £20, and if donors are able to donate using gift aid every £10 given will actually be worth £25! Anyone wishing to donate can find details on the Heritage Centre Website http://heritage-centre.co.uk/donate/.
