FEARS that steam locomotives would not be running to or from the National Railway Museum in York due to upgrade works are unfounded, officials say.

Rumours had been circulating that work to create better facilities for the inspection and refuelling of locomotives would mean that heritage trains would be prevented from using the station.

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However, a spokesman for the National Railway Museum has today confirmed that although works will be taking place to improve the inspection pit, locomotives will still be able to use the museum's facilities at York.

And he said that the impact of the works will have 'minimal disruption' to heritage services that use the East Coast line through the station.

The Northern Echo:

Curatorial team assistant, Martyn Halman, prepares SECR D Class No. 737 in April last Year Picture: Charlotte Graham

The museum spokesman said: "We have been in direct contact with tour operators about likely short-term disruption to some of these facilities in the future, but at no point will it stop them having access to stabling, coal and water to enable their continued operations on the East Coast.

"As part of the museum’s extensive Vision 2025 redevelopment which will see widespread development across the site, we are creating new prep bay facilities.

"During the construction there is likely to be some impact on access to our inspection pit, which is part of the prep bay.

"We don’t have a confirmed date for when this is likely to take place, but we are keeping heritage tour operators informed to ensure there is minimal disruption to their operations.

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"They will still have access to stabling, coal and water throughout and we’re actively working with heritage companies to ensure that we can continue to support them.

"Providing these facilities for visiting tours to use is not a core part of the museum’s remit – but the improvement to our facilities will help to support the heritage rail industry operating on the East Coast line."

 

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