Call for rail volunteers

Pictures Martin Bostock
Poulton and Wyre Railway Society members, Eddie Fisher (right) and Geoff Ogden with the ongoing restoration of Thornton railway crossing. — Pictures Martin Bostock Poulton and Wyre Railway Society members, Eddie Fisher (right) and Geoff Ogden with the ongoing restoration of Thornton railway crossing.

The scheme by the Poulton and Wyre Railway Society is well under way, with the Society now in possession of a diesel train to operate the planned heritage service between Fleetwood and Poulton.

It is hoped the full link between the two towns can be up and running in five years.

While there has already been impressive land clearance at Thornton, with the tracks now ready to run on, land at the Fleetwood end needs to be cleared of weeds and other obstructions.

The call for help has been made by the Back on Track on Working Party, a group which sees Fleetwood, Wyre and Lancashire councils working with the Society on the rail link plans.

Coun Norah Stuchfield, of Fleetwood Town Council, is the chairman of Back on Track and said: “The work that the Rail Society has done so far is magnificant and deserves credit.

“They have been determined to restore Fleetwood’s rail link and they gradually getting there.

“If we can get some more volunteers here at the Fleetwood end, it would be a huge help.”

The Back on Track group has also set the date for a public meeting to allow residents a chance to find out the latest news on the rail link.

It is being held at the North Euston Hotel on September 6, beginning at 7.30pm.

Any volunteers who want to help out with tidying up the tracks can contact Coun Stuchfield on 07450 703334.