“Spades In the Ground” at Boston Lodge as work commences in earnest!

The earth is shaking as contractors’ heavy equipment “brings the noise” to Boston Lodge! – The familiar sound of machinery that can be heard on a daily basis within the works is now accompanied by the impressive thunder of specialised plant equipment as work commences on the project to restore and rejuvenate historic buildings on the site as well as erecting some new buildings.

This project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Trust and the Ffestiniog Railway Society, will boost plans to attract more visitors, and provide work, training and volunteering opportunities for the community of Porthmadog and the wider area. It also enables the restoration and conservation of buildings at Boston Lodge, which features in the Guinness Book of records as the “oldest railway workshop in continuous operation”.

The railway is enormously grateful to its funders who, in these economically challenging times, have all increased their grants substantially to enable us to cope with much larger than expected levels of inflation.

Project Manager Edwina Bell says:

“In the current economic climate, where construction prices have shot up even faster than standard inflation, the project was at risk. Following a two-stage tender process we are very pleased to announce that OBR, based on Ynys Mon, was selected as the preferred main contractor. However, the tendered price was still well beyond the existing budget. Additional funding from both the National Lottery Heritage Fund and our supporting societies means that none of the buildings involved have had to be removed from the project, any one of which would have diminished the project overall.”

OBR have been able to start on site and over the winter period when fewer trains are running. Work is currently focussed on the ground works at Boston Lodge, in addition to Small Loco Shed.

General Manager Paul Lewin says:

“We are extremely grateful for the additional funding from both the National Lottery Heritage Fund and our supporting societies, meaning that none of the buildings involved have had to be removed from the project, any one of which would have diminished the project overall. As we face up to the difficulties of the current economic climate, we are determined to see this landmark project through to completion.”