We have just launched Foundations for the Future: The 2026 Track Renewal Appeal, which aims to raise essential funds to support the on-going operations of our heritage railway.
Every visitor to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway knows that familiar, comforting sound: the rhythmic clack-clack of wheels on steel. It is the heartbeat of our heritage railway.
But, beneath the rails lies the unsung hero of your journey: the track bed, which takes the weight of our historic trains and ensures the safety and comfort of thousands of families every year.
The problem is that time and weather are the enemies of a railway. Even the sturdiest oak sleepers eventually fail, and ballast shifts and settles.
To ensure that 2026 runs smoothly, safely and comfortably, we must renew the very foundations of the railway.
This year we have set an ambitious goal: to replace 400 sleepers and replenish tons of ballast. This isn’t glamorous work, it’s heavy and gritty, but essential maintenance – without which the trains simply cannot run.
We are inviting members of the public to take ownership of a piece of the line, which is why we have broken down this massive task into bite-sized contributions.
By funding a sleeper or a ton of ballast, you are literally laying the groundwork for the future of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Donations start at just £25, which buys a ton of ballast; £35 is the cost of a brand sleeper and for those who can dig a little deeper, £60 will buy a ton of ballast and a new sleeper.
We promise that every penny raised will be used to keep the railway running and every donation is securing the memories of another generation – another year of steam and a safe journey for everyone who loves the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Whilst we have a shopping list of requirements, every donation will help to secure our future and we will be recognising every penny that we receive.
Follow this link to see details of how you can donate and how we will acknowledge your important contribution.