Media centre

Monday 24 May 2004

RAILWAY EVENT ATTRACTS THOUSANDS

Region & Route:

| Southern

More than 3,500 people joined Network Rail to celebrate the opening of the Whitemoor Distribution Centre in March, Cambridgeshire. The event aimed to bring the railway and the community closer together.  Blessed with fair weather, public entered the site in droves. By 1pm, when the gates officially opened, more than 1,000 had already arrived. There was plenty for everyone to see and do.  Children rode the Happy land train and Dunhams Wood Light Railway, whilst former Yard workers reminisced over tea and cake. March museum talked about the past and the current site’s operators, GBRf, talked about the future. The premier event of the afternoon was the renaming of GB Rail freight’s loco (66701).  To make the photos even more special, the historic J15 steam locomotive moved behind the diesel loco. March Mayor, Cllr Kit Owen unveiled the new ‘Whitemoor’ nameplate. Peter Heubeck Project Director said: “We are overwhelmed with the interest the community has shown towards the depot.  It has been evolving over the winter and we are proud to have been able to open up our gates and show the public what we have achieved.” A small entrance fee was charged (50p) and Network Rail held a number of stalls of which all proceeds were for charity.  In total, thanks to public support, we raised £1,900.  This money will be spilt between two local charities; Fenland Crossroads and Young People March. - more - Event – 2 The gates have now closed and we are finishing the construction of the first phase of this project.  All of East Anglia’s engineering trains now run through Whitemoor assisting Network Rail’s aim of rebuilding the railway to deliver a well performing, safe and reliable railway.