Steam trains would boost tourism, says councillor

A LOCAL councillor has suggested running a steam train from Melksham as the town looks forward to more years of railway improvements.

Following the huge success of more frequent trains stopping in Melksham, town councillor Richard Wiltshire has suggested adding a steam train in future to boost tourism.

Cllr Wiltshire said, “Congratulations to the TransWilts rail partnership and the Melksham railway group for their promotion of local train services resulting in the proposed enlargement of Melksham’s  station.

“With the lengthening of the platform and loop rail works, could there be an opportunity to provide a base for a steam heritage train operating from Melksham?

“The interest in steam trains has grown over the years since they were replaced by diesel and electric engines on the main routes. There are now over 170 active heritage rail and tramways in the UK, with several in Somerset and Gloucestershire but only one in Wiltshire at Swindon.”

Recent efforts by local railway campaigners, transport organisations and government have seen an extra 90 trains per week and 48,000 more journeys per year since 2013.

Plans are now in the works to extend the platform and make the station bigger, with the hope of adding more services in future.

Cllr Wiltshire added, “Some of the existing heritage rail sites offer a wide range of tourist attractions from dining car events, rail museum trips, special trips for children and much else.

“With the coming of the Wilts & Berks canal link through Melksham, the addition of a steam railway would greatly add to tourism attraction.

“Although Melksham does not have any heritage rail buildings, it does have track and standing space and an historical link with railway engineering through Spencer Moulton.

“Any heritage railway can only exist through support from enthusiastic volunteers; perhaps this article will generate interest from such enthusiasts.”