Community Rail Network’s corporate partners offer a variety of different skill sets, knowledge and opportunities to aid our members’ work and support the growth of community rail across Britain.
Some fantastic examples come from our corporate partners SLC Rail and Property, who assist Community Rail Network members with free rail and property expertise regarding station and building projects.
Read on to hear some testimonials from members who have received support from SLC.
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Hayley Byfield, director of Station Hall Herne Hill Charity, said: “As a community project housed in an abandoned station waiting room, we found it essential to get guidance from within the industry.
“Community Rail Network introduced us to the consultants at SLC – their industry knowledge and contacts have been invaluable in engaging with Southeastern Rail and advising us on how best to take our project forwards. Our ambition to make the community arts centre accessible has still got a long way to go, but with the help of Community Rail Network and its partners, we hope to get there faster and better.”
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John Telford, chair of St. Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust, said: “I attended Community Rail Network’s Conference last year when a member of their support & development team spoke about Community Rail Network’s link to rail industry organisations and suppliers who could give advice to railway heritage outlets. Their team put me in touch with SLC Rail, where I dealt with Nadir Saddiqui.
“Our Grade II listed 1892 Midland Signal Box, by the tracks at St. Albans City Station, still uses the cess pit from its operational days. Volunteers and the public use our toilet and we have to have the cess pit emptied twice a year. We felt that in the 21st century, we should look into a more modern solution, hence our discussions with SLC Rail.
“Nadir and colleagues were most helpful and following discussions sent a comprehensive report on what our alternatives were, namely: a new cess pit; lining the existing pit; or linking up to the mains sewage system.
“We’re looking forward to our next Trustees Meeting, where we can discuss the report and decide what our next steps are. We are very grateful to SLC Rail for these free advices, and would highly recommend them for any similar projects.”
