Muckle keeps community railway on track
The future of a historic, volunteer-run railway has been safeguarded thanks to help from Muckle lawyers.
The Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway, which runs along a 1km track from Woodhorn, had been at risk of permanent closure after struggling to secure a workable lease for its line, storage sheds and workshops.
Now, with the help of Richard Nixon from Muckle, it has the right leases in place and hopes to open to the public in the coming months.
Community initiative
In the 1990s the Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives were given an ex-mining locomotive and three man-riding cars following the closure of Vane Tempest Colliery, Co Durham.
The railway - which ran from the site of the present museum, along the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, to Lakeside Halt platform - operated under various guises before closing in 2018.
It lay abandoned and derelict until 2024, when a passionate, diverse group of volunteers formed a wellbeing and community hub as a non-profit organisation to bring the track back to life.
Their goal was to honour the region’s proud industrial heritage by restoring ex-mining rolling stock and creating an affordable and accessible local attraction for everyone.
New lease of life
However, without a secure long-term lease from the council, the volunteers faced the threat of eviction and were unable to apply for the vital grant funding needed to complete the restoration.
The railway group received pro bono (free) advice from Muckle LLP who helped negotiate a long-term lease with the council on their behalf, helping to safeguard the railway’s future.
Colin Heath (director) of the railway explained: “We were mindful of the need to secure a workable lease and the potential jeopardy to the entire railway project if we didn’t.”
“We had already tried and struggled to obtain the lease ourselves for 6 months. We really need some professional help but just didn’t have the funds to engage a lawyer.”
Colin and his team came across Muckle’s pro bono work offering via The Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. This free legal service is offered to individuals, charitable groups and organisations that could not otherwise afford this help. It is a central part of Muckle’s identity, demonstrating the firm’s solid commitment to its communities and to acting as a force for good.
The team at the railway engaged Richard Nixon, partner and head of natural capital who was able to guide them through the process and obtain a lease with terms that made the future of the railway viable.
“Richard provided a lifeline for us,” Colin explained. “His expert advice and his clear, straightforward approach meant that we were able to do what was needed to protect the railway for generations to come. We could never have got to this point without his help.”
Richard said: “It was a genuine pleasure to help the team at Woodhorn. It’s hugely important to honour our heritage at a local level and the dedication of these volunteers means the railway’s legacy can be passed down to future generations. I was delighted to play a small part in helping secure the railway’s future and I wish the team every success.”
Muckle represented the railway for a year which provided a significant step forward in the aim to fully restore the track into an affordable local attraction for the enjoyment of everyone.
For more information please contact Richard Nixon on 0191 211 7924 or by email at [email protected]