Riley Relocation Statement - ELR

Unless and until a statement from either party about the longer term for the new or any other premises is made, achieving the rail connection aspect is only speculation.
The information we do have is that a phased approach is being taken and to some extent it may be a case of sensibly seeing how things evolve naturally. Nothing to fret about, just different from the way things have been.
ELR has an equally big task to establish its own engineering facility which will absorb resources too.

 

Interesting to see on the images of the inside of the new premises that an overhead crane track is already in situ.

46118

 

The statement in the OP in this thread says Rileys are "pursuing opportunities to establish a modern, purpose built works with rail access that will allow us to consolidate all of our activities on one site". Ian Riley's post on the Works forum also implies leasing the Heywood site is an interim solution.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens to the other locos on which work is currently being undertaken. For instance, is the plan for 45212 and 47298 also to be completed before the relocation?

 

45212 is having an official steam test this Thursday so it's quite possible that she could be completed before the move. I think the Jinty is much further away from completion.

Keith

 

The later comments in the thread seem to be inferring the move is indeed interim, pending a purpose built works with rail connection elsewhere.

 

For those who aren't on the works forum, these are the pics of the Heywood workshop posted up by Ian Riley

 

Thanks for sharing. Is there any commentary with the pics?

 

Only:

 

That reads pretty unequivocal - temporary works while a new rail connected one gets built.
The order book must be getting full that the current place is too small to hold off while it gets built.

 

There is also the little matter that the ELR previously gave them notice to quit, because of their own plans for the site. Good to hear that a compromise has been reached allowing Rileys' operational fleet to stay a while longer.

 

Appears to be a mutual need to expand the respective business operations in that case. One can only wish them both well with potentiality exciting growth ahead.
It will be interesting to see how much of the present works stays at Bury in order to maintain the working locos until the rail connection can be established. Assume this will include 60103 for the next couple of years as well as the 3 fives.

 

Ian Riley has confirmed on "the Works" that these premises are an interim solution while purpose-built premises are developed.

46118

 

Despite the old adage there must be more profit in loco ownership than generally thought. Second purpose built loco works of recent times on the horizon - boom time!

 

Presumably the profit is to be found in enabling other people's loco ownership

 

The one location I am surprised that hasnt been mentioned is the old CWR yard at Castleton. Whether IR had the oppurtunity to aquire the site or have NR kept the site as a "strategic rail site"
I know the ELR are looking at establishing an interface with NR at Castleton but surely the yard would be a big enough site to house a new, purpose built engineering facility and a 2 platform ELR station.

 

"other people" in sufficient additional number will need to meet the rates and rental on the stop gap as well as contribute to the costs of the later purpose built place. Maybe Rochdale council is able to assist with tax benefits if it helps get the prestigious 'Flying Scotsman engineers' into the borough.

 

Plus the actual cost of the move itself, and the hiatus in work while the two moves take place. No doubt its a big job!

 

Maybe because of the nature of work public grant funding could be available to offset the costs and support growth of a niche enterprise?

 

No job too big for the lads at Rileys...all planned and ready to execute...........as well as our commitments with our, and our customers locos and work.