End of the line for Doon Valley Railway as owner gets ready to sell
The Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group were unable to raise the £250k required to purchase the museum, and café buildings.
It’s the end of the line for the Doon Valley Railway Museum after the operators of the attraction failed to raise funds to buy the buildings in use outright.
In February this year, the owner that leases the buildings to Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group (ARPG) informed them of his intention to sell.
READ MORE: Race against time to save Doon Valley Railway with months to raise £250k
However, the group were given the first opportunity to buy the buildings they use to store heritage railway items and locomotives as well as the café and gift shop.
The asking price was £250,000, and the group had 6 months to raise the required funds after the owner gave them until July 31.
Despite valiant efforts and an outpour of support from local communities, the ARPG only managed to raise a sum of £33,000 and with the deadline just round the corner they’ve resigned themselves to giving up the buildings.
Chairman of the ARPG, Archie Thom told Greatest Hits Radio: "Everyone is obviously feeling very down about this, we get a lot of satisfaction out of providing a day of fun for families.
"Although the response of the general public has been very very generous, it’s nowhere near the target we were hoping for.
"We have put a lot of time and energy into developing this place a tourist attraction and it’s a very popular tourist attraction. Last year we carried over 4,000 visitors which is pretty good considering our train only holds 30 people.
“It’s obviously our 50th year anniversary next year and we’re not going to be here. Just as things were going really well, it’s now all got to stop.
“We now have between 8-12 weeks to empty these buildings and will continue to fundraise so we’re able to do that and move into another place.
“We do have a plan in place, and there is hope for the future as we have an idea of where we can move to, but in the meantime all of our time and energy will be going into how find a new home for all of these historic items.
“Of course, if there is someone out there that just happens to be a wealthy benefactor that sees this and is moved to help this historical operation, and can donate a six figure sum we’d be delighted, but that sadly would have to be within the next few days.”
The Doon Valley Railway attraction is run solely by volunteers from the ARPG, and this Saturday they group will be hosting an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) to discuss their future.
"Sharing this experience has brought a great sense of joy"
Some of the volunteers at the site have been there for a number of years and are heartbroken about the news.
One volunteer Alex Wallace is telling Greatest Hits Radio how much of a pleasure it’s been to bring the experience to people of all ages.
He said: “I can honestly say that no one that comes here leaves without a smile on their face. In fact, some kids have to be dragged out as they shout ‘one more go on Thomas!’.
“It also means a lot to the older generation who come and reminisce about what this railway meant to the area and the mining industry in Ayrshire.
“To be able to share in people’s experiences here has brought me a great sense of joy.”
The Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group will host their final day of operation on Sunday 30 July.