Dave S 56F
Member
Seen this article about the elsecar heritage railway a group possibly looking to buy it to attempt to try run trains in the online newspaper the Rotherham courier. I found the article as well while scrolling through Facebook.
People
New group's big plans to bring back Dearne Valley visitor attraction
By Paul Whitehouse
Published 15th Jul 2026, 09:49 BST
2:47
/
56:18
In full: Tuesday's The World
Fluid logo
AN IMPROPMTU group has been formed with a self-proclaimed mission to bring steam trains back to Elsecar.
daily
Enter your email
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice and Terms of Service apply.
They are forming a band of volunteers to start fund-raising and exploring options – with Barnsley Council confirming it was “open to exploring opportunities that could celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage” but warned of major challenges in operating a heritage railway.
Decomissioned: Elsecar Heritage railway stopped operating years ago
Decomissioned: Elsecar Heritage railway stopped operating years ago
The council is also in the process of drawing up a new masterplan for the future of wider Elsecar Heritage Centre, which sits alongside the railway site, they have confirmed.
Elsecar Heritage Railway operated from the site before closing in 2020 when the charity behind it ran into financial trouble and its Mandy Monster steam locomotive was sold.
Since then, Barnsley Council created an ambitious masterplan to replace the existing station building, bring pack a passenger service with a re-imagined version of a steam train – but that was costed at £25m three years ago.
Now a group called SOS Save Our Station has emerged on social media with its own agenda for the future of the site.
They say: “Our real dream is to see proper steam trains running again.”
The existing station was built in the 1990s and occupies an iimportant historical site, meaning it would likely be replaced with new premises - an element of the Barnsley Council plan.
End of the line: A shunter with nowhere to go at Elsecar Heritage Railway
End of the line: A shunter with nowhere to go at Elsecar Heritage Railway
The new group’s objective is to work with the council “using their planning and bid-writing expertise to keep things unbiased and official, we can go after specific funding that actually brings families in - like a working steam railway, a bike rental hub and community events.”
Matt O’Neill, Barnsley Council’s Executive Director of Place, said: "We know the Elsecar Heritage Railway was incredibly well loved by visitors, local people, and those who volunteered to help keep it running.
"We would love to explore how we celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage.
"However, restoring and operating a heritage railway is a major undertaking. It requires a substantial amount of money, specialist expertise, ongoing maintenance, and a long-term sustainable business model.
"That doesn't change the fact that we understand the affection people have for the railway and the role it played in Elsecar's story.
"As we continue to look at the long-term future of the wider heritage site, we remain open to exploring opportunities that could celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage in a way that is practical, sustainable and beneficial for future generations.
“It’s important to be honest and realistic about the scale of the challenge. Any future solution would need to be financially viable, deliverable and capable of succeeding over the long term. Our focus is on finding the right opportunities for Elsecar to protect its heritage while creating a sustainable future for this remarkable site and we have a dedicated and expert team working on this.
“The Council welcomes any initiative from the local community that might support the future development of a Railway offer at Elsecar Heritage Centre and encourage individuals to get in touch with us to discuss this further. We are in the process of completing a master planning exercise for the site that will enable us to develop a shared vision for the Centre and work with major funders to secure for future investment.
People
New group's big plans to bring back Dearne Valley visitor attraction
By Paul Whitehouse
Published 15th Jul 2026, 09:49 BST
2:47
/
56:18
In full: Tuesday's The World
Fluid logo
AN IMPROPMTU group has been formed with a self-proclaimed mission to bring steam trains back to Elsecar.
daily
Enter your email
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice and Terms of Service apply.
They are forming a band of volunteers to start fund-raising and exploring options – with Barnsley Council confirming it was “open to exploring opportunities that could celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage” but warned of major challenges in operating a heritage railway.
Decomissioned: Elsecar Heritage railway stopped operating years ago
Decomissioned: Elsecar Heritage railway stopped operating years ago
The council is also in the process of drawing up a new masterplan for the future of wider Elsecar Heritage Centre, which sits alongside the railway site, they have confirmed.
Elsecar Heritage Railway operated from the site before closing in 2020 when the charity behind it ran into financial trouble and its Mandy Monster steam locomotive was sold.
Since then, Barnsley Council created an ambitious masterplan to replace the existing station building, bring pack a passenger service with a re-imagined version of a steam train – but that was costed at £25m three years ago.
Now a group called SOS Save Our Station has emerged on social media with its own agenda for the future of the site.
They say: “Our real dream is to see proper steam trains running again.”
The existing station was built in the 1990s and occupies an iimportant historical site, meaning it would likely be replaced with new premises - an element of the Barnsley Council plan.
End of the line: A shunter with nowhere to go at Elsecar Heritage Railway
End of the line: A shunter with nowhere to go at Elsecar Heritage Railway
The new group’s objective is to work with the council “using their planning and bid-writing expertise to keep things unbiased and official, we can go after specific funding that actually brings families in - like a working steam railway, a bike rental hub and community events.”
Matt O’Neill, Barnsley Council’s Executive Director of Place, said: "We know the Elsecar Heritage Railway was incredibly well loved by visitors, local people, and those who volunteered to help keep it running.
"We would love to explore how we celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage.
"However, restoring and operating a heritage railway is a major undertaking. It requires a substantial amount of money, specialist expertise, ongoing maintenance, and a long-term sustainable business model.
"That doesn't change the fact that we understand the affection people have for the railway and the role it played in Elsecar's story.
"As we continue to look at the long-term future of the wider heritage site, we remain open to exploring opportunities that could celebrate Elsecar's railway heritage in a way that is practical, sustainable and beneficial for future generations.
“It’s important to be honest and realistic about the scale of the challenge. Any future solution would need to be financially viable, deliverable and capable of succeeding over the long term. Our focus is on finding the right opportunities for Elsecar to protect its heritage while creating a sustainable future for this remarkable site and we have a dedicated and expert team working on this.
“The Council welcomes any initiative from the local community that might support the future development of a Railway offer at Elsecar Heritage Centre and encourage individuals to get in touch with us to discuss this further. We are in the process of completing a master planning exercise for the site that will enable us to develop a shared vision for the Centre and work with major funders to secure for future investment.
Last edited:
