Edward was one of the guests invited to the official opening of the Mountsorrel Branch Line linked to the heritage steam Great Central Railway. The ambitious project to restore and re-open the line was undertaken by 120 volunteers, led by Steve Cramp, who have all worked tirelessly to raise the £100,000 needed from the local community and businesses, and have cleared and restored the line, and built the station, which now sees steam trains run on the railway again.
The GCR is a locally and nationally popular tourist attraction with people coming from all over the country to travel on it, and the Mountsorrel Line looks set to be just as popular. Steve and the team have also worked to design and build the Nunckley Nature Trail, and are working hard to restore some old station buildings to create a Heritage & Community Centre.
Edward said: "It was a very special day - seeing the culmination of all the work by the volunteers, as the train steamed in to view on a crisp autumn morning. Many of us have a huge affection for steam trains, as the huge success of the GCR shows, with thousands of people and families coming to Leicestershire every year to enjoy it. I am confident that the Mountsorrel Line will prove just as popular and I congratulate Steve, the volunteers, and the whole community on a truly impressive achievement, with the Heritage and Community Centre celebrating the history of the railway and local area, and providing a community cafe, still to look forward to."