FAQs
Is the Railway Heritage Trust part of Network Rail?
The Railway Heritage Trust is an independent company that is owned by its members, normally its Directors. It receives funding and facilities support from Network Rail, but it is not part of that organisation.
What does the Railway Heritage Trust give grants for?
The conservation and enhancement of buildings and structures which are owned by Network Rail. In some circumstances it can give grants to assets which are part of the National Highways’ Historical Railways Estate. In both cases, assets must be either listed, scheduled Ancient Monuments, in Conservation Areas, or are of special architectural or historical interest.
CAN THE RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST GIVE GRANTS TO PROPERTIES WHICH ARE MANAGED BY THE ARCH COMPANY?
Yes, properties managed by The Arch Company come within the scope of Railway Heritage Trust grants if they are listed, scheduled Ancient Monuments, in Conservation Areas, or are of special architectural or historical interest.
Can the Railway Heritage Trust provide me with records about my family members who worked on the railway, or about railway buildings and structures?
The Railway Heritage Trust is a grant giving body and does not hold historical records. It cannot undertake research but we can sometimes point enquirers in the right direction of such records.
Can the Railway Heritage Trust give grants for property on heritage railways? Can the Railway Heritage Trust give grants for property that used to be owned by BR or Network Rail, that now needs repair?
The Railway Heritage Trust is limited to supporting buildings and structures owned by Network Rail or part of the National Highways Historical Railways Estate. It might give a grant to support the transfer of a listed building or structure to a heritage railway if it were no longer operationally required by Network Rail or the Highways England Historical Railways Estate, but otherwise it cannot give a grant to a heritage railway for a building or structure not owned by either of these bodies. However, it should be noted that some heritage railways lease land, buildings and structures from Network Rail, in which case they do come within our scope for grants.
Can the Railway Heritage Trust give grants for heritage rolling stock?
No. The Railway Heritage Trust only supports work on buildings and structures.
Can I become a member of the Railway Heritage Trust?
The Railway Heritage Trust is a company limited by guarantee. It does not have any public membership. The best way to support us is to get involved in a local railway heritage site. You can also follow us on social media channels.
What are the differences between the Railway Heritage Trust and the Heritage Railway Association?
The Railway Heritage Trust is concerned with the conservation and enhancement of buildings and structures which are either owned by Network Rail or part of the National Highways’ Historical Railways Estate that are either listed, scheduled Ancient Monuments, in Conservation Areas, or are of special architectural or historical interest
The Heritage Railway Association is a trade grouping that represents the majority of heritage and tourist railways and railway preservation groups within both the UK and Ireland.