The Supporters Association of Golden Valley Light Railway, based at Butterley near Ripley in Derbyshire, has placed an order for work to start on constructing a new carriage storage shed.

The railway is a narrow gauge railway with a gauge of 2 feet (610 mm), and the new carriage storage shed will be built near the railway’s existing running shed on the Swanwick Junction complex of the Midland Railway-Butterley.

At the moment, the railway stores its carriages in the running shed, with there currently being three bogie coaches comprising ex-Ffestiniog Railway Nos. 118 and 119, and ex-Ashover Light Railway No. 4. Space in the running shed is at a premium, and once the new carriage storage shed is completed, the carriages can be moved from the running shed into purpose-built accommodation.

The new carriage shed will also provide indoor space, when the railway is non-operational, for storing a rake of colliery manriders. By storing them indoors, their serviceable lives will be extended, and the need for maintenance will be considerably reduced.

The Golden Valley Light Railway operates passenger trains with both diesel and steam haulage every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from the beginning of April to late October, except on days when the Midland Railway – Butterley is closed; trains also run on most days during the Easter, Whit and summer school holidays. Access to the railway is via the Midland Railway-Butterley station.

The need for secure carriage storage is emphasised by the adjacent Midland Railway Centre suffering two attacks by vandals in 2024.

The Midland Railway Trust at Butterley Station is offering railway enthusiasts the treat of a lifetime with the chance to experience driving a Pacer diesel multiple unit.