The railway has proved a popular attraction with tourists and families

A docklands railway in Preston is set to expand allowing it to preserve more of the area’s railway heritage.

The Ribble Steam Railway which runs around Riversway has asked for permission to expand its existing engine shed.

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The sheds, off Chain Caul Way, need to expand to ensure its engines are sheltered from bad weather and vandalism.

Mike Bailey from the railway said: “The building will be expanded primarily to accommodate another group of preservationists called the Furness Railway Trust who have moved out of their previous base in the Lake District and have decided to move in with us as part of our project.

“They will have sufficient space to keep their locomotives and some of their historic coaches under cover here at Preston and maintain them.

“In addition with the obvious cost advantages of having builders in at one time the work will provide us with some expanded under cover space which will allow us to continue expanding our collection of historic vehicles.”

Expanding the sheds will see the railway take over a small area of council owned land which is currently small trees and scrubland.

Details of the application are available to view on the council website.

Any comments made on the application can be sent to the council’s planning department in writing at Planning Department, Environment Directorate, Lancastria House, 77-79 Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RH or by email to devcon@preston.gov.uk. All comments should include the application reference number of 06/2011/0866.

A decision will be made by the council’s planning committee on Monday 9th January 2012.

What do you think about the expansion of the engine sheds? Have you visited the Ribble Steam Railway? Let us know your views in the comments below