Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

We did it!

Ed Bethune raised £1,180 from 36 supporters

or

Start your own crowdfunding page

Closed 04/06/2024

0%
£1,180
raised of £1,000 target by 36 supporters

    Iʼve raised £1,180 to kick-start our project to build a wooden waggonway! The first in Scotland for 250 years!

    Funded on Tuesday, 4th June 2024

    Don't have time to donate right now?

    Story

    Who are we?

    The 1722 Waggonway Project was established in 2017 to preserve, promote and enhance Scotland's earliest railway, the 1722 Tranent - Cockenzie Waggonway.

    We are an entirely voluntary unincorporated association, with a dedicated core team who bring expertise in archaeology, research, engineering, architecture, events management, Health & Safety and the heritage sector. Since 2017 we have excavated the remains of the 1722 Waggonway and associated salt pans, revived salt-making in Cockenzie and opened a heritage centre which celebrates these historic industries.

    What's the idea?

    Using the knowledge gained from our archaeological digs, we now know enough to be able to accurately build a working wooden waggonway, exactly as it was constructed in the 18th century.

    We'll involve local people, school pupils, students, and military veterans in helping us build the waggonway and it will create a unique and exciting living-history attraction for East Lothian, providing superb skill based educational opportunities during and after its construction.

    The structures will be constructed using accurate traditional techniques wherever possible. We will also use correct materials, for example with oak timber being used for the waggonway sleepers and rails.

    Fundamental to the project will be opportunities for local volunteers (and folk from further afield) to get involved. Our ‘Waggonway Navvies’ will be the driving force behind the project!

    We have a track record of delivering engaging community events, practical heritage build projects and with a strong existing membership base, this will stand us in good stead for the effort required to pull in the necessary human resources in all areas of the project.

    But the waggonway is just the start!

    Scotland’s first railway was built to move coal from the Tranent mines to the Cockenzie salt works and, through a series of phases, we propose to construct a replica horse gin and 18th century pit headgear at one end of the line, a ‘coalfauld’ with unloading tippers at the opposite end, and lastly a full scale 18th century working salt pan house to complete the living history package.

    Our vision.

    One of the key aims is to create an industrial heritage attraction for East Lothian, that visitors can enjoy as part of a wider heritage offering in this corner of Scotland. Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans have an incredible industrial history, and we want to enhance this by adding a working piece of historic infrastructure to benefit the area. There are currently no working wooden waggonways, or 18th century-style salt pan houses in the UK and this will be a significant living history heritage asset for East Lothian & Scotland.

    The location is yet to be decided, but the group is currently exploring a number of options. More news on this when we get it!

    (cutaway model showing a salt pan house)

    How much will it cost and how will the money be spent?

    The first phase of this exciting project will cost between £95k - £115k and we're aiming to achieve this within a 5-year timeframe, with completion by 2029.

    There are a variety of costs involved - building the waggonway and initial fleet of 3 waggons will cost circa £70,000, but there are core project costs, design work, marketing, interpretation, publication costs and more which are essential to making the whole project a success.

    Funds will also be raised via sponsorship, subscriptions and grant funding, with a grand totaliser being displayed on our website – www.1722waggonway.co.uk

    The value of volunteer labour is difficult to quantify, but as a general principle, phase 1 would equate to at least £90k for phase 1, based on 6000 collective hours of work. This would be replicated over each phase.

    As funds are raised, some elements of the project will be able to start ahead of the 5-year funding timeframe, and the schedule may be speeded up in the event of successful grants and sponsorship partnerships.

    Our first round of fundraising will target an initial £10,000 to kick-start this exciting journey!

    Is it ambitious? Yes!

    Is it possible? Definitely!

    Can you help us do it? We'd love to have you on board!

    Come along for the ride, and take us one step closer to recreating history!

    TESTIMONIALS

    Paul McLennan, Member of Scottish Parliament for East Lothian

    "This ambitious project aims to rebuild a working wooden waggonway, exactly as it was constructed 300 years ago by upskilling local people throughout the construction process and beyond. Community unity is an embedded value within the project and will be demonstrated by the provision of volunteering opportunities and the offer of practical, skills-based learning.

    Once completed, the project will complement the wider heritage offer of Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans by providing a new insight to industrial past of this corner of East Lothian. Such an attraction will bring new tourists to the area and will support culture and heritage for the county.

    I give my full support and look forward to seeing the project develop."

    Dr. Michael R. Bailey (for the International Early Railways Committee)

    "Cockenzie, Port Seton and Prestonpans have an incredible industrial history, and this could be enhanced by adding a working piece of historic infrastructure to benefit the area. There are currently no working wooden waggonways in the UK and this will be a significant living history heritage asset for East Lothian & Scotland."

    Updates

    4

    • Ed Bethune7 months ago
      Ed Bethune

      Ed Bethune

      7 months ago

      NATIONAL TRANSPORT TRUST SUPPORT We're delighted to have received a letter of support from the National Transport Trust, the body which supports the celebration of all forms of transport across the UK. They commented: "To bring the waggonway to life using the knowledge you have gained through the research carried out by the group and the archaeological work on the route of the former waggonway, is a huge step forward and one that will bring much deserved further attention to this remarkable piece of transport infrastructure."

      Update from the Page owner

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Ed Bethune8 months ago
      Ed Bethune

      Ed Bethune

      8 months ago

      We’ve received a really excellent letter of support from the Museum of Scottish Railways at Bo’ness! It’s fantastic to have the support of those in the industrial heritage sector and we really value their support :)

      Update from the Page owner

      Share this update to help us raise more

    • Ed Bethune8 months ago
      Ed Bethune

      Ed Bethune

      8 months ago

      We're delighted to have the support of our excellent friends at the Battle of Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust! Their work to preserve and promote the battlesite includes the waggonway, and it's brilliant to have their backing 🙂 Find out more about our plans to build a wooden waggonway here: https://www.1722waggonway.co.uk/post/fundraising-begins-for-the-waggonway-project

      Update from the Page owner

      Share this update to help us raise more

    8 months ago

    Ed Bethune started crowdfunding

    Leave a message of support

    Page last updated on: 5/23/2024 09.45

    Supporters

    36

    • Ohio University Group

      Ohio University Group

      May 23, 2024

      A donation from the Ohio University Group who will be visiting the museum on Tuesday 11th June.

      £60.00

    • Dave from Oxton

      Dave from Oxton

      May 4, 2024

      £10.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Apr 26, 2024

      £20.00

    • Trudy White

      Trudy White

      Apr 7, 2024

      Definitely a great project, good luck to you all!

    • Maggie Struckmeier

      Maggie Struckmeier

      Apr 4, 2024

      Waggons Roll!

      £20.00

    • Gian Uberto Lauri

      Gian Uberto Lauri

      Mar 23, 2024

      Forza fioi!(that could be a bit hard to translate in English unless you have someone from the Venice area :), so I do it for you, "Go guys!")

      £20.00

    • Anon

      Anon

      Mar 11, 2024

      Looking forward to seeing it in operation

      £50.00

    What is crowdfunding?

    Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered nonprofit.

    The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.

    Great people make things happen

    Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?

    Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!

    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Ed Bethune

    Ed Bethune

    Chair of the 1722 Waggonway Project.

    Report this Page