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The three year international project
for industrial heritage preservation "SteamRail.Net": (Industrial
Heritage of Steam Railways – Cooperation Network) was launched on
1st of June 2003 within the framework of the EU programme Culture
2000.
Several museums, heritage railways and non-governmental
organizations from six countries (Greece, Great Britain,
Netherlands, Spain, France and Latvia) are taking part in the
project. 1 495 000 Euro have been allocated for implementation of
the project.
The objective of the project is to establish a co-operation network
amongst railway museums and heritage railways in Europe. This will
enable them to share experience in the restoration of steam
locomotives and the preservation of railways as monuments of our
industrial heritage, and to promote railways as a unique part of
Europe’s cultural and industrial heritage. This is being done in
conjunction with FEDECRAIL, the European Federation of Museum &
Tourist Railways.
In this project Latvia is represented by the Industrial Heritage
Trust of Latvia which, in cooperation with the private railway
company "Gulbene – Aluksne banitis", is restoring the steam engine
Kc-4-332 built in Czechoslovakia and a "Pafawag" passenger coach, as
well as reconstructing a passing loop in Kalniene station. It is
also preparing audiovisual and multimedia products for promoting the
Gulbene – Aluksne heritage railway.
"SteamRail.Net" has allocated 187 500 Euro for implementation of the
project in Latvia. The EU covers 60% of the project’s budget, while
local funding provides 40%. Along with the restoration of the
heritage the project is working towards further development of the
Gulbene – Aluksne railway and adapting it for the needs of tourists.
In Latvia the project is supported financially by the State Cultural
Capital Foundation, the company "Gulbene – Aluksne banitis", state
stock company "Latvijas Dzelzcels" and local authorities.
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