Progress at Prestongrange Museum’s engine shed project is steaming ahead after the installation of two lines of track.

The museum is an open-air facility that gives people the chance to take a look back at more than 700 years of industrial history in the county.

The engine shed project is due to be completed this spring and will house locomotives, rolling stock and other artefacts currently found in the bathhouse at the museum.

At the shed, two lines of tracks have been laid by Rail Systems Alliance Scotland (RSAS), with work taking about two and a half days.

The museum said on Facebook: “We’re delighted to say that our new engine shed now has two lines of track which was installed recently.

“We’re very grateful to RSAS (made up of Network Rail and Babcock Rail) for their help in arranging and organising the delivery and installation of the track and to Network Rail for all the track, sleepers etc.

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“We’d also like to thank Speedy Hire, who supplied all the small plant and some personnel who helped relaying the track, and Story Rail and Anglo who supplied large machines and operators.

“The work was completed over two and half days (sometimes in very inclement weather) and we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped out!”

East Lothian Council has already put more than £1.5 million towards the project over the period of 2020/21 to 2023/24.

Funding of £685,921 was received from the Scottish Government RCGF (Regeneration Capital Grant Fund) last March, and a further £150,000 from the same fund early last year.

Councillor Colin McGinn, East Lothian Council’s cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing and sport, countryside and leisure, said: “Network Rail, as part of the Rail Systems Alliance (with Babcock Rail), have continued their welcome support of the redevelopment of the Prestongrange site by providing two crews to install track and sleepers into the new engine shed.

“They were joined by personnel from Speedy Hire, Storey and Anglo.

“We very much appreciate the expertise, time and manpower that these companies have provided over recent weeks and months as we work to make improvements at Prestongrange Heritage Park, which will help us share the stories of East Lothian’s industrial past.

“Network Rail have also indicated they will be able to help with future developments on the site, including the significant task of moving the locomotives and rolling stock into the new engine shed.”