Brian Baylis, chairman of the Wisbech to March Bramley Line, wants people to back them and claims that with just £10,000 they could have trains running within a year.

He explained the group, which has been battling for the past six years to open the line as a heritage railway, needs £10,000 to secure the line’s lease from Network Rail.

And with a lot of hardwork from volunteers to clear the line and refurbish bits of it a locomotive could be running within 12 months of the lease being obtained.

Mr Baylis said he felt “miffed” by last week’s announcement by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) that it wants to see the Wisbech to March line reopened.

ATOC announced it wants to see 14 lines and 40 new stations re-opened due to increased demand for train travel.

The March to Wisbech line was included in the 14 but Mr Baylis felt ATOC should have spoken to the Bramley Line members to find out how far they had progressed.

“I feel they are treading on our toes and trying to steal our thunder a bit. If they were to get what they wanted then it could scupper our plans.

“Ideally it would be good if we could run the commercial service alongside our heritage line, but as it is a single track that could be difficult. But it could work if it was a commercial passenger line during the week and a heritage line at weekends,” said Mr Baylis.

He is also upset at the numbers of politicians and representatives from various organisations that have come out in support of the ATOC report.

“Why haven’t these people been supporting us. If they were to get behind us and help us get the funding we need then we could have the line open within the next couple of years.

“We have been trying to raise the £10,000 we need for the lease. We have approached all sorts of organisations including the National Lottery and Fenland Council without any luck.

“We are not far off the target and we are planning a big fundraising drive, which we will be launching during the Wisbech Rose Fair, so hopefully people will put their money where their mouth is and support us,” added Mr Baylis.

In the meantime it is full steam ahead for the group with their next meeting being held tomorrow (Thursday, June 25) at 7.30pm in the Catholic Church Hall, St. John's Road, March.

It is an ideal opportunity for people to be updated on news of the project and to offer support.

Mr Baylis added: “Just because of the ATOC report, it doesn't mean we are giving up, because we are going to re-open the line and not only sooner, but cheaper than quoted.”