As part of the ongoing transformation of Nottingham Castle, a land train is being considered under plans for the attraction.
The city council has published a decision to purchase one of the vehicles to move visitors from the newly transformed castle ( when it opens ) to Brewhouse Yard.
The decision note several constraints that are imposed on this type of vehicle, it has to fulfil the requirements of a VSO (vehicle special order) and meet the conditions to operate on the public highway.
The police and local highways authority are also required to approve any such vehicle prior to a VSO being applied for.
The vehicle must be powered by an electric engine. The land train is operating within the City area and the stated policy is to reduce harmful emissions which prohibit the use of alternative powered options.
The land train will operate on Castle Road and within the Castle grounds. This is a hill with gradients in excess of 10% in places. The train needs to have sufficient torque to cope with the gradient noting that fully loaded it will be almost 10 tonnes.
The vehicle needs to be able to turn around in the space available in front of the Ducal Palace colonnade.
It should be one vehicle capable of carrying at least 35 visitors.
The vehicle will be purchased within the capital budget for the castle transformation project.
