The 45170 Appeal - Preserving Scotland's 8f

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society have today launched an urgent appeal to purchase recently repatriated Turkish 8f number 45170, but require financial support before deciding whether it is possible to place a bid. To pledge an amount (only the amount at the moment, details regarding the sending of donation will follow if purchase is successful) would be most welcome, and can be emailed to 8f.loco@srps.org.uk

This is will return the locomotive to its country of origin for the first time in over 70 years, having been built only a relatively small distance away from the SRPS's current Bo'ness site at the North British Railway locomotive works in Glasgow. If the purchase is successful, restoration to full working order is likely to occur.

More information on the loco, and how to donate at http://www.srpssteam.com/news/8F Appeal.htm

Any donation no matter the size may help in securing the locomotive, so please give generously if you can!

 

That's one heck of a stone's throw.

 

Thank you for yourself and anyone else who has made a pledge! The reasons you outlined are why many members are so keen to acquire the locomotive - it was a class which ran in Scotland, and she's a Scottish built locomotive. It will also provide an excellent comparison between locomotives sent abroad to aid the First World War, our NBC C class 'Maude', and if the purchase is successful, the 8f for WW2.

Used the wrong terminology there admittedly. Still, a relatively close distance compared to Turkey!

 

Sorry guys, all my "spare" finances go to 4253 (and 5668), but I wish you all the best in finding the funding.

 

Do you get VAT back if Scotland goes independent ?


Good luck, an 8F in Scotland is a bit overdue.

 

Unfortunately the appeal has now closed as the SRPS council has voted against the purchase of the 8f much to the dismay of many members.

 

Seems an odd decision as it is inarguably part of Scottish railway history and a fine example of how Scotland was at one time a loco builder to the world.

 

How strange, who approved the launching of the appeal in the first place?

 

A second question that has occurred is that has the 8F already been sold? I did hear about another potential (Scottish) bidder.

 

There is a feature in the latest Heritage Railway about a business man based on the site of the old NB works who is looking to have a standard gauge NB loco to work on in his back yard.
View to Network running is foreseen.

 

As I stated in my original post "but require financial support before deciding whether it is possible to place a bid"

The appeal which I posted about was authorised by council. The appeal launched for funds was not a definite sign that the Scottish Railway Presevration society were going to bid, it was to gauge interest of the members and volunteers. As explained above, they have since decided not to bid on the locomotive.

I would also like to thank those who made a pledge, hopefully there will be another chance where we can call upon your support in the future.

 

That's a very quick decision to reach after, what, less than a week? Was the fund-raising that unsuccessful?

 

How bizarre ?

I thought an 8f for Scotland was a fantastic idea, an NB example and one with a good way of presenting Scottish contribution to railways overseas checked all the boxes..
And it isn't a Barry knacker either...

 

The decision has gone down like a lead balloon, to coin a phrase. A lot of us have been left devastated and it has sparked one heck of a debate between members, many of whom seem to have forgotten the difference between the SRPS and the B&KR.

Although some of what has been said is not really publishable to a public forum we are trying to find the silver lining of this cloud (and its a very small silver lining on a rather large cloud!). The sight of industrials on the railway is quite a boring one - yes having one (two at most) can be fun now and then but when our core steam fleet is going to consist of 2 ex-NCB austerities and a Nelson Reid 0-6-0 (also ex-NCB) when the Shire's ticket does run out it does start to become quite demoralising as a working member down there. Hence why we are looking for a new route to try and fund something that is going to re-ignite the passions that have long since burned out in so many people.

 

Quite right, and well said. Industrials are great on some lines and not on others. The best thing to do would be to get behind LOG(S) or SLOG (whatever they are called now) and get 80105 ahead of anything else. I fired her many times on the Strathspey and the owners had done a first class job on her restoration from Barry. Considering that she didn't do to many miles in her ticket she must still be in good shape and funds forthcoming would assist her return to steam. She's an ideal engine for the SPRS rather than indulging in more Austerities or 'Lord Roberts' (which I also fired...).