30053 push pull gear and working push pull set

I think the Swanage Railway Trust are think about other things at the moment (the Churchill Van for one). To restore both coaches will take time and money and I would though the M7's boiler ticket would run out by the time they were done. Maybe better to wait for the M7's ticket to run out, then get a grant to restore the coaches and pay for the M7's overhaul at the same time. Hopefully we could built a '700' at the same time!!!!

 

Rubbish.

30053 returned 2007 so has till around 2016/17 theoretically.
If this project was given the go ahead then with the right project management the coaches could be completed in 5/6 years (The Quad-arts took 5). That would mean that IF it were to happen then the set could be finished around 2015.

This would then give you 2 years towards the end of her ticket when she could generate fresh interest in her and have the limelight placed back on her. Most loco's do fall out of the limelight a couple of years after a return to traffic (eg 3440).

Also everyone on here has been supportive, but who's to say that come the 'next' ticket they will still be so supportive? Circumstances may have changed so they have developed a different view on the matter.

 

Please excuse me for not going into all of the details too publicly, but suffice to say that the Swanage Railway Trust are investigation/enquiring into suitable sources of funding to enable the vehicles to be restored in a realistic time frame. There is not a great deal of visible activity at this stage, but please rest assured that the Trust are not ignoring them.

Any queries please feel free to PM.

Donations are of course still welcome if you want to speed the process up...

 

Rumpole glad to hear that the trust is doing something constructive towards this project. Is it possible for the Trust to set up some sort of appeal that could run alongside what ever they are currrently doing?

Ann

 

While I am in no way an official spokesman for the Trust, as I understand it there is no specific 'pot' at this stage for the push-pull set; any donations for the set should at present be directed to the 'Heritage Coach Project', as the umbrella appeal for the Bulleid set, the push-pull set and the 'special traffic' set.

I will find out for certain though and post further details accordingly.

 

Both 6686 and 1336, currently in Maunsell livery , are of the type that were used in push pull trains but a conversion entailing the removal of gangways and construction of a driving cab would not find support within the C&W department. Also similarly liveried "hundred seater" numbered 1098 spent its last years on the national system at Lymington when it was used to strengthen the push pull set in peak times. It arrived in preservation complete with through piping which lasted into the 1980's

Roger Williams

 

Any news on the information?

 

Time for an update.

As things stand, the push-pull vehicles are still within the administration and the financial 'umbrella' of the wider Heritage Coach Project, and as previously stated any donations would of course be welcome at this stage. However, a proposal has been made ( :smt002) to set up a 'project' specifically for these vehicles, both financially and practically, in order to progress an overhaul in the shorter term. Details and logistics are currently being discussed by the various parties and hopefully some firmer information will become available shortly.

Again, I am sure you will excuse me for being vague, but I considered it worth assuring people this has not been forgotten. There is an SRT Assets Committee meeting tomorrow night, and a Council of Management meeting this coming Saturday so things may start to become a bit clearer by that time.

 

Intheory I beleive so.

If my memory serves me correctly , Richard Salmon wrote a while agp that that the droplight open third 1336 and the long brake third number 3724 would be ideal although 3724 requires a lot of work and is way down the queue as it has a low seating cacacity.

Regards
Chris

 

Apologies for the delay, things have been particularly busy these last few weeks with work (both the paid and railway variety!) and finding the time for a weekend away drinking in a pub precisely 259 1/4 miles from Waterloo ( :smt002)!

Anyhow, on with the update. At the last SRT CoM meeting, approval was given to conduct a feasability study into establishing the push-pull project as its own standalone project in order to progress it with a degree of urgency. Essentially, this study will be looking at what manpower, materials and facilities are available on the railway to get on with the initial work, setting up a designated fund for the project, investigating grant funding and starting the raising of the match-funding element that is so vital for pretty much any grant-aided project. Initial plans are to make a start on conserving the vehicles where they currently are, and making them at least fit to be moved in preparation for a full media launch later in the year (possibly at the steam gala, and possibly in the bay platform at Swanage, but I didn't say that...).

A designated fund is in the process of being set up so that any donations received can be channelled specifically for these vehicles, and we are also starting to build up a volunteer team to start the work on the vehicles. However, much as we may all like to think that our own railway is self-sufficient, this project will not be able to go ahead without assistance.

The Swanage Railway is in the unique position of being a Southern Railway branch, able to operate a genuine SR push-pull set with vehicles that worked on the line in BR days, and with a locomotive that worked on the line in BR days. This project truly is about living history, re-creating exactly how the branch was operated for many years. Picture an M7 on a push-pull set, passing a Bulleid at Corfe Castle, while a standard 4 sits in the goods yard toying with a few wagons. With your assistance, that vision can become a reality.

If anyone has an interest in assisting with this project, whether it be in a practical sense or whether it be by a pledge of a donation, could they please let me know either by PM, by e-mail to nicklloyd107[AT]yahoo.co.uk or to Nick Lloyd c/o Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, BH19 1HB. Any assistance will of course be gratefully received.

Thank you for your interest.

Nick Lloyd

 

Many thanks for the update and please keep us posted on what is happening.

 

We could also do with some help on getting grant aid of any sort.
It seems that every time we try to get any sort of help over the years we are denied with one reason or another 8-[
Even something unique, and relatively low cost, like the Churchill Van project was unsuccessful ](*,) ](*,)
Perhaps we'll have to lift the entire railway bodily and relocate it in another area of Britain - other railways seemingly having no problem attracting grants :-#
This is NOT sour grapes on my part - HONEST.
I'm just baffled as to what we have to do to succeed just once :-k
Being positive, perhaps we will be successful this time - I hope [-o<

 

All avenues of funding are being investigated, and there are certainly things going on 'behind the scenes' with regard to the Churchill Van (usual caveats about not going into to many details for fear of jeopardising things apply...!)

I don't think it will be necessary to bodily relocate the railway, but if we decide to, a couple of hours closer to me would be useful!

 

It is traditional for the taxpayers of the South, to subsidise the grim North.

 

Is 30053 going to be repainted soon or has this plan been abandoned.

 

One of the Bluebells Maunsells (3274) was modified for push-pull before Chipmans converted it for weedkilling duties. It would be interesting to see if there are any bits left on it that relate to that period

 

Just as soon as the road to the Goods Shed/ Paint Shop has been relaid it should be going in.

 

I think you mean 3724 which became the Exhibition coach?. It got tarted up by myself and looked quite presentable until withdrawn because holes were appearing in the floor.

Regards
Chris

 

Thanks she'll look even geter when repainted.