Steam Aid - Didcot Railway Centre 12th May 2012

Hi All,

Charity day - drive our engines, see behind the scenes

A recent accident that involved a friend of ours lead to him being air lifted to hospital in the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance and being delivered to the Intensive Care Unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital. The prompt reactions of the paramedics, the helicopter pilots and the subsequent superb care he received in the ITU have undoubtedly saved our friend's life and we at the Didcot Railway Centre would like to repay the compliment. As a result, we are holding an event whereby we are going to let you all out there come and play with our toys (for a small charitable donation of course!). There will be lots of great events and unusual activities going on all day that include:

The chance to drive WW1 veteran and the sole surviving Churchward Mogul No.5322.*

The chance to drive a pannier tank (either 3650 or 3738 - whatever is chosen to go on the day!).*

We will be offering guided tours around both the locomotive and carriage and wagon works.

There will be no passenger trains on all day - we are going all freight! This is a great photography opportunity!

Finally, for a few days only, 5322 will be presented in early BR black livery. The lion and wheel will have to be removed in the evening so we can keep our appointment with our sign writer and he can get in and her new livery can be applied. So, if you want to see it during this current boiler ticket it's before 12th May or never!

There will be other exciting experiences that we will announce when they have been confirmed so stay tuned to this thread and our website for further updates! The standard static day entrance charge will apply and the GWS council has agreed to fund the fuel for the locomotives as their contribution to the day. ALL donations and proceeds from the extra activities generated will be split between the two causes 50/50.

Our website is at: Didcot Railway Centre | Homepage

Please come along, support our cause and help us say thanks to these fantastic and dedicated people that have worked so hard and with such great professionalism and care so that our friend can still be with us.

I hope to see you there!

Team 4079

*All locos are, of course, subject to availability on the day.

 

How long is 5322 staying in Black, is it for this event only?

 

Hi Lil Bear,

She was painted black as part of a recent filming contract and will be in a black livery (yet to be announced) for the rest of her ticket (probably!). As she has needed a great deal of remedial work to the paint after the filming contract and the end date for the repaint is very close to our event, I managed to convince people that a very limited time with the lion and wheel on the tender might be a good draw for our charity event. Fox Transfers even VERY kindly donated the transfer to us especially for the event. As said above, she has a date with our livery man literally straight after show…

All the best,

TEAM 4079

 

So its BR Black early emblem for May 12th, then another variation of Black after the event?

 

Hi Sidmouth and Lil Bear,

I don’t know for sure – The 5322 gang aren’t saying. I guess it can only be a black livery from one World War or another if it isn’t BR black…

I just saw the black paint going on leapt on the case for BR for our event as I know a lot of people want to see it!

I know 4079 will be GWR Green if that helps?

All the best,

TEAM 4079

 

Wouldn't mind to come down, unfortunately I've got a date with a surgeon on Wednesday so shall have to see how my recovery goes.

Best of luck with the event though!

 

Sorry to hear about your impending personal ‘heavy general’ Lil Bear – hope that goes well for you and that you can join us. It should be a good event and very much outside the norm for any railway venue.

All the best,

TEAM 4079

 

If you want to tempt photographers with BR black for one day only, why not do an event that is tailor made for what they want.
At least she will be in a livery people would want to see.

 

Hi Sidmouth

I am not sure about 5322, the logo and the D,N & S Gala – I am ‘on shed’ on Tuesday and I will ask for you.

All the best

TEAM 4079

 

I think I may have just found a way to use some of the brownie points I shall be earning when I'm left with the kids on my birthday whilst my OH goes on a work knees up!

Incidentally if its not too personal a question - how is the person in question progressing - I entirely understand if you'd rather not pass on personal medical information!

 

Hi Steadyeddie,

I am sorry that you think that we are trying to ‘milk’ anyone. We are just trying to raise some money for two VERY worthy causes and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and the current repaint happened to be at the right point at the right time to ask about putting the BR logo on the tender and a fake BR front plate on the smoke box for the event when we were organising it. It was my idea to do this as I know that a lot of people want to see it but the 5322 gang aren’t keen on it as a more permanent arrangement. It seemed like the sort of thing that people such as yourself would appreciate and be excited to see. Please remember that ALL of the proceeds from the activities we are putting on for the day are going to charity – not to the GWS - and that Fox donated the transfer specifically for this purpose.

I hope that clears up our intentions and motives.

All the best,

TEAM 4079

 

Hi 6024KEI

Our ‘man in Oxford’, thanks to the afore mentioned medical superstars, is likely to make pretty much a full recovery. He is astounding the medical teams as he is not the youngest of men, but if you know anything about him at all you know that he literally won’t take this lying down!

Please spend those Brownie Points…

All the best,

TEAM 4079

 

I simply can't believe that you are being accused of "milking" anyone when Steam Aid is clearly being organized for the very best of motives. I wish you the very best with the day, and all being well, I shall be along to enjoy Steam Aid! Sounds like a great day!

 

Hi Cymroglan,

I hope to see you on the 12th May. I will be doing the loco works tours on the day so come by and make yourself known!

All the Best,

Team 4079

 

Have a go on 5322 and raise a bit for charity? Yeah, I'll go for that, not too fussed about the colour really! :lol: Should I infer from the flyer that the drive a loco opportunities and the freights are one and the same? Quite a rare opportunity in itself if so!

 

Hi RH No. 6,

Yes, we intend to let you have a few vacuum fitted wagons and a TOAD strung behind the engines. It should be a great day!

See you there,

TEAM 4079

 

What a thoroughly unpleasant post! These people are trying to raise funds for a worthwhile cause and all you can do is make this comment. Disgusting!

 

Indeed they are trying in raise money which is great...!! And hope it goes well! But It's the why BR... Why not GWR which would look better with the stock the GWS has.