The SVR Rolling Stock Trust was set up in 2002 with two principal intentions in mind:

- to protect our locomotives, carriages and wagons and act as an owner of last resort for rolling stock based on the SVR

- to provide education and training so that the skills involved in building, operating and maintaining historic rolling stock are not lost

All this costs money, and one of the advantages of the Trust is that we are a registered charity, thereby benefitting from Gift Aid. If you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim back from the government a sum equivalent to 28% of your donation, at no cost to you.

We are helping to protect a number of locomotives and coaches which are out of service, through provision of 12 large tarpaulin covers.

Roger Scanlon, Membership Secretary/SVRA rep

Chris Thomas, Director

Very early in its history, I had joined the SVR, following a visit by an ‘LNER Society’ ‘Merrymaker’ excursion. The line was not open then and later I joined and quickly became Chairman of the South East Branch. I made the mistake of asking ‘what happens in the day time’ and so after a couple of hours playing with pannier axle boxes, I was a Member of Bridgnorth Carriage and Wagon, and by default the South East Branch representative of SVRA.

I have for many years been Secretary both of the LMS&BR and the LNER(SVR) Coach Funds and have played a small part in the restoration and repair of many coaches at Bridgnorth.

A chartered electrical engineer, Chris works as an indpendent consultant in energy regulation and renewables. His first love, however, is railways and he always intended to be a career railwayman, though sadly, government policy did not permit such ambition long term.

Being self employed does at least enable flexibility with attendance at SVR, as well as a home in earshot of whistles. A dedicated and smitten volunteer since 1969, Chris is a guard, signalman, duty officer, past OS and SM, director of SVRH, chairman of engineering committee, and Bridgnorth stalwart. His wife and two sons have to join in, or not see him!

Hugh McQuade, Chairman

A lifelong railway enthusiast from my pram, and descendent of Darlington Works engineers, I have been an SVR volunteer from the age of 17. After 21 years service on BR at Paddington, Saltley and Bescot, I took voluntary redundancy and joined the SVR full-time staff as Paintshop Supervisor at Kidderminster.

As chairman of the LNER(SVR) Coach Fund, and Team Leader at Bridgnorth Carriage Dept, my association with the Rolling Stock Trust began when I was invited to join as 'carriage expert' in an advisory role. Closely involved with the acquisition of vehicles 4509 and 35219 by the Trust,a nd with the practical issues of conversion of 4690, and the use of our contractor on 9084, the last two years have been busy for me with Trust works.

I intend to use my unique position as Trust Chairman, SVR(H) Supervisor, SVR(G) volunteer, and LNER(SVR) Coach Fund trustee to the full to the benefit of as many carriages as possible, while building up the fundraising profile with a view to restoring loco 7819 back to working order.

Chris Smyth, HRA rep