Latest News from the SVR Rolling Stock Trust
November 2011
Detailed restoration update for November 2011.
October 2011
Detailed restoration update.
August 2011
SVRA Raffle Draw
The SVR Rolling Stock Trust Co Ltd (Registered Charity 1092723) recently purchased railway carriage No. 52255. This 1935 York-built passenger coach is part of the SVR’s wonderful art deco heritage ‘Teak Train’ of ex-LNER wooden-bodied carriages. This set is one of the line’s most distinctive trains and a great favourite with passengers.
The purchase arose because ‘52255’ was reluctantly offered for sale by its private owner. With the support of a few generous individuals, the Rolling Stock Trust Charity purchased the carriage so that this important part of the SVR’s major vehicle collection can remain on the Railway. But the Trust’s saving of ‘52255’ was only possible with substantive temporary funding. So the Severn Valley Railway Association, which looks after the interests of SVR’s membership, organised their recent Raffle Draw to help make up the Trust Company’s depleted funds and hopefully finance some improvements in ‘52255’.
The Raffle prize-winning tickets were drawn on 27th August by Mr Tim Godfrey, grandson of Sir Nigel Gresley, alongside '52255' at Bewdley Station and by passengers travelling in the carriage. Sir Nigel designed all the ‘Teak Train’ carriages and was the LNER’s Chief Mechanical Engineer from 1923 to his death in 1941. The SVRA’s £16k cheque-handover ceremony to the Trust Company was later made in the SVR’s Highley Engine House alongside Sir Nigel Gresley’s personal Top Hat. This treasured heritage railway icon is on loan to the SVR by his grandson.
July 2011
Detailed restoration update.
April 2011
Another Gresley for the TRUST!
1935 built LNER Tourist Third Open No. 52255, in service on the SVR for three decades was reluctantly put up for sale by the owner, John Giles. After receiving two strong bids, John agreed to let the Trust match the largest and call a halt to a bidding frenzy, so that 52255 could remain on the SVR. The Trust put together a collection of donations which will all be able to have gift aid attached, and during March became the new owner. The deal has the blessing of the SVR(H) and (G) companies as neither board wants to lose a 64 seat vehicle from one of the most distinctive and popular trains on the line. Members of the LNER(SVR)Coach Fund have been particularly generous in their support for this initiative.
Now in Trust ownership, plans for upgrading the interior by producing luggage racks, coat hangers and mirrors were put in place. Chromed coat hangers already to hand are ready for installation. Castings for the long luggage racks are in stock awaiting polishing and machining, so this work will be ongoing throughout 2011, but installation will have to wait until all six racks are completed later in the year.
- New web page for LNER Tourist Third Open No. 52255
- Updated appeal leaflets for 43600/52255 and 70759
- Restoration update for April 2011.
March 2011
- Friends of Hinton Manor on Facebook - includes clips from the new DVD.
- The latest offers from EasyFundraising.org.uk - log-on via www.easyfundraising.org.uk/svrrstc and help raise funds for the Trust.
February 2011
- New page added for the LNER Carriage Group.
- New pages added to the site covering the recent addition to the collection: Kitchen Composite No 7960, Brake Composite No 24068, Tourist Third Open No 43600, and Gangwayed Brake Pigeon Van No 70759.
January 2011
Details of the new 7819 Hinton Manor DVD added to the Hinton Manor appeal page.- Jan 2011 restoration update - Gresley Kitchen Composite 7960 joins the RST collection
- 7819 Hinton Manor update
- Further details from the Severn Valley Railway, Wolverhampton Branch who are promoting several projects in respect of "Friends of Hinton Manor", are available in this flyer (608kB PDF).
25346
On December 3rd one of our coaches, 25346 was turned out by the paintshop at Kidderminster after a light repair and repaint. It took part in the Santa operations throughout the month sporting its RST sponsored destination boards displaying "THE CATHEDRALS EXPRESS". Additionally a new set of batteries was provided by the Trust as an improvement, which only cost us £695 for a set worth £2105.
LNER(SVR)Coach Fund
December was a good month for the Trust, and the long awaited hot news is that the LNER(SVR)Coach Fund signed over three of its vehicles to the Trust. At a meeting on December 5th the Fund formally voted the offer into being. This was accepted on December 20th by signatures of the Secretary and Chairman of the Trust. Agreement in advance having been passed at the Trust's previous meeting.
So the Trust now adds the following LNER Gresley coaches to its portfolio:
24068, a Brake Corridor Composite in working order.
43600, a Tourist Third Open, in working order but needing interior improvements which are subject of an action by Fund officers which is ongoing.
70759, a Pigeon Van or Passenger Brake. This is currently undergoing a major remodelling by the Fund workforce.
The Coach Fund workforce have agreed to act as the "LNER Coach Group, a Department of the SVR Rolling Stock Trust Co." As such they will fund raise and care for their 'former' vehicles as agents of the Trust with all the benefits of charitable status when it comes to raising money for these three vehicles. The LNER(SVR) Coach Fund will still remain in being as owners of GNR 2701 and LNER 24105.
We welcome the LNER group to our little charity, together we can get things done.
7819
Down at Swindon our locomotive is about to be set up with a DVD playing a 50 minutes film of itself in action on the SVR and Mainline up to the time of its withdrawal and storage. This has been agreed by the McArthur Glenn management, and we have had all the equipment (donated by Vice Chairman Paul Fathers) PAT tested at Kidderminster prior to dispatch.
The people of Swindon will soon be able to enjoy a cup of coffee to the sounds of Hinton Manor storming up a variety of Welsh hills and we hope they enjoy it enough to drop a bit of money our way.
Best wishes to all our readers for the New Year, and hoping to bring you news of further acquisitions soon.
December 2010
The Severn Valley Railway, Wolverhampton Branch are promoting several projects in respect of "Friends of Hinton Manor", these are:
- "In Cambrian Country" - a limited edition print (500) of Hinton Manor on Talerdigg bank in 1960, painted by Fred Lea GRA (courtsey of Alan Gough). Prices: Framed print £78.19, Mounted and bagged £39.09, p&p £20.00.
- BR(W) 20t Toad Brake Van designated "RU LOCO STAFFORD Rd - a limited edition of 500 commissioned from Bachmann Europe Plc. Price: £10.50 p&p £1.95
To order either the above, please send a cheque payable to "SVR Wolverhampton Branch" c/o 31 Oakleigh Drive, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 1JP.
- A superdetailed model of 7819 Hinton Manor in OO, EM or P4 scale, and in choice of livery, for £375.00 (or £425.00 with Ultrascale wheels).
Further details and an order form for the above can be found on the SVR Wolverhampton Branch website.
- The branch has also sponsored a book, courtesy Simon Dewey, entitled 'Wolverhampton Railways In Colour'. The book consists of over 80 colour photographs from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The book is priced at £15.99, or £18.50 inclusive of p&p, and can be ordered from: 49, Tyninghame Avenue, Wolverhampton, WV6 9PP again cheques should be payable to "SVR Wolverhampton Branch".
“Fittings Fit for a Manor” - The Branch is also the sponsor of the latest SVR raffle. Booklets of tickets are in the latest members mailing from the SVR - first prize £781.9! Further info here.
October 2010
- Restoration update for October 2010.
July 2010
- Restoration update for July 2010 covering the latest progress on Hinton Manor.
June 2010
- Restoration updates for June 2010 along with earlier photo updates for April and May.
- Also there's plenty of Summer offers from easyfundraising as fund raising encouragement!
April 2010
- Restoration update for April 2010 with news of 7819 Hinton Manor.
March 2010
Hugh McQuade presented former Trust Chairman Alan Osborne with an engraved decanter
and his wife Judy with flowers. The presentation was made by the directors
of RST in recognition of the key role Alan played in establishing the Trust
and chairing it for the first few years. Photographed at Bridgnorth Station 21st March 2010.
Easter incentives from easyfundraising.
- Latest restoration update for March 2010.
January 2010
Latest restoration update for January 2010.
November 2009
Latest restoration update for November 2009.
Christmas Advent Calendar at Easyfundraising!
October 2009
Latest restoration update for October 2009. With 7511 complete, the 7511 web page is updated with a fine photo.
The latest offers from retailers backing easyfundrasing Support the RST via this link: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/svrrstc
September 2009
A successful Barbeque was held at Arley on August Bank holiday in aid of 7819 Hinton Manor. Trains from Bridgnorth and Kidderminster were run to bring staff and friends to the venue, and the DMU group ran their bar from the DMU parked in the up platform. Music was provided by Andy Christie at his own expense, while John Price and his ladies provided the food at cost. Martin White ran a raffle which was won by Tom from Bewdley M.P.D. and the Fathers family did a £1 in a bucket lottery which was won by our host, Station Master Ian Latimer (Fix! Fix!). The whole event was organised by Kevin Cronin and Dave Evans who are planning to do something similar next year. A profit of over £500 was made which has been donated to the S.V.R. Rolling Stock Trust for use on Hinton Manors return to working order.
New fund raising leaflets made their debut at the BBQ, as 7819 “Back to Steam” leaflets made their first public appearance. 8000 of these are being distributed by Bachmann models in their collectors’ magazine which has a worldwide circulation. We still have a few thousand in stock for distribution closer to home in 2010. Thanks go to Paul Fathers and Paul Bennett for producing these at short notice, and to former Bewdley fireman Mick Damone for printing and delivering them. A PDF version is available on the Hinton Manor Appeal page. Additionally a new S.V.R. Rolling Stock Trust leaflet for general fund raising has been produced by Paul Hobson. These green leaflets will be our general distribution leaflet for the next few years. Monies raised by these are not specifically earmarked for individual projects and will allow a variety of development to move forward.
Rob Starkey has agreed to do some on-line research into grant giving bodies. Well known as Kidderminster Carriage Shed shunter driver Rob has computer skills and a little free time to carry out this essential research for the Trust.
Latest restoration update for September 2009.
August 2009
FO 7511 has taken its first test trip down the line - as shown in this Guards' journal.
No.2886, was 32919, was a Stove 'R', but now might be a BDZ - maybe - but is certainly in need of more than a little TLC. The vehicle has replaced No. 7511 as the LMS&BR Coach Department project and needs your support either, by donation (can be giftaided) or by your giving books (Railway or otherwise) forwarded to the Carriage and Wagon Hut at Bridgnorth Station (most Saturdays and Sunday mornings). Mike Parker presides over our second hand book shop with in a very second hand TSO No. 4399 on the cattle dock and will be pleased to see you.
Black bagged (preferably crushed) aluminium cans, clean scrap aluminium, brass and copper are also most welcome. Our promise is that we will turn all of the scrap into something to behold - allegedly! Skilled welders, woodworkers, other skills and the very rich also welcome!
And don't forget - an evening fund raising barbeque for 7819 Hinton Manor at Arley Station, Sunday 30th August.
June 2009
Latest restoration update for June 2009.
A new page details the history of Kidderminster Turntable.
A date for the diary: An evening fund raising barbeque for 7819 Hinton Manor is planned for Sunday 30th August at Arley Station. Further details to follow.
April 2009
Restoration update - April 2009
This website continues to be developed, and more photographic images are appearing from week to week, courtesy of Tim Davis, of Kidderminster Carriage Works, who has been tasked with trying to get a good portrait-shot of each of our vehicles in traffic. Restoration work at Bridgnorth on 2886 and 4399 will be featured as it progresses, thanks to Sue Thomas, our northern correspondent. The Trust Board is grateful to Paul Bennett, who has restyled the website and has continued to add further developments.
March 2009
RESTORED COACH 4690
A brief ceremony performed by two of Britain's successful Olympic medal winning Paralympian athletes was convened at Kidderminster platform on 17th Feb at the start of the half term holiday and as a prelude to the new 2009 season. The athletes performed an Official Commissioning of coach 4690 (jointly owned by the Trust and Wolverhamton Branch SVR), which has undergone a £36,000 refit to make it the fourth passenger coach on the SVR to be fully available for disabled visitors.
The athletes, both locally based were Sascha Kindred OBE (32) and Mikey Bushell (18). Swimmer Sascha won 2 Gold’s and a Bronze in the pool at Beijing and was recently awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honours list. Wheelchair athlete Mickey won a silver medal in the 100 metres final and only missed Gold by nine hundredths of a second. They were joined by Richard Callicott of the Paralympian Association, John Leech, SVR Marketing Manager, two members of the Wolverhamton Branch (SVR) and 3 members of the SVR RST - Chris Thomas (who gave the introductory address), Stewart Clark (Hon Co Sec) and Neil Dancer on a scheduled return service to Bridgnorth. The whole event was enjoyed by all with the Medal winners readily talking with fellow travellers about their Beijing experiences and having impromptu photo sessions, with medals on show of course. Both young athletes were enjoying their first journey by steam.
February 2009
by Hugh McQuade
Website
Paul Bennett has been restyling the Trust's website in consultation with chairman Hugh McQuade, secretary Stewart Clarke, Paul Fathers and Susan Thomas who has 'manned' the site so far. An attractive, informative package is being developed and will go live in early March. Further amendments will follow after that, to incorporate styling and operational features. Both Sue and Paul will be acting as 'reporters' for the website.
The new website launched 4th March 2009!