Narrow Gauge Railway Appeals

1. The Moseley Railway Trust

Apedale Appeal

The Moseley Railway Trust has launced a public appeal to raise funds to develop its new permanent site at Apedale, in Staffordshire, Central England.

Plans include a passenger-carrying two foot gauge railway and a major museum. However, the current pressing need is to fund the construction of a storage building, which will allow the Moseley Railway Trust’s large collection of narrow gauge locomotives and other exhibits to be taken out of store and made available for public viewing at Apedale.

The Trust needs to raise approximately £25,000 to achieve this goal, of which half has been raised from the trust membership - we are now appealing to the wider Railway Enthusiast community to help to raise the remainder.

Any contribution, no matter how small, helps the Trust take another step towards the day when the UK’s largest locomotive collection is available for all to enjoy.

You could help by either making a donation to, or becoming a member of the Moseley Railway Trust.

Further details about the Moseley Railway Trust can be obtained from its website at www.mrt.org.uk.

2. The Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog)

Restoration of steam locomotive Russell

Russell

The above part drawing and part photo of Russell and text below is reproduced from the Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog) “Restore Russell” leaflet.

Russell is the sole surviving locomotive of the original Welsh Highland Railway.

“Don’t let him miss the party in 2009!”

In Easter 2009 history will be made. After years of trials and tribulations, heartbreak and strife, finally the Welsh Highland Railway will be reopened and only one more very special component is needed to make the event complete - The return to steam of the sole surviving locomotive from the original Welsh Highland Railway - Russell.

The task ahead will not be an easy one. Welsh Highland Railway engineers have two years hard labour ahead of them to ensure Russell is completed in time, but they are keen, motivated, highly skilled, so that the standard of restoration will be second to none.

Russell will be restored to mainline condition. Ready for the years of service ahead.

The historic locomotive will be restored to a condition as close as possible to the day it was built. From coal rails to smokebox, drag boxes to sandpot, careful research is taking place to ensure that Russell returns to service in original 1906 condition.

New buffer beams to the original profile have been produced and fitted. New wheel centres have been cast to replace the cracked and age expired originals, however more funds are desperately needed to complete the restoration. After an extensive reassessment of Russell’s condition, work requiring an additional £75,000 has been identified to ensure that Russell is fit for use on the full length of the Welsh Highland Railway come 2009.

Russell 101 years of history:-

In 1906, built by Hunslet for the unfinished P.B.S.S.R. On delivery Russell joins the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway fleet.
In 1923, upon the opening of the complete railway, Russell becomes the mainstay of the Welsh Highland Railway fleet.
In 1942, after closure of the Welsh Highland Railway, Russell is requisitioned for wartime services at Hook Norton Ironstone Quarry.
In 1946, after escaping the cutters torch once again, Russell starts a new life at Fayles Tramway in Dorset, hauling trains of ball clay.
In 1953, saved from the scrap man by the Birmingham Locomotive Club, Russell is moved to the Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn.
In 1965, Russell is given to the company now known as the Welsh Highland Railway Ltd., returning to Porthmadog in August 1977.
In 1987, in an emotional reunion with his old driver, Goronwy Roberts, Russell returns to steam after more than 34 years.
In 2003, Russell retires from service, requiring further major work before he can haul trains again.
In 2009, with your help Russell could return to steam as the star of the Welsh Highland Railway!

Your hand in the making of history. So how can you help to ensure that this distinguished old gentleman takes his rightful place as the star of the restored Welsh Highland Railway. - By becoming a subscriber to one of the exciting donation schemes shown on the Restore Russell website at www.russell2009.com or www.russell2009.fr.

All enquiries about this page should be made by E-mail to Daniel McIntyre.
Send e-mail to Daniel McIntyre