CURRENTLY WE ARE RAISING FUNDS in order to purchase into preservation an RML Routemaster bus in order to assist heritage railways earning future revenue.
"Thank you for the pledges so far,one from a steam enthusiast who wishes to remain anonomous and another from a very well known highly successful musican. To operate and cover restoration work, spares including tyres & new moquette, lighting in order to return lower saloon and upper deck to sxties as new condition. We have set a target of 30K. This will also guarentee secure storage as well as outright purchase of the vehicle. Our aims are to make the Routemaster available for bus rally days, and to offer a non profit service to Heritage railways with revenue donated towards bridging the gaps at Toddington, Great Central railway and many others. We also hope to help The Treehouse appeal childrens hospice when we are on the road.
Heritage railways generally have a gap somewhere, such as Great Central Railway or at Toddington on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway where a break in the line is enforcing a two railway operation. The aim is to preserve and maintain a London Routemaster which otherwise is heading on a one way trip to Spain to be used as a burger bar, or taken overseas never to be seen again. .
It can be so frustrating losing our British heritage because of lack of finance, often so many entusiast's efforts thwarted. If you are interested in being involved please contact tonyatsolutions@aol.com We are aiming to run the vehicle at heritage events throughout the year, maintaining it to a high standard, returning it to 1960's appearence it will be used as a helping hand where required. The current owner is very kindly holding the vehicle for us. On 10th July 2011 I called in on my local heritage railway, first Winchcombe and then Toddington. The clip is a video-blog so excuse the walking camera, I was kindly shown around Winchcombe yard by the gentleman in the clip. The warm welcome I receive at this Cotswolds heritage railway is always the same, questions answered with a passionate enthusiasm they are eager to share and enjoy with all of us.
The day I visited was the annual bus rally so as a bonus wonderfully restored vintage and more modern preserved vehicles were on show at Toddington, presently the other end of the line though Broadway will be reached before too long.
Nearly two weeks later I read on the railway's own website news that overnight a serious break in took place. Among items stolen were hand tooled brass components from 35006 A Merchant Navy class steam loco. Sadly what took thousands of man hours to machine from brass and is valued at £15,000 will fetch no more than £60 as melted down scrap.
If you are remotely interested in Britains heritage please think about putting your hand in your pocket to help. The railway has suffered two embankment collapses in the last two years which have split the line in two. Now, added to that this happened, we all feel angry and frustrated but must take a deep breath and move on positively.
The long term aims of this railway is to connect with the mainline at Honeybourne, bringing more passengers to Broadway,Toddington Winchcombe and Cheltenham racecourse. My local railway has had it's fair share of bad luck, with help from enthusiast's and fans of railway heritage the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway is fighting back. On a beautiful summer day in the Cotswolds, spending time with such friendly staff and volunteers was an absolute pleasure. Everyone involved in the raiway are working hard to ensure funding is collected to repair the second embankment collapse and push on with re-building the line to Broadway and eventually the mainline connection at Honeybourne.
See http://www.gwsr.com to learn more about the railway and please consider supporting the line with a financial donation however small, it all helps!
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Day Out With Thomas at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Postponed and New Trailerby StarbugProductions1,025 views
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