DEPG at Williton towards the cost of bringing D7018 back into service after being out of use for many years undergoing overhaul.
I would like to nominate Llangollen Railcars "Gloucester 100" project, it's a truly unique project to preserve something unique. Without projects like these a lot of our history would be lost for future generations.
The project to restore the only-remaining Gloucester 100 two-car DMU has for many years been seen as one of preservations mission impossibles.
Built in 1957 this unit used a revolutionary integral construction method to achieve a low weight and thus had enhanced performance and good fuel economy. Only 40 of the type were built and they soon fell out of favour as being difficult to repair and costly to maintain.
Driving Motor Brake Second 51118 and Driving Trailer 56097 were taken out of British Railways service in 1972, more than 40 years ago, and served the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the West Somerset Railway before being laid up with structural problems. At risk of scrapping they were eventually rescued by Llangollen Railcars and a costly asbestos strip was undertaken. Restoration has been slowly under way for more than two years now with enormous difficulties being encountered in making up the complex load-bearing shapes which form the sides and which in some areas have completely crumbled away. A satisfactory method of repair has now been found and progress is now only limited by the amount of money which can be raised.
This restoration is the most complex and thorough of any which has been attempted on a diesel multiple unit. It must succeed because the Gloucester unit is now the only one of its type to survive, and is the only one of this type of construction still in existence. The unit is now approaching 60 years old, and has been in preservation for more than 40 years it is also 20 years since it last worked a train. There are more details at
www.llangollenrailcars.com
51118
56097
The extent of the welding work needed to repair the body.
I'm very much in favour of either one of those, and would love to see a restored Class 100 in preservation - the work on pres railcars has been fantastic so far and it's a lovely sight to see so many all together, especially the very throaty 104s!
My chosen 3 would actually have to be all Southern Based. Partially because I'm part Southern part Western Region, but because I feel that all 3 have been underrepresented in the preservation scene so far for the jobs that the performed faultlessly for the many years they were out on the mainline for - The Day to Day commuter units we all took for granted, to providing longer distance journeys comfortably for the best part of 40-50 years. They are:
The CEP 7105 Project.
The fantastic restoration and eventual return to the mainline that is the CEP 7105 project - Working to restore one of the few remaining 4 CEPs left in existence back to an as built condition. It will be one of the very few preserved Southern Region units with a restored Buffet Car and the restoration is including the cutting out of the Swindon Modifications and return to the original position of the former Guards Compartment behind the cabs. Work is starting already in Eastleigh Works, but there's a lot to do - Replacement of the IC70s seats with original BR EMU seats - I've donated a few, Refurbishment of the interior to remove the funky 70s Swindon Lighting and Bright Colour Palate, the cutting out of the sides and flooring to refit all correct braking equipment, refurbishment and restoration of the former Buffet area - another job thanks to the Swindon Refurbishment. All in all, for those associated with the Southern Region, a very worthy cause to see such an iconic unit refurbished, restored and eventually returned to the Mainline.
http://www.cep7105.co.uk/
The Network SouthEast Societies 'Project Commuter'
Again, similar to what I said above about the CEP - Project commuter will see the restoration of the NRM owned but in the care of NSE Groups 2 HAP Unit back into Network SouthEast livery - With the aim of restoring 4308 in time for the 30th anniversary in 2016 of Network South East. This unit was one of many which serviced the needs of the many commuters along the commuter lines of South and South East London / North Kent for the best part of 40 Years, day in day out operating out of Ramsgate and Wimbledon. Unfortunately the HAP Has somewhat suffered over the past few years of it's saving - Not helped by vandalism which has taken out several windows - which in turn has allowed both the weather and nature in, as well as it's storage outside since entry in preservation has allowed the bodywork to deteriorate significantly - which has unfortunately seen the cost of the restoration rise. Ultimately, whilst the plan isn't to mainline the unit (yet), The unit will form part of a new exhibition within the NRM set up to cover the important period in the railway's history, from BR to Sectorisation to Present and railway preservation, via the ins and outs of it's new major section - Commuting. Which as we well know, is a vital part of the day to day uses of our railways. It would also be fantastic, not just as part of this future exhibition, to see such a unit preserved and restored to the same high standard of which each unit was launched in. And there's certainly not many HAPs left in existence either.
http://www.networksoutheast.net/project-commuter.html
And finally, another Southern Region unit,
No.413 - The Swanage TC Group
Another former Southern Region stalwart, comfortably providing services to the people of Weymouth and the South West with a fast comfortable service for many years, the TC Group get's my third nomination. With only 2 TC Units left in existence, this would be a fantastic opportunity to help restore and return to traffic this popular piece of Southern Region Rolling stock. This TC will be designated unit number 413 - And is made up of predominantly ex BR TC coaches as chosen by London Underground when they had this unit. Unfortunately, as with many items of rolling stock, open storage has led to detrition as caused by the elements but is now being gradually covered up to take account of this. TC 413 will have a designated home on the excellent Swanage Railway - where it will happily work with two of the finest cromptons around - 33012 and in Multi with 33111, and will be restored to the Swanage Railway's high standards.
http://www.4tc.org.uk/unit/index.php
I hope I've made a good enough case for each of these unique preservation projects, It's been a long day but I hope you'll agree. And help to move the limelight into the long forgotten Southern Region preservation scene.
