Looking back at last years thread, which was won by the Great Central Close the Gap fund - Congrats to them! And comparing it to some of the current and ongoing projects, I'm going to nominate two of my previous choices from the Southern Region and a new one from the Western Region.
So, Heading it up for the Southern Region are:
My first chosen 2 are both Southern Region Based. Partially because I'm part Southern part Western Region, but because I feel that all 2 still remain underrepresented in the preservation scene so far for the jobs that the performed faultlessly day in day out doing the jobs they were designed for out on mainline - The Day to Day commuter units we all took for granted, for commuting to work on or leisure trips, bashing the stock or going on holiday, 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/
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
For the Western Region lot amongst us, my other nomination is based on and around that of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
The Broadway Station Appeal.
This ongoing appeal is to raise funds for the building of a brand new Station Building, Waiting Rooms, Footbridge and Signaling all as recreation of a beautiful Great Western Railway Station to serve the town of Broadway - All of which were sadly demolished in the 1960/70s when the Stratford - Honeybourne - Cheltenham Spa railway found itself losing it's passenger services and then ultimately the closure of the route itself.
So far the group, an almost separate group to the main GWSR have managed to raise the funds and construct two platforms - all out of reclaimed Imperial Blue Engineering Bricks and a brand new Signal Box - The design of the box is based upon that of the now sadly demolished box at Shirley just further up the former line, but will still need to raise funds for the reconstruction of the footbridge which despite the main structure being salvaged from Henley-in-Arden, requires new (& expensive) steelwork for the stairs and towers, for the signaling and station building / platform 2 waiting room.
We've all seen what is possible when the money is available - Just take a look at what the GWSR has achieved with the former Monmouth Troy station at Winchcombe and the Severn Valley Railway's beautiful station at Kidderminster, wouldn't it be fitting to see another beautiful and potentially award winning GWR station recreated for the beautiful town of Broadway?
A few pictures of the current progress and station details are available here - the progress, for what is a small band of volunteers has been amazing! And the quicker the money is raised, the quicker the station rebuild can happen.
http://www.broadwaystation.co.uk/station1.htm
This website is being maintained as a modest, independent supplement to the GWSR Website , concentrating on the activities of the GWSR in its pursuit of extending its northern route, and culminating in the re opening of Broadway Station.
The Broadway Area Group(BAG), with the support of the GWR Board, has set themselves the target of having Broadway Station rebuilt and operational as quickly as funds will allow with a target of 2018. There is much still to be done and funds are limited. What there is in abundance is enthusiasm and commitment from the BAG Volunteers. Their single minded determination will see their dream a reality.
If you would like to help with achieving our goal you can join the Broadway Area Group as a volunteer, or become a Friend of Broadway Station. Follow the links above and find out more. Alternatively donations to the Broadway Area Group can be made directly to the BAG Chairman through the Contact link above or by the safe on line donation button below.
If you would like to make a Donation towards the Broadway Station Appeal Fund, please use the safe link below. We can't do it without You!
https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/gwsr
http://broadwaystationgroup.blogspot.co.uk/
I hope I've made a good enough case for each of these unique preservation projects, It's been another long day but I hope you'll agree. And to help to move the limelight into the long forgotten Southern Region preservation scene, or giving you the worthy choice to help recreate an attractive Great Western Railway designed station in the Cotswolds. Either way, there are a lot of very worthy preservation projects out there that could all do with our time and funds, and I wish them all the best of luck!
