fgwrich
Established Member
From the Class 56 group.
I think it'd be great to see some HAA/HBAs saved to run with preserved 20s/37s/47s/56s/58s and even Class 60s when the times comes for them, otherwise we risk preserving the locos and not preserving any original stock to run with them - the last time a situation came around like this was the 'Windcutter' in the 1990s for the equivalent BR 16 ton Mineral wagons, hopefully it wont come to this for the HAA/HBAs but there's not a lot of time sadly.
MGR Appeal - Can you help?
The Class 56 preservation group is backing a plan to preserve several of the last remaining MGR wagons.
There are now only around 20 examples remaining and are being disposed of quickly.
The class 56 and 58 groups have lent their backing to the project with the 56 group having agreed to act as a depository for donations specifically for the appeal and set them aside to try and purchase as many examples of MGR as possible. A home has also been found in the midlands for any wagons which are preserved. Scrap prices currently mean the value of a wagon is around £3700 from scrap Merchants who are disposing of them.
Talks have also been started with DB Schenker who own the last remaining wagons and are positive so far. Richard Prestidge from the appeal said
There are very few of these wagons left and time is running out for them quickly. They are possibly the most iconic wagon built in the last 50 years and their place in the lineage of the history of railways and coal carrying is easy to see. There were over 10,000 of them at one time to the 20 odd we have now with only 2-3 being officially considered preserved.
It is intended once preserved to use them as an educational resource to explain with other wagon types the history of coal carrying by rail, and also for photo charters if a short rake can be saved alongside appropriate locomotives types.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation is asked to make cheques payable to
Class 56 Group (MGR Appeal)
61 TYERSAL PARK
BRADFORD
W.YORKS
BD4 8EY
or pay via paypal at kbulmer(at)talktalk.net (with the (at) replaced by @ )
http://www.nrm.org.uk/globalmedia/pic_1995-7852_2.png
I think it'd be great to see some HAA/HBAs saved to run with preserved 20s/37s/47s/56s/58s and even Class 60s when the times comes for them, otherwise we risk preserving the locos and not preserving any original stock to run with them - the last time a situation came around like this was the 'Windcutter' in the 1990s for the equivalent BR 16 ton Mineral wagons, hopefully it wont come to this for the HAA/HBAs but there's not a lot of time sadly.