How do YOU choose who to support in Preservation?

[ACE1888]

With so many Societies around, how do you choose who to support? I have been members of quite a few in my time, but there are just so many that need support, you just can't choose them all, even if some are of real personal interest...currently I 'support' 5, but this year have let another 'run out', where does it all stop??:roll:

 

[Mvann]

I have generally been a member/volunteer of places that are near to where I live. At the moment I'm a member of 2 societies.

 

[PinzaC55]

I've been a volunteer on three heritage lines all of which were in their early days when I volunteered. I don't feel any attraction to the larger long established lines which often have "political" infighting going on.
At the moment I am a member of the Yorkshire Wolds Railway who have recently secured grant money for a feasibility study.
If I lived near enough I would be involved with the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway who seem to be doing great things on their patch.

 

[Mvann]

If I still lived in north wales, I would have still been involved with the welsh highland railway.

 

[50Fan91]

I think that the most important thing here is to say whether your support towards a society or group is monetary support, or physical support. (The latter often combines the former!)

I actively support as many different groups as I can in monetary terms, most often simply by attending gala events and partaking of all the activities. Buying from the group's stall, such as I did at the Swanage diesel gala a few weekends back, is an excellent way in which we can all help. A few pounds from everyone will quickly add up!

Physical support in my opinion can only be performed when you are in the immediate area of the group or society. Having lived at Salisbury in the past, technically the nearest preserved railway I could have helped at was the Mid Hants, but even that is quite a jaunt.

My local, the PVR, is now a mere bus ride away, and that is perfect for me. I'd love to maybe look into the diesel groups at the South Devon or the Bodmin and Wenford, but again distance and cost is an issue - before I've even got there!

So there you go, location is by far the most important aspect to me. I have just got extremely lucky that the PVR allowed a class 50 to take up residence! Not to mention the 37 that's currently in the sidings as well...

 

[4SRKT]

I'm not in a position to offer any physical support, but I am a member of three societies, each for a very different reason. Firstly the K&WVR because it's my local line and being a member is basically a very good way of getting three very economical and enjoyable days out with my young sons each year, plus a reduction on their gala tickets.

Secondly the CFPS simply because I love class 40s. There is no personal benefit as such to being a non-active member of this society, but keeping 40s going is a worthy cause.

Lastly the fledging Pacer Preservation Society, because despite the prevailing sentiment, I think Pacers are an interesting chapter in recent history, and one needs to be preserved. I've also wanted to be in at the beginning with preserving something, and this seems the ideal opportunity.

 

[50Fan91]

Lastly the fledging Pacer Preservation Society, because despite the prevailing sentiment, I think Pacers are an interesting chapter in recent history, and one needs to be preserved. I've also wanted to be in at the beginning with preserving something, and this seems the ideal opportunity.

May I say that you're probably the first person I have ever heard express an interest in saving one of these! But of course, each to his own!

What I completely agree with is your final comment about being 'in at the beginning with preserving something'. That sounds like an excellent idea - whether it be pacers or not!

Anyone fancy joining me to preserve a 70....? :roll:

 

[ACE1888]

Location is everything agreed, living in West Cornwall, pleasant as it is, you do realise just how far away from things you actually are!
A Class 70?? Preservation group?? Why not! Classic....

 

[PinzaC55]

West Cornwall how about the Helston Railway?

 

[50Fan91]

A Class 70?? Preservation group?? Why not! Classic....

I'm hoping the sarcasm implied by the rolling eyes in my previous post is also evident in your reply...!

 

[ACE1888]

West Cornwall how about the Helston Railway?

Am a member, occasionally working member, but their main two days are Sundays and Thursdays, which are working days for me:roll:

 

[Techniquest]

Incredibly difficult to decide which bit of preservation to support. In the past, for me the obvious choice was the 125 Group. That part of me is long dead and buried, these days I'm currently a member of the Class 37 Loco Group. I'm on the other side of the country to their base at Dereham, so although I'd love to help out with the maintenance and all that, it's not realistic.

I'd also like to be a member of the Class Forty Preservation Society, but I can't afford two group memberships on my limited wages.

Like 50Fan91, when he lived in Salisbury, I'm a fair ol' way from all preserved railways. The nearest being the SVR and DFR, but I work 4 days a week and I don't drive, so it's not realistic to get to either on a regular basis. Especially when I have an active interest in the mainline and like to use my days off to enjoy the current scene.

 

[yummy125]

I used to work at the Mid Hants looking after their "Thumper", helped paint it "Green" & tidy up the interior.

But you get loads of grief on this line for supporting Diesel loco's, hence no Diesel Gala's anymore & these used to be excellent.

I'm a member of the Class 58 group as I would love to see 016 back on Mainline pulling rail-tours n spothire, sticking 2 fingers up to EWS / DB bosses for cutting their lives short on BR.

At the end of the day it depends on what is your fav class & single loco which your going to support.

 

[GearJammer]

I used to work at the Mid Hants looking after their "Thumper", helped paint it "Green" & tidy up the interior.

But you get loads of grief on this line for supporting Diesel loco's, hence no Diesel Gala's anymore & these used to be excellent.

Now only live 45 mins away from the MHR and find this comment interesting because ive always thought that the Mid-Hants Rly's attitude to diesels very poor, ok they have 33053 (or is it 052?) and 37905, both hired in as far as im aware and rarely used on anything other than engineering trains, 45132 is on site but im affraid ive never really been interested in peaks and its restoration seems to be taking forever and when it is completed i can't see it getting much use as the MHR just does'nt seem to want to use diesels!

 

[50Fan91]

45132 is on site but im affraid ive never really been interested in peaks and its restoration seems to be taking forever and when it is completed i can't see it getting much use as the MHR just does'nt seem to want to use diesels!

It's so sad that the MHR has decided to give up on its diesel galas. I remember what was probably the last gala, where I think 50007 attended - but I was really quite young at the time and I don't remember it all that well. I believe that there has been one event since; a rather abortive attempt a couple of years back now where amongst others a class 56 attended..

I'm very disappointed that the railway that I class as my "local" is so staunchly anti-diesel - and as you say, GearJammer, who knows what will happen if and when 45132 is finished..

Sorry if this post takes the thread ever so slightly off-topic, but I felt that I'd quite like to add my opinion to this particular area of the discussion!

 

[chris89]

I have volunteered on two preserved railways. Being the East Somerset Railway and the Seven Valley Railway.

I enjoyed helping on the ESR a lot more as you were asked to help with a lot more things and seemed to be treated with more respect.

Yes the SVR are great but i always got the feeling if your not rostered they don't really pay much attention to you and so on in the MPD's. Which honestly is very disapointing, as not everyone can roster etc, and would have thought all would be treated the same. But then could just have been my experience.

If i do renew i will try to go on the S&T side of things instead now.

Chris

 

[E&W Lucas]

What an unadventurous lot you are!

Don't let distance put you off entirely. Choose the society/ project that most interests you, and get stuck in! Most have some form of accommodation, or book a b&b/ campsite, and go for a working holiday.

I travel approx 200 miles to my own railway (NYMR), and have had to do so for most of the 25 ish years I've been involved. We've volunteers that come from far further afield than that. Cornwall, Skye, The Netherlands & Sweden for example. This seems to be quite normal - a chap up the road from me commutes 200+ miles to the Corris regularly, and I know someone else who treks a similar distance to Porthmadog.

You'll get the maximum satisfaction from involvement with the project that really catches your imagination, so that would always be the one that I would choose to support. If you want to do it enough, you'll find a way.

 

[Foxhound]

I've supported various groups in different ways over the years, have got my hands dirty in the early years of preserving a 20, and a Western, and have put money in on a regular basis to a well-known Peak group. (Still do). Once my current financial situation is more settled (just got divorced) I will look at getting more involved with one of the local groups - but my choices here are governed by distance/time. I could look into the Bodmin diesel group, the PVR (which I could cycle to!), the South Devon (2 rats and a 20 are very tempting), or slightly further afield at the D&EPG (Hydraulic heaven!). I just don't know which - although to be fair I suspect the South Devon and the D&EPG are favourites. I don't have masses of technical expertise but will happily give things a go! At the end of the day, my choices are driven by what I enjoy most loco-wise, so Peaks, Hydraulics, little Sulzers and 20s will always win for me.

 

[ACE1888]

Another view then, I'm a member of 2 S&D projects (Midsomer Norton and Shillingstone) , even though I've always lived in West Cornwall, the dear old 'Slow and Dirty' caught my imagination years ago, and although I'm a member of Helston Railway and Bodmin and Wenford Railway, I have more OVERALL interest in the S&D one's, why though I don't really know, but it's just the way it is...
I have been a volunteer at both Helston and Bodmin railways, but just don't have the time due to work and family commitments at present, I do try and support by Gala visits etc though, I think active railway work will be for later in life, more's the pity...ridiculous petrol prices certainly don't help either...

 

[50Fan91]

At the end of the day, my choices are driven by what I enjoy most loco-wise, so Peaks, Hydraulics, little Sulzers and 20s will always win for me.

Not a 50 in that list?

We're always looking for help with Royal Oak at the PVR if you fancied that! Especially if you're so local! (As you may also be aware, the PVR is also home to 37207.)

 

[chris89]

The distance doesn't put me off at all. As the SVR is pretty much at my door. Just the experince and feeling got from one of the MPD's have put me off :/

Chris

 

[j0hn0]

Location doesn't bother me and I'm not interested in helping to fund some nasty old tank engines puff up and down a 1 - 2 miles track (when I lived in Rugby, Northampton & Lamport was the closest)

No offence if you work on that railway, but for me, it's all about the scenery it runs through. The best for this are the Welsh Highland and Severn Valley, both of which I have volunteered for.

I don't "support" them per se, I just make sure that I volunteer whenever I can and make at least one visit per year (difficult considering that I tend to move all over the country/continent)

 

[AlexS]

I live about 15 minutes from the SVR at Bridgnorth - but I choose to trek 55 miles to the GCR instead because it just grabbed my attention more. I love the SVR as a visitor and I go quite a number of times per year and have some friends there, but for me the idea of playing with a double track mainline was just too tempting.

I went a bit berserk admittedly and I'm now a signalman, guard, station master, S&T, loco shareholder and whatever else is required - but variety is the spice of life and signalling is certainly my main interest - which was another reason why the GCR appealed as I love working the boxes.

In terms of locos, diesels are king for me and I'm a shareholder in a class 47, 47117 Sparrowhawk, which I try and get one or two days a year in doing physical work on and spend more time than that being towed behind it or enjoying watching it fly around the place from a box or trackside.

 

[Zoe]

the idea of playing with a double track mainline was just too tempting.

How many other heritage lines were once double track main lines? I can only think of the GWSR.

 

[Foxhound]

Not a 50 in that list?

No, but doesn't mean to say that I won't pitch up and get stuck in one day. Never say never. My pal Jim Bishop knows 017's owner, allegedly, so there is a precedent to have a quick look. (Jim and his brothers used to bash Peaks with me in the 80s).
I also knew about Bill Cookworthy being there, I will be down to ride behind both of them when they work, but can't promise working time yet. Lots going on.

diesels are king for me and I'm a shareholder in a class 47, 47117 Sparrowhawk

The 20 I alluded to in my post was 8098, Alex. Nowhere near as involved as I would like to be, (haven't even seen it in 16 years!), but that may well change. Nice to meet another T1LC bod on here.

 

[ACE1888]

Not a 50 in that list?

We're always looking for help with Royal Oak at the PVR if you fancied that! Especially if you're so local! (As you may also be aware, the PVR is also home to 37207.)

Still yet to visit the PVR, must correct that this year while on the 2 weeks summer break

 

[AlexS]

The 20 I alluded to in my post was 8098, Alex. Nowhere near as involved as I would like to be, (haven't even seen it in 16 years!), but that may well change. Nice to meet another T1LC bod on here.

She'll be nice and spangly when she gets back from her well deserved attention! Early bods paved the way for the rest of us after all (I started in preservation in 2006).

 

[PinzaC55]

How many other heritage lines were once double track main lines? I can only think of the GWSR.

It depends what your definition of a "main line" is. The NYMR used to be double track throughout and was the "main line" into Whitby. The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway was also double track and was the main line to Grimsby and Cleethorpes from the south and regularly saw the largest steam locomotives.

 

[Mvann]

How many other heritage lines were once double track main lines? I can only think of the GWSR.

More than you think. Northampton and lamport, nene valley railway, Lincolnshire wolds, Avon valley, part of the strathspey railway.

 

[Crimson_Quiff]

I support 3 preservation movements by becoming a member of them! The Class Forty Preservation Society, the East Lancashire Railway and the Fylde Tramway Society.

I also support other preservationists by taking part in their raffles onboard railtours, galas on Pres lines etc. Also buying merchandise helps!