Hi Guys. New to the forum but I thought i'd get started by posting a press release about something i'm involved in. If you could all take a minute to read and hopefully donate to this worthy appeal it would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Rich
MGR Appeal
The class 56 preservation group is backing a plan to preserve several of the last remaining MGR wagons.
Over 10,000 exapmples of the HAA wagon and its derivatives were built from the mid 1960s through to the early 1980s at Shildon in Durham and Ashford. Currently the very first and last wagons are both preserved and on display at Shildon, the NRM annexe built on the site of the former wagon works.
There are now only around 20 examples remaining around the country and are being disposed of frequently and quickly. The wagons which were synonymous with classes of locomotive such as 20s, 37, 56 and 58 have been replaced by higher capacity bogie wagons built for EWS in the late 90s and early 2000s.
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. Anyone who has used electricity in the last 50 years whether boiling a kettle or switching on a light has been affected by the work these wagons do, so culturally they are very important, and not just in railway terms. They are very worthy of preservation.
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 @ )
Many thanks
Rich
MGR Appeal
The class 56 preservation group is backing a plan to preserve several of the last remaining MGR wagons.
Over 10,000 exapmples of the HAA wagon and its derivatives were built from the mid 1960s through to the early 1980s at Shildon in Durham and Ashford. Currently the very first and last wagons are both preserved and on display at Shildon, the NRM annexe built on the site of the former wagon works.
There are now only around 20 examples remaining around the country and are being disposed of frequently and quickly. The wagons which were synonymous with classes of locomotive such as 20s, 37, 56 and 58 have been replaced by higher capacity bogie wagons built for EWS in the late 90s and early 2000s.
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. Anyone who has used electricity in the last 50 years whether boiling a kettle or switching on a light has been affected by the work these wagons do, so culturally they are very important, and not just in railway terms. They are very worthy of preservation.
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 @ )