THE National Wagon Preservation Group (NWPG), which owns and is custodian to a fleet of ‘modern’ vehicles – introduced since the Beeching era at several heritage lines around Britain – has now secured 11 TTA tank wagons.
As reported last issue, the group sought to boost its fleet, which includes MGR coal hoppers, with the addition of four-wheeled tank wagons from scrap.
NWPG recently welcomed a new member to the board, Chris Thorn, who stepped into the role of social media manager. Mr Thorn put forward his proposal for a new project within the group, Project: Petroleum. With the last of the TTA tanks recently being moved from Grangemouth oil refinery to Gascoigne Wood Yard for purging and disposal, the NWPG had to act fast. An agreement was made with the Dean Forest Railway (DFR) to home the wagons as part of a block train. The group had sufficient funds to save and transport two tanks, but was keen to save further examples. A fundraising appeal was opened via Crowdfunder for a wagon. An ambitious target of £10,500 was set to attempt to save three more tanks. The response was positive and the group raised £4155, plus a further £725 via direct donations.
Two members also agreed to purchase one each, meaning the total wagons saved was up to five. However, on the last day of the appeal an email came in from an angel investor and another seasoned preservationist, together offering funding for a further six tanks, bringing the total tanks saved up to 11.