NB*This was an intermediate newsletter on 4 sides of A4 to make known the fact that we had bought Stowe
AUTUMN 2000 NEWSLETTER
We have just bought Stowe! A few words from the Chairman
I am very pleased to be able to write and inform all our members that the Society has recently agreed terms with Montague Ventures, who run the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, to buy Stowe.
928 Stowe, near Radipole Halt 26/8/1938
The Schools class was arguably Maunsell's finest and most famous locomotive design. They are wonderful pieces of engineering and a joy to see and hear in action. So when I was first contacted about buying Stowe there was only one answer - yes we want to ensure it stays at the Bluebell. The only question in my mind was how to fund the purchase. Luckily we do have a few friends around the Bluebell who were straightaway able to back the Society with some very significant donations and loans to tide us over until we could launch an appeal for funds. More details in the Treasurer s report.
Some of you, quite understandably, will be thinking "hang on you have not finished 1638 and need to get on with overhauling some of the Society's other locos. What are you up to?" Well I can only say that we have never been a Society to rest on our laurels. With your support we have restored three ex Barry locos and thereby achieved what others thought was impossible. By selling 830 and buying Stowe will only have to focus on overhauling locos in future - and will not face the very long haul of restoring another ex Barry wreck.
Side 1
Looked at the from the other way round, what would people have thought if we had said - sorry - we do not want to help buy Stowe - and then see the loco leave the Railway? We had to buy it - and with your help - we hope we will be able to see it running again before long.
I think buying Stowe. and ensuring it stays at the Bluebell. will be one of the best decisions made by the Society. It is a wonderful loco. I hope you will support us by helping us pay off what we have had to borrow to buy it.
Buying Stowe - the background
Those of you who attended the recent AGM will remember that there was a question along the lines of "would the Society ever try to buy Stowe?" Ray gave a somewhat hesitant reply. The reason was that at that time he was actively negotiating to buy Stowe and wanted to ensure this issue was kept quiet until terms had been agreed. The last thing we wanted was to be gazumped on such an important purchase.
Well we can now confirm that the Society has agreed to purchase Stowe from Montagu Ventures. Final details are being resolved as we go to press. We wanted to write and let you know the background and the full story - before finding out from the monthly magazines.
As many of you are aware, Stowe arrived at the Bluebell Railway in 1980 and was restored to working order in 1981. A loan agreement existed between Montagu Ventures and the Bluebell Railway, one condition of which was that the Bluebell Railway would be given first refusal if Montagu Ventures ever wished to sell the loco.
Earlier this year Montagu Ventures approached the Bluebell Railway and expressed the desire to sell the loco. Lord Montagu has been involved in various forms of historical transport preservation and the wider heritage movement for a long time. (He was the first Chairman of English Heritage - and campaigned for the preservation of St Pancras station when it was threatened with demolition in the late 1960's). Accordingly Montagu Ventures have made it clear that they would like to see Stowe stay at the Bluebell Railway. if at all possible. Having saved the loco from being scrapped and owned it for nearly thirty years Montagu Ventures have asked if some form of link could he kept with the loco and it has been suggested that Ralph Montagu (Lord Montagu's son) may care to become President of the Society.
The Bluebell Railway made it clear that that it could not afford to buy Stowe outright, what with all the current obligations to extend the railway to East Grinstead and other major projects around the railway. Accordingly Ray Bellingham was asked if he could take the lead on negotiations - with a view to the Maunsell Locomotive Society buying Stowe. Negotiations with Montagu Ventures were very cordial -but unfortunately were not sufficiently advanced for an announcement to be made at the AGM. However by mid September a price had been agreed and a short term funding package put together. I say short term because the funding package does involve loans - see Treasurer's report below.
So what about overhauling Stowe? It is intact and obviously is a much simpler and easier proposition than restoring 830 would ever have been - even though it does require a thorough overhaul. The Bluebell Railway has indicated that it will honour the previous agreement to give the loco another overhaul. As it has been out of traffic so long, we are lobbying for it to go into the works next year after 80151 is complete (it is now in the works following completion of Blackmoor Vale and should not take long to complete) - and we carry on with more work on 1638 and 847. Having literally just concluded negotiations to purchase the loco it is not yet possible to indicate precisely when work to overhaul Stowe will start, but we certainly want to see something happen "soon". We can not say more at this stage until negotiations are concluded with the Bluebell Railway. No doubt some thought will be given as to overhauling it to mainline standard - watch this space.
Side 2
830
In the last magazine there was mention of discussions being held with another group re purchasing 830. We can now confirm that the Essex Locomotive Group. who own S15 841, based on the North Yorks Moors Railway. have bought 830 with a view to restoring it for use on the NYMR. They have significant experience in restoring and operating S15's and also do raise funds from having a mileage agreement with the NYMR. We were conscious that it would take our Society many years to raise the funds required to restore 830 and feel it is a better option to buy Stowe and sell 830. This idea was fully discussed, and agreed unanimously, at a Director's meeting in May.
The negotiations had been running for some time and we have been reluctant to make an announcement on the issue until details had been confirmed. In the end the negotiations rapidly came to a head, at short notice, and 830 was due to leave Bluebell on Friday 29th September. The rapid conclusion was connected to the arrival of 92 Squadron for a visit to the Bluebell and the wish of the Essex Locomotive Group to take the opportunity to use the same lorries for a return trip with 830 and the tender chassis.
1638 restoration report
Those of you who have visited Sheffield Park works will have seen the good progress being made by Melvyn Frohnsdorff. Paul Thorp and the Sunday volunteers in building a new tender tank for 1638. We have had a number of conversations with members and it has been gratifying to get some very positive feedback from you.
As we go to press I can report that all the internal framework is complete, the front and back ends are in place and three quarters of the platework for the coal space is in position. Also the new material for the sides has been delivered and it certainly looks like it will he fun getting them up in place in due course, as they are very big sheets. All being well they should go up in place in October.
The workshop staff are keeping a close and critical eye on the quality of the work and all is going well on that score. It certainly is an interesting project for the restoration team and we are confident it should be complete by the end of the year- which will have advanced 1638's cause significantly.
Side 3
1638 restoration report cont.
As to other items, the crinolines for the boiler barrel are about complete (it is not possible to finish the front one as the block propping up the boiler is in the way) and a start has been made on crinolines for the firebox. Maybe a bit of cladding may appear soon Meanwhile Keith Sturt had a very useful talk with Frank Glue re further work on the firebox - hopefully the enormity of this task has not scared him off!
847 restoration report
Adrian Pinkess and Rodney Packham have been a bit preoccupied with other matters over the Summer but they and their group are now back on the job again. The last of the boiler fittings have been removed and blanking off plates fitted and the boiler is now ready for lifting. They have also set too in cleaning and painting up the tender top and boiler backhead. A recent inspection inside the tender tank has shown that it appears in good condition - ie a lot of the painting work undertaken all those years ago when first restored is still sound. All it needs is a slender person to get in and have a go cleaning up. Also a fair bit of work has been done on scrapping off all the gunge on the loco wheels and giving them a good clean -which does make a significant improvement. Can someone else take over and see about occasional visits to clean the loco? Pottering around the yard and doing some cleaning once a month can be quite a pleasant past time and would make such a difference to the loco's appearance.
Treasurer's report
And finally - the serious bit. We have had to borrow circa £30,000 to buy Stowe. The rest of the purchase price has been raised in a number of ways. Firstly by way of putting the Sir Dinadan nameplate (that was bequeathed to us 4 years ago by the late Mr Woods) into Sheffield Railwayana's Auction in Hendon on Sunday 29th October. Secondly by selling 830. Thirdly by raising some donations/loans from a few members/ Directors and finally by using most of the funds we have on deposit. We have kept aside enough to keep work going on 1638.
We have agreed with Montagu Ventures not to disclose the purchase price for Stowe - but it is a significant sum. However what we need to do now is to start raising £30,000 to pay off the loans - but there again that is a very good price to pay for buying a Schools!
Obviously £30,000 is a substantial sum and we appreciate members may be a little tired of appeals for funds. All we ask is that our 300 members consider sending whatever they can afford - be it 50p, £5, £50 or any other sum. For those members who are earning a monthly wage could you consider a regular monthly contribution? - see the standing order form. We have agreed to try to pay off the £30,000 over 4 years - which we feel is achievable given our recent ability to raise about £7,000+ a year. No doubt we will need to be a bit creative in our fundraising from now on.
Anyway I hope you agree buying Stowe has been a good idea and refer you to the attached leaflet.
And what next?
Giants of Steam - Sunday 22nd October. We are looking into having Stowe outside the running shed with a display. Come along and have a chat with us about our projects.
We will have to change our logo and letterhead for a start! Maybe a Stowe tee shirt to come soon.
We hope to get the next newsletter out around the Christmas/New Year time and will have a full update in there as to Stowe and the way forward.
