Do you have fond memories of steam railways? Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with a 48-ton steam locomotive? Or perhaps you’d just like a little piece of Britain’s great technological history to live again, so a new generation can experience the same thrill you did?
This could be your chance. We have the engine. We have the expertise (or we know where to find it). But we need money to bring the dream to life, we need your ideas, we need your support, and above all we need willing hands ...
... we need YOU!
We have four levels of membership ...
Junior Member, for those of school age
Cost: £15 for one year's membership
You will get: our regular Newsletter (see Note 1) about the locomotive and its progress through restoration, a Footplate Pass (Note 2) entitling you and one accompanying adult to visit the footplate once the locomotive returns to traffic, and a set of three illustrated leaflets about Hunslet 3193 - how it was built, how it works, and what it did during its long working life.
Friend of Hunslet 3193
Cost: £30 for one year's membership
You will get: our regular Newsletter (Note 1) about the locomotive and its progress through restoration, occasional “Members’ Special” trains (Note 3) once the loco is back in traffic, and the opportunity to join regular Loco Inspection Visits (Note 4) to our Yaxham base to see the restoration in progress, examine the loco and talk to those carrying out the work.
Full Member
Cost: £10 a month by Standing Order. Membership continues for as long as the Standing Order is effective.
You will get: all "Friend" privileges, PLUS a Footplate Pass (Note 2) entitling you to visit the footplate once the locomotive returns to traffic, AND the opportunity to work on the loco (Note 5) while it is being restored, under the supervision of an experienced engineer.
Sponsor
Cost: you tell us how much you want to give in a single payment to buy a specific item of equipment or to sponsor the ongoing maintenance of a particular part of the loco (minimum £250). Membership is for three years with nothing further to pay.
You will get: all "Full Member" privileges, PLUS a detailed explanation of how your money has been spent. For example, £250 would buy a brass locomotive nameplate, £500 a small casting such as the safety-valve extensions that are currently missing from the loco, while £2,500 would pay for a major item of equipment - for instance, at the moment we need to buy a combined steam/vacuum brake valve assembly before the loco can run in public. We can’t offer to put your name on your particular part of the loco, but you’re welcome to come and stroke it from time to time!
NOTES ...
On joining for the first time, all members regardless of their level of membership receive a Certificate of Membership and a specially commissioned lapel badge featuring a head-on view of the locomotive.
(1)The Newsletter: this will be in photocopied format. At present while we are engaged in rather tedious tasks like boring out boiler stays or cleaning off rust, we anticipate issuing the newsletter twice a year. As restoration progresses and there is more to report, we hope to increase this to three or even four times a year.
(2)Footplate Passes: these may be used once a year, and obviously will only apply once the loco returns to regular traffic. The loco will be in steam but stationary, and a member of NHSR footplate crew must be present. Junior Members must be accompanied by an adult, but otherwise a Footplate Pass does NOT entitle you to bring a guest.
(3)Members' Specials: once the loco is back in traffic these trains will be advertised well in advance in the Newsletter.
(4)Loco Inspection Visits: these take place three or four times a year, at weekends. They are the ONLY opportunity to visit the loco while it is being restored, because Yaxham Yard is private property and does not belong to us. Although you may bring up to two guests, numbers are limited (one group in the morning, another in the afternoon) so it is essential to book your place(s) beforehand. The loco will not be in steam. This is an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with a fairly large steam locomotive, but be warned - wear old clothes because a locomotive yard is a dirty place! Subject to demand you can attend as many of these occasions as you like.
(5)Working on the loco: there are some jobs that require engineering knowledge and others that require no experience at all, so there is room for anyone with "Full Member" or "Sponsor" status to lend a hand in this great project, and also help prepare a permanent base for the loco with sidings, an ashpit and loco shed. Although we are fully insured your participation MUST be by prior arrangement with our Foreman - for obvious reasons you can't just turn up unannounced! You will need to provide your own safety boots and work gloves.
or email davidbramhall@fastmail.fm
or click here to download an application form to print out
Alternatively, if don't want to join up or receive our mailings but would still like to help, you could send us a donation by clicking the button below. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can use your credit card in the usual way.