Plym Valley Railway has announced that it has succeeded in the quest to purchase the Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 steam locomotive ‘Albert’ from its private owners.
Now for the first time the Plym Valley Railway (PVR) owns an operational steam engine – one of their long term goals.
Aaron Cook, Plymouth Valley Railway director of Motive Power and Rolling Stock, announced the news at a small ceremony at their Marsh Mills station.
Addressing the assembled crowd Aaron said:
“Firstly a massive thank you to everyone who has donated towards the appeal. I can’t press home how much this has helped. When Mr and Mrs Liddicoat approached us to say the engine is going to be put up for sale we could have never have afforded it and we honestly thought the PVR would be without steam once again.
“So we started looking at lots of options which include becoming a diesel only railway, hiring a steam engine or the restoration of another steam engine.
“But it became very quickly apparent that if ‘Albert’ was to go this would probably mean the end of PVR steam. Knowing how important a steam engine is but also knowing we couldn’t possibly afford one as a company we launched the SOS (Save our Steam) appeal.
“We did wonder if the SOS would be successful as past efforts to raise money have not always been so. This time I can honestly say a massive thank you and I’m so pleased how well we have all done.
“The Plym Valley Railway Association has given the SOS a massive amount. Thanks to all of the community for this.
“The Plymouth Scouts did a fantastic event for us which raised a large amount of money and was a fantastic day for all. Bernard Mills, who I am sure we all know and have seen his many books, had a fantastic evening for us and of course all of you who have put your hands in your pockets and donated. Thank you.
“We managed to get to a total of £31180 of the £40,000 target. I feel we have done really well. This total has allowed the railway to purchase ‘Albert’ which it would not have otherwise done so”.
’Albert’ is currently undergoing its annual service and inspection so sadly isn’t able to be in use at the moment. PVR will organise an event and handover later in the year for everyone who has donated and will hand out thank you gifts.
Ongoing funding will be needed for the steam engine’s running costs but the main task of securing the engine’s future at the site has now been realised.
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
