Spent an absolutely fascinating Friday at the BSRS in Bitton just outside Bristol.
The BSRS have been in existence for more than 10 years and are made up from everyone from professional types to schoolboy enthusiasts.
What interested me was the fact that they have recently acquired track and rolling stock and I thought it would be fascinating to go along and razz some of the movers and shakers on the ins and outs of setting up a preservation trust.
Well I was met by Malcolm and Ron who have been at the forefront of the society from the offset. First of all, we climbed onto a dilly and took a trip up their 500 yards of track. Next we looked at the engine shed where restoration is in progress on their first loco, a Fox Talbot class 0-6-0 pannier tank, and very busy they were too! Then it was back to the station for a cup of tea from the excellent canteen ran by the wives where we sat down and discussed the intricacies of how they got to where they are today.
Well, from what they told me I'm amazed they ever got off the ground at all. Railtrack didn't want to play ball and sell them any track (part of the old LMS line running out of Green Park Station in Bath) and reaching a deal involved having some very underhand dealings with shady characters in back street bars.
All in all I was so impressed that I've now become a member! I'm also considering making a sizeable financial contribution so I can maybe get on the steering committee and be involved in the decision making process or, failing that, perhaps be immortalised in some way with my name over a door or something. Either way, my sleeves are rolled up and I'm ready for action!
The BSRS have been in existence for more than 10 years and are made up from everyone from professional types to schoolboy enthusiasts.
What interested me was the fact that they have recently acquired track and rolling stock and I thought it would be fascinating to go along and razz some of the movers and shakers on the ins and outs of setting up a preservation trust.
Well I was met by Malcolm and Ron who have been at the forefront of the society from the offset. First of all, we climbed onto a dilly and took a trip up their 500 yards of track. Next we looked at the engine shed where restoration is in progress on their first loco, a Fox Talbot class 0-6-0 pannier tank, and very busy they were too! Then it was back to the station for a cup of tea from the excellent canteen ran by the wives where we sat down and discussed the intricacies of how they got to where they are today.
Well, from what they told me I'm amazed they ever got off the ground at all. Railtrack didn't want to play ball and sell them any track (part of the old LMS line running out of Green Park Station in Bath) and reaching a deal involved having some very underhand dealings with shady characters in back street bars.
All in all I was so impressed that I've now become a member! I'm also considering making a sizeable financial contribution so I can maybe get on the steering committee and be involved in the decision making process or, failing that, perhaps be immortalised in some way with my name over a door or something. Either way, my sleeves are rolled up and I'm ready for action!
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