650 Appeal

GWR Excursion Brake 650 is now the GW(SVR)A's main restoration project running concurrently with the completion of 9103.

All of the structural work, both on the body and underframe, has been completed, but the interior requires complete reconstruction. Much work has also already gone into acquiring and making parts, with many patterns made, largely in Bridgnorth's volunteer pattern shop. Many of these have already been cast and machined as can been seen on the 650 restoration pages.

Significant progress already made includes:

• Bogies overhauled
• Body framework repaired
• Underframe rebuilt
• Most of the under solebar fittings replaced
• Handbrake installed
• Some interior seating and internal doors prepared at Kidderminster
• Upholstery in stock
• Luggage rack brackets made
• Light brackets and fittings already made
• Moulds manufactured for the distinctive interior Lampshades and lampshades supplied

Much of the structural repairs, finishing the panelling and glaze all the windows to bring the coach up to a watertight condition has been done under contract in the SVR’s C & W workshops at Bewdley. But, we anticipate having to raise some £17,000 to match fund any possible grants so we would welcome any donations or regular standing orders towards this work to help return this coach to traffic quicker than will otherwise be the case.

We do hope you will be able to support this appeal. 650 will not only bring a distinctive look to the SVR fleet, but as a 40 seat open brake will be an extremely useful vehicle on the Railway.

A GWR publicity shot of one of the distinctive Art Deco style excursion coaches.

We are lucky enough to have two of the original Art Deco style glass lamp-shades which we've used to have accurate reproduction made.

Donations

Please send, with cheque payable to 'Great Western (SVR) Association', to:
Rob Massey - Secretary, 9 Shandon Close, Harborne, Birmingham B32 3XB

The value of your sponsorship can be increased by 25% through Gift Aid, at no extra cost to you. Please sign the declaration below if you pay UK income tax.

Gift Aid declaration

Please treat all donations and subscriptions that I make today and in the future as Gift Aid donations.

Signature: ................................................................... Date: ...............................

You must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax in each tax year at least equal to the tax that the GW(SVR)A will claim from HM Revenue & Customs on your Gift Aid donation(s).

On-line donations

Credit and Debit card donations towards this appeal can be made securely on-line via the Charities Aid Foundation. There's a big advantage here, any Gift-Aid will be added directly to your donation. If you pay tax in the UK just tick the Gift Aid box and, at no extra cost to you, the reclaimed tax will be added directly to your donation, so a £10.00 donation becomes (after the admin fee) a £11.88 donation to the Association.The 'additional information' field can be used for your sponsorship details on the Charities Aid Foundation site.

Charity Registration No 1078718