Good day to all of our supporters. Unfortunately, we are tasked with delivering the news that I'm sure no supporter of this project wanted to hear.
Despite many months of positive detailed discussions and proposals to multiple heritage groups, unfortunately all of our proposals have been unsuccessful. Our storage contract with the Lavender line ends today, and no new agreement has been able to be reached. This now means we have no choice but to start the process of removing the vehicles from site and to dispose of the vehicles.
This is sad news for everyone involved, after a huge amount of time and effort has gone into the restoration of these vehicles, to make them airtight, and to now have them almost operational. The brake pipes were sealed 3 weeks ago and are ready for testing, making it a viable push pull 3 car unit.
All of the work this year to secure a new home behind the scenes has happened alongside our benefactor, who despite giving his notice to step away back in January, has remained by our side and supportive till the very end. We have all been incredibly committed to seeing these vehicles survive and have explored every option available to us.
As a last resort, Our benefactor has now agreed to very generously offer the vehicles as free to any good home. This can include non-railway sites, with the only condition being the continued upkeep with a conservation agreement placed on the vehicles.
If no interest is shown within a month, Disposal will unfortunately be guaranteed.
This is certainly not how we want the year or the group to end, so we are urging anyone reading this, if you can give this unit a home, or know someone who could, now is the time to act. Whether it be preserved on a private station site, Converted to a cafe / community space, or another solution, please send an email to discuss. It is now or never to help secure one of very few complete examples of an AC EMU left in the UK.
Please Contact us at chairman.cepg@gmail.com
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