Manpower Services Commission
The Manpower Services Commission (M.S.C.) was set up by government and operated from 1974-1988.[1] Its purpose was to coordinate vocational training and manage and expand the government's vocational training programmes, and in particular to offer retraining and skills development to adults intending to re‐enter the workforce.[2]
Some heritage railways used M.S.C. programmes to fund labour to undertake projects. On the SVR, a team of volunteeers funded by the M.S.C. began a project in April 1976 to upgrade and renovate bridges and other structures to take increased axle weight loadings.[3] Two further projects were submitted to the Manpower Services Commission later in 1976, "Stage 2" to carry out Permanent Way improvements which involved relaying much of the track at the north end of the line and "Stage 3" to help restore the LMS carriages,[4] plus other coaches and wagons including GWR 829 Full Third.[5] Another M.S.C. project during the 1970s included recovering the Swindon Works' traverser for possible future use at Bewdley.