Western Locomotive Association

The Western Locomotive Association Limited ('WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd.') owns BR Class 52 D1013 Western Ranger and BR Class 52 D1062 Western Courier.

The WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. was founded in 1974 and was incorporated in November 1999 as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, company number 03873466. It is also a registered charity number 1115058 with its activities being "The preservation, maintenance and operation in working order of its locomotives D1013 Western Ranger and D1062 Western Courier, so far as reasonably practicable, in a condition authentic to their service on British Railways as museum exhibits and to advance the education of the public in the history of the said locomotives." Its locomotives moved to the SVRSevern Valley Railway in 1978, and 2018 marked 40 years on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. The WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. operates membership by subscription, and publishes Western Courier magazine and The Western Linesider leaflet containing latest WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. news.

Both locomotives are based at Bridgnorth where the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. has workshops and stores adjacent to Hollybush Road sidings, to the north of the station. The WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. contributed funds to, and also uses the facilities of, the Diesel Depot. The WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. maintains good relations with Rolls Royce (formerly MTU and Maybach) and Voith in Germany, original manufacturers of the engine and transmission types respectively.

The WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. is a minor shareholder in SVR(H).

Grants and external funding

• On 29 April 2005 the Heritage Lottery Fund granted the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. £45,500 towards Western Courier's overhaul, which was used for sending a defective Voith transmission to the manufacturer in Germany..
• In 2008 the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. received a Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material (PRISMThe Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material (PRISM) Fund, a source of funding from the Arts Council/The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.) Fund award of £2,500, which covered the first stage of restoration of D1013.

Sales

The railway operates a sales stand on days when the locomotives operate on the SVRSevern Valley Railway and at diesel and mixed traffic galas, offering Western branded and themed merchandise. The stall is usually at Bridgnorth but during the Bridgnorth Development Project this moved to Kidderminster station concourse and the Diesel Depot. It also operates an online shop.

Special workings

From the 1980s onwards the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. has run a very popular series of 'OBBO Tours', giving the opportunity to travel in a train consisting solely of a Western locomotive and one of the Observation saloons. Refreshments are served, a cab ride is available between stations and photographic opportunities are available.

Models

From time-to-time the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd. collaborates in the production of limited edition models. An incomplete list is:

• O Gauge Model Class 52: 'Just Like The Real Thing' modified kit. DCC soundcard with Howes sound on ESU Loksound v 4.0 chip, built to individual specification.
• 2013: A limited edition of 150 Dapol OO gauge models of a Maroon D1062 Western Courier was delayed, with delivery originally promised to coincide with the 50th celebrations of the locomotive in May 2013. Dapol issued a statement in July 2013 apologising for production difficulties and no blame for the delay could be attributed to the WLAWestern Locomotive Association Ltd..
• 2018: Special Edition Dapol OO Gauge "Western" D1013 Western Ranger BRBritish Rail or British Railways Blue - Black-backed plates

It also operates Bridge Norton model railway, an O gauge diesel hydraulic layout. This featured in the Diesel Depot at Members & Shareholders Weekends.

See also

Diesel Locomotives
List of preservation groups
List of Charities associated with the SVR
Sales Stand

References

Links

Western Locomotive Association website
Companies House
Charity Commission