The 4150 Fund
The Fund is an unincorporated body with a number of 'shareholders'. The Fund publishes an annual newsletter.
Contents
History
The 4150 Fund was launched in March 1973 to purchase GWR 2‑6‑2T No 4150 from Barry Scrapyard, for the price of £2,750.
4150 left Barry in 1974 and in company with 7812 Erlestoke Manor was towed by Class 25 diesel to the Dean Forest Railway at Parkend. However site difficulties meant no work took place, and led to the Fund deciding to move the locomotive to the SVR. The move to Bewdley took place in January 1978, again by rail.
The Fund acquired a Gresley teak coach, GNR BCK 229 (later LNER 4229 and BR mess van TDE 320700) which arrived at Bewdley in 1977 and was used as a mess van.[1] Ownership was later transferred to the LNER Coach Fund.[2]
By the mid-80s fund raising and restoration progress had slowed. In 2007 a new committee was formed to restart and complete the restoration, which continues.
Fundarising
In 2008 a Severn Valley Railway Association raffle raised a record net total of almost £16,000 toward the boiler work.
The Fund organised Peep Behind the Scenes, an annual fundraising event, between 2010 and 2016.
From 2016 the Fund has run an Evening Social Special, a special train which includes Great Western toplight coaches and provides suitable liquid refreshments. It departs from Kidderminster for a full return trip.[3]