The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust

Raising The Standard poster by Stephen Millership

The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust is building BR 3MT 82045, a new locomotive of the BR Standard 3MT 2‑6‑2 82000 tank class, none of which survived into preservation. The class historically worked services on the Severn Valley line in BR days. Unlike many of the current new build projects which are recreating larger main-line types, 82045 is intended specifically for heritage line use.

The project started life in the late 1990s as The 82045 Locomotive Fund which initially maintained a fairly low profile. Renamed The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust following its incorporation as a company limited by guarantee and subsequent attainment of charitable status (Registration No 1133893) early in 2010, the organisation during 2017 exceeded funds of £1,000,000 for the first time. Membership is by annual subscription: it has built up a nucleus of over 500 members.[1][2]

The locomotive is being built at Bridgnorth Loco Works. The trust's web site includes a monthly news page. It operates sales stands on an occasional basis, usually at Bridgnorth during galas and similar events.

Contents

Special trains

The Eardington Explorer
On 17 April 2015 the Trust ran a special train, The Eardington Explorer, between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, calling specially at disused Eardington[3]. The aim of the tour was to raise funds for the manufacture of 82045's boiler. This was repeated on 22 April 2016 in aid of 82045's 'The Motion Appeal' [4] In 2017 this event did not take place in its normal April time slot and the Trust endeavoured to find a suitable replacement, but no such date was announced[5].

Waterloo Sunset
On 6 October 2017 the Trust ran a special train consisting of one round trip Bridgnorth-Kidderminster. The name is partly derived from 82000 tank class which finished their days in and around the former LSWR terminus.[6]

Main line running option

The project to build 82045 was predicated on the idea that is intended first and foremost for use on preserved railways. The Trust sought the opinion of its members in May 2018, noting that limited main line running was still an option but involving additional expense, and that the decision needs to be taken soon, certainly before the boiler is fitted.[7] The majority opinion (although not by a huge majority) was against proceeding with the main line option[8].

82045 Future Fund

In 2017 the Trust launched the 82045 Future Account to ensure that funds will be available to look after the new locomotive's future after it has entered service.[6] Once the engine is running, all finances will be channelled into the Fund: structured income built from monthly donations, steaming fees from the SVR, plus hire-out fees from other railways which the engine will visit.[9] This includes legacies[10].

See also

References

Links