Unfortunately the ever increasing cost of transporting
visiting locomotives for Gala events can be prohibitive and leaves us
with difficult decisions as to whether continuing to hold such events
will be financially viable.
Further income generation is limited, in no small part
due to a shortage of coaching stock, length of platforms, signaling
capacity and the ever challenging problem of additional car parking
facilities.
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However when we bring in a locomotive for a Gala event, whether it be
City of Truro, Canadian Pacific or 37075 it helps to draw new visitors
and refreshes our own interests and enthusiasm. In trying to ensure that
we can continue to hold such Gala events and bring in much needed revenue
for our railway, it has been decided to set up a 'Locomotive Transportation
Fund'.
Proceeds from the fund will be used solely for the transportation
of locomotives for these events. Quarterly figures showing how much has
been raised and or spent will be published in The Knotty' magazine.
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To give you an indication of the amounts involved, it costs from £800.00
to transport a small tank locomotive, £1750.00 for a medium size
tender engine and £1250.00 for a medium size diesel locomotive.
These are all one way prices!
Visiting locomotive transport costs for the End of Steam Celebrations
in February 2008 cost around £7000.
To attempt to quantify these figures if 50% of our supporters were to
put in £10.00 each then we would be able to easily cover the costs
of transporting locomotives for around a year.
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We hope that you will feel able to contribute an amount, however small,
either with a 'One Off' donation or by regular contribution. Of course,
if you are a tax payer it is better to make your donations through our Charitable
partner, the
'North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Limited'
who will be able to claim 'Gift Aid'.
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Please download and complete your details on the form linked
below and return it to our Cheddleton office marked "Transportation
Fund", or hand in to any of our booking offices.
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Photographs by Dave Gibson
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