FRIENDS OF THE 502 GROUP

Thanks to all our friends and supporters throughout the year. 2020 promises to be an exciting year for the group, we are looking forward to some interesting events. Until then though – Merry Christmas!

We’re sorry to hear of the death of one of our founder members, Neil Squires, last Friday. Neil served as our first Secretary and was a major driving force behind the Friends of the 502 Group in those early years. Our thoughts are with all who knew him.

Southport Model Railway Society have been very supportive of us over the years, and we are happy to return the favour by sharing this crowdfunding appeal.

Very few stations survive from the 1840’s, but we are fortunate that by a quirk of fate (the original line being extended around the corner into the present site of Southport station in Chapel Street), Southport’s original Eastbank Lane Station has survived.

Although Southport Model Railway Society restored the building in 1987, and Network Rail recently restored it externally, the interior is not at present safe to receive visitors, and the anticipated crowdfunded work will allow this.

This is a crowdfunded project, and payment will only be taken if the project reaches its target of £1,639 by 21 December 2019. Please visit www.spacehive.com/southportoriginalstation for more information and to pledge.

It’s been a while, but our online shop is back and restocked with our new merchandise, showing the beautiful new illustration produced exclusively for us by Jonathan Clay. Mugs, mouse mats and framed prints are available now.

We also have a page of railway books and DVDs to purchase via an Amazon affiliate link, with a small percentage of each sale going to benefit the 502 Group.

If you haven’t been able to get to one of our shows recently, this is your chance to get your hands on some merchandise. Please visit us now at class502.org.uk/shop to make your purchase!

It’s nearly that time again, when the Merseyside Transport Trust throws open the doors of their Burscough headquarters and allows the public in to see their collection of vehicles.

This year’s open day takes place on 14th July from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

Of course, the 502 Group will be there too, ready to show visitors around our historic train. If you want to see what we have been up to this past year, the open day is the perfect opportunity. Group members will be on hand to answer any questions you might have, and our usual range of merchandise will be on sale.

The MTT’s base is located just off Tollgate Road, Burscough, L40 8TG. As usual, a frequent shuttle bus service will operate from Ormskirk bus station and Burscough Bridge railway station, offering easy access by public transport.

For more info, visit MTTrust.co.uk.

The Friends of the 502 Group would like to offer our thanks to Ormskirk Paints who have recently contributed £100 of materials towards the renovation of the unit.

If you need paint or other DIY essentials, please do stop by at 95 Burscough Street, Ormskirk, L39 2EL.

The Friends of the 502 Group will be taking part in the Best of British Rail event at Crewe Heritage Centre on Saturday 23rd March 2019.

The event is being held in association with the Woodhead Railway Heritage Group.

As well as our own stand, there will be other preservation groups, displays of British Rail memorabilia, train and freight operating company stands and at least one visiting locomotive.

Hope to see you there!

Some brief progress pictures to share with you, these pictures were taken at Burscough on Sunday as we were preparing for our AGM.

The pictures show the new cab of 29896 taking shape rapidly, the badly corroded metal having been stripped out and new panels welded in place. Compare to the photo of 29896 at Tebay back in 2010 and I’m sure you’ll agree there is a huge difference.

We have also started installing new flooring in the passenger saloon of 29896, the seats and other fixtures have been stripped out, and the new metal floor panels has been fixed in place and given a coat of paint to guard against corrosion.

If you are interested in helping out with the unit’s restoration, please do get in touch.

If you have picked up the October 2018 issue of The Railway Magazine, you may have spotted that our humble Class 502 is featured in a special four-page report, written by one of our members, Martyn Hilbert.

A small taster of the article can be found online at www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/class-502-back-from-the-brink, but for the full story, with lots of great pictures, buy a copy of the magazine from your local friendly newsagent, or get the digital edition.

As the article introduction states, preservation of electric multiple units is often overlooked. We’re glad that The Railway Magazine has redressed the balance a little.

Recently posted to our Facebook page, the image below shows the amazing progress on the cab exterior which has been completely rebuilt.

You will have your chance to see the completed work up close at the MTT Open Day on 8th July! Hope to see you there.