Another successful work party took place on Sunday 6th March. More work was done on the trailer car 29896. Some internal fittings including heaters have been removed and taken away for refurbishment. Work has also commenced on the badly corroded window frames, as can be seen in the pictures below (thanks to Paul Gorton for these pictures).
Want to help out? Donate to the group, or become a member and join in at our next work party!
The Friends of the 502 Group is pleased to announce the start of its new fund-raising scheme – “£5.02 for the 502″.
It is now more than 30 years since the class was withdrawn from mainline BR service, and over 20 years since the unit performed in preservation. The aim of of the Friends’ scheme is two-fold – not only to raise funds for the Group, but also to raise awareness of the unit.
Although the 502 is still officially part of the National Collection, the National Railway Museum have placed the unit on long-term loan to the Group with a view to eventual transfer to a ‘Class 502′ Trust, which will secure its future.
To allow as many people to contribute as possible, the Group is looking for both individual donations of £5.02 and subscribers to give £5.02 each month via a Standing Order.
Duncan Reed, Chairman of the Friends of the 502 Group, said:
“The numbers of the unit’s cars are 28361 and 29896, so if we receive a donation of either £283.61 or £298.96 this will be recorded with a brass plaque fitted to the respective car, detailing the donor’s name and the date of the donation.
“However, every single donor will receive a certificate detailing their name and donation amount, while subscribers will also be automatically given membership of the Friends of the 502 Group for as long as their donations continue (minimum 12 month duration).
“The Group is also happy to receive corporate donations from companies – for which recognition will be given in the form of a link from our website and a listing in our quarterly newsletter”.
For individual donations, payment can be made via www.class502.org.uk/donate or cheques (made payable to the ‘Friends of the 502 Group’) can be sent to the Group Treasurer. A Standing Order form is also available to download and print off from the website.
Download press release (PDF format)
Our new shop page is now online, where you can order mugs, keyrings, mousemats and t-shirts bearing the Friends of the 502 Group logo. These items were previously available at our stand at the Southport Model Railway Show, but can now be ordered for delivery to your door. Order now for delivery in time for Christmas!
In addition to our blog and Facebook group, we now have another way to keep in touch with the group’s activities. If you have a Twitter account, please follow us @class502.
The Friends of the 502 Group is celebrating a successful weekend at the Southport Model Railway Show. Our stand attracted a great deal of interest from show visitors keen to find out more about this unique electric multiple unit.
For the first time we had Class 502 souvenirs — mugs, polo shirts and mouse mats — available to buy at the show. If you weren’t able to make it to the show, don’t worry – you will soon be able to purchase the merchandise through our web site shop, with all profits going straight into group funds to aid the unit’s restoration. We will also be announcing further items for sale shortly. In the meantime, our collection of railway books, offered through Amazon.co.uk, is available to buy now.
The Friends of the 502 Group will be present at the Southport Model Railway Show for a third year. This year’s event takes place over the weekend of 25/26 September 2010 at Birkdale High School.
On our stand there will be group members available to discuss the progress of the preservation project and answer any questions you may have. If you haven’t yet signed up for membership we will gladly take your subs fees on the day!
We will also have a range of Class 502 merchandise and souvenirs for sale on our stand, including mouse mats, mugs and key rings. More details of these will be posted on the web site shortly.
The Friends of the 502 Group’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday 25th September at the exhibition. Please note that the AGM is open to current group members only.
More details about the exhibition, including directions to the venue and details of admission charges, are available at the Southport MRS web site.
The Friends of the 502 Group will now NOT be attending the Woodvale Rally this weekend as previously announced. Unfortunately we have a shortage of volunteers who are able to attend the event. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
UPDATE: Due to a shortage of volunteers we regret the Friends of the 502 Group will now not be able to attending this year’s Woodvale Rally.
Following our successful attendance at the Woodvale Rally last year, we are pleased to announce that the Friends of the 502 Group will be at the event again this year.
This popular event takes place at RAF Woodvale (halfway between Liverpool and Southport) on the weekend of 7/8 August. The attractions include vintage cars and motorcycles, model displays, military vehicles, a family funfair and much more.
Our stand will have the latest photos and updates on the restoration project and group members on hand to answer any questions you may have. If you haven’t yet joined the group, membership forms will be available on the day.
For more information on the rally (including directions and admission charges), please visit the Woodvale Rally web site.
On 26th June the monthly work party took place. The stripping out of the interior of the trailer car, 29896, continues. Many of the seats, luggage racks, light fittings and wall and ceiling panels have been removed, allowing direct access to the structure of the coach for examination.
Work parties take place approximately once a month at Tebay and all members are welcome. If you are not yet a member, why not join now for just £15 a year?
The next visit to Tebay to work on the 502 will take place on Saturday 29th May.
Details of arrangements for the day will be provided to group members. If you are a member and have not received any notification, please contact us.
If you are not a member and wish to take part, now is the ideal time to join the group and get involved in the ongoing restoration work. It costs just £15 a year for an annual membership, or you can donate monthly by standing order. Details are available on our membership page.