Over the summer the team at Boston Lodge have been hard at work overhauling the heavily worn and corroded frames and running gear of 1001 to a fit-to-run state as a rolling chassis, generously supported by a £25k grant from the FF&WHR Trust. Now this work is coming to a close, we are now at the point where we need to fund the remainder of the work to bring the carriage back into use to fill the urgent gap of a mess coach for the WHR. We’re really grateful for all the support of donors so far, but we’re now at the point: we have the volunteers and we have the workshop space, but can you help us fund the tools and material to finish the job?

1001 is an often-overlooked vehicle with a story to tell. Originally built for the Royal Navy for use on the Chattenden and Upnor Railway, it was destined to play a key role as a Combination Coach transporting passengers in the form of Officers and Ratings around the substantial barracks and depot at Upnor, with compartments suitably designated and furnished by rank. However, the railway was closed only a few years later and the carriage subsequently sold to the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway followed by the South Tynedale Railway. It never ran at the STR needing to be regauged, and ultimately found its way to Dinas in 1997 as one of the first additions to the WHR fleet. After years of work, the carriage finally entered service in 2002 and went on to play a vital role in the rebuilding of the Welsh Highland Railway as a mess and brake coach giving refuge to the dedicated gangs working on the line and a key feature of the iconic scenes in the rebuilding effort. Sadly, the heavy use caught up with it and the vehicle has been out of traffic since 2016.

With a growing need to maintain the WHR, as demonstrated by the concerted lineside effort over the past two winters, there is an ever-increasing gap for a suitable mess and brake vehicle in the fleet. It is becoming increasingly hard to recruit volunteers for the arduous PW and lineside work, so it is imperative that we treat those we have well and improve conditions to appeal to encourage others to join. Therefore there is a desperate need to have 1001 back in traffic.

A volunteer team are ready to take on the remaining job and a space in the workshop has been allocated; can you help us with a donation to bring 1001 back on track for 2026 to provide the facilities we urgently need whilst recreating some of the early scenes of WHR preservation? Your donation will directly contribute to providing essential facilities for our dedicated volunteers, ensuring the continued maintenance and operation of the WHR.

Donations can also be made by bank transfer using the following details:

Account: Welsh Highland Railway Society Ltd Branch: Barclays Bank plc, Bangor Business Centre, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 1ZF

Sort Code: 20-35-47

Account No: 60997145

Thank you!