The Friends Committee have agreed to make a substantial donation of £10,000 from the Friends’ funds to Vintage Trains/Tyseley Locomotive works towards the restoration and return to service of one of the Pullman Parlour Cars or a similar coach, for example Parlour Car 353, one of the 1960 Mk 1 Pullman Parlour Second Class coaches. The restoration has now begun since Tyseley Locomotive Works have reopened after the lockdown; the donations will be staged as the restoration proceeds to ensure the effective and efficient use of this donation.
The work on Eagle is now under way, with the bogie lift having been completed. The Friends have donated £5,000 of the committed £10,000 now that this milestone has been reached.
The Committee agreed to this donation to show its long-term commitment to supporting the activities of Vintage Trains/Tyseley Locomotive works, especially in the face of the current unprecedented difficulties.