The plan is to restore a unique railway vehicle that is based on the Churnet Valley Railway, that being former LNER Flat-bed no. 3014. Referred to as "Parrot" wagons, 3014 was one of twenty-five built to carry US aircraft parts from ports along the UK to Military bases for construction to assist with the war effort.
With the ending of the war the vehicles found themselves in departmental use, before 3014 was transferred to the MoD. It was from here 3014 was to be preserved and the vehicle arrived at the CVR from Long Marston in 2005. Now the CVR are looking to restore the vehicle to its former glory to assist with its own works trains, and be available for use in photo charters and demonstration goods trains.
The planned restoration will see the vehicle receive repairs to its structure in order to see it enter traffic for works trains and photo charters.
The main framework of the "floor" requires replacing, along with the 3x strips that form the floor itself. The bogies themselves receive an overhaul too, before the full thing is shotblasted and then painted into its departmental Grey that it wore for the majority of its working life. Finally the brake thru-piping is to be upgraded from the piece of drainpipe it currently has!
For this appeal we are looking for £2,000 to complete this work. For every multiple of £20 you donate we are allowing one name to be put forward for a 'Roll of Honour' that is to be placed on the vehicle, as we have already had requests from people to donate in honour of others they know or once knew.
Work is planned to start in February 2017, and subject to no hidden nasties being found it is hoped to have the vehicle operational for September 2017. Everything though is subject to raising the necessary cash, so please do help support this appeal where you can.
Any excess raised will be put towards the restoration of the next wagon, as we strive to complete a demonstration WW2 Goods train.