Carriage Step Sponsorship

In March 2020 we moved our Class 108 Diesel Multiple Unit from the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley in Derbyshire, to our own site at NPL Thornton.

Despite restrictions imposed on us by Covid, we were able to commence some restoration work whilst conforming with the Government workplace guidelines.

Some initial work was to source new parts for those missing or beyond repair. A quick inspection indicated that all the footsteps for accessing the carriages needed replacing.

We therefore initiated a sponsorship scheme whereby members and friends of the society could contribute to the cost of buying the new steps.

There are 26 carriage steps of various lengths and we quickly found sponsors for all, allowing us to go ahead and purchase the wood and commission the manufacture of the steps.

Local joiner, Brian Tattersall obtained sufficient quantities of sustainable Sapele wood (in lieu of Mahogany) and made the steps for us.

Work Ongoing

As yet, we have not been able to fit them in place, as it has taken longer to paint the outside bodywork than envisaged, and the steps can only be fitted once all bodyside painting is complete.

In the meanwhile, we are storing the steps and look forward to the day we can fit them. See photograph.

Nigel Kirkpatrick
DMU Lead