At the start of the year the North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Ltd launched the Leek Coach Appeal, to raise funds for the purchase of additional coaches to increase capacity ahead of the planned opening into Leek.
Since then the first vehicle, E3809, has entered the railway workshops on the Churnet Valley Railway and with support from Batt Holden Ltd the coach is going through a thorough overhaul that will hopefully see the vehicle enter service in time for Christmas; the first time it will have hauled passengers in over 20 years!
Work completed so far includes -:
* Brand new body panels installed along bottom half of coach on both sides
* The full sides and roof have received their first coat of primer
* The interior floor has been completely replaced
* The vacuum brake pipework made from scratch and replaced
* The steam heat pipe has been replaced
* Interior elements for the steam heat system are being manufactured from scratch by Batt Holden
* Battery boxes have been refitted, with the order for new batteries being made alongside components for the dynamo
* The bufferbeams have received attention to smarten them up ahead of final painting as well
The railway is on the lookout for additional volunteers to help complete this, as the lack of numbers is all that is holding the railway back from completing even more work. If you are able to help, even for just a morning or afternoon, then please get in touch. No experience needed, all guidance will be provided by our skilled staff where required. http://nsrailway.co.uk/volunteer
The appeal to pay for the initial purchase also remains open, having yet to reach the full amount required. https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/cvr_coaches