Who we
are
Easy that one. We are all sorts of people, teachers, accountants, telephone repair people, you name it ... we have it! We're just regular people really. The thing that binds this lot together of course is an interest in steam engines and railways, and the desire to get the few remaining steam locos back into working order for all to enjoy. Its slightly eccentric perhaps (in the best British tradition), but a lot of fun too. Being based in the south of England, its no surprise that we focus on the work of the Southern Railways chief engineer, Richard Maunsell.
Even easier to answer. We restore steam engines that were designed by Richard Maunsell of the Southern Railway. We do this at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex England. We have 5 engines of which 3 are fully restored. One is underway at the moment (see present project) and one is still in scrapyard condition. We've been restoring an increasingly large stable of engines for some 17 years now, ever since 200 engine were saved from destruction, but requiring restoration at the Barry scrapyard in south Wales. Our five engines are the biggest collection of Maunsell engines that there is in one place.
An excellent question which sometimes we don't know the answer to either! Its fun, its tiring, its hard work, but it is also a team of people pushing in the same direction to overcome what sometimes look like insurmountable problems to get an engine restored. After all the effort, when the engine is looking pretty as a picture, and its doing the job for which it was designed, much to the delight of the passengers that it is pulling, then you know why you do it.
Why you should be a part of it..
because you too could get something out of this and we need your help. Out of all our members, only a small proportion are able to help practically. The vast majority help just by being a member. Your modest annual membership fee (currently £10 per annum) provides much needed revenue to get these engines working. The members are the life blood of the society. They are people who socialise, share an interest, and help with the common aim of the society. The society has 3 newsletters per year to keep all, especially the less active in touch. You are all important, so be one of them!
Further info always available from
>For
emailed updates send an email which is headed
"subscribe" to locomotivesociety at maunsell-dot-org