9/1/12

BRITSH DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE PRESERVATION GROUP
PRESS STATEMENT – January 2012

After almost five years since being formed, it is with great excitement, after a few months of negotiations, the British Diesel Locomotive Preservation Group is in a position to announce the purchase of its first diesel locomotive.

The locomotive in question is 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic Andrew Barclay Works Number 499, which currently resides at the Rutland Railway Museum. Bought by Shanks & McEwan (England) Ltd and delivered new to Corby Works in July 1965. Here the company’s locos worked the slag contracts within the works complex. The loco was the penultimate new loco at the works after a long line of steam locos dating from the early 1930’s when the works was built. The company ceased operations in November 1982. The locomotive was then acquired by Rutland Railway Museum and arrived on site on 10th August 1983 after which it was repaired with a replacement radiator and has worked at the Museum until recently.
Speaking of the recent addition to the B.D.L.P.G, Chairman Adam Pugh had this to say, “It’s a great privilege and honour to finally say that the group has achieved one of its aims in purchasing a locomotive. The shunter is not only a British built machine but pretty much stands for everything in terms of history of the UK railway scene in industrial yards etc. Also, it is the first stepping stone of more things to come that are to be announced in the near future”.
“We are indebted to Simon Layfield of the RRM for making this transaction as smooth flowing as possible.”
Initial plans for the locomotive will see it overhauled and fitted with vacuum brakes whilst remaining at the Rutland Railway Museum, followed by a trial running in period before being released for service. Naming of the locomotive is also planned. -ENDS-

20/12/11

This Xmas is cause for celebration within the B.D.L.P.G. We are pleased to announce the purchase of our first locomotive, with the transaction of money completed early this week. More details will be available in the New Year and the future plan for the loco in question. With that, we would like to wish all our supporters, benefactors, friends and colleagues a very Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year, with all the best for 2012!

15/11/11

More website progress – New forum added, feel free to sign up! The loco profiles which were on the old site have been added and are under enthusiasts! Any comments, drop us a tweet @bdlpg or visit our Facebook page! Locomotive news should be updated in the next few weeks….

8/11/11

As you may or may not have noticed, The Website has undergone a slight change due to technical issues in regard to our website design page. I would like to thank our technical buddies at WSME who managed to save the website and put us back on track (no pun intended!).

We’ve added a new page to the website called “aims and objectives” this is found under the Group page, and is to enable you the public and our members to fully understand the group ethos and our aims for the future.

23/08/11

I know its been a while in coming, sorry, but heres the latest update!

The decision has been taken to add pages to this website containing information on different classes of diesel locomotive, with the aim of them being used as a reference tool for anyone interested. This is an ongoing project, and will soon be added to the site.

Little has happened as regards to the group purchasing or taking a loco on loan of late due to personal circumstances with a few key members of the group.

Thanks Guys!

03/07/11

Evening Guys.

In a welcome readdition to the team, after a period of more health issues, our founder Rowan Jackson has rejoined as an active member of the board of the British Diesel Locomotive Group. Welcome back!

Recently we have been looking into a possible future aquisition for the group. Further news as it develops, but it is the starting block for something great.

Our website, after a period of absense, will be updated more regularly over the coming weeks with news of events and goings on, so do bookmark this page and return to read the latest happenings.

29/03/11

Sorry for the lack of update’s guys……its been a few busy weeks and a lot of behind the scenes work being done. An updated constitution is currently being re-written up and will be online soon via PDF format for everyone to see. This will enable you, the general public and also our members to see exactly what the group is set up for…our aims and ambitions for the future, where the money raised/donated goes and what will happen in every Monthly and Annual meeting between members.

Also i would like to personally thank the continued publicity of the group by our member “SomersetChris” who continues almost  daily to advertise and publiscise the group on various forums.

4/03/11

We start off on some  recent developments, we are currently having ongoing discussions with a owner who has several locomotives to his name. Whilst i cant go into too much detail, it is hoped that some sort of deal can be reached where the group would become custodian of One of his loco’s and eventually purchasing of one.

We have also enquired more recently on a English Electric/ Vulcan 0-6-0 diesel locomotive currently for sale and situated at an ex industrial estate in South Wales. Again, we cannot go into too much detail as of yet but we hope to discuss details with the current owners as and when we get a reply.

19/02/11

News to follow…. Interesting delevlopments in the pipelines…

25/03/10

Our Spring 2010 Newsletter has now been published, and can be view by clicking here.

19/01/10

Happy new year!! Better late than never!

Im sorry about the lack of website updates recentely, but things are progressing well with new members joining with new ideas!

Our chairman and founder, Rowan Jackson, announced that he would pass on the rank of Chairman to Adam Pugh, our old vice chairman. On behalf off the group I wish both of them good luck and hope to see Rowan back on the board soon!

21/09/09

The website is currently being updated by our new webmaster, Sam Lightwing. News is yet to follow very soon about a new project!

1/06/09

Just to clear up any rumours or speculation that has occured over the last few months regarding the group and class 50 50017.

Back in August 2008, we enquired about the above loco, 50017, when it was up for sale by its then owner, Dr John F Kennedy. We took the opportunity to talk to Dr Kennedy of whom was at first quite keen to allow the group to work on the locomotive, and via various correspondents sent between us, it was agreed that the group would become Custodians on a long-term deal and carry out a restoration programme.

The Only problem we had was finding a railway to store the loco since our original option and base was unavailable to use. Countless emails and letters were sent to various railways to try and secure a home for the loco but when we did find a railway who were willing to store it, time was too late. We then found out after about 3 weeks from finding a base, that the loco had been sold to the Plym Valley Railway. This was very dissapointing news for many of us, considering the hard work that we had put into finding a railway.

However, we wish the guys at the Plym Valley Railway all the best in the future with the restoration of 50017.