Want to do your part for diesel preservation? Then the British Diesel Locomotive Preservation Group is exactly the group for you.

Formed in the spring of 2007, the B.D.L.P.G. aims to preserve part of Britain’s heritage, in the form of British built diesel locomotives. There are well over 200 stored or condemned diesel locomotives, that were built within the United Kingdom,  that are now sat around in the scrap lines in this country. The members and supporters of the group see this as a terrible waste of the craftsmanship and man hours that went into building these magnificent locomotives, and are here to stop this becoming more and more common.

The group has had a few false starts, as any group does in our position, and progress, from the outside, seems to be slow, or even non apparent. But this is far from the case. Members are constantly giving up their free time to help the group; either by producing flyers, helping with the travelling trade and information stalls or simply ringing people within the rail industry and explaining what the group is about and seeing if they can secure the support of big name companies. We all share the same vision, and that is, one day, to have some of Britain’s most well maintained and top performing diesel locos as part of the B.D.L.P.G.

The group is made up entirely of volunteers, giving their free time and devotion to help us succeed in the goals we have set ourselves. Most of the members of the group have railway backgrounds either on the heritage line scene or working for National Network Train Operating Companies. As a group we are always open to new members joining up and adding their expertise. Contact chairman@bdlpg.co.uk  if you are interested and the necessary forms will be forwarded to you within a short space of time. Included in the Membership will be a bi-monthly online newsletter that will be distributed via email to members.

All of us within the B.D.L.P.G. realise that things aren’t going to happen over night. The fact that we aren’t going to go to bed one night and wake up the following morning owning a fleet of pristine diesel locomotives. We are working round the clock to set items in stone, so that when we do either purchase a loco, or receive it on long term loan, then all the other parts of the puzzle will slot into place. But, as with anything, the parts may not entirely fit correctly and have to be tweaked and altered to the specific loco or unit, but all the ground work is there waiting for it.

The long-term plan for the group is to preserve as many aspects of diesel operation as possible, not just the locomotives.  The skills for both operating and maintenance are vitally important and it is the long-term aim of the group, that we want these skills and the mechanical and technical knowledge passed onto future generations. As a group, the BDLPG is not aimed towards a specific building or class of locomotive or multiple unit.  Our aim is to be able to provide a wide ranging portfolio, again from both a skills and assets viewpoint, that has the ability to cover from the humble Class 03 to the popular ‘Heavy Freight’ Type 5s and first generation multiple units.

We believe in being a forward thinking group and welcome comments, idea’s and suggestions from our membership, not just the management committee.  The group welcomes contact from other groups and locomotive owners, whether such contact provides the opportunity to exchange idea’s and knowledge, or provide the opportunity for the BDLPG to become the custodians (short or long term) of a locomotive.  All contact can be directed via email to chairman@bdlpg.co.uk.

Apart from preserving diesels, the B.D.L.P.G. also has other aims. One of which is the inclusion of young people, wherever possible within the group, and in any manner of work, be it fundraising or design work, an in the future, loco restoration. We feel very strongly that we have to involve young people wherever possible. Because, say in 50 years time, when you and I are infirm and can not continue with the active volunteering that we do now, if we don’t encourage the younger generations, who will there be to take over where we leave off? That would be an end to preservation, for both steam and diesel. We aim to teach skills, both physical; in looking after locos and maintaining them in top condition, and basic life skills in working within a group and being part of it, and they, as well as ourselves, will find the experience entirely rewarding.

If we don’t act now, future generations won’t have the sights to enjoy that we have, and our heritage railways will have no future if we don’t encourage the younger generations to take part in them now. So act now, and help, by joining the B.D.L.P.G. today! Visit www.bdlpg.co.uk for up-to-date information about the group.

Rowan Jackson

Founder of the BDLPG