| 3.1 |
In 1973, founder members of the Western Locomotive
Association (WLA) got together to discuss the possibility
of saving one of British Rail's Class 52 "Western" diesel-hydraulic
locomotives. The first withdrawals of the class had taken
place in May 1973, hence the need to take action and,
at a meeting in Bristol in January 1974, the "Western"
Locomotive Association was formally launched. |
| |
| 3.2 |
After a year as a largely local group, with membership
concentrated in the Bristol area, an advertising fund
was set up. With the aid of advertisements in the railway
press, membership grew nationally, along with the popularity
of the class in general. The remaining locomotives were
withdrawn by B.R. gradually through 1975 and 1976, while
contributions were steadily flowing into the WLA's locomotive
appeal fund. |
| |
| 3.3 |
In October 1976 the Association successfully purchased
D1062 "Western Courier" and restored the locomotive
to full operational condition in original maroon livery
by May 1977, only a few months after the final demise
of the class on British Rail. Meanwhile Mr Richard Holdsworth,
a businessman and WLA member, had privately purchased
D1013 "Western Ranger" and this locomotive
joined D1062 in the care of the Association. Western
Ranger was subsequently purchased by Roger Smith, also
a businessman and WLA member in 1995. The locomotive
was then officially purchased by the WLA on 14th August
2004. |
| |
| 3.4 |
First operations took place on the Torbay and Dartmouth
Railway in Devon during 1977 and 1978, followed by a
move to the Severn Valley Railway at the end of 1978
which greatly increased the opportunities to operate
the locomotives. Over the years a considerable amount
of overhaul and maintenance work has been undertaken
to ensure that the locomotives remain in peak condition. |
| |
| 3.5 |
D1062 is currently undergoing an extensive overhaul,
including a complete re-wire. D1013 remains fully operational
on the Severn Valley Railway and both locomotives remain
based at Bridgnorth. |
| |
| 3.6 |
The WLA's workshop facilities are based at Bridgnorth,
which also includes a new crane for medium weight component
exchanges and storage for spare parts. |
| |
| 3.7 |
The WLA has previously supported plans (£11k
SVR share purchase by 2No. WLA members) for a Kidderminster
Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD) where future facilities
will include jacks for lifting the locomotives. Final
plans are subject to lottery grant funding. |
| |
| 3.8 |
The WLA currently has approx. 275No. members and is a company “Limited by guarantee”, having been incorporated in 1999. The maximum liability to its members is just £1.00. |
| |
| 3.9 |
The WLA has two Directors (Chairman and Treasurer);
the Treasurer is also the Company Secretary (Hon. Secretary).
The WLA is run by a Committee who usually meet four times
a year. Three meetings are usually held in Bristol primarily
to review the accounts and running of the Association
and another meeting is held in Sutton Coldfield or Bridgnorth,
to discuss future plans. The Company's Annual General
Meeting is held in November of each year where a resume
of the WLA's activities will be given by all members
of the Committee. The present Committee structure is
as follows:-
| |
Chairman |
(Roger Smith) |
| |
Hon Secretary |
(Henry Coates) |
| |
Accountant |
(Stefan Mead) |
| |
Publications |
(Stephen Draper) |
| |
Membership |
(Paul Tucker) |
| |
Publicity |
(Doug Tompkins) |
| |
Chief Engineer |
(Ian Jackson) |
| |
Working Members |
(Darren Shelmerdine) |
| |
Without Portfolio |
(Neil Parsons) |
| |
Sales |
(Vacant) |
|
| |
| 3.10 |
The Chairman is primarily the spokesman for the Committee
and WLA as a whole. The Chairman is responsible for chairing
the Committees and AGM, handling correspondence on behalf
of the group and ensuring that a good working relationship
is maintained with the SVR. |
| |
| 3.11 |
The Hon Secretary is responsible for the Minutes of
the Committee Meetings and AGM and for ensuring that
the Company meets all legal requirements where paperwork
etc is concerned. The Hon Secretary also ensures that
the rules governing the WLA are observed. |
| |
| 3.12 |
The Accountant ensures that accounts are kept up to
date and that all Committee Members receive a copy of
Management Accounts and Cash Flow Forecast at each Committee
Meeting. Stefan Mead prepares statutory Accounts and
James Hart & Associates performs the Accountants
Review, including the Corporation Tax return. |
| |
| 3.13 |
A magazine (“Western Courier”) is produced twice a year (Winter and Summer) for the WLA membership, supplemented by one or two flyer leaflets (“Western Lineside”). This provides the opportunity to keep the members informed of news with the running of the Association including details of work carried out on the locomotives, running dates etc. |
| |
| 3.14 |
The Membership Secretary keeps all records of members
and subscriptions paid. The period of membership runs
from 1st January to 31st December and new members who
join after the 1st June pay one half of the appropriate
membership fee. Membership categories are as follows:-
| |
Adult: |
£15.00 |
| |
Family: |
£17.00 |
| |
Junior (under 16) |
£8.00 |
| |
Senior Citizens |
£8.00 |
| |
Life: |
£1,000.00 |
|
| |
| 3.15 |
The Publicity Officer helps to keep the railway press
up to date with any news on the locomotives and submits
articles for publication. |
| |
| 3.16 |
The Chief Engineer helps to report back on the progress
being made with restoration projects such as engine rebuilds,
rewiring and overhaul of D1062 including the normal maintenance
work required for both locomotives. Opportunities are
taken to source spare parts when available, subject to
availability of funds. Where possible, expenditure on
engineering is planned and budgeted over a year. |
| |
| 3.17 |
The representative for the Working Members helps to
keep the Committee up to date with the work being achieved,
together with bringing any issues affecting the Working
Members to the Committee's attention. |
