The Mid Hants Railway has announced that 925 Cheltenham will be receiving a new livery this year.

An agreement has been reached between the MHR and the NRM to see 925 repainted into BR Brunswick Green.

The repaint will be carried out by Heritage Painting, and will see 925 become 30925 and wear BR late crest.

Financial support is coming from photographic events company, TimeLine Events.

TimeLine Events will be assisting with fundraising and are hoping to raise a large percentage of the repaint costs through an appeal to photographers and other enthusiasts keen to see the locomotive appear in Brunswick Green livery.

The fundraising methods will include a series of exclusive photographic charters at the Mid Hants Railway in Autumn 2019 and Spring 2020. Those contributing £75.00 or more to the repaint appeal will receive a discount on tickets for these events, which will include a night session and daytime events with both passenger and goods stock.

The repaint is necessary as the locomotive’s current paintwork is now seven years old and showing signs of deterioration. The change of livery will not only protect the loco with a quality new paint finish but also generate renewed interest from enthusiasts and allow 925 to generate additional revenue during the remainder of its boiler ticket.

Work will commence in June with the aim of completing the repaint by the end of August.

Cheltenham is seven years into its current boiler certificate, having been returned to steam in 2012 and is part of the National Collection.

Donations can be made by cheque, BACS transfer or PayPal. Cheques should be made payable to Mid ­Hants Railway Limited and sent to TimeLine Events, 22 Bede Drive, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 4EQ.

For details of other ways to donate, please contact Neil Cave on 07770 227625 or via email at [email protected]

What did the officials say?

Events organiser Neil Cave said:

“TimeLine Events is always keen to work with heritage railways throughout the country to recreate authentic scenes from the past. We are delighted to be working with the Mid‐Hants Railway on this project to repaint Cheltenham from its current Southern Region colours into its British Railways identity as No.30925 in Brunswick green livery. This is how many enthusiasts will remember the Schools Class prior to their withdrawal in the early 1960s and I would like to thank both the Mid‐Hants Railway and the locomotive’s owners, the National Railway Museum, for allowing this transformation to take place at a time when the loco is naturally due for a repaint.”

Speaking for the Mid Hants Railway, Jason Houlders said:

“We are pleased to be able to accommodate this initiative and look forward to seeing Cheltenham emerge in a smart and exciting new livery. We look forward to recreating the sight of Southern Region passenger workings in the early 1960s with a lined out ‘Schools’ Class 4‐4‐0 on our fleet of green Mark I carriages.”

Where Next?

News Homepage
   For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
   Framed Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s and more
LocoStop Community
   Come and share your railway pictures
Mid Hants Railway
   Visit their website