The 2874 Trust is on a mission to see ex-Great Western Railway 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive number 2874 with her firebox lit and in steam once again.

Next for 2874’s restorations will be her boiler and firebox. However, according to the Trusts friends at Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd, it is expected that material costs only will be a minimum of £200,000.

In order to see 2874’s fire re-lit, the Trust will see its volunteers complete as much work as possible on-site at Toddington on the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway alongside local paid specialists. Currently, the trust has the new smoke box alongside funding to cover the chimney and safety valve bonnet.

The trust is aware that the locomotive will require:

• Front tube plate
• Throat plate
• New stays
• New outer steel section at the bottom of the firebox
• New small and large tubes
• New superheater elements

The Trust is hoping to achieve 2874’s restoration in a sensible time frame and is on the lookout for more volunteers to support this aim.

Outside funding will also be required in order to complete the restoration, which will see work begin on applications shortly. However, in order to such funding, the Trust needs to demonstrate that it has a fund-raising scheme in place.

The 2874 Trust has organised a standing order scheme which will allow supporters to pay what they can afford each month or, as an alternative, take part in its “20 pence per day” scheme.

To get behind the work of The 2874 Trust, why not give them a helping hand by considering supporting them with one of their fundraising schemes?

Standing order monthly amounts are suggested at £10 per month. However, more or less are also fine or even a one-off donation.

To find out more about the Trusts fundraising schemes, please visit: https://www.2874trust.org/