55019 main line appeal - OTMR

In January we announced our intention to return 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' to the main line and were seeking to raise a large amount of money in order to achieve that goal.

We now find ourselves in the position to be able to break down the initial sum into amounts relating to specific pieces of work. Therefore, our initial target is to raise £18,000 so that 55019 can be fitted with OTMR, without which it would not be allowed on the national network. The more observant of you will have noticed that the image on our homepage at https://www.thedps.co.uk/ has been updated to reflect this, and also includes some details of what OTMR is and why it is needed.

To make a donation, please visit the DPS Virgin Just Giving site and place your donation quoting ref '55019' in the comments section - please click HERE. Alternatively download a Friends of the DPS Donation form by clicking HERE, set it up with your bank online or app and post the form back to us marked as confirmation, or just post the form and we will do it for you.

DPS joins influential Forum

The Deltic Preservation Society has been accepted as a member of Rail Forum Midlands, an influential group of some 250 rail-orientated companies in the Midlands. We have the distinction of being unique amongst all these members which includes the likes of Porterbrook, Alstom Transportation, GB Railfreight and East Midlands Railways, and that is the DPS is the only organisation in RFM which has no paid employees. By being a member not only helps integrate the DPS within the railway business at large, with access to a multitude of contacts and companies, but also helps extend the sphere and knowledge of what we do to a far wider audience.

More information regarding Rail Forum Midlands can be found by clicking HERE.

DPS depot reopening to volunteers

Mike Hallam-Rudd, Volunteer Liaison Officer, writes: The Deltic Preservation Society is pleased to announce that we can now, subject to no change in government guidelines, allow our Volunteers back on site to work on our 3 locomotives from Saturday 3rd April. As it is Easter weekend we are looking to extend this over the Sunday and Monday as well to make a start on catching up. All Volunteers have been or will be fully briefed in Covid -19 restrictions/guidelines etc. and undergo mini-refreshers so as to ensure the safety of everyone. I will be going in on the 31st March to ensure that all is well in the Depot and get all paperwork updated ready for the Saturday.

Please note....Barrow Hill site is NOT open to the public at the moment, please look out for further updates on this.