The Swanage Railway Trust
- Appeals
 | The Swanage Railway Trust relies on donations to provide the finance for a wide variety of projects around the railway. However, specific appeals are occasionally launched for major, long-term or special projects. This page outlines the current appeals and includes buttons to enable an immediate donation to be made by credit or debit card. The Swanage Railway Trust (SRT) is the registered charity (number 1087318) that controls the Swanage Railway via its trading subsidiary, the Swanage Railway Company (SRC). |
Churchill Funeral Train Appeal | |
 Photo: PA | Exported for preservation in California after being used to carry Sir Winston Churchill's body to his funeral on 30th January 1965, Southern Railway van S2464S has been declared surplus to requirements by the current owners, the Los Angeles City of Industry. Steve Doughty, Deputy Chairman of Dorset's Swanage Railway Trust is endeavouring to avoid any possibility of it being broken up and is now seeking support for its return to the UK in view of its historical importance. City of Industry mayor David Perez has offered the van 'as a gift to the British people'. S2464S was painted in Pullman Livery in 1962 and stored in anticipation of its eventual requirement to bear the coffin on its final journey to Bladon, near Blenheim Palace. The train was hauled by the locomotive that bore his name and which is now preserved as part of the national collection at York museum. The van has been situated at a resort hotel near Los Angeles ever since leaving the UK, where it sits out of place as part of a mock English railway station on a golf course. The Swanage Railway Trust would seek to restore and display it in Pullman livery. More pictures are at http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news319.htm The cost of returning the vehicle to the UK from California and restoring it is estimated at around £40,000. The Swanage Railway Trust is now appealing for donations and offers of sponsorship. |
Project Wareham Appeal | |
 | The Swanage Branch is now reconnected to the national network at Wareham and a small number of charter services have run from London. However, much work remains to be done before regular services can use this connection, not least upgrading the infrastructure on the section of the branch that has not been used for regular passenger services for nearly 40 years. The Project Wareham appeal is to raise funds for a range of projects related to restoring regular services to Wareham. |
Heritage Coach Fund | |
 Photo: Andy Vincent | The Swanage Railway owns and is custodian to one of country's most important collections of former Southern Railway coaches. This collection has been carefully assembled to represent the types of coaches that served the Branch and includes a number of vehicles that regularly visited Swanage. The restoration of Bulleid Semi-Open Brake Third coach 4365 is now well advanced having returned from heavy overhaul for the interior to be refitted at Swanage. This coach was built in 1948 specifically for services on the Bournemouth line. We are seeking additional funds to enable us to complete this restoration as well as to enable us to plan the next project. The Heritage Coach Fund has been set up to receive both lump sum and regular payments. Even a couple of pounds a month can make a big difference. Please use the button below to make a one off payment or contact us if you wish to make a regular payment. |
Railway Development Fund | |
| The Swanage Railway continually undertakes a wide variety of smaller projects that are vital to maintaining and improving the Railway for visitors and volunteers alike. These projects are funded out of the Swanage Railway Trust's general funds rather than by specific appeals. The button below enables an immediate donation to be made to help fund these vital projects. | |
Previous Appeals | |
| The following appeals are still open and further donations are very welcome. | |
 Photo: Michael Taylor | Devon Belle: this vehicle has now been returned to the UK, initial restoration has been completed and the vehicle overhauled for use at Swanage. A second stage will be undertaken to complete the restoration of the bar area when funds allow. |
 | Mobility Impaired Visitor Facilities Appeal: Nearly twenty years ago the Swanage Railway converted a coach to provide facilities for mobility impaired visitors. This coach includes a large open area for wheelchairs, wide access doors and a suitably converted toilet. A visitor's account from 1991 of a journey in this coach including pictures of the facilities can be seen on the main Swanage Railway site at http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news13.htm This vehicle has now returned to Swanage following a major overhaul and internal refurbishment costing around £45,000. This appeal though remains open as we continue to seek funds to pay for the remainder of the overhaul and for future maintenance. |
Gift Aid | |
 | Donations to the Swanage Railway Trust by UK taxpayers qualify for relief under the Gift Aid scheme. This scheme enables the SRT to recover an additional 28% of the value of qualifying donations without cost to the donor. Higher rate taxpayers can also benefit personally by claiming a further rebate via their tax return. We would encourage all donors to help us maximise the value of donations by completing the simple Gift Aid form that is displayed after you have made your donation. |
Use of Funds Statement | |
| It is intended that the funds raised through these appeals will be used to further the stated objectives of each appeal. Should circumstances dictate that the Swanage Railway Trust is unable to pursue the relevant project then the funds raised will be used to further the general aims of the Swanage Railway Trust and will be allocated at the discretion of the Council of Management. The Swanage Railway Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1087318 |
Quick Links | |
| • Home Page • Introduction to the Project
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More Information | |
| • Gift Aid explained
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Contacts | |
| Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1HB Phone/fax: 01929-425800 extn 34 Email: fundraising |
