Editorial: Loose Bearings
A super issue of YDR News this time round. I am not blowing my own trumpet here because the
information and articles have come from elsewhere. After my appeal for help with the content in
the last issue I had several articles sent to me and these will appear in future issues. Thankyou
to those who have troubled to write something. I hope all members enjoy this issue.
The YDR has been lucky to attract new volunteer talent to its ranks in recent years. Stephen
Walker, our Marketing Manager, was telling me that the mid-week operations are very largely run
by volunteers who have joined in the last 5 years.
This is great news, many railways have recruitment drives, we seem to have been attracting new
faces by our reputation. Early retirement has a big part to play in this but we are in a
competitive field for recruiting people who find that they have spare time to give. Museums, Stately
Homes all have a lot of volunteer helpers and we need to show that the railway is a good place to
spend it.
One thing about volunteering for a railway is that there are a vast range things to do, indoors,
outdoors, skilled, unskilled, something for just about anyone, in fact.
Steven Oakden
Editor
Chairman: From the Chairman
Recently, Stephen Walker and myself met with GMAP who are retained by the Trust as Consultants for
our prospective bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
It is true to say that the progress with the Trustees bid for HLF funding has virtually stalled in
recent months. The reason for this apparent lack of progress was the amount of matched funding that
the trust would have to contribute to a successful project.
Quite simply, we were fully committed to completing Phase A of the new
shed together with other Departmental projects and there did not seem to be sufficient
funding available to provide the 25% matched funding required.
Consider our situation at the end of 2001: previously, the ceiling for a 'one stage' application
was £500,000 and the grant percentage award would be 75%. We would be faced with finding 25%. If
we managed to keep the cost of the project under £500,000 we would be faced with contributing
£125,000, less any contributions in kind and value of voluntary labour, leaving a likely cash lay
out of £70,000 - £80,000. This, I felt, was unaffordable for us at the time whilst we had Phase A
of the shed complex to complete.
A burst of new energy and direction has arisen from the fact that the percentages for grant award
have changed, as have the ceilings for grant size. Hence our meeting with GMAP to set the
application back 'on track' (no pun intended). The ceiling for a 'one stage' application is now
£1,000,000, and the grant awarded for applications under the £1,000,000 is 90%. Of the 10%, we can
use all 'in kind' or 'labour' contributions. We could, therefore, afford to construct the Museum
building if we are lucky enough to be awarded a grant.
The HLF people have recently changed the Application Form and this requires more work (by the small
team) to recast the information at hand into the new forms. I intend that we will complete this by
August and the aim is now to submit in September.
If any Member wishes to get involved in th YDRMT HLF grant team, please come forward and contact me.
david.barlow@embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
Dave Barlow
Chairman
140 needs a replacement blastpipe and a repaint in priginal livery. It is a very powerful engine,
and a good steamer, so it will be a welcome addition to the service fleet.
Still, the pair make a fine site on the coal dock on May 27th, both are Hudswell Clarke locomotives.
No. 8 is a 15" and 140 is a 16".
Here we see 140 about to pass under Prior's Lane Bridge at Draughton on May 26th. (c) Andrew Wilson.
140 drifts down towards Embsay, dwarfed by the rock quarry at Skibeden. (c) Andrew Wilson.
140 approaches Embsay station, passing the Barclay diesel to the left and the 04 to the right. (c) Andrew Wilson.
Recently repainted thanks to James Mitchell, 140 leaves Bolton Abbey. (c) Andrew Wilson.
The future Thomas raises steam, 'Wigan Dave' looks on. (c) Andrew Wilson.
Monckton and some of the men who worked with it.
