BR Standard Class 9F - 92207 'Morning Star' Appeal

HELP US RESTORE BR STANDARD CLASS 9F

No. 92207 ‘Morning Star’

When 92220 ‘Evening Star’ hauled the last Pines Express in 1962, no one could have foreseen that a 9F might again steam on Somerset & Dorset metals. We now have that opportunity to make the dream come to fruition and for the Trust to see its own BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 locomotive at Midsomer Norton.

92207 ‘Morning Star’ spent just over 5 years working for British Railways before its untimely withdrawal from service. Purchased in 1986 by Keith Bottomley, she left Barry Scrapyard and has been under steady restoration since then. Now as a running chassis, Keith offered her for sale to the Trust for £150,000.

Included in the sale was the boiler and 80% of the parts required to complete the restoration to working order. It is estimated that the total cost to restore the locomotive will be in the region of £500,000, which will include the fabrication of a new tender and the overhaul of the boiler, both of which will costs over £130,000 and £200,000 respectively.

Ivo Peters courtesy of Julian Peters

YOU CAN HELP US RETURN 92207 TO STEAM IN 2029

Keith continues to lead the restoration of the engine, with the support of Barrie Papworth, the Trust CME. Both men have successfully restored a 9F to steam before, 92212 which ran for many years on the Mid Hants Railway. Keith and Barrie have now gathered an expert team of engineers who are busy fabricating and assembling the myriad of parts that make up the locomotive. To support this, the Trust have also devised a clear and achievable plan to return 92207 to steam in 2029, the first time in 65 years.

We have the team. We have the experience. We have the target. We have the plan.

All we now need is YOU!

B Papworth

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR TODAY!

LITTLE & OFTEN. As with the best firing techniques, feeding the engine through regular supply of fuel when and where it is needed, the same applies for monthly donations. With many contributing small monthly amounts, we can achieve the objective of returning 92207 to steam in 2029, the first time in 65 years.

To help contribute and join our growing supporter base you can join one of four membership plans:

Entry Member £10 per month – in recognition of your support your name will appear on our Roll of Honour at Midsomer Norton. You’ll also receive via email our regular communication of the ‘Slow & Dirty’ – our progress reports on 92207.

Core Member £20 per month – in addition to Entry benefits, Core members will have priority invitation and access to exclusive fund raising opportunities such as your name inscribed on the engine and the purchase of limited-edition merchandise. You’ll also have a seat on the inaugural train behind 92207 at Midsomer Norton.

Gold Member £50 per month – in addition to Core benefits, you’ll have an additional seat to invite a guest to join the inaugural train at Midsomer Norton.

Platinum Member £100 per month – in addition to Gold benefits, you’ll have the opportunity to Drive and Fire the engine at Midsomer Norton.

Clickety click here to select your chosen monthly donation and join us.

*Please note – member benefits require a minimum of 24 monthly contributions to be eligible*

For other ways to donate and to read our 9F Blog click on the panel buttons below.

Any questions on this or any of our other appeals? email: [email protected]