The Welsh Railway Trust depends on donations to restore and maintain our collection of historic locomotives, rolling stock and other railway equipment. We welcome donations to any of our projects or simply to general funds. As a registered charity, we are able to claim Gift Aid on donations.
Welsh Train Project
The Welsh Railway Trust is engaged in an exciting project to re-create a Taff Vale Railway passenger train of the 1890s, by restoring TVR locomotive 28 and TVR coaches 220, 145, 153 and 48. The development of heavy industry in the south Wales valleys in the 19th century transformed society and turned Wales from a rural to an industrial country where railway transportation for both goods and people was central. The train will be a significant educational and historical resource and while it will be based on the Gwili Railway, it will travel widely to other railways.
The first stage in this exciting project is the restoration of Taff Vale Railway locomotive 28, which has been fully scoped and costed, and is expected to cost approximately £160,000, the timescale being subject to availability of funds. We have already been successful in one grant application, for £18,000, and we have other applications in progress. However, a return to steam cannot be achieved without donations from private individuals.
Please see the Taff Vale Railway 28 project website for details.
Dan Do Project
Our historic rolling stock needs a roof over its head! Having rolling stock under cover will prolong its life between overhauls and allow us to dedicate funds and volunteer time to more restoration. It will also keep theses valuable artefacts much more securely.
Working with the Gwili Railway Company we’re planning to build a storage facility for both the Trust’s Taff Vale Railway and Great Western Railway coaches as well as the Gwili Railway’s standard British Railways Mark 1 carriages.
The carriage shed will allow us to obtain further historic Welsh carriages for display and create a educational classroom facility. Potential funding partners are fully supportive of a building with an emphasis on display, education and storage.
The full cost of the proposed building will be £300,000 and we have informal pledges of over half this amount provided we can raise the remainder.
We are therefore looking to raise a further £150,000 to complete the funding package and to allow construction to begin. Just Giving is the easiest way for you to donate online, cheques can be sent to the railway by post. See our news section for pictures and updates.
Please see the Dan Do Appeal page on the Gwili Railway Company website.
Diesel Railcar Overhaul
Our Diesel Railcar/Diesel Multiple Unit has served the Gwili Railway well for nearly a decade but has now been withdrawn to allow mechanical work on engines and gearboxes, external bodywork and a substantial upgrade of the passenger accommodation. Planning is underway and fully costed programme is being prepared, and we would appreciate any support towards the cost of this work.
How to donate
You can donate to any of these projects by contacting the treasurer at [email protected] or on 07973951611 either with a one off donation or regular giving. The Welsh Railway Trust is able to claim Gift Aid on qualifying donations.
If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy to the Welsh Railway Trust, please contact Iain McCall – [email protected].uk or download our legacy guides: