Caledonian Sleeper coach upgrades accommodation for Didcot volunteers
FACILITIES for Didcot Railway Centre volunteers are soon to be upgraded following the delivery of Mk. 3 sleeping car No. 10527 which was delivered by low loader to Didcot West Yard on May 6.
Donated by Porterbrook Leasing following its retirement from Caledonian Sleeper services last October, No. 01527 was worked onwards by rail to the centre by DB Cargo on Monday, May 11.
Once an electricity supply and intruder and fire alarm systems have been installed, the 1980s carriage will be used to replace the Mk. 2 sleeper currently used to provide overnight accommodation for volunteers.
Didcot's chief executive Emma Jhita said: "We are extremely grateful to Porterbrook for this generous gift. In normal times, our 250 active volunteers contribute around 50,000 hours to restore and maintain our unique collection and help welcome visitors and bring to life the history of the Great Western Railway- anything that helps us to improve the amenities for our working volunteers is very welcome and this coach will be of particular benefit to those that travel some distance to work on the site.
"Although we are currently closed, we will be pleased to welcome new volunteers soon as we are in a position to reopen - whether you want to help run the trains, serve in the shop or tend the gardens within the centre, we'd love to hear from you:'
The centre can be contacted via email at info@ didcotrailwaycentre.org. uk.