New Birmingham RC&W museum appeal
THE Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company Ltd (BRC&W) has launched a JustGiving crowdfunding appeal to raise money to help secure the former loco test house.
The building still stands on the original company’s works site in Smethwick.
BRC&W was due to receive a grant in early April but this has been delayed until early next year at best. It may be cancelled altogether, so every possible funding alternative is being followed up.
The owner of the building has been most understanding, but was only able to hold it until the end of July.
After that it is hoped enough money can be raised before the building is leased to someone else. It is considered to be very important as it means BRC&W could return to its original home.
Museum
Once secure, the building would house a museum dedicated to the original company and its products.
A large amount of archive material was saved when the works closed in 1963, and is currently in store.
A workshop will be established for volunteer projects which would benefit local charities working with disabled and disadvantaged school leavers.
This would provide experience in museum work, restoration, and new-build railway projects.
It is planned to create a memorial to BRC&W workers who left the company to join the armed forces during both World Wars, and who paid the ultimate price.
BRC&W was active between 1854 and 1963, producing high-quality coaches, wagons, multiple units and locomotives for use around the world.
It was reformed in 2014 as a not-for-profit company with three main aims: to establish a museum covering the 110-year history of the original company, establish an extensive reference library covering diesel and electric rolling stock production in the UK, and to build replicas of lost classes and prototype locomotives missing from the nation’s heritage fleets.
After six years of research and networking, the company is now able to take projects from the drawing board and start the task of turning them into reality.
Once fully established it is hoped to be able to work with the owners of preserved BRC&W vehicles to provide support for restoration and operation.
For more information contact Simon Altham either by email at simon@brcw.co or telephone 07798 531722.
A raffle is being held during August with several worthwhile prizes including unique mystery one. See website: www.brcw.co.
To donate to the former test house appeal go to: https://tinyurl. com/yxoomw46