‘Tyne-tees Tractors’ raises £35,000 for children’s hospice
A CHARITY fundraising charter that took a pair of Class 37s on a three-day tour of the railway network around the North East has raised about £35,000 for Martin House children’s hospice in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. ‘The Tyne-tees Tractors’ ran from April 8-10 and was organised by the Branch Line Society and Network Rail staff from York Rail Operating Centre (ROC), taking the Scottish Railway Preservation Society’s main line-registered 37403 Isle of Mull and West Coast Railways 37516 Loch Laidon on tour. The train was operated by WCR, using the SRPS’S Mk.1 main line rake of coaching stock.
As with most BLS tours, the train also visited various obscure sidings, loops and branches that are not normally used for passenger services. Other highlights included visits to the Port of Sunderland and the Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe.
Network Rail operations director Chris Gee said rail staff gave their time for free – such as mobile operations managers clamping and scotching points, or control staff acting as stewards and organisers on board. Prizes were donated for an auction in conjunction with the charter, including a day trip for two on an inspection saloon tour using former Southern Region General Manager’s Saloon Caroline, a chance to have a go on the York ROC signalling simulator, and also a day on the brand new Clayton Class 18 locomotive that is on trial at Whitemoor Yard.
One of the organising team of the train, Jerry Dickinson, who is a Network Rail employee based at York ROC, said: “What we achieved over the weekend was a culmination of months of planning to get an itinerary that was both marketable and interesting for those who like unusual track and decent traction on the main line.
“This was achieved only thanks to massive cross-industry support, including Hitachi and the Port of Sunderland, which went above and beyond to accommodate us and showed real interest in both our train and Martin House Hospice.
“Over the past four trains we have collaborated with many parts of the industry and have often had competing freight operators working side by side to deliver for us.
“This was another example of the way the rail industry cooperates with helping to raise money for charity, and we are indebted to them for bringing this event and others to fruition.
“We hope that there will be more trains in the coming year, similarly supporting our charity of choice, which is very close to home – Martin House has helped many inside and outside of the railway family.” Martin House Hospice is located in Wetherby and features two facilities for the care of children who have life-limiting conditions and are in need of their services, offering care and support for families across West, East and North Yorkshire.
Martin House itself is a nine-bedroom facility for younger children, while Whitby Lodge on the same site provides six rooms for older children aged between 13 and 19.
As with most hospices in the UK, Martin House relies heavily on fundraising to help it provide the care needed by their patients and their families.
Kev Adlam, from the BLS, has set up a Justgiving fundraising page for anyone who wasn’t able to take part in the tour but who wishes to support the charity.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit www.justgiving.com and search for Kev Adlam for further details.