Branch Line Society’s latest charters boosts ongoing Martin House support
Line Society operated a series of charter trains around Scotland on March 8-10 as part of its ongoing fundraising efforts to benefit Martin House Children’s Hospice, with GB Railfreight operating the tour using 37403 Isle of Mull and Riviera Trains blue and grey Mk.2 coaching stock. The ‘BWC Two’ charter saw the Class 37 cover an extensive itinerary of routes around the Scottish rail network over the three days. Although final figures had yet to be confirmed as this issue closed for press, it is understood that about £10,000 has been raised for the Wetherby-based children’s hospice, while the trains also supported GB Railfreight’s nominated charity of the year, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the Scottish Railway Preservation Society – the owner of 37403.
One of the organising team for the Martin House trains, Jerry Dickinson, provided Railways Illustrated with a few updated figures for its charters, with the team having now operated 25 charter tours (including multiday tours split into daily charters and a naming ceremony special for 66190 Martin House to Drax in June 2023), featuring 72 different locomotives, and covering 7164 miles. Additionally, the Martin House charter team have won and been nominated for several awards. The BLS works with a number of organisations in the course of operating its charters and is grateful for the support from the railway community, principally its partners at Railadventure, DB Cargo, West Coast Railways, Hanson & Hall Rail Services Solutions, GB Railfreight, Freightliner, Direct Rail Services, Colas, Loram UK and the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.