Project: MGR

Ensuring the preservation of the iconic Merry-Go-Round coal hoppers

Project: MGR is the NWPG's first project and the flagship campaign that kickstarted the group's journey.

In 2014, an appeal was made through the membership bases of the Class 56 Group and Class 58 Group. The aim was to secure an MGR wagon for preservation. It was a roaring success and on the back of this appeal, the NWPG was founded in July 2015.

Initially based at Barrow Hill, the wagons found their forever-home at The Chasewater Railway and a partnership was formed to ensure as many of the wagons made their way into preservation as possible.

One wagon, 351207, is equally owned between the NWPG and Chasewater. The wagon was secured by the NWPG but had to be donated to a registered charity, so we asked the Chasewater to take the wagon through their charity.

The MGR Wagons

351500

Built at Shildon Wagon Works in 1966 and ended up working the South Wales flows and was subsequently painted into "Barry Yellow" with the Barry stickers applied

The wagon was stopped and stored by the-then owner EWS at Barry Dock and was offered into preservation at the Barry Tourist Railway in 2011

The NWPG acquired the wagon from The Barry Tourist Railway in 2022 when the yard was being downsized after the acquisition of the site by Transport for Wales.

353224

353224 was purchased from DB Cargo in March 2017 and transported to Chasewater in July 2017 from St. Blazey Depot

This is a unique prototype conversion of an MGR hopper into a CDA china clay hopper

The wagon currently resides at Chasewater Railway

The plan for this wagon is to remove the hopper lids, ladder and electric box to enable intimate restoration.

354456

Built at Shildon Wagon Works in 1968, it spent its working life in the Scottish coal fields until it ran in to trouble at Dalmellington in 1988 was badly derailed.

For 354456 at least, a twist of fate saw the wagons dealt with in 2004 and 354456 was donated to the Doon Valley Railway, the other five victims sadly disposed of.

The NWPG acquired the wagon from the Doon Valley Railway in March 2020 and our aim is to restore the wagon, with extensive work required, to its former glory.

354966

354966 was bought by Mr Goodman of Moveright International Ltd and is on permanent loan to the group.

The wagon was bought from DB Schenker and was acquired from Onllwyn washery.

It currently resides at The Chasewater Railway

The wagon is in good cosmetic order but requires some spare parts for its repairs...

355798

355798 was the culmination of the fundraising efforts of The MGR Appeal and became the first wagon preserved by the Group.

The wagon was bought from DB Schenker and was acquired from Immingham TMD.

It currently resides at The Chasewater Railway

The wagon is in a good state of repair both mechanically and cosmetically

Dalek Door Mechanisms

The Daleks are the automatic door opening/closing equipment located on the approach to and from the bunker in the power station

The Daleks were bought from Hope Construction Materials and acquired from Hope Cement Works, Edale.

They currently reside at Barrow Hill.

The Daleks are in need of some TLC and will be assessed in the near future.