The 73156 Standard 5 Support Group was
formed in 1985 to support the simultaneously established Bolton Steam
Locomotive Co. Ltd., which owns 73156, to help it achieve its aim of restoration.
Some group members have always been physically involved in this process.
Our collective aim and objective is to restore
73156 to full running order and to operate the loco on Heritage railways
throughout the U.K., whilst remaining essentially Loughborough based. We have a
modest membership and are continually looking to recruit new people who may
wish to assist in our remaining work programme with whatever skills or talents
they feel inclined to offer, or simply join the Society in a non-active
capacity.
Group Members are entitled to a
quarterly journal called 'The Standard' which updates recipients with the
restoration process and features other Group related topics supplied by members
on the steam age.
Following private purchase, 73156 was
initially located at the East Lancashire Railway, Bury, but is now based at the
Great Central Railway headquarters, Loughborough, where the locomotive's
restoration will be completed under a joint agreement (known as the ‘73156 Enterprise’)
with the Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group.
The L.S.L.G. has under its wing several
locomotives, either operational, undergoing overhaul or under restoration.
Excellent facilities exist at Loughborough where 73156 will primarily be based
upon completion. Both the Support Group and the Company have strong links there
and in the progressing work.
For
Information please contact Ian Bartlett on 01772 620115