Even before the arrival of GWR 4253 at Rolvenden Works in June 2011, we recognised the importance of ensuring that advance funding should always be in place to cover the next stage of the restoration. Consequently, there has never been a time when work has needed to be slowed or, worse, stopped due to cash constraints.
To ensure that the rapid rate of progress for which we are well known is maintained, many fundraising initiatives have been put in place including raffles, the manufacture and sale of our boiler tube products, running a sales stand at various local events and even selling donated items at boot fairs. However, our Sponsorship Scheme, launched in mid 2014, has proved extremely successful in terms of money raised with the total currently standing at over £45,300.
Work has also progressed dramatically since that time. The re-wheeling of the frames, a major milestone, was completed in March 2017 followed by the fabrication and fitting of all the steam heat and vacuum pipework. The installation of the lubrication lines and braking components is currently well under way. In light of these changes we have again reviewed and updated our Sponsorship Scheme.
The result is the two lists below: the first shows the parts fully sponsored to date, the second covers many of the remaining items; some of which have already been partially sponsored. The higher value components have been divided into a number of lower cost ‘units’ to give everyone the opportunity of helping to sponsor them. That way you choose the number of units you wish to sponsor from one up to the full number remaining.
All sponsors will receive a certificate detailing their contribution while donors of £1,000 will be included (if agreeable) on a Roll of Honour and all those donating £3,000 will be invited to spend a day on the footplate of 4253.
To sponsor any of the items listed below please click on the link at the end of the list to download an application form. Complete the form and return it with your cheque (payable to 4253 Supporters) to 34 Henley Meadows, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6EN.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
We would also like to express our grateful thanks for the support shown by the following:-
Giles Aviation Rother Valley Brewing Co
Kent & East Sussex Railway Rother Valley Timber Ltd
Kingswood Boilers Shepherd Neame Ltd
Orient Express Swindon College
Railway Wheelset & Brake Ltd Victa Rail
| LIST 1 ITEMS ALREADY FULLY SPONSORED | Cost |
|---|---|
| 8 x Suspension Springs to be refurbished | £5,200 |
| 16 x Spring Adjusters and Nuts | £5,280 |
| 2 x Brake Shaft Arms | £1,725 |
| 8 x Brake Blocks | £600 |
| Brake Cylinder Piston Seals and Band | £300 |
| Metal Spraying and Machining of Vacuum Pump Piston Rod | £450 |
| 2 x Pony Truck Underkeep Felt Pads | £400 |
| Smokebox and Sacrificial Plate | £1,180 |
| Smokebox Door | £500 |
| Chimney | £1,700 |
| Blower / Ejector Ring | £320 |
| Lubricator Warming Cock and Hand Wheel | £50 |
| Cab Side Number Plates | £500 |
| Hydrostatic Lubricator Casting | £1,200 |
| Horn Grinding Machine | £1,600 |
| Cab Roof | £725 |
| Boiler Plate – Pair of Pressed Side Wrappers | £2,328 |
| Front Section of Boiler Barrel | £1,500 |
| Trailer for Transporting 4253 Display Stand and Sales Stock | £200 |
| 235 Boiler Fire Tubes | £8,695 |
| 2 x Clack, fully machined | £1,995 |
| Boiler Barrel Repair Section | £400 |
| Condensing Coil 3-way Selector Control Valve | £80 |
| TOTAL | £36,928 |
Bold italic = Partially sponsored
| LIST 2 ITEMS STILL TO BE SPONSORED | Total Cost | Units Left | Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake Ejector Casting | £750 | 27 | £25 |
| Brake Ejector Machining | £2,120 | 21 | £100 |
| 2 x Brake Shaft Bearings | £300 | 12 | £25 |
| 8 x Underkeep Mops and Cages | £1,000 | 9 | £100 |
| 200ft Copper Pipework for Lubrication Lines | £960 | 15 | £60 |
| Smokebox Door Ring | £2,800 | 28 | £100 |
| 2 x Safety Valves | £3,100 | 31 | £100 |
| 4 x Rocking Shaft Bearings | £2,300 | 20 | £100 |
| Condensing Coil | £1,000 | 10 | £100 |
| Smokebox Lubricator ‘Y’ Splitter | £190 | 5 | £38 |
| Steam Heat Isolating Valve | £120 | 1 | £120 |
| 2 x Buffer Beam Steam Heat Valves | £600 | 4 | £100 |
| Brake Ejector Air Clack & Cover Castings + Control Disc | £155 | 1 | £155 |
| 2 x Snifting Valves | £1,000 | 10 | £100 |
| 2 x Smokebox Lubrication Shut-off Cock Regulator & Elbow | £200 | 2 | £50 |
| 2 x Piston Rod Stuffing Boxes | £240 | 2 | £120 |
| 4 x Packing Springs for above | £240 | 8 | £20 |
| 6 x Cylinder Drain Cock Castings | £468 | 6 | £78 |
| 6 x Cylinder Drain Cock Machining | £1,800 | 36 | £50 |
| 2 x Water Tank Control Valve with Plugs & Springs | £600 | 6 | £100 |
| 2 x Water Tank Control Valve Machining | £750 | 30 | £25 |
| Machining of Hydrostatic Lubricator | £3,000 | 30 | £100 |
| Hydrostatic Lubricator Combining Valve | £125 | 1 | £125 |
| 2 x Injector Machining | £3,400 | 33 | £100 |
| 2 x Refurb of Expansion Link with New Die Blocks | £2,000 | 20 | £100 |
| Hot Pressed Boiler Backhead | £22,176 | 89 | £250 |
| Hot Pressed Boiler Half Throatplate | £19,752 | 60 | £250 |
| Hot Pressed and Drilled Front Tubeplate | £7,434 | 30 | £250 |
| 14 x Flue Tubes for Boiler | £10,416 | 83 | £50 |
| 6 x Longitudinal Stays for Boiler | £4,716 | 94 | £50 |
| Valve Rings & Fitting Heads to Spindles | £4,560 | 20 | £120 |
| New Pistons, Rings & Rods – Assembled | £8,400 | 60 | £140 |