The Future of SEG Preservation

This is a summary of the talk that Peter Staveley gave to the SEG after the AGM on Saturday 26th April 2003 .

For those that do not know since we preserved our unit, 4Cor 3142, in 1973 it has been at the following locations:

• Ashford Steam Centre;

• Nene Valley Railway (were it formed the opening train);

• Preston Park ; and

• St Leonards.

In addition our fifth Cor coach, 11187 arrived at St Leonards in 1993. Unfortunately at nearly all of them the location has been controlled by basically just one person. Consequently we have not had real control of our situation.

Back in 1999 with the high rental charge at St Leonards it was obvious that we needed additional funding. For our situation the best method of obtaining funding was from donations and grants. In order to get those it would be beneficial to obtain Charitable status. To do that we needed public access to the unit. Unfortunately public access was not available at St Leonards so we needed to find either a new location and/or new role for 3142.

The options that we considered for 3142 were:

• being located on a heritage railway but being hauled (as occurred on the Nene Valley Railway);

• being located on a heritage railway but being self propelled (i.e. electrification);

• starting a museum dedicated to the Southern Electric railway; and/or

• running on Railtrack/Network Rail.

None of the above options are mutually incompatible but each were considered separately. Due to brake, heating and lighting incompatibilities we felt that we would need alterations to 3142, which we did not wish to do, in order to be on a heritage railway and be hauled by a (steam) locomotive. We made a second bid for electrification in 1998 on behalf of SEG, EPB Preservation Group and SERA but that failed. Running on Railtrack was and is very expensive, is unlikely to get a HLF grant.

The advantage of a museum is that it does not in itself preclude running on Network Rail, since it would provide public access it stands a good chance of obtaining grant funding for 3142. However, it is a big undertaking and would need the support of many organisations and a lot of people. In 2000 we started looking for a possible site for a Southern Electric Railway museum site jointly with the EPB Preservation Group.

In order to ensure that we considered each site on its merits we first devised a set of criteria with which to measure sites against.

In order to qualify each site must have the following attributes:

• Close to a large town (necessary to provide a large catchment area close by);

• In the Southern Region area (experience away from the Southern has not been good for Southern EMUs);

• In a tourist area (to ensure a large number of visitors);

• Either a shed or space for a shed (undercover accommodation is essential);

• Able to unload a carriage from a low loader (running trains to sites on Network Rail is virtually impossible now);

• Either a running line or space for a running line of at least ¼ mile (it would be necessary to demonstrate how the trains used to move);

• Space for a car park

• Accessible to the disabled

Once we had confirmed that the essential attributes were present we needed to devise a list of attributes that ‘would be nice to have' and could be used to score each sites against each other. The preferred attributes were:

• Near a railway station

• Connected to Network Rail

• Next to an electrified line

• Next to a ‘Southern Electric' line

• On a site that has historical significance to Southern Electric

We looked at 14 sites and it was clear that the preferred site was West Worthing Carriage Cleaning Shed and its surrounding site.

West Worthing Carriage Shed has three roads of 12 coaches, but to give room for interior photography it would only accommodate 26 coaches and has a ½ mile siding separate from main line.

The Carriage Shed was built for the Brighton Line electrification in 1932 and is one of only two remaining non-electrical structures that were built for that electrification scheme.

The shed closed in May 1996 and has laid unused since then. It was earmarked for possible use by the Thameslink 2000 scheme but that scheme, even if it goes ahead is unlikely to need to use West Worthing .

The proposal is to build an entrance building at the end of the small former staff car park that was associated with the carriage shed. The entrance building would contain the pay desk, a book shop, a small catering facility and a meeting room. It would be intended that the meeting room could be used in the evenings by the local community for meetings by non-railway local groups.

There will then be a covered walkway (or corridor) down to the carriage shed. The walkway would be the main interpretation area giving the history of the Southern Electric railway with small artefacts on display.

The main shed itself would be divided into three areas. The two eastern coach lengths would contain the workshop where trains would be restored or conserved. It is hoped that there would be a small viewing gallery for visitors to view the work in progress.

The middle six coach lengths would be the main display area. The centre road would be kept free of exhibits so that it would be possible to photograph the rolling stock on display.

The easternmost four coach lengths would initially just be part of the display area but would in time become the Running Area were units not being used on the running line would be storage. It should be emphasised that third rail operation is not part of the initial project but would be a later phase.

There would also be a walkway to the adjacent substation and hopefully viewing inside the substation would be occasionally possible.

For planning purposes the project has been split into five phases.

• Phase 1 is to converting the site so that it is suitable for storage of rolling stock.

• Phase 2 builds-on the various features needed to construct a museum.

• Phase 3 is building a platform and operating a third rail line.

Phase 4 is to ensure that the site becomes a centre of study for the Southern Electric Railway, along the same lines as at Crich.

Phase 5 is the ultimate possibilities for the site including extending the running line.

The rolling stock that the museum would have would only be Southern Electric trains. There will be no steam and no diesel trains. It should be noted that diesel trains of the southern are able to operate on heritage railways which electric trains cannot.

We will be developing a collections policy to decided on the exact rolling stock but we will be looking for good quality historic vehicles. Therefore this museum development should not be seen as a ‘green light' to go out and buy derelict coaches in the expectation that the museum will accept and look after them

Whilst the number of visitors to paid-for museums may be declining it should be remembered that Worthing is a tourist destination and the even bigger tourist destination, Brighton , is only 14 miles away. In addition the combined population of Arun, Worthing, Adur and Brighton is 546,000 nearly all within a half-hour's drive and if we extend the driving time to 1½ hours then the towns and cities of Southampton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Ashford and much of London become within range. Therefore the location stands a good chance of attracting a reasonable number of visitors.

We would hope to open every Saturday and Sunday in the year plus midweek in June to August and we would expect to work with the local schools and provide for school visits in connection with their curriculum.

Volunteers are crucial to the venture. They reduce (or eliminate) staff costs and, more importantly, if the volunteers live locally then it cements a relationship between the museum and the local community.

At the 2001 census over 28% of the population of Worthing are over 60 year old+ so in theory there should be many people with time on their hand who would be happy to help the museum provided that they feel it is part of the community.

The next issue that Peter talked about was the management structure of the proposed museum. As mentioned earlier we have not had control of where 3142 has been located. This is an opportunity to totally control the site. Consequently a management structure needs to be developed.

The management structure needs to balance the problems of autocracy (which occurred at other locations) with paralysis of decision making by committee. Therefore we need to decide on the exact links between the Group and the Museum; and between other rolling stock groups (such as the EPB Preservation Group) and Museum.

A possible structure that Peter proposed was for ownership of 3142 to transfer to another company limited by guarantee. Then for Southern Electric Heritage Limited to lease and operate the museum using its current subsidiary, SEG (Preservation) Limited, to run the non-Charitable activities, such as the book shop. This then leaves the question as to who should be the Guarantors of Southern Electric Heritage Limited who would then have the responsibility of electing the directors who will then run the museum.

There is also the problem of which organisation should a volunteer at the museum belong to (if any). If they are a member of SEG then we will need to introduce an Associate class of member at, say, £1 per year. This is so that we can entice local people to volunteer at their museum but who are not interested in railways!

What happens about members of the EPB Preservation Group, do they need to belong to another organisation to volunteer?

Until we can gain access to the site we will not know the exact project costs but we have estimated the project cost for Phases 1 and 2 would be between £600,000 and £million. This includes cosmetic restoration and transport of all vehicles for display.

The obvious main source of funding would be from a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant. The grant will pay up to 90% so we will need to find up to £125,000 which we would expect to do through appeals to members, and in local, national and specialist media. The reason for the additional funding is because the HLF does not fund peripheral things such as toilets or cafés.

Unfortunately HLF grants have many conditions and priorities. Bringing together collections of importance and putting historic collections undercover are high priority; although we would need to prove that our collection is of importance. However, the use of HLF funding for opening of new visitor attractions is a very low priority. We will need to convince the HLF that the museum would be sustainable both financially and with the level of support from visitors and volunteers.

Initially Peter approached Railtrack in 2000 about the Museum project but at the time South Central were expecting to need to use the shed for stabling of rolling stock as a result of the additional services they expected to run as part of their 20 year franchise. As we know the 20 year franchise came and went and in September 2002 South Central confirmed that they will not be needing West Worthing .

Consequently Peter contacted Railtrack and a site visit took place in November 2002. we suggested terms similar to those offered by Railtrack to the NRM at Shildon South for their Outreach Centre. Details of the lease permission are on the Rail Regulator's website (www.rail-reg.gov.uk). Basically we are looking for a 125 year lease wth a two year break clause that only we can institute.

Negotiations with Railtrack/Network Rail were proceeding excellently but after informal consultation with South Central they decided that they might need short-term use of the site for the storage of Class 377s in connection with the Power Supply Upgrade scheme.

Currently we are waiting for South Central to decide whether or not they need West Worthing .

In February 2003 St Leonards Railway Engineering Limited, the lessee of St Leonards Depot give notice to us to remove three out of five coaches by end of March 2003 because they needed space for South Central's trains to use St Leonards. At the time of writing (end of April 2003) we have not yet moved our coaches.

Hastings Diesels Limited are looking for other accommodation for their stored coaches and we have offered to come in with them should they find a suitable storage facility.

When we contacted Railtrack in September 2002 we jointly agreed to keep the project confidential so as not to prejudice negotiations and to avoid bad publicity on both parties. In working-up the project we contacted Heritage Railway Association for assistance and asked them to keep the project confidential. The Heritage Railway Association needed to obtain assistance from the Railway Heritage Committee and their Secretary mentioned about the West Worthing project to the Editor of Heritage Railway Magazine, which is why we had to make the project public at the end of April. Obviously I would now expect Railway Heritage Committee to support us and the project!

Peter then went on to explain what we needed from you the members. Obviously we need your moral support to confirm that what we, your committee, are doing is the right thing for 3142, the Group and electric preservation in general.

Once we have achieved Charitable status we will be starting serious fundraising. We have opened a bank account for Southern Electric Heritage Limited and produced an information leaflet. So if you are welcome to send your small donations to

Southern Electric Railway Museum
2 Rope Walk
Shoreham-by-Sea
BN43 5WW
Museum@SouthernElectric.org.uk

Please make cheques payable to “Southern Electric Railway Museum”.

However, it would be best to save your large donations to when we have achieved Charitable status so that we can reclaim the income tax. We will also intend to use CAF so that we can accept donations using a credit card. Details are also available from the above address should you wish to set up a standing order.

We will also need your practical support.

• We need a proper Publicity Officer who can co-ordinate the media responses, write press releases, etc. obviously this person will need to have access to a telephone, have a compute and email access. If they can update the website then so much the better.

• We need people to liase with Worthing Volunteer bureau.

• We need people to arrange and give talks to every (non-railway) society in the area who could provide volunteers for the museum or at least their support.

Currently we need someone who has experience of arranging lineside working on Network Rail.

But if you think there is any practical support you think you can give then please contact us at the above address.

The project timescales are:

• I would hope to resolve whether or not South Central are going to use West Worthing by the end of April 2003.

• Summer 2003 start fundraising and prepare HLF grant application

• October 2003 submit HLF application

• April 2004 receive result

• Start work on site end of June 2004

• Open by end of 2004

Is This Project Going to Happen?

I am reminded that in 1997 Steve Earl gave a presentation to the Group members after the AGM stating that a South Eastern railway museum would be located at Addiscombe station and if you have recently walked along East India Way (the site of the station) you will know that the museum project did not succeed, so why should this one?

Network Rail cannot easily now do an ‘Addiscombe', i.e. sell off for housing, because Condition 26 has been added to their network licence which means that they need agreement from the Regulator to dispose of the site (including to us). As well as the TOCs the local authorities can object to the disposal. It has been confirmed by the Regulator that they even need to go through this process just to demolish the building.

Also unlike Addiscombe West Worthing has a main line connection so selling it for housing would remove any possible rail use in the future. However, use as a railway museum would allow it to be returned to railway use in needed in the future.

Network Rail have been very supportive of the scheme since our contact in September 2002 and I am sure that we both see it as ‘win-win' scenario. Network Rail gets rid of a long term liability and is seen to be helping the local community. We get one of the largest covered accommodation in preservation plus a main line connection.

It is a unique project, It is not just another new heritage line.

From would I have outlined I am heartened by the fact that for this location with these circumstances could not have happened sooner and we must grab the opportunity when we get a chance, we might not get another chance.

How Can I Find More Information and Updates About The Project?

SEG Website

Regular updates from now on in ‘Live Rail'

An information leaflet has been produced and will be regularly updated. If you require a leaflet please send a SAE to:

Southern Electric Railway Museum
2 Rope Walk
Shoreham-by-Sea
BN43 5WW

If the attached ‘registration of interest form' is completed and sent to the above address then we will keep non-members updated. Members will be receiving the same information in ‘Live Rail'

Sending an email (please include your name) to: museum@southernelectric.org.uk

Writing a letter to the above address