East Anglian Railway Museum

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East Anglian Railway Museum
EARM logo.png
ChappelAndWakesColneStation.jpg
Entrance to the East Anglian Railway Museum
Essex UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Essex
Former name
Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society
Established1968 (1968)
Location Chappel & Wakes Colne railway station, Essex, England
Coordinates 51°55′33.8″N0°45′32.6″E / 51.926056°N 0.759056°E / 51.926056; 0.759056
Type Industrial railway museum
Collection size10 Locomotives, numerous other vehicles
Website official website

The East Anglian Railway Museum is a museum located at Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station in Essex, England, which is situated on the former Great Eastern Railway branch line from Marks Tey to Sudbury. Services on the Sudbury Branch Line are operated by Abellio Greater Anglia.

Contents

The museum has a wide collection of locomotives and rolling stock, some of which are fully restored, three are converted into Thomas, Percy and Toby replicas while others are undergoing repair and restoration. The Restoration Shed was built in 1983–4, before which most work had to take place in the Goods Shed or in the open. On event days, steam or diesel train rides are operated over a short demonstration track.

The museum hosts two annual events: the Winter Beer Festival held in late February / early March (timing depends on UK school holidays), and the Summer Beer Festival held each September.

Museum history

The museum was originally formed as the Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society on 24 September 1968. The SVRPS was established at Chappel & Wakes Colne Station in December 1969 after a lease was obtained from British Rail to use the vacant goods yard and railway buildings, including the station building. The first public steam day took place three months later.

The goods shed and station buildings were quickly restored; with a workshop being set up in the goods shed to enable maintenance and restoration work to be undertaken on the rolling stock.

The Stour Valley Railway Preservation Society was renamed to The East Anglian Railway Museum in 1986 to confirm its focus on representing railway history of the Eastern Counties rather than just operating trains. The museum gained charitable status in 1991 (Registered Charity No. 1001579) and became a Registered Museum in 1995.

Since 2005, the museum has had a greater emphasis on interpretation and display facilities, a large variety of events take place each year to raise funds to support the museum's activities.

Rolling Stock On Site

All information up to date as of December 2024

Steam Locomotives

The museum has a collection of industrial and Ex-BR steam locomotives, [1] in various states of repair.

TypeNumberNameLiveryYear BuiltWorks No.StatusNotesPhoto
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST11Storefield (Name not carried)Lined Brown19051047OperationalReturned to traffic in 1999 after a rebuild. Withdrawn from service in 2005 and a further overhaul was completed in August 2015. No.11 double heading with the Drewry shunter at EARM - 52937759445.jpg
Bagnall 0-4-0 ST (Runs as No.6 for DOWT)Jubilee

(Percy)

Bright Green19362542OperationalReceived some cosmetic changes to be Percy the Small Engine from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. No 6 Percy 0-4-0 Saddle Tank WG Bagnall & Co Works Number 2542 - 35.jpg
RSH 0-6-0ST54 (Runs as No.1 for DOWT)(Thomas)Sky Blue19417031OperationalEntered service on 21 March 2008 following conversion into a form of Thomas the Tank Engine. Overhauled in Spring 2017, boiler ticket expires in 2027. 1903) at East Anglian Railway Museum 30th March 2024 - 53631522293.jpg
Peckett and Sons 0-4-0STJeffreyBlack19432039Static DisplayCurrently on static display outside the museum entrance The East Anglian Railway Museum 01.jpg
W.G. Bagnall 0-6-0ST3LamportColchester

Crimson

19422670Under OverhaulArrived at the East Anglian Railway Museum in March 2013. This locomotive is currently undergoing overhaul. The locomotive will need new boiler tubes and a new firebox. Lamport No 3 Partway Through Overhaul Jan 2024.jpg
London North Eastern Railway class N7 0-6-2T9621 (BR No.69621)A J HillLNER Post-war Unlined Black1924Under OverhaulBoiler ticket expired in April 2015. Currently undergoing overhaul, Boiler currently having new inner and outer firebox fitted at Heritage Boiler Steam Services in Liverpool. N7 9621 Undergoing Overhaul Jan 2024.jpg

Diesel Locomotives

TypeNumberNameLiveryYear BuiltWorks No.StatusNotesPhoto
Drewry 0-4-0WD72229.-WD Bronze Green1944-OperationalReturned from Overhaul in 2024. Used on occasional passenger services WD72229 Post-Overhaul.jpg
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0John PeelLined Blue333OperationalOperational but only used occasionally due to lack of electric start. Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DM "John Peel".jpg
British Rail Class 04 0-6-0DM D2279-BR Green With Wasp Stripes-OperationalMain Shunting locomotive on site, Used on driver Experiences and occasional Passenger Services Class 04 D2279.jpg
John Fowler 0-4-0DH 7(Toby)Brown4220039Out of ServiceConverted cosmetically to look like Toby for Day Out with Thomas events. Vehicles of the United Kingdom 343.jpg
Simplex 0-4-02029BlueUnder RestorationLong term restoration Project

Multiple units and Railbuses

The EARM has a growing collection of Multiple units on site. Many of them have a local connection and ran on local lines around the museum.

ClassVehicle TypeNumberLiveryYear BuiltStatusNotesPhoto
Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus4w-DME79963BR Green1958OperationalPurchased from the North Norfolk Railway in 2012. Fully Restored and entered service in 2021. Originally ran on the Sudbury Branch in service E79963 Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus at EARM, Chappel & Wakes Colne.jpg
BR Class 101 DMUDMBSE51213BR Blue/Grey1958OperationalOwned by the Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Ltd. Originally ran on the Sudbury Branch in service Metropolitan-Cammel Class 101 two car set with 51213 leading.jpg
BR Class 101 DMUDTCLE56358BR Blue/Grey1959OperationalOwned by the Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Ltd. Cosmetic restoration and repaint into Blue/Grey Completed August 2024. Originally ran on the Sudbury Branch in service BR Class 101 DMU DTCL E56358.jpg
BR Class 309 EMUBTDC75965

(309624)

Undercoat1962Under RepairArrived at the museum in April 2024. [2] Currently undergoing weatherproofing repairs. Restoration Supported by the Clacton Express Preservation Group. Carries Unofficial Nickname 'Bessie' in the cab. BDTC 75965 from Unit 309624.jpg
BR Class 309 EMUMBS977966

(309624)

TCS Blue/White1962Stored Awaiting RepairArrived at the Museum in April 2024. [2] In the Queue to receive weatherproofing repairs once 75965 is complete in early 2025. Restoration Supported by the Clacton Express Preservation Group. Carries the name 'New Dalby' 977966 Trailer brake second Class 309.jpg
BR Class 317 EMUDTSO77092

(317345)

Network SouthEast1981Static DisplayArrived at the museum in 2021 donated by Angel Trains. [3] Cosmetically Restored and Wrapped in Network SouthEast Livery in 2022. Used for Santa's grotto at Christmas DTSO 77092 of 317345.jpg

Coaching Stock

TypeNumberLiveryYear BuiltStatusNotes
NLR Birdcage Brake70Teak1872Static DisplayEx North Woolwich Museum. Sectioned Coach Body. Now inside the new exhibition shed.
LTSR Part body-Crimson-Static DisplaySectioned Coach Body. No markings, numbers or information of previous location. Compartment interiors refurbished to represent one First, one Third Class. From North Woolwich Museum to EARM 03/08. Now inside the new exhibition shed.
GER 4-Wheel19GER Crimson1878Static Display
GER 6-Wheel247GER Crimson1888Grounded BodyOne side restored, other side rebuilt as plain wall. Used as indoor seating for the Viaduct Inn Pub
GER 6-Wheel307LNER Brown1888Static DisplayGrounded Coach Body
GER 4-Wheel308Primer1873Under RestrationNicknamed "Chappel Coach" for its use while as a grounded body. Restoration Paused while other work is undertaken on site
GER 6-Wheel553GER Crimson1890Static Display
GER 6-Wheel1041Black1890Grounded BodyUsed as a Bookshop on Platform 2
GER Brake Third2155Unrestored1921Under ConservationNicknamed "Boston Coach" Very Rare Example of a GER bogie Coach. Stored in the Restoration shed to prevent deterioration
LNER

TTO

23953LNER Green/Cream1936Out of UseExhibition Coach. Currently not in use while the exhibition shed is being rebuilt
BR Mark 1 TSOE3779BR Maroon/Crimson Cream1953Static DisplayCoach used as indoor seating for Stour Valley Steam Café
BR Mark 1 SKE24959BR Maroon/Crimson Cream1956OperationalMain Service Mk1 Coach
BR Mark 1 BS

Suburban

E43157BR Maroon/Crimson Cream1954Under OverhaulMain Service Mk1 Coach
BR Mark 1 BCKM21027BR Maroon/Crimson Cream1954OperationalMain Service Mk1 Coach
BR Mark 2 TSOW5455BR Blue/Grey1969Static DisplayCoach used as indoor seating for Chappel Beer Festivals
VDA (Underframe Only)210234Brown1978

(Underframe) 2001 (Body)

Out of ServiceReplica Tramway body built upon a VDA Ferryvan wagon chassis by Chappel in 2001. Styled to look like Henrietta from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

Freight and other Non Passenger Stock

TypeNumberLiveryYear BuiltStatusNotes
GER Pooley VanE960701Crimson1911Static DisplayFully Restored. Currently in the running shed to protect the vehicle until the new exhibition shed is completed
GER Van32518-1920Awaiting

Restoration

Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
GWR 4w Toad Brake17898GWR Grey1914OperationalOwned by longstanding EARM member Peter Thompson And donated to the museum on his passing in 2005. Main Service brake van.
Grafton Steam CranePO 762Green1914Static Display
LNER Fish VanE159918-1930Awaiting

Restoration

Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
LMS 5-PlankM405032BR Grey1936OperationalDemonstration Freight Ride Service Vehicle. Modified with bench seating.
LMS Iron Ore Hopper691762LMS Bauxite1938Static Display
LMS Lowmac700704LMS Bauxite1944Static Display
SR Parcels and Miscellaneous VanSR 1152SR Malachite Green1937Static DisplayUsed as static cover for Driver Experiences and Beer Festivals.
WD Box Van47893WD Green-Static Display
Air Ministry Fuel Oil TankA5478Grey1944Static Display
BR Cattle WagonB892156BR Bauxite1950Under RestorationCurrently undergoing bodywork repairs and a repaint
BR Goods VanB75xxxx-1950Awaiting

Restoration

Body Only. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR Mineral WagonB68231BR Grey1951Static Display
BR Hi-BarB745522BR Bauxite1951OperationalOccasionally used in the Service freight set. No Passenger Seating inside.
BR Tank WagonADB 749659Grey1951Static Display
BR 20T BrakeB951771BR Bauxite1952OperationalRestoration Completed in December 2024. Fitted with Vacuum Brakes in the latest restoration.
GWR Special Cattle Wagon765Crimson1953Under RestorationCurrently undergoing bodywork repairs and a repaint
BR VanfitB760651BR Bauxite1953Static DisplayUsed as stores vehicle for Stour Valley Catering
BR 5-Plank (Chassis Only)B724000-1955Awaiting

Restoration

LMSR Design. Carries 12t Ventilated Van body. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR Tube WagonB732205BR Bauxite1955OperationalDemonstration Freight Ride Service Vehicle. Modified with bench seating.
BR ConflatB580237Black with Yellow Ends1957OperationalUsed to shunt the Class 317 around site. One end modified with a Buckeye coupling.
BR Mineral WagonB160206BR Bauxite1958Static Display
BR Iron HopperB437781BR Bauxite1958Static Display
BR Goods VanB7xxxxx-1958Awaiting

Restoration

Body Only. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR Goods VanB7xxxxx-1958Awaiting

Restoration

Body Only. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR Goods VanB7xxxxx--Awaiting

Restoration

Body Only. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR Goods VanB7xxxxx--Awaiting

Restoration

Body Only. Currently on Chassis B724000. Stored in the Orchard awaiting Restoration
BR VCA200480Railfreight Red/Grey1974Static DisplayUsed for storage
Plasser & Theurer GPC72 12t Diesel CraneDRP81521NR Yellow1980OperationalUsed for engineering on site
Permaquip High Capacity TruckHCT008BR Yellow1988Under RepairUsed for site maintenance. Currently undergoing repair

Concert by Blur

On 13 June 2009, alternative rock band Blur performed a concert at the museum, where they had performed their first concert in 1988. As in 1988, the band played to around 150 people in a goods shed. This concert was their first since 2001 and the first show of their 2009 mini-tour, which was followed by the band headlining at the Glastonbury Festival and performing two concerts in Hyde Park.

In November 2009, a plaque was erected on the East Anglian Railway Museum by PRS for Music. The Heritage Award was a celebration of Blur and the location of their first live performance. [4]

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References

  1. Butcher, Alan C., ed. (2007) [2007]. Railways Restored 2007 (28 ed.). Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN   0-7110-3216-5.
  2. 1 2 Chairman, CEPG (14 May 2024). "THE 309 IS COMING HOME". CEPG. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  3. Smith, Roger (21 October 2021). "East Anglian Railway Museum adds Class 317 DTSO to its collection". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  4. Plaque-Life - Blur Given Inaugural PRS Music Heritage Award Archived 1 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine 25 November 2009 www.allgigs.co.uk, accessed 6 November 2020