Appeal to purchase TPO 80301

[bhallett]

Taken from the RVP website http://www.rvp-ltd.org.uk/news.htm

URGENT APPEAL - Post Office Sorter 80301. This Travelling Post Office vehicle has been in our care for ten years and is an essential part of our "1V86" Mark 1 TPO train; it has the exchange equipment fitted and has been in its original 1959 livery since 2001. It was purchased for preservation by two RVP members and placed on long term loan to us. Unfortunately one of those owners is now seriously ill and the vehicle needs to be sold. RVP was offered first refusal and we have reached an agreement to buy. Furthermore we have successfully obtained a sizeable PRISM grant through the Science Museum towards its purchase. However we nedd to raise the rest of the purchase monies (and hopefully some excess to fund a repaint now due) immediately. We need £4,000 to ensure 80301 remains with us in full operating condition on the GCR. If you have enjoyed watching it perform mail exchanges please make a donation - cheques payable to RVP Ltd and with 80301 written on the back; sent to 26 Cliff Park Avenue, Wakefield, WF1 2DW (please indicate if you want a receipt).

I will be handing over my cheque next weekend when I next see the guys from RVP. Note: 80301 is the coach used as my avatar.

[bhallett]

The appeal to raise funds to purchase this vehicle is proceeding well, to the point where we now only need £600 to reach our target. If you can help us to raise the remaining amount then please send your cheques to the address above.

Brian Hallett
RVP Press Officer

[bhallett]

Update from RVP website:

TPO UPDATE - We are pleased to report that the appeal to purchase Post office Sorter No.80301 was successful; the vehicle is now in RVP's ownership and its continued service in mail exchanges on the GCR is assured. Our thanks to those who have donated, Museums, Libraroes and Archives (Science museum; who provided £4,000 towards the purchase), and to Alan & Tracy Lear (who initially bought the vehicle for use on the GCR and placed it on loan to us 10 years ago). BUT DON'T PUT YOUR CHEQUEBOOK DOWN YET! As you may know, our other three TPO vehicles (80349, 80438 and 80458) have all recently recieved repaints in 1959 Royal Mail livery (see below). While 80301 has carried this livery since 2001 it was overdue for a repaint. To maximise the impact of the whole train appearing in ex-works condition the decision has been taken to repaint 80301 too, before the July gala. We therefore need to raise a further £2,000 to cover this - work has already started in anticipation. The complete set will make its debut in the Mail by Rail gala - JULY 24/25th - at which there will be frequent mail exchanges using the Mark 1 set. The appearance of a complete ex-works TPO train will be striking (and a first in preservation); make a date in your diaries, but also consider sending a cheque to help out (payable to RVP Ltd, with 80301 on the back, to 26 Cliff Park Avenue, Wakefield, WF1 2DW).

[StoneRoad]

Congrats!!

good luck for the future


StoneRoad

[bhallett]

80301 has been given a repaint, so all four TPOs have now been repainted ... looking good