Bachmann Collectors' Club hand over cheque towards 46441 returning to steam
Date: 08 June 2008
Source: Bachmann
The Bachmann Collectors Club handed over a cheque to Mrs Betty Beet for 2520 towards the fund which will eventually return Ivatt 2MT No. 46441 to steam. The amount was raised from the 504 limited edition models representing a 5 donation for every locomotive sold. Produced in November 2007 exclusively for the Bachmann Collectors Club the limited edition model depicted the locomotive in its current maroon livery.
The ceremony took place during the Bachmann Collectors Club members day held on Sunday 8 June at the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston, where No. 46441 is located under cover in the impressive Museum building of the Ribble Steam Railway. The locomotive, although in excellent external condition, requires a major overhaul before it can steam again.
Dennis Lovett, Public Relations Manager of Bachmann Europe said members of the Bachmann Collectors Club eagerly snapped up all 504 of these limited edition models of No. 46441 in its current preserved condition. In return for the assistance and support of Mrs Beet, her son Chris and the Beet family, we wanted to make a small contribution towards the return to steam fund. Returning such an engine to main line operation is an expensive business and we are delighted to have played a small role in helping towards the total required.
The locomotive was purchased by the late Dr Peter Beet in April 1967 and was stored initially at Carnforth, from where it was withdrawn. Built in 1950, the locomotive had been allocated to Lancaster Green Ayre until the depot closed in 1966. It worked for many years on the East Lancashire Railway before moving to Preston for static display. Dr Beet was instrumental in saving a large number of locomotives, ensuring that Carnforth, BRs last steam depot, was saved and securing what is now the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway in its early days. The Beet family own a number of locomotives including No. 5690 Leander, a German Class 01 pacific and a French 231K locomotive.
BE 2008-40
