Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Steam Loco Dept Blog: A special day for Dapol, DMLL and the GWSR

Mike Solloway (DMLL), David Holmes (DMLL), Richard Webster (Dapol), Kenneth Sims (DMLL), Richard Winstanley (GWSR), Joel Bright (Dapol) & David Foster (DMLL) - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM DINMORE MANOR LOCOMOTIVE, DAPOL LTD AND THE GWSR PLC

Tuesday 24th January 2023

Thanks to the tremendous generosity of British model railway manufacturer, Dapol, both Dinmore Manor Locomotive and the GWSR have been presented with significant donations by Joel Bright MD of Dapol, which have resulted from the sales of the Limited Edition model of 7820 Dinmore Manor (only 500 models of 7820 were made) and with very few still available now is the time to get yours, they are only available from Dapol via their online shop.

All 3 versions feature 7820 Dinmore Manor in lined black, her original and current livery.

She first emerged from Swindon in 1950. 7820 was the first of the 10 BR (WR) Manors and has visited ten heritage lines during her current boiler ticket, proving extremely popular with crews, volunteers and the public alike.

The limited edition model version has been extremely popular, with the sound version featuring 7820 recorded running on the GWSR recently.

Both Kenneth Sims, Chairman of Dinmore Manor Locomotive, and Richard Winstanley, Finance Director of GWSR, were present to receive the presentation cheques from Joel Bright MD of Dapol.

Joel Bright said "Dapol have been proud to be involved with the project and have enjoyed working closely with Dinmore Manor Locomotive. We hope that our donations will support both DMLL & The GWSR. Our exposure in the market and reputation has certainly been enhanced by this project and we hope in the future to co-operate again on other projects."

Joel Bright (Dapol) & Richard Winstanley (GWSR) - Photo courtesy of Jack Boskett

It is likely that DMLL will use the monies to help with the soon to be completed 10 year overhaul of their other loco 3850, and with 7820 out of traffic at the end of 2023, for her 10 year overhaul, the funds will be a welcome boost to the finances and ensure 3850 is back during 2023. You can still see 7820 running on the GWSR during 2023.

Richard Winstanley, GWSR Finance Director, said “The funds will equally find a good home at the GWSR, and we are grateful to Dapol and DMLL."

Kenneth Sims, in thanking Dapol for their generosity said “We are delighted that this piece of co-operation has been a commercial success for Dapol and we are happy that so many people share our enthusiasm for Dinmore Manor by investing in one of these superb models."

Covid caused severe delays in the production of Dapol’s Manors, with the original scheme being negotiated, prior to The Covid outbreak, between Joel Bright of Dapol and David Holmes a DMLL and GWSR active volunteer and volunteer trustee of ex GWR 28xx 2874.

DMLL were, in part, able to thank Joel and Dapol when Joel and colleague Richard (head of product development at Dapol), were invited to attend DMLL’s shareholder day on the GWSR last year and both had an enjoyable day with copious bacon baps, lunch and the chance to both drive and fire 7820 over part of the line.

Both DMLL and the GWSR are extremely grateful to Joel and the team at Dapol for their generosity and unstinting support of the heritage railway movement in general.