I've never been involved in railway preservation before - can anyone get involved?
Yes - None of the volunteers working on the class 126 DMU had any railway work experience until they began working on the train. Any one can join!

There are a huge number of different types of work required to restore a train - woodwork, metalwork, electrical and mechanical, painting. With the variety of work required, you will be sure to find something interesting and enjoyable. Your assistance as a volunteer will count as matching funding, helping us to gain the funding we need from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The best thing is - it's fun!

Will I get to drive a train?
Yes! You will receive the necessary technical instruction to allow you to understand both the workings of the motive power and the necessary safety rules and regulations applicable to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. After gaining sufficient experience as the driver's assistant you will be allowed to take the controls under the supervision of an experienced driver.

When is the best time to first become involved?
As soon as possible! Please consult the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway timetable for operating days. An operating day would provide your best opportunity to visit the railway and speak with our volunteers. The DMU is located inside the Scottish Railway Exhibition building, where there are DMU working groups most Sundays.

How do I get to Bo'ness?
Please refer to the main SRPS website for directions and map showing the location of Bo'ness, and information on rail and bus transport.
http://www.srps.org.uk/railway/where.htm

When will the train be fully restored?
The three Ayrshire vehicles are mechanically complete and the two power cars and the Centre Car Sc59404 have been substantially rebuilt internally with all passenger seating areas complete. Detail work, primarily in the staff areas needs to be completed, but the train is effectively complete and will be in service in the 2010 Operating Season

What about the Buffet Car?
The buffet car was in quite a sorry state - asbestos stripping left this vehicle a gutted, floorless shell and the shell was badly corroded. We shall over the next year undertake a complete restoration of this unique vehicle. When this is complete, the Buffet sill replace the Ayrshire Centre Car in the formation to allow Sc59404 to have a mechanical overhaul.

I'd like to donate some money to the project - what's the best way to do this?
If you are a UK taxpayer, the best way is to make a Gift Aid donation. This allows the SRPS, as a registered charity, to recover the income tax paid on the amount. Your donation will go towards the matching support which we desperately need to gain additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Please use the donation form (PDF format). http://www.srps.org.uk/srps/dmu/donation-form.pdf

I'd like to get involved in this project, but I need further information - who should I contact?
Please contact us for further information about this project. Contact details are in the information box at the bottom of this page