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Steam Engine Society Under Threat
A STEAM engine society in Southall is facing an uphill struggle for survival as it fights to save its valuable collection.
The GWR Preservation Group, which maintains and runs vintage steam engines at Southall Railway Centre near Green Drive, has been given its second notice to quit in less than four years.
Network Rail, which leases the site to the group, said it would not be renewing the lease as West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) needed the wheel drop shop as part of its expansion plans.
Group chairman Bob Gorringe said: "Personally, I'm quite upset, especially as Network Rail had promised us an extension of the lease. We are doing everything we can to overcome the problem.
"This has all come as a complete surprise, especially as we had a good relationship with Network Rail and our plans for developing the site had been based on this assumption.
"The obvious consequence would be a major loss to London as a whole as well as the likely dispersal of the GWR Preservation Group collection around the country."
Mr Gorringe said direct approaches to WCRC had proved fruitless and the group, which has been in existence since 1976, has now instructed its solicitors to act on its behalf and has asked members to lend their full support.
He added he is awaiting a timetable for arrangements at the site so he can be ready to move out but has so far heard nothing. The group will continue to use the site in the meantime.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We have just completed a new agreement for a future short-term contract on the current site.
"We are meeting with the group next month to finalise details for an alternative temporary site.
The current site will be leased to WCRC, which runs charter trains on the current railways network."
For more information and to provide support, visit the website www.gwrpg.co.uk.
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