The Aims Of Project 501

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There is a single class 501 driving motor coach left in store on Humberside, which had previously been formed in a two car de-icer/sandite unit used on Merseyside. In addition one each of driving trailer and intermediate trailer types are in existence and found at the Marchwood Military Port in Hampshire where they were previously used as a personnel carriers.

As can be deduced from the details of the surviving vehicles as described above, there is still one last opportunity to form an authentic three car unit in preservation, as both an example of the class and as the last AND ONLY complete purely North London DC electric unit in preservation. To acquire a complete 501 unit we need finance, both to fund the purchase and to meet the cost of transporting the cars to a restoration site. We are looking to people like you to help provide this.

The project is being promoted by the Suburban Electric Railway Association (SERA). This association has already gained experience in the field of EMU preservation with the acquisition of the 4-SUB, LMS 503 and BR South Tyneside EPB units, all of which were the last survivors of their type. This was achieved by raiding funds via a share scheme and this method is also to be employed to raise the needed finance for Project 501.Shares are priced at £100 each and are available to buy now ! You can spread the cost of a share purchase by paying in monthly instalments.

Each share sold takes us nearer to our target figure, and closer to success. You can buy any number of shares you want from one upwards, and as a shareholder you will be a part owner in any 501 vehicles purchased. Shareholders have full voting rights on all matters affecting the unit such as livery and future use and display. Voting rights are on a one share - one vote basis so the greater your share holding the greater your voting power. A home for the unit will be at the Coventry Electric Railway Centre where SERA has based all of its other restoration projects and is currently developing as a electric traction heritage centre.

 

The picture on the left is of the celebrity depot shunter Beastie at Strawberry Hill converted from a 501 motor car. The picture on the right shows the remains of it after it was cut up in Sept'97. The only way to stop all the surviving cars going the same way is to support PROJECT 501.

SERA has acquired all parts necessary to enable a full restoration on a 501 unit. All we need you to do is to buy shares and help raise the funds to buy the unit. If you would like to know more about becoming a shareholder including details of our easy pay instalments scheme then  contact us using the e-mail link on the left.

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PROGRESS TO DATE

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The Share Scheme

To date the total pledges of share sales received for this scheme equate to 75% of the total needed for the purchase and transportation of all three cars. New promotion and publicity of the project is being worked upon (such as this web site) in an effort to bring in more funds.

Home For The Unit:

Spare Parts Acquisition:

A detailed examination of what components would be required to reverse the alterations that have been made to the three vehicles we are aiming to purchase for preservation and how they could be acquired has been made at a very early stage. Due to some industrious procurement all of these components have now been obtained and are in store.

A large number of other spare parts have also been obtained such as:

• Spare traction motors

• Spare motor generator set

• Door and windows

• Electrical equipment (contactors and relays)

• Brake equipment

• Various minor fittings for cab, brake van and saloon area.

The project is very well equipped and also has a full technical library available for use as well as personnel with considerable experience on these units.

TO CONTACT US REGARDING SUPPORTING THE SHARE SCHEME EITHER E-MAIL
sera@... or write to the following address:

SUBURBAN ELECTRIC RAILWAY ASSOCIATION'
29 Bowyer Crescent,
Wokingham,
Berkshire
RG40 1TF