The Big "Large Prairie" Appeal!

Returning 5164 to service.

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Would you like to help?

Keeping our locomotives in fine fettle requires lots of things: people, money, goods, equipment and so on. Why not see if there's something you can do to help? You'll be surprised how diverse our needs are!

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Charitable Status & Gift Aid

The EMF now has Charitable status and can also accept Gift Aid!

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Who are we?

There are many volunteers who give up their time freely to ensure our two locomotives continue to run who come from all walks of life. 

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Erlestoke Manor Fund

Welcome to our website. Here you can find out all about our two locomotives Erlestoke Manor and Bradley Manor, who both reside at the Severn Valley Railway.

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Upcoming Events

2024 Running

7812 Erlestoke Manor will be resident and running on the Severn Valley Railway until the end of April, before visiting the Bluebell Railway’s Gala from 10th to 12th May.  Following this 7812 will visit the West Somerset Railway on hire until the end of October.  We will aim to publishing planned running dates on our Facebook and Twitter pages

Latest News

January 2024

New Year 2024 News Update

Welcome to our latest news update and we wish all supporters of…

November 2023

THE FIRST STAGE OF THE JOURNEY BY LARGE PRAIRIE 5164 BACK TO STEAM BEGINS IN NOVEMBER

PRESS RELEASE – issued on 18 October 2023 Back in 2021, Erlestoke…

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Welcome to the Erlestoke Manor Fund

Video credit to Steaming Around Yorkshire

Formed in 1973 EMF was successful in the rescue through fund raising and purchase of firstly Erlestoke Manor and later Bradley Manor from Woodham’s scrap yard in Barry, South Wales. Having been cast aside by British Railways as surplus and outmoded at the end of 1965, 7812 was rescued in 1974 and 7802 in 1979.

Once saved the fund’s attention focussed on returning 7812 to working order an aim which was achieved in 1979. Initially purchased solely for spare parts the fund was encouraged to restore 7802 to working order a practical and financial feat which was achieved in 1993. Since then both locomotives have proved their usefulness in regular heritage railway service.

Our Latest Photos

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Get Involved

Shareholders

By becoming a shareholder you can help us raise essential funds. And in return you can get extra special benefits.

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Volunteer

Help with a wide variety of tasks, from cleaning, painting or engineering to marketing, sales and finance.

Volunteers

Donate

Any donations in cash, or goods that we can sell in our Bewdley shop, are always welcome.

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Latest Facebook Posts
The EMF Shop is proving popular this morning during the SVR Spring Diesel Festival, after a good day’s trading yesterday. It will be open at the weekend too. ... See MoreSee Less
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A reminder that 7812 Erlestoke Manor has one more weekend on the Bluebell Railway before moving to West Somerset Railway for the Summer. There are still spaces on the EMF Special on WSR on Saturday 22 June for existing shareholders and guests and also new shareholders who join before end of May. There is no charge - it is our thank you for supporting the Fund. It was an excellent event last year and hopefully the weather will be kind to us again this year. Contact us for further details.The EMF Spring Newsletter is at the printers and will be with our shareholders soon. It gives details of the EMF Special hauled by 7812 Erlestoke Manor at West Somerset Railway in June.If you are not an EMF member but you join before 31 May (donating £50 minimum in full, or starting monthly instalments in May), you will be eligible to attend the 2024 Shareholders event on Saturday, 22 June at WSR with a guest, at no further cost. All places are subject to availability but there should be room for everyone. You will also be invited to the AGM on Saturday 6 July and to see the work being undertaken on 7802 Bradley Manor at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Your membership also secures invites to further special events and a regular newsletter about the Fund.Our aim is to issue our 1000th shareholder certificate during 2025. Sadly over the years, we lose members who pass away or we are notified of those who move from addresses we have for them. For the Fund to have continued success, we need to increase our membership. Giving benefits back in this way is a win:win.The application form is on our website, www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/want-to-help/shareholders/ or contact Jane Preece, Membership Secretary on janewpreece@tiscali.co.uk or via EMF Facebook Messenger.If you are a shareholder, look out for the Newsletter, and please let friends and family know of this through sharing this post.7812 Photo Credit: Bob Green ... See MoreSee Less
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**STOP PRESS**If you missed out on seeing 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' at the Branch Line Gala weekend, you will have another opportunity to see this locomotive in action at Road Meets Rail on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May!To find out more information about our celebration of steam both on and off the tracks, visit www.bluebell-railway.com/road-meets-rail/ ... See MoreSee Less
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A fantastic way to end the 2024 Branch Line Gala Weekend. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' and 6989 'Wightwick Hall' start the climb up Freshfield Bank from Ketches Wood with the double header special this afternoon.Thank you to everyone who visited, supported us over the last three days and to everyone behind the scenes who made this event possible. Its a brilliant three days here at the railway with amazing weather throughout. Now we turn our attention to our next event: Road Meets Rail! ... See MoreSee Less
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