Project: MGR
Ensuring the preservation of the iconic Merry-Go-Round coal hoppers
Project: MGR is the NWPG's first project and the flagship campaign that kickstarted the group's journey.
In 2014, an appeal was made through the membership bases of the Class 56 Group and Class 58 Group. The aim was to secure an MGR wagon for preservation. It was a roaring success and on the back of this appeal, the NWPG was founded in July 2015.
Initially based at Barrow Hill, the wagons found their forever-home at The Chasewater Railway and a partnership was formed to ensure as many of the wagons made their way into preservation as possible. The partnership was called "Project MGR" allowing both the NWPG and Chasewater to pool resources, information, knowledge and expertise. This brought the two fleets together and now total 10 with the most recent addition of the Knottingley Gate Guardian 350002
One wagon, 351207, is equally owned between the NWPG and Chasewater. The wagon was secured by the NWPG but had to be donated to a registered charity, so we asked the Chasewater to take the wagon through their charity.
The MGR Wagons
351500
Built at Shildon Works in 1966 to diagram 1/156 under Lot number 3528, which was a part of the initial batch of production-line wagons, numbered B350002 - B351681
This wagon ended up working the South Wales flows and was subsequently painted into "Barry Yellow" with the Barry stickers applied. However, eventually the wagon was stopped and stored by the-then owner EWS at Barry Dock and was offered into preservation at the Barry Tourist Railway in 2011
The NWPG acquired the wagon from The Barry Tourist Railway in 2022 when the yard downsized due to the acquisition of the site by Transport for Wales.
353224
353224 was built by Shildon Works in 1968 under Lot 3646, which encompassed 352747 - 354246
This is a unique prototype conversion of an MGR hopper into a CDA china clay hopper, converted at BR Derby Works in 1987 and trialled in Cornwall to replace the ageing Clayhood wagons on the china clay circuit from Fowey Docks to Goonbarrow.
It was purchased from DB Cargo in March 2017 and transported to Chasewater in July 2017 from St. Blazey Depot. The wagon currently resides at Chasewater Railway but may see a return to Cornwall in the future as part of Project Clay.
354456
354456 was built at Shildon Works in 1968 as part of Lot 3670, which encompassed wagons 354297 - 355044.
It spent its working life in the Scottish coal fields until it ran in to trouble at Dalmellington in 1988 was badly derailed. For 354456 at least, a twist of fate saw the wagons dealt with in 2004 and 354456 was donated to the Doon Valley Railway, the other five victims sadly disposed of.
The NWPG acquired the wagon from the Doon Valley Railway in March 2020 and our aim is to restore the wagon, with extensive work required, to its former glory.
354966
354966 was built at Shildon Works in 1969 in Lot 3670, which encompassed wagons 354297 - 355044.
354966 was bought by Mr Goodman of Railway Support Services and is on permanent loan to the group.
The wagon was bought from DB Schenker and was acquired from Onllwyn washery.
It currently resides at The Chasewater Railway. The wagon is in good cosmetic order but requires some spare parts for its repairs...
355798
355798 the second wagon built under Lot 3720 at Shildon Works in 1970. This particular batch saw 355797-356246 built.
This wagon was the culmination of the fundraising efforts of The MGR Appeal and became the first wagon preserved by the Group.
The wagon was bought from DB Schenker and was acquired from Immingham TMD.
It currently resides at The Chasewater Railway. The wagon is in a good state of repair both mechanically and cosmetically
350002
HAA 350002 was the very first production MGR wagon built at Shildon Wagon Works, the first of 11,162 made for carrying coal across the UK.
The wagon was saved from the cutters torch by a keen-eyed employee who recognised its history and it was proudly displayed at Knottingley Depot from 2009.
Owen spearheaded the preservation efforts for the first production line MGR, working alongside Drax Power Station Ltd and DB Cargo UK Ltd, culminating its its arrival at the Chasewater in August 2024.