A Journey In Preservation - 50 Years of the WLA, by Julian Ogle

The story of how a small group of enthusiasts came together to save a ‘Western’ locomotive for preservation in the 1970s.

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The concept of diesel preservation was completely unheard of at the time. In the face of considerable adversity, the group found a way to break down the barriers to diesel preservation and set a path that many others have since been able to follow.

But acquiring their ‘Western’ was only the beginning. From the early escapades and a turbulent few years in Devon, ‘A Journey in Preservation’ tells how the WLA subsequently settled at their home, the Severn Valley Railway, and developed into the well-respected and professional organisation that it is today.

The book examines the herculean task of maintaining a ‘Western’ and goes behind the scenes at the Association, with contributions and recollections from many key Association members. 288 pages. A4 size. Hardback.

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https://www.platform5.com/Catalogue/Modern-British-Railways/A-Journey-in-Preservation-50-Years-of-the-Western-Loco-Asso-5JP50

"No other railway preservation movement in history has an entire hardback book published detailing their formation, development and operation, leading to their purchase of ‘Western’ No. D1062 Western Courier, which led to their later acquisition of No. D1013 Western Ranger and the recent gifting of No. D1048 Western Lady. The book, broken into many chapters, traces the groups development from a first meeting of like-minded Western enthusiasts in Bristol, to the formation of the Western Locomotive Association (WLA), detailing rapid membership expansion leading to their successful in bidding for a loco with considerable assistance from insiders at Swindon Works. The book is unusual in that it has a running dialogue, with many insets of reprints for the WLA journal ‘Western Courier’ amplified by many attributed personal comments of events and milestones, detailing the WLAs achievements and also the many problems encountered with loco ownership and preservation.  The title takes great care to credit the many people who have attributed to the success of the group and its preservation.  The book is peppered with countless quality images, graphics, tables and fact files. Towards the rear, are several appendixes giving facts about the preserved locos, the Western fleet in general and a full history of each locos WLAs preservation running. A truly amazing work by the author Julian Ogle, which must have taken thousands of hours to compile.  If you have been or are a current member of the WLA this is compulsive reading. For Western followers it’s a book which shows what a dedicated group of like-minded enthusiasts can achieve through hard work and perseverance. Totally recommended"

Colin J. Marsden
Editor : Rolling Stock Review

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