From making a donation to sharing knowledge, skills, time and expertise, find out how you can support our work. 

Are you passionate about preserving our railway heritage? Would you like to inspire the future generations of engineers, scientists, historians and more? we have exciting plans for the future of our museum - find out how you can help.

M187085 being lifted from its former home at Swanage
Railway to a secure storage facility, while awaiting overhaul.

Whilst proceeds from our museum help with the daily operating costs, these cannot meet the additional costs of various projects which are one-off but are vital to the museum such as the restoration of rolling stock and locomotive overhauls, major maintenance and other substantial and sustainable projects. 

The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum is one of those rare chances to become involved in a new heritage railway/transport museum that is different is so many ways.

We will be working with and alongside local attractions, businesses and stake holders to create a unique partnership that will help to regenerate the area.

To advance the education of the public in the history of the railway and general public transport heritage of the United Kingdom, with special reference to the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited from 1860 to 1986 and industrial and light railways in the Gloucester area, in particular but not exclusively by the creation and operation of a museum  and owning, repairing, constructing and preserving railway heritage, coaching stock and associated artefacts for use and appreciation by the public.

We plan to achieve this by developing the project through a number of distinct phases over the next few years. 

We have spent the last four since from 2016 to present attending events as a portable mobile travelling museum displaying artefacts, relics and distributing leaflets and promotional materials and since then we have gained our first item of Gloucester built rolling stock which is currently being stored awaiting the funds to enable its restoration to take place.

Why we need your help and support

Providing a heritage railway/transport museum is an increasingly expensive business, as the cost of restoring rolling stock, locomotives, maintaining railway lines and infrastructure continues to rise. We need your help to ensure that the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum can develop and grow for the future. The costs of some of our proposed planned works illustrates the funds we need to find over the next few years. All funds raised will go towards the completion of our current projects.

Current projects include: 

• Transportation of Cadbury No.14 - estimated at: £4,794 inc. VAT (£1,218 raised as of 22.01.22)
• Restoration and overhaul of M187085 to operational condition - estimated at: £6,000
• Restoration and overhaul of Cadbury No.14 - estimated at £TBC
• Transport of 1875 Wheelset - estimated at £400
• Purchased of 30-Ton Bogie Bolster B 923235 - estimated at £6,000

Completed projects:

• Transportation of M187085 from its current location to its new home: £1,140 - COMPLETED 11/03/21

Proposed future projects may include: 

• Purpose built museum building - estimated at £TBC

The cost of running a heritage railway/transport museum in the 21st century even when almost all of the staff are dedicated volunteers, continues to rise. We're working hard to ensure that visitor revenues and income generated from our proposed varied programme of events, gift shop and catering facilities cover our day-to-day operations, but investment for the future increasingly relies on donations and gifts in Wills. 

The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum is one of the first types of its kind in the UK if not the world and have therefore been advised to claim uniqueness. As well as preserving this important piece of history, the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Museum aims to become a popular tourist attraction and to share in the celebration of our heritage. We also have plans for the future which will allow us to continue our work in conserving artefacts and documents, restore rolling stock and locomotives and build new facilities. 

If you would like to support the future growth and development of our wonderful railway/transport museum, then we need your help! Every donation received is appreciated and allows us to continue our important work in the preservation, conservation and improvement of our Museum. No matter how large or small your contribution, your gift will make a lasting difference. 

In order to achieve our plans we need your help and support and you can help in one of the following ways:

• Donations and Funding (including EasyFundraising and EasySearch)
• Leaving a Legacy (Page still under construction)
• Becoming a Member
• Volunteering (including Young Members and Volunteers)
• PayPal Giving Fund

On the 30th September 2020 we were granted charitable status as a CIO, registration number 1191551. 

Thank you