Work is concentrating on the external bodywork to stop the effects of the weather on the loco. The team is making excellent progress and little by little the loco is getting the attention it deserves. Like all of us, the crew working on the loco are very keen to see this loco operating alongside '563. I am very dismayed at the lack of support from some quarters. You members are the people with the responsibility and ability to 418 operational again and it's future secured.
Parts have to be bought.
From the last appeal I'm glad to say that we did have people who made the effort to support '418. Interestingly all of the folks that did were long-standing members who have in the past supported D8098 and D1705. So let me be blunt and specific - I'm not impressed. You folks say you want to see more 31's preserved and operational. Well - the evidence suggests this is hogwash.