ACMU Launch Project 300!

ACMU Press Release - "Project 300" 

The ACMU Society announces Class 307 307123 and Class 312 312792 joining the ACMU's "Meet The Fleet" Initiative,  plus the launch of "The 300 Club."

The ACMU Society (Alternating Current Multiple Unit Society) and Colne Valley Railway are pleased to reveal a new partnership. This partnership will see the ACMU take responsibility for "Project 300" at the CVR, leading the restoration of the hybrid EMU set—featuring the sole surviving Class 312 No.312792, and Class 307 No.307123, with the goal of returning the set to operational passenger-carrying condition. The 312 and 307 will become part of the ACMU's "Meet the Fleet" initiative, bringing two more classes under the unified banner of AC EMU preservation.

Initially our focus will be on a quick turnaround, "Project Yellow Submarine" style cosmetic restoration of 307123, as this August marks the vehicles 70th anniversary.  Built in August 1956, it is the oldest preserved Mk1 AC EMU. Initially It is our intention to alter its external appearance to as close as practical to it's original BR Green condition. Meanwhile , supported by CVR volunteers, a full restoration of 312792 will commence, securing its future as the only pair of Mk2 EMU vehicles to survive in preservation.

To support the project, we are pleased to launch a new " 300 Club", a ring fenced fund in the society that members can contribute an additional £3.00 per month towards the ongoing restoration of these vehicles. For more information and to join, please visit this link:

https://www.acmusociety.com/project300

The Colne Valley will become a new "home base" for the organisation, alongside our other ongoing projects such as Project Networker. These projects will move to the site and become an asset to both organisations. As part of our move, an anonymous donor has also graciously sponsored the acquisition of a modular office and storage building. We have the opportunity to get some of these costs reduced, but to do that we need all of our supporters to go to this link and like this page:

https://www.facebook.com/BudgetShippingContainers

for every like they receive, they will take off £1 from our final purchase and movement cost, so please go and help us by liking their page!

"I'm really pleased to take this big step forward for the group and to support these unique vehicles. The Colne Valley Railway have been very supportive of our aims and ambitions, and our organisations share a lot of the same values. I look forward to working with the railway and exploring some of the other opportunities and future potential on site" - Lakshman Pathak, Chair of ACMU society.

"The Colne Valley Railway and ACMU partnership allows us to continue preserving these vehicles with their historical connections to Essex. We are home to a large proportion of the AC fleet, and now is a good opportunity to develop this relationship. The ACMU bring an enthusiastic team with expertise and a clear roadmap. We welcome The ACMU Society to the CVR and look forward to working with them." -Adam Croot, CVR Trustee.

The ACMU have already made significant progress on stripping, and condition assessments of the units over the last two weeks. We will be releasing our first progress update to members soon, so stay tuned for more updates.