The Trust offers financial assistance to individuals or groups to carry through restoration or improvement projects to completion. The Trust also invites enquiries about sponsoring one or more Awards.
Kevin Colley - the 2010 Award Winner!
The Young Preservationist of the Year award for 2010 goes to Kevin Colley for his work as a mechanical and steam engineering apprentice on the IoW Steam Railway.
Kevin represents the future of transport preservation in the UK. Now two years into his three-year apprenticeship, Kevin actively sought out a position with a heritage railway and moved south from his home in Stockport to take up the post on the Island. His work embraces the locomotive and carriage workshops and the footplate as a passed fireman.
The award recognises not only Kevin's own commitment to steam engineering but also his work in raising the profile of transport preservation among other young people. Unless we can generate interest and transfer skills to people of Kevin's age group, the future looks bleak. Gradually apprenticeships like Kevin's are becoming more widely available and, even more importantly, are being taken up.
The National Transport Trust makes loans to groups, associations and individuals at advantageous rates for the restoration of artefacts - whether mobile or part of the infrastructure. Applications must be supported by a simple business plan which demonstrates the financial viability of the project. A sample business plan is available on request from the Treasurer.
The Trust does occasionaly make Awards for schemes which further the preservation movement. Again if you wish further information please contact the Treasurer.