The Alternating Current Multiple Unit (ACMU) Society has launched The 313 Club, which it describes as “a dedicated support initiative for continued preservation and promotion of Class 313121”.

Class 313121 are small, yellow maintenance locomotives.

The ACMU Society was formed last year through a merger of The Class 315 Preservation Society and The Clacton Express Preservation Group.

The new fund builds on the ACMU Society’s partnership with the Fife Heritage Railway, which started last year as a promotion and collaboration agreement. The Railway, which is run by The Kingdom of Fife Railway Preservation Society and was formed in 1992, has already worked on Class 313.

People wishing to support the work by joining The 313 Club can do so via the official ACMU Society website. Members will benefit from exclusive restoration updates; behind-the-scenes progress reports on unit 313121; discounts at the Society Shop; limited-edition merchandise with a 313121 theme; and volunteering opportunities. They will also be invited to work parties to help with the cosmetic and mechanical upkeep of the unit.

Class 313 will celebrate its Golden Jubilee this August, so the core team at the Fife Heritage Railway will be preparing for this, as well as continuing with weatherproofing and cosmetic restoration work.

The ACMU is supporting this work by setting up the 313 Club as a dedicated fundraising channel. It hopes that this will ensure that enough money is available to complete further work on the locos in time for this summer’s celebration event.

A dedicated web page contains further information on the Class 313 project, about upcoming events, and about the rest of the ACMU fleet.

“The launch of The 313 Club represents a very positive development in our relationship with the Fife Heritage Railway. Following the successful collaboration between the two organisations since 313 joined the ACMU, we are excited to build upon this by fundraising for and directly financially contributing to 313121, ensuring this unit gets the additional support it needs to continue thriving in preservation.”

Lakshman Pathak, ACMU Society Director