The ACMU (Alternating Current Multiple Unit) Society has announced a partnership with the Colne Valley Railway in Essex, which will see the society move to new premises and launch “The 300 Club”.

“The 300 Club” will provide a means of funding for “Project 300”, which is to restore a DTC and TS vehicle from No. 312792 and a DTBSO from No. 307123 to full working order, with potential for passenger use on the Colne Valley Railway in the long term.

Members of “The 300 club” will be able to donate £3 a month towards the restoration of the two units.

Both units are unique in their own way. No. 312792 is the last class 312 in existence, while No. 307123 is formed of the only two Mk2 EMU carriages to make it to preservation.

No. 307123 celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year, and there are plans underway as part of “Project Yellow Submarine” to cosmetically restore this ACMU to as-built condition in BR Green livery for its anniversary this August.

The two vehicles from 312792 will go straight into full restoration with support from Colne Valley volunteers. Both units have already begun to be stripped, with assets being assessed for possible reuse or replacement.

307123 and 312792 will also be added under the banner of AC EMU preservation, and will feature under the Societies’ “Meet the Fleet” network alongside other preserved units Nos. 309624, 311103, 313121, 317345, 315856,

The ACMU Society has already been very grateful to a generous donor who has sponsored a storage building and modular office for the group. To fully purchase both assets, the society is encouraging members to like Budget Shipping Containers on Facebook. Every like will see £1 taken off the final cost of purchase and movement of the containers to the society’s new site at the Colne Valley Railway.

“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