Phase 4 - Completing the Welsh Highland Railway

The Phase 4 Appeal - how YOU helped

Based on previous successful fundraising efforts, the Phase 4 appeal was based on asking individuals to make affordable monthly contributions by direct debit over an extended period, in this case 60 months. There were three levels of sponsorship:

BRONZE - £25 per month by direct debit for 60 months

SILVER - £50 per month by direct debit for 60 months

GOLD - £100 per month by direct debit for 60 months


Faster than Flying Scotsman! - the Appeal Success Story

It was always anticipated that the Phase 4 appeal would reach its target of £500,000 committed over the five years by private sponsors - but the fact that that this was achieved in less than a month from the September 8th 2004 launch is a magnificent achievement which demonstrates the confidence and commitment to success of the Project's supporters. This is one of the most successful fund-raising appeals in railway preservation, (for instance) beating the record-breaking, and much higher-profile, public subscription to save Flying Scotsman for the National Railway Museum. Michael Whitehouse, Chairman of the Festiniog Railway Company at the time, said of the success of the appeal:

"We were all delighted to welcome the funding support from Government and from our generous sponsors. Such a response from enthusiasts and the general public is an even stronger vote of confidence in what we are trying to do. It will take five years to complete the restoration but when the project is complete we shall have created a major asset for tourism in Wales. The combination of train and magnificent scenery is world-class. We look forward to putting the Snowdonian train on the international visitor map to vie with the Glacier Express. We shall offer the way for thousands to enjoy the wonderful views in pleasurable comfort by train."

The million pound mark - and beyond

Following the success of the half million pound appeal, the aims of the appeal were revised to reach double that figure, with the important incentive of the offer to release a major private donation from the construction fund, to form the basis of a package to build at least seven new carriages. Or put another way, the equivalent of an extra train of carriages, allowing more services to run over the extended line. The appeal reached this target in late July 2005.

By July 2007 the appeal had passed £1.1M, and remained open for further sponsors.

Update, August 2008: In April, existing Phase 4 and New Trains appeal sponsors were invited to extend their contributions for a further two years. Almost all of those who signed up for the extension have now converted their promises to actual cash or extended standing orders. The total of the appeals together now stands at just past £1.8 million. Thanks to all.


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Maintained by Ben Fisher; last updated October 7th, 2010 by Laurence Armstrong