Project 27 & the Fenchurch Fund

Project 27 & the Fenchurch Fund Welcome to the page for the up-to-date Fenchurch Fund News & progress on the current restoration of SE & CR P class 27 (Primrose).

The Fenchurch Fund is part of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. We were originally formed as the Chip Wood Fund as a memorial to a young Bluebell Railway locoman (Matthew Wood) who died in 1991 at the age of 24. The fund was used at that time to help restore his favourite locomotive LBSCR No.72 Fenchurch. To facilitate this, we became the Fenchurch Wheel Appeal, later becoming the Fenchur

ch Fund. We raised enough money to help with casting a new set of driving wheels to replace a cracked wheel and provided funding for much more work to be carried out. Having raised the money and seen the loco return to traffic in 2001 we decided to get SECR locomotive No.27, a First World War veteran which worked in France on dock shunting in Boulogne, working again. For more than ten years now, we have been raising funds to restore the loco to as original condition as possible. This work includes a new boiler and riveted smoke box, at least one new riveted tank, a complete mechanical overhaul and wheel turning. There is also plenty of plate work which needs replacing, such as the cab sheeting and bunker. This is why we are now launching the Project 27 Appeal. We have already managed to raise over £10,000 towards the restoration of the loco to working order, but we now need to raise in the region of £90,000 more for a complete overhaul. The funds raised through the Project 27 Appeal, as the part of the Bluebell Railway's "Fenchurch Fund", will be held for the project by the Bluebell Railway Trust.

03/09/2026

No. 27 has just starred on the Michael portillo great railway journeys!

A couple of pictures from James Lea of one of the Bluebell Railway's small locomotives. Hopefully it will work on the Bl...
15/08/2026

A couple of pictures from James Lea of one of the Bluebell Railway's small locomotives. Hopefully it will work on the Bluebell Railway again one day. Posted with permission.

Bill & Ben in the gardening arm of the Fenchurch Fund are pleased to announce that the chilli jam harvest is looking rea...
15/08/2026

Bill & Ben in the gardening arm of the Fenchurch Fund are pleased to announce that the chilli jam harvest is looking reasonably good this year!

11/08/2026

Customer Notice From The Bluebell Railway.

IMPORTANT!
08/08/2026

IMPORTANT!

A few snaps from a quick visit to HK on Fenchurch Fund business!
08/08/2026

A few snaps from a quick visit to HK on Fenchurch Fund business!

06/08/2026

Just a reminder that we will not be having a stand at the Bluebell Railway this weekend due to the cancellation of Bluebell on Parade. Apologies for this and sorry not to be there.

01/08/2026

🚂 Join us at the Bluebell Railway this weekend!

Travel the full length of the line behind our vintage heritage diesel locomotives, Class 33 No. 33108 and E6040, and experience the sights and sounds of classic diesel traction through the beautiful Sussex countryside.

At Sheffield Park Station, don't miss the chance to see LBSCR A1X No. 72 Fenchurch in steam, offering free brake van rides within the station limits throughout the day (first come, first served with an All Day Rover Ticket).

Whether you're a diesel enthusiast, a steam fan, or simply looking for a great day out, we'd love to welcome you. Your visit helps support the Bluebell Railway during this challenging period.

Visit bluebell-railway.com for further details.

31/07/2026

As the Bluebell on Parade event has been cancelled, we will no longer be at Horsted Keynes next weekend.
This is a disappointment for all of us, but understandable

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Project 27 Fenchurch Fund
Uckfield
TN223QL

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