A considerable change is about to take place with regard the OTPPG machines at Longhoughton.
I have decided that it is now time to hand over control of the project to Dave Shell at Northumbria Rail – who has been looking after them for the last year anyway. This will mean that Dave is going to purchase the machines from me and take more general responsibility for their restoration. This concerns the Matisa 68030 and Permaquips 98702 & 98706 (98707 already belongs to Dave.)
On the surface this doesn’t change very much as nothing is moving and the process continues as it has done over the last few months. I will obviously still have an interest in the project (and indeed hope to see the Matisa started up again later in the year) but I now feel I have done all I can having initiated the machines’ rescue and movement and helped with part of their restoration. I am not able to contribute mechanically but I know that Dave and his team will do a good job to take the project further.
For the time being the OTPPG website will remain and will probably be updated by Dave but we will see how this works over the next weeks and months.
I’d like to again thank everyone who has been involved in this exciting venture since it began back in 2004. It’s been difficult at times and cost me a small fortune but its also been a lot of fun. I have good memories of my trips to Scotland and the Colne Valley Railway.
Ben