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Heritage Open Days 2026: HTP at the Tanat Valley Light Railway This September, Heritage Traction Preservation will be joining the Tanat Valley Light Railway at Nantmawr for Heritage Open Days 2026, with the HTP team on site from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 September. Throughout the week, visitors will have the opportunity to see our preserved Class 143 Pacers, 143601 and 143616, up close while our volunteers continue with preservation and restoration work. Subject to the activitie

July-2026 LINESIDE UPDATE Get exclusive restoration updates, behind-the-scenes news and the latest progress from Heritage Traction Preservation, delivered directly to our community. Chair Trustee’s Words Welcome to the very first edition of the HTP Lineside Update — our new email bulletin bringing the latest news from Heritage Traction Preservation directly to our community. Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who continues to support HTP through volunteering, donation

Our latest visit to the Tanat Valley Light Railway was one of those trips that really reminded us what preservation is all about. It was dirty, tiring, frustrating in places, but also incredibly rewarding. We arrived with 143601 looking every bit like a unit that had been stood for a long time, and by the end of the visit there were clear signs that the work had made a difference. It was not perfect, and there is still a huge amount to do, but for the first time in a while, 6

We’re pleased to officially announce the launch of The Wheelslip — the brand new newsletter from Heritage Traction Preservation. Designed to bring you closer to everything we do, The Wheelslip will provide regular updates on fleet progress, restoration work, events, and the wider journey of HTP as we continue to grow. Whether you’ve been following us from the start or have only recently discovered the project, this is the best way to stay fully in the loop. What to Expect Eac

Heritage Traction Preservation is proud to formally outline our long-term intentions for 143601, the pioneer of the Class 143 fleet and a vehicle of genuine historic significance. Constructed as the first of its class, 143601 represents the starting point of a fleet that would go on to serve communities across Britain for more than three decades. From rural branch lines to busy commuter corridors, the Class 143 units became a defining feature of regional rail travel. However,

We’re really pleased to share that Heritage Traction Preservation is now formally associated with The Railcar Association . The Railcar Association does a huge amount of work behind the scenes to support the preservation and operation of historic railcars across the UK. From technical advice and maintenance guidance through to bringing together owners and preservation groups, it’s an incredibly valuable resource for anyone involved in keeping these vehicles going. For us, thi

This weekend marked a major milestone for Heritage Traction Preservation, as we made our first official visit since taking ownership of our Class 143 units. From Friday through to Monday, time was spent on site at the Tanat Valley Light Railway , getting properly hands-on with the fleet and beginning the real preservation work in earnest. The visit was very much a working one. With four full days available, the focus was on making the most of every hour, carrying out extensiv

Welcome to the very first blog post for Heritage Traction Preservation. This marks the beginning of sharing our journey, our work, and our passion for preserving a unique part of Britain’s railway history. This past weekend was an important milestone for us, as we spent valuable time working hands-on with Class 143 616. From early starts to long days on site, the focus was simple: get as much done as physically possible and begin laying solid foundations for the future of the