Legacies
Legacies can make a lasting difference
Legacies help the Preservation Society to continue its work. We provide financial and practical support to the Railway Company in many ways including provision of volunteer labour, help with projects, refurbishment of buildings, the lineside and rolling stock, transport cost for visiting locos and general maintenance.
The Preservation Society owns rolling stock that helps to keep the railway running and maintain the passenger service - the steam engines River Mite and Whillan Beck, the diesel locomotive Douglas Ferreira and an open coach (2-87). The Preservation Society Trust owns the historic steam locomotive Katie. The Murthwaite Locomotive Group, a subgroup of the Preservation Society, owns the shunting loco Cyril. Keeping this fleet running is expensive.
One of the intermediate stations, The Green, was entirely built and funded by members of the West Yorkshire group of the Preservation Society, and refurbished with a legacy from a member in 2014.
The Preservation Society Trust used legacies to contribute a significant sum towards the rebuilding and refurbishment of the Ravenglass Railway Museum, which seeks to record the heritage of the railway for the education of future generations both locally and from a national perspective.
You can see that a gift of any size makes a real difference to us and is very welcome.
Your legacy will play a vital part in enabling us to continue to support the future of the railway and our locomotives.
No legacy will be used for the general running costs of the Society or railway.
Can I specify what my legacy is used for?
Yes, if you specify a particular purpose for your legacy then the Council will do its utmost to fulfil that intent. However, unrestricted legacies are appreciated because they enable us to target funds where they are most appropriate at any given time.
Why make a will?
Making a will is important to safeguard your loved ones. It is surprising but only one in three people actually make a will but, without one, your estate may not be distributed as you would wish and, in some instances, could even go to the Crown. A will enables you to distribute your estate as you wish and to remember those people and organisations closest to your heart.
How do I leave a legacy?
It is usually sensible to consult a solicitor when first preparing a will. There are two types of legacy:
- Pecuniary – a specific sum.
- Residuary - the whole or part of an estate after specific gifts have been made.
Alternatively, you can also leave a specific gift, an item of value which could be sold for the benefit of the charity or the future benefit of the railway such as property, shares or historic items such as antiques relating to the railway.
If you already have a will in place you can also complete a simple codicil and leave this with your will (do not staple or in any way attach to the will as any marks can delay probate) but it is worthwhile advising your next of kin or solicitor of your decision.
If you wish, we would love to know why you have decided to remember the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society in your will, and your story can become part of our story, held within our archive.
The legacies leaflet includes further guidance and suggested wording, or you can contact one of the Society's officers to discuss in more detail.