Dowty Railway Preservation Society

In October 1962, when there was still plenty of steam activity at Ashchurch on both the main line and branches, the Dowty Railway Preservation Society (DRPS), a section of the Dowty Sports and Social Society, was founded and acquired items of railway interest for preservation in the sidings, with the wholehearted cooperation of Sir George Dowty, founder of the Dowty Group.

The railway sidings used by the Dowty Group at Ashchurch were connected to the ex-Midland/LMS Bristol – Birmingham main line on the up side.

This was – still is – a very busy main line with lots of express passenger and freight workings. The sidings had been put in originally by the Midland Railway to serve its horse provender stores building.