Midland Red D7 restoration appeal - ‘Help get us over the line’

Published: 11/09/2025

Transport Museum Wythall’s restoration of Midland Red D7, 4482 is romping along but has most certainly not been a textbook journey – it now needs your help to get it back on the road.
 
When the intention to restore the vehicle was announced in 2022, the museum’s restoration team estimated that around £75,000 would get 4482 back on the road.  

Having received a cosmetic restoration for ‘Midland Red 100’ in 2004 it was displayed in the museum looking ready for service, but the team already knew that all was not well under the skin.  

Significant structural issues had already been identified but, like all restorations, until you start removing panels, inevitably that any estimate can be blown to pieces – and it certainly was, hence this appeal.
 
The Restoration
As panels were removed, the rust showers began to fall revealing a lot more work than had been foreseen with most of the all-important structural members either in bad shape or non-existent (particularly on the lower deck) - this was not going to be easy, in fact effectively, a new frame.

A revised plan and timeline were agreed and budgets amended as now the team was facing far more work and additional costs, which even put completion of the project in jeopardy.

It quickly became clear that, having already come a long way, this iconic vehicle could not be left in limbo, so the team ploughed on.

Further donations have been welcomed over the last 18 months but there is still a significant shortfall of around £40,000.
 
The Appeal
Fast forward and today, the team is nearing the end of the painstaking structural work with 4482 looking like a bus again. Apart from completion of the ends, the main structure upstairs and down is complete and effectively all new, back to ‘as originally drawn’ condition. The target is still to get the D7 on the road for the 2026 season, offering public rides from its base at Wythall and joining the beautifully restored LD8 and other icons from the Midland Red fleet. But this target will require a financial boost and that’s where you come in, to help it over the line.
 
Contributions can be made via the Transport Museum Wythall website (see below). All donations are welcome but the names of those contributing over £100 will be carried on a commemorative plaque inside the vehicle. Those contributing £500 and above will be allocated a special seat on its ‘first public appearance’ run.
 
Donating is easy, just go to www.wythall.org.uk/d7 - yes it really is that easy and we will be most grateful. Let’s get this done – thank you!