This Order gives effect to the Railway Heritage Scheme set out in the Schedule.

The Order revokes and replaces the Railway Heritage Scheme Order 1994, made under section 125 of the Railways Act 1993. That Order provided for the establishment of the Railway Heritage Committee, the duration and termination of membership of the Committee, proceedings of the Committee, matters of administrative and secretarial assistance and expenses, and records of the Committee.

These provisions have been re-enacted except for one provision. A requirement that the Committee should contain two persons employed by the British Railways Board, a wholly owned subsidiary of it or a publicly owned railway company has been changed to a requirement that it should contain two persons employed by the bodies to which section 1 of the Railway Heritage Act 1996 applies.

The other significant differences with the Scheme contained in the 1994 Order are that the present Scheme— 1 makes provision for the establishment, membership, functions and proceedings of sub-committees; 2 extends to sub-committees the provisions relating to administrative and secretarial assistance, payment of expenses and records; 3 enables the Committee to set quorums for its meetings and those of sub-committees; and 4 enables the Committee to appoint a deputy chairman.