There's no interest in "old stuff" in the RAF or anywhere else because it doesn't bring any professional benefit to those in charge
The occasional concerned person who saves historical records and items is thought to be "eccentric" if not crazy. It's only years later that they gain any kudos - and that's from historians, not the outfits where the items came from.
But in this case railway nameplates are well known to be valuable - deciding yourself to "save" it and then selling it on is a definite no-no IMHO