The Locomotive Conservation and Learning Trust has been awarded £954,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to finally restore the North Eastern Railway J21 locomotive No 65033. The 1889 built locomotive will steam over the very line it used to work.
It will be housed at Kirkby Stephen East (KSE) station, where volunteers are rebuilding part of the old track. It will also be used to develop a heritage and interpretation centre within an Edwardian railway stores van and on the enclosed platform area at the station.
The Locomotive Conservation and Learning Trust chairman Toby Watkins said: “This superb investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund will transform KSE into a leading tourist attraction.”
Aside from providing a flagship working steam locomotive at the fast-growing railway at KSE, the project will also fund an activity and events programme.
Stainmore Railway Company chairman Dr Mike Thompson said: “It enables us to now accelerate plans to develop our project as a centre of North Eastern Railway excellence.”
The “Stainmore survivor”, is the sole remaining example of its type.
It was twice withdrawn from service, in 1939 and 1962, and was eventually saved in June 1968, four days before it was due to be removed for scrap.
Mr Thompson added: “65033 last steamed in 1983. The intervening 34 years have seen numerous failed attempts to restore the locomotive.
The “Stainmore survivor”, is the sole remaining example of its type.
It was twice withdrawn from service, in 1939 and 1962, and was eventually saved in June 1968, four days before it was due to be removed for scrap.
Mr Thompson added: “65033 last steamed in 1983. The intervening 34 years have seen numerous failed attempts to restore the locomotive.
"This is our fifth submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund and, at last, we have been successful in obtaining the necessary funds to undertake an overhaul to the highest possible standards thus returning the locomotive to full working order for the enjoyment of all.”
Although very much regarded as an unglamorous workhorse, it famously hauled King George VI to Kirkby Stephen and, on December 4, 1942, took Winston Churchill on his visit to the Battle School, at Barnard Castle. It spent much of its life working the line over Stainmore and through KSE.
Although very much regarded as an unglamorous workhorse, it famously hauled King George VI to Kirkby Stephen and, on December 4, 1942, took Winston Churchill on his visit to the Battle School, at Barnard Castle. It spent much of its life working the line over Stainmore and through KSE.
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