NELPG and its Locos

Hi,

I've just been admitted to the Loco Owners Group with a view to keeping folks up to date with what's happening to NELPG's locos.

I would, first of all, like to refer you to the group's website http://nelpg.org.uk/ for a detailed history of the group and the locos.

In brief, the group founded in the mid sixties, had the desire to preserve a NE loco but ended up about ten years later with four of its own and eventually two more on loan. The group has always been wholly volunteer and has no employed staff. It does, of course, employ contractors for specific tasks.

Volunteers meet on two evenings a week at Hopetown Carriage Works, Darlington (next door to the A1 project) and once or twice a week for a days work at Grosmont on the NYMR where the group has its own shed.

The locos are J72 69023 - an 0-6-0 tank loco which is well through its mechanical overhaul. Quotations for overhaul of the boiler are being sought at present.

The J27 65894 (or P3 2392) - an 0-6-0 tender loco is awaiting overhaul. Part dismantling has started but only for the purposes of establishing the extent of repair, so that application to the HLF for match funding isn't compromised.

The Q6 63395 (or T2 2238) - an 0-8-0 tender loco has just entered traffic after a lengthy overhaul. It is proving popular with loco crews on the NYMR.

The K1 62005 a 2-6-0 tender loco has just returned from a full season of Jacobite service where it was used for over 70 days. It is currently on the NYMR.

The Q7 63460 (or T3 901) an 0-8-0 tender loco is part of the National Collection and is currently in Darlington North Road Museum. It is no longer under the wing of the NELPG but is included here because its only spell of running since the end of BR steam, was under the group's auspices.

The A2 60532 Blue Peter a 4-6-2 tender loco (as if you didn't know), is currently on static display in the Barrow Hill roundhouse. The loco is privately owned and the subject of an agreement between the owners and the group. Negotiations to find a means of funding the loco's next overhaul and of returning it to the main line have been underway for some considerable time. We are ever hopeful.

You probably know all of that but it is a start.