'Yugo-Yankee' tank-less

Looking substantially different from when it arrived in January, ‘Yugo Yankee’ 0-6-0T No. 30075 stands outside Shillingstone station minus its side tanks, sand boxes and steam dome cover. TOM HOMEWOOD


The overhaul of Yugoslavian-built USATC 0-6-0T No. 30075 has made great progress in recent weeks, with the removal of the locomotive’s side tanks, boiler-mounted sand boxes and steam dome cover.

Arriving at Shillingstone station in Dorset in January this year, the overhaul of the engine started in earnest in May, when volunteers cleared out years of accumulated soot and rust from the smokebox.

The removal of No. 30075’s side tanks took place on the weekend of July 30/31, the steam dome having been unbolted from the locomotive a week earlier.

Owning group Project 62, which also owns sister locomotive No. 30076 (which will be overhauled once No. 30075 is complete), estimates that the cost of returning No. 30075 to steam will cost £50,000. The group has secured match funding of up to £30,000, so every pound donated to the project will be doubled.

If you can help volunteer on No. 30075, please contact Project 62 Locomotive Liaison Officer Dave Brown on: dave_e-b@hotmail.com or if you wish to make a donation towards the overhaul, email: project62@supanet.com.

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