LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETIES

Locomotive Societies (Steam)

Historically most steam based heritage railways have relied upon the provision of steam locomotives from dedicated locomotive societies. Although today many heritage lines have their own fleet, nearly all to some extent hire locomotives in order to fully operate their services.

If you are a member of a heritage railway (we estimate there are about 100,000 of you) why not consider also supporting a locomotive society. Most lines, maybe yours, could not run without them.

The Railway Club Directory lists independent societies based in the UK that own or have long term custody of a standard gauge steam locomotive or a collection thereof (heritage railways and centres which own their own locomotives are not included here as they appear in the ‘Heritage Railways’ section of this website). New build projects (save those with a completed project) and engineering companies per se are not included.

Locomotive Societies faced particular difficulties over the Covid-19 period, as closure of railways resulted in no hire fees (a major source of income) and most societies did not receive significant government support.

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO SUPPORT A LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY

We have divided this section into two parts:

Part A (Societies with a steam locomotive collection)

Part B (Societies with a single locomotive)

Index: Part A

- A1 Steam Locomotive Trust
- Bahamas Locomotive Society
- Bulleid Society
- Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited
- Furness Railway Trust
- Locomotive Services Group
- Maunsell Locomotive Society
- North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group
- Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
- Royal Scot Trust
- Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
- Southern Locomotives Ltd
- Urie Loco Society
- Worcester Locomotive Society

Index Part B
- 813 Preservation Society
- 2857 Society
- 2874 Trust Limited
- 35006 Locomotive Company Ltd
- 73082 Camelot Locomotive Society
- Battle of Britain Locomotive Society
- Boscastle Locomotive Limited
- Drummond Locomotives Ltd
- General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society
- Gresley Society Trust
- Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society
- Locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society Ltd
- Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust
- Stanier 8F Locomotive Society
- Stanier Mogul Fund
- Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust

Part A

Locomotive Societies (collection of locomotives)

A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

Website: www.a1steam.com

Locomotives (all based at Hopetown, Darlington):

- Rebuilt Peppercorn class A1 Pacific: No. 60163 ‘Tornado’

- Rebuilding P2 Class locomotive: No. 2007 ‘Prince of Wales’

- Rebuilding LNER V4 Class locomotive: No. 3403 ‘Highlander’

Membership: No membership as such. Each locomotive subject to Covenant and donation arrangements

Society Magazine: Issued periodically

Facebook: www.facebook.com/A1SLT and www.facebook.com/P2SLC

Email: enquiries@a1steam.com

Bahamas Locomotive Society

Website: www.bahamaslocomotivesociety.com

Locomotives (all based at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway):

- LMS Jubilee class: No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’

- LNWR Webb Coal Tank: No. 1054

- Hudswell Clarke & Co side tank: No. 1704 ‘Nunlow’

- Andrew Barclay & Sons saddle tank: No.2258 ‘Tiny’

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £20

Society Magazine: ‘Journal’ issued quarterly

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IngrowLoco

Email: info@ingrowloco.com

Bulleid Society

Website: www.bulleidsociety.org

Locomotives (all based at the Bluebell Railway):

- West Country Pacific: No. 21C123 ‘Blackmoor Vale’

- Battle of Britain: No. 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’

- Adams B4 Class: No. 96 ‘Normandy’

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £10 (life membership: £150)

Society Magazine: ‘Bulleid Express’, issued twice per year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bulleid

Email: ajfry99 [at] hotmail.com

Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited

Website: www.dinmoremanor.co.uk

Locomotives: (all based at Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway, Toddington)

- GWR Manor class: No. 7820 ‘Dinmore Manor‘

- GWR Heavy Freight (Collett 2884 Class): 3850

Membership: Shares may be available on application

Society Magazine: Newsletter ‘Dinmore News’ issued periodically

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DinmoreManorLocomotiveLtd

Email: dinmoremanor [at] hotmail.co.uk

Furness Railway Trust

Website: www.furnessrailwaytrust.org.uk

Locomotives:

- Furness Railway: No. 20

- GWR Hall Class: No. 4979 ‘Wootton Hall’

- GWR 0-6-2T class: No. 5643 (at Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway)

- Austerity class 0-6-0ST: ‘Cumbria’ (at Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway)

- Barrow Haematite Steelworks Company: Number 17 (formerly Furness Railway No. 25)

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £15

Society Magazine: -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/furnessrailwaytrust

Email: Use contact box on website

Locomotive Services Group

Website: www.locomotiveservices.co.uk

Nature: Multifaceted railway company and train operating company, with interests in:

- LNWR Heritage Ltd

- Locomotive Storage Ltd

- Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust

- Steam Dreams Rail Company

Membership: Private company - no society membership

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LocomotiveServicesGroup

Email: enquiries@locoservicesgroup.co.uk

Maunsell Locomotive Society

In their Words:

The Maunsell Locomotive Society restores and maintains locomotives designed by Richard Maunsell of the Southern Railway. The engines and all activities are based at the Bluebell Railways in Sussex. The society has a strong membership and a regular volunteer working team active on Sundays mostly. The Society always has at least one engine in regular traffic and usually more.

Locomotives (all based at Bluebell Railway):

- Q Class: No.541 (30541)

- S15 Class: No.847 (30847)

- V ‘Schools’ Class: No.928 (30928) ‘Stowe’

- U Class: No. 31618 (1618)

- U Class: No. 31638 (16380

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £12. Life membership: £150

Society Magazine: Newsletter issued periodically

Email: locomotivesociety@maunsell.org.uk

Website: www.maunsell.org.uk

North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group

Website: www.nelpg.org.uk

Locomotives (based at North Yorkshire Moors Railway or Hopetown, Darlington):

- K1 class locomotive: No 62005

- Q6 class locomotive: No 63395

- J27 class locomotive: No 65894

- J72 class locomotive: No 69023

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £20

Society Magazine: ‘NELPG News’ issued 6 times per year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/130133073750300 [Unofficial]

Email: Use contact box on website

Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust

Website: www.prclt.co.uk

Locomotives (all based at Midland Railway Centre, Butterley):

- Princess Coronation Class: No. 6233 (BR 46233) ‘Duchess of Sutherland’

- LMS Princess Royal Class: No. 46203 ‘Princess Margaret Rose’

- BR Standard Class 4 Tank: No. 80080

- BR Standard Class 4 Tank: No. 80098

Membership: 'Friends of the Duchess' - £10 per month

Society Magazine: ‘The Royal Standard’ issued twice per year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PRCLTWestShed

Email: Use contact box on website

Royal Scot Trust

Website: www.royalscot.org.uk

Locomotives (based at Crewe)

- BR Standard Class 7: No. 70000 ‘Britannia’

- LNER Peppercorn Class A2: No. 60532 ‘Blue Peter’

- LMS Royal Scot Class: No. 6100 (BR 46100) ‘Royal Scot’

- GWR King class: No. 6024 ‘King Edward 1’

- SR Merchant Navy class: No. 35022 ‘Holland America Line’

- SR Merchant Navy class: No. 35027 ‘Port Line’

Membership: A trust - no membership as such. Linked to LNWR Heritage Co. Ltd and Locomotive Services Group

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LocomotiveServicesGroup

Email: info [at] iconsofsteam.com

Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust

Website: www.sdrt.org

Locomotives: (both based at Mid-Hants Railway)

- SDJR 7F 2-8-0: No. 88 (53808)

- Peckett 0-4-0ST: Kilmersdon

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £22

Society Magazine: ‘Pines Express’ issued quarterly

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sanddrt

Email: info@sdrt.org

Southern Locomotives Ltd

Website: www.southern-locomotives.co.uk

Locomotives:

- West Country/Battle of Britain Class: No. 34010 ‘Sidmouth’ (restoration project)

- West Country/ Battle of Britain Class: No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ (at Swanage Railway)

- West Country/Battle of Britain Class: No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ (overhaul: based at Spa Valley Railway)

- West Country/Battle of Britain Class (unrebuilt): No. 34070 ‘Manston’ (at Swanage Railway)

- West Country/ Battle of Britain Class (unrebuilt): No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ (at Spa Valley Railway)

- Merchant Navy Pacific class: No. 35025 ‘Brocklebank Line’ (restoration project)

- Standard Class 4MT: No. 80104 (under overhaul)

- Austerity Saddle Tank: ‘Norman’ (under overhaul)

Membership: No society membership as such. Acquiring shares in the company is possible (email Simon Troy at southernlocos@btinternet.com, call 01474 833263, or write to 16 Arcadia Road, Istead Rise, Meopham, Kent, DA13 9EH). Donations are welcomed

Society Magazine: -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernLocomotivesLtd

Email: southernlocos@btinternet.com

Urie Loco Society

Website: www.uriesociety.co.uk

Locomotives (both based at Mid Hants Railway):

- Urie S15: No. 30499 (restoration)

- Urie S15: No. 30506

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £15

Society Magazine: ‘Stovepipe’ issued periodically

Facebook: www.facebook.com/uriesociety

Email: urieloco.publicity@hotmail.com

Worcester Locomotive Society

Website: www.worcesterlocomotivesociety.co.uk

Locomotives: (both based at South Devon Railway)

- GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tank: No 5786

- Kitson 0-6-0 Saddle Tank: No 5474 ‘Carnarvon’

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £10

Society Magazine: ‘Big Four’ issued quarterly

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/51559211354

Email: wls@worcesterlocomotivesociety.co.uk

Part B

Locomotive Societies (single locomotive)

813 Preservation Society

Website: www.gwr813.org

Locomotive:

- GWR 0-6-0 Saddle Tank: No 813

Usually located at: Seven Valley Railway

Membership: One off donation £25 and up. No annual subscription but welcome

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GWR-813-Preservation-Fund-165087113903573

Email: info@GWR813.org

2857 Society

Website: www.2857.org.uk

Locomotive:

- GWR 28xx Class No 2857

Usually located at: Seven Valley Railway

Membership: Minimum of 10 £1 shares, and annual subscription fee of £20

Society Magazine: ‘28 Lines’, issued twice a year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079876523458

Email: info@2857.org.uk

2874 Trust Limited

Website: www.2874trust.org

Locomotive:

- GWR 2-8-0 heavy freight: No. 2874

Usually located at: Restoration project (Toddington)

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £20

Society Magazine: Periodic newsletters

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/252001025152964/discussion/preview

Email: Go to ‘Contact Us’ on website

35006 Locomotive Company Ltd

Website: www.35006.co.uk

Locomotive:

- Merchant Navy Pacific: No.35006 ‘Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.’

Usually located at: Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £14

Society Magazine: Newsletter issued quarterly

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/2573929766251460

Email: society@35006.co.uk

73082 Camelot Locomotive Society

Website: www.73082-camelot.com

Locomotive:

- BR Standard Class 5: No 73082 ‘Camelot’

Usually located at: Bluebell Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £12.50

Society Magazine: ‘Footplate’ issued periodically

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064353235143&ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Email: chairman [at] 73082-camelot.com

Battle of Britain Locomotive Society

Website: www.92squadron.co.uk

Locomotive:

- Battle of Britain class: No 34081 ‘92 Squadron’

Usually located at: Nene Valley Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £18

Society Magazine: -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/318151005016555

Email: info [at] 92squadron.co.uk

Boscastle Locomotive Limited

Website: www.boscastleloco.co.uk

Locomotive:

- West Country class locomotive 'Boscastle'.

Usually located at: Great Central Railway

Membership: Boscastle Official Supporters Club: Free

Society Magazine: ‘Boscastle Bulletins’, regular monthly updating e-mail

Facebook: -

Email: secretary [at] boscastleloco.co.uk

Drummond Locomotives Ltd

Website: www.drummondlocos.co.uk

Locomotive:

- Drummond M7: No 30053

Usually located at: Swanage Railway

Membership: -

Society Magazine: -

Facebook: -

Email: -

General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society

Website: www.35011gsn.co.uk

Locomotive:

- Merchant Navy Pacific: No 21c11 /35011 ‘General Steam Navigation’

Usually located at: Swindon & Cricklade Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £15. Life Membership £500. Shares may also be purchased

Society Magazine: ‘The Packet’ issued three times a year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/35011GSN

Email: Use contact form on website

Gresley Society Trust

Website: www.gresley.org

Locomotive:

- Great Northern Railway class N2: No. 1744

Usually located at: North Norfolk Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £30

Society Magazine: ‘The Gresley Observer’ issued three times a year

Facebook: -

Email: Use contact form on website

Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society

Website: www.clan-line.org.uk

Locomotive:

- Merchant Navy Pacific: No 35028 ‘Clan line’

Usually located at: Main line (Stewarts Lane, London)

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £28

Society Magazine: ‘Southern Express, issued 3 times per year

Facebook: www.facebook.com/clanline35028

Email: Use contact form on website

Locomotive 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society Ltd

Website: www.6201.co.uk

Locomotives:

- LMS Princess Royal Class: No. 6201 ‘Princess Elizabeth’

Usually located at: Main line (Carnforth)

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £27

Society Magazine: Periodic newsletter

Facebook: www.facebook.com/6201PrincessElizabeth

Email: Use contact form on website

Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust

In their Words:

Formed in 1964, the 'A4 Preservation Society' saved Sir Nigel Gresley for posterity in 1966. After an overhaul at Crewe the locomotive returned to steam in 1967. Since then, regular overhauls have kept the locomotive active on mainline and heritage railways. The society has been renamed 'The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust' and is now a registered charity.

The Locomotive:

- LNER A4 Pacific: No. 4498 / 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’

Usually located at: Main line / Locomotive Services, Crewe/ Visitor to North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Membership: Annual subscription fee of £25

Society Magazine: ‘Chime’, issued quarterly

Email (general enquiries): chairman [at] sirnigelgresley.org.uk

Email (membership enquiries): Helen.Swales [at] sirnigelgresley.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/211371068147/discussion/preview

Website: www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk

Donation Page: https://www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk/donate.shtml

Stanier 8F Locomotive Society

Website: www.8fsociety.co.uk