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
Locomotive:
- LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0: No. 48773
Usually located at: Seven Valley Railway
Membership: Annual subscription fee of £20
Society Magazine: ‘Black Eight’, issued periodically
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/452049894979812/discussion/preview
Email: blackeight8f [at] yahoo.co.uk
Stanier Mogul Fund
Website: www.staniermogulfund.org.uk
Locomotive:
- LMS Stanier Mogul: No. 13268/2968/42968
Usually located at: Seven Valley Railway
Membership: Life membership: £60
Society Magazine: Stanier Mogul Fund news magazine, issued twice per year
Facebook: www.facebook.com/staniermogul
Email: Use contact form on website
Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust
Website: www.thompsonb1.org
Locomotive:
- LNER class B1 4-6-0: No. 61264
Usually located at: North Yorkshire Moors Railway/ Nottingham Heritage Railway
Membership: Bronze, silver and gold membership at £6, £12 and £64 per month
Society Magazine: ‘B1 News’ magazine, issued twice a year (gold and silver membership)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/61264loco
Email: secretary [at]thompsonb1.org