A major milestone was reached today with the lifting of the boiler of LNER J21 class 0-6-0 No. 65033 from its frames for the second time since its last steaming back at the end of 1983.

The last time was at Bill Parker's Flour Mill workshops back in 2009, when an initial assessment was carried out, after which it was placed back in the frames. The assessment showed that the boiler was very tired, and it was 'touch and go' whether it would be possible for us to repair it or whether we would have...

After many months in store at the National Railway Museum's north eastern outpost at Locomotion, Shildon, LNER J21 class 0-6-0 No. 65033 finally moved to the Locomotive Conservation and Learning Trust's current base at Kirkby Stephen East station in Cumbria, right on the line that was synonymous with the class throughout their entire working lives.

The locomotive and tender arrived separately on low loaders, and no sooner had they arrived than they were placed on the rails and...

Following the news that we have been successful in obtaining the full Stage 2 award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, work has been able to start on the restoration of NER H2 'Birdcage' bogie tools van No. 5523.

Though it has been the subject of an arson attack, some 30 years ago now, the damage it received was remarkably slight and the key structural parts of the vehicle are all intact. The van was clad in hardwood and, though around 40% of the bodysides will need replacement,...