Forgotten steam loco to be recreated

A war-time workhorse that helped to keep Tyneside’s industry moving for nearly two-decades is to be re-born for one weekend only.

The Tanfield Railway is to recreate 1940s-built steam locomotive No. 68029 a full 63-years after it was scrapped to celebrate its unique, but unsung, history. The recreation will also mark the 200th anniversary of one of the region’s most influential railways. 

One of nearly 400 simple and rugged steam locomotives commissioned to help the enormous logistics effort needed to win World War II, No. 68029 had an extended life once hostilities were over. The ‘Austerity’ locomotive was one of 75 bought as war time surplus by the London and North Eastern Railway in 1946 as their class ‘J94’. 

The rugged machine passed to British Railways in 1948, who put it to work at Tyne Dock. In the North East ‘J94’s could also be found based in Blaydon, Consett, Gateshead, Heaton, Hexham, Stockton and Thornaby. But in 1962 the locomotive really broke new ground when it was hired from one nationalised industry to another.

The National Coal Board borrowed No. 68029 for five months to work on its Bowes Railway system, which linked collieries in Burnopfield, Marley Hill, Kibblesworth and Wardley with the River Tyne in Jarrow. During its stay No. 68029 hauled tens-of-thousands of tons of coal along the famous route designed by George Stephenson in 1826. 

The Bowes line ordered the first steam locomotives from the world-famous Robert Stephenson & Co factory at Forth Banks in Newcastle. It was one of the first railways in the region to be designed for locomotive working and its engineering was widely copied.

Based at Springwell Bank Foot on the line, No. 68029 was reunited with locomotives of the same design bought from the War Department for use in the coal industry. It left in June 1962 and headed to Gateshead shed, a site now occupied by the ‘Ochre Yards’ development. By Autumn 1963 it had been replaced by diesels and was sent to Darlington for scrap.

But thanks to an identical surviving locomotive Robert, based at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, No. 68029 is being recreated for the Tanfield Railway’s ‘Run It’ gala weekend on October 17 and 18.  Given the long-lost locomotives identity specially for the event, it will be one of 7 locomotives in action over the event.

Tanfield General Manager, David Watchman, said: “We like to try and throw the spotlight on forgotten parts of the North East’s railway heritage at our gala events and recreating No. 68029 seemed like the ideal way to do that this year.

“British Railways found the rugged and hard-working ‘J94’s were ideal for docks, factories and awkward parts of its network where bigger and more glamorous machines couldn’t reach. The National Coal Board were huge fans of the design too. They really were unsung heroes of the steam age.

“I can’t wait to see No. 68029 at work in the region for the first time since 1963, even if it is only temporary.”

During the event the visiting No. 68029 will be joined by another veteran of the Bowes line. Stanley was built for the nearby East Tanfield colliery but moved to the Bowes system after the coal industry was nationalised in 1947. It was returned to steam by volunteers four years ago and is now a regular at Tanfield. 

Passenger and demonstration freight trains will run throughout the gala event, which start at 9am on both days. Tickets can be purchased on the day, or in advance via the Tanfield Railway’s website.