12th May 2010

Whilst no longer a Beamish engine, there are still strong ties between the museum and the NER J21 locomotive, which was transferred from Beamish to the LCLT (Locomotive Conservation & Learning Trust) a year or so ago. As part of the ongoing plan to raise both the funds for its restoration and the profile of the project, the engine and tender have been moved from the North Norfolk Railway (where there was a now defunct restoration project planned) to the National Railway Museum’s Shildon out-station.
Whilst the plan is still in embryonic form, in outline it may see the J21 restored at Shildon in a partnership agreement between the LCLT and the NRM.
Yesterday engine and tender arrived aboard John and David Antell’s low-loaders and Richard Pearson’s photograph below shows the engine parked in the yard at Shildon. No doubt the project will now increase in momentum and I will post odd bits of news on this site for those who are interested in this engine…