Following a generous legacy donation from Mr Clifford Luff that was specifically to be directed towards the overhaul of a steam locomotive, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced that the funds will go towards the overhaul of BR Standard 4 Tank No. 80135.
Along with the remaining funds that the NYMR has from the Bridge and Wheels Appeal the heritage railway is now able to restart the overhaul of the historic locomotive that was built in Brighton and first entered service in April 1956.
Tenders are currently being sought from external contractors to manufacture the replacement inner firebox using materials already in NYMR stock as well as a complete boiler overhaul. The locomotive’s frames and running gear will also be restored and finished off.
Chris Price, CEO of the NYMR said:
We are extremely grateful to Mr Clifford Luff for remembering the NYMR in his will. Whilst it is hard to predict exact timescales of the locomotive’s completion, this generous legacy has enabled us to bring 80135’s overhaul up the priority list.
It will be wonderful to see the two sister locomotives (80135 and 80136) working alongside each other for the pleasure of our visitors and members. In these difficult times it’s nice to be able to announce this good news story and I am personally over the moon that we can now once again reignite the overhaul of this locomotive with the resources in place to see it through to the end. 80135 will be completed ready to operate trains right through the NYMR to Whitby as a network rail registered locomotive.
Donations and legacies left to the NYMR are helping to secure its future, and are gratefully received to ensure that generations of visitors can continue to enjoy this heritage experience. The NYMR’s Trust is a not-for-profit charity, which focuses on both the education of people of all backgrounds through the operation of a living museum, demonstrating how railways were a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution and a foundation of modern societies and economies.
To find out more about how you can support the NYMR visit, nymr.co.uk/support-us
