Hunslet steam locomotive visiting for the start of the 2025 season18th March 2025

We are delighted to welcome Hunslet Austerity locomotive 3890 which is joining us for the first part of our running season!

Hunslet Austerity steam locomotive 3890 Hunslet Austerity steam locomotive 3890

The locomotive was built in 1964 for the National Coal Board to a design used to supply to the Ministry of Defence and similar to an LNER J94 type. The locomotive became number 66 in the NCB fleet and saw work at Cadeby colliery in South Yorkshire. It was only in NCB service until 1970 when it was replaced by a diesel shunting locomotive.

The locomotive entered preservation in 1975 though did not re-enter service until 2015 after a heavy overhaul. The locomotive is normally based at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre to whom we are grateful for allowing it to visit. It has previously appeared at the Epping Ongar Railway operating on selected weekends in the summer of 2019.

Our normal public services resume on April 12 when we expect the locomotive to be in service, and you can purchase your tickets for these and our Easter services via the website now!