Royal locomotive graces the former underground rails for 202615th January 2026

The Epping Ongar Railway is delighted to welcome King George to assist with it's 2026 services. 

Built by Hunslet locomotive works in 1942, diminutive tank locomotive, 2409 "King George" has arrived on loan from our friends at the Didcot Railway Centre and is due to remain on the line, formerly part of the London Underground network, until the Autumn. 

It is planned that King George will see regular use during its stay, operating our steam hauled services both on standard operating days, as well as appearing at some of the Railways special events. 

Originally built as a saddle tank locomotive, it spent its working life working at a number of collieries in Nottinghamshire, before being sold for scrap in 1980. Rescued in 1981 it was initially moved to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway where it became the first steam locomotive to reach their restored Cheltenham Racecourse station in 2001. 

It then moved to Didcot Railway Centre in 2011 for restoration during which the saddle tanks were replaced with side tanks and the locomotive painted blue. 

King George at Didcot Railway Centre