J21 65033

J21 65033 Built by the NER in 1889 as one of 201 J21's, No. 65033 is now the sole survivor. Under the care of Despite this, the locomotive has not steamed since 1984.

Built by the North Eastern Railway in 1889 as one of 201 locomotives of the same class, designed by T.W Worsdell (later to be rebuilt by his brother, Wilson), No. 65033 is now the only survivor. That it exists at all is remarkable, given that it was first withdrawn from service in 1939 and only reinstated due to the desperate shortage of motive power brought about by the Second World War. During i

ts working life No. 65033 is believed to have worked exclusively in the North East, although other members of the class were much more widely travelled, particularly during wartime. Originally built as a ‘Compound’ (meaning it used its steam twice) as NER No. 876, the 0-6-0 was converted to ‘Simple’ format early in the 20th Century. It was absorbed by the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway in 1923, becoming No. 5033, and gained its present number on the railways’ nationalisation in 1948. Finally withdrawn in 1962, more than 20 years after it was first put aside, No. 65033 was by now a celebrity enthusiasts’ engine. Its importance meant it was initially reserved for the National Collection. However, the ‘J21’ was dropped from the list (because it was no longer in as-built condition), and only saved due to the foresight and courage of Frank Atkinson, the first director of Beamish. The engine subsequently became a jewel in the open-air museum’s crown, being ridden on by Sir John Betjeman at the opening of the ‘Rowley’ station scene in 1976. In order to ensure a sustainable future for this unique asset, Beamish transferred the ‘J21’ to the newly-formed LCLT in March 2009. The Trust’s intention is to restore it to working order sympathetically and authentically, as befits a locomotive approaching its 125th birthday. Once running, No. 65033 will be available to tour Britain’s steam railways.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTERThe phrase “putty in one’s hands” means very easy to influence, control, or persuade; like ...
21/05/2026

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER

The phrase “putty in one’s hands” means very easy to influence, control, or persuade; like soft putty that can be shaped however you want. That’s wonderful…… until you try that with 130-year old window putty that needs removing from the 20 window frames on NER diagram 15 coach No.2051. Quarrying granite with a rubber spoon is easier!

After a slow going morning session the Thursday team did a bit of research which suggested that heat guns or infra red heat guns would soften it. We don’t have any infra red heat guns (or lasers, or light sabres) but the standard heat guns worked a treat and the team made great progress.

The putty job stopped at lunchtime because we have a self-imposed rule of no heat guns after lunch; that way if any errant spark or other burning is taking place the team have the opportunity to spot it and properly deal with it before home time. The team left excited about what might be achieved next week.

Keep an eye on our rolling stock blog for updates on this and similar coach No.131.

https://ksetransport.blogspot.com

There will be quite a lot of visible progress on both coaches in June as well as other rolling stock news as we keep the momentum for the J21’s (sorry, C Class) arrival and NER 175.

More to follow soon…… stay tuned!

While the LCLT’s focus is absolutely on our J21 No.65033 (sorry, C Class No.876), the Stainmore Railway Company are abso...
13/05/2026

While the LCLT’s focus is absolutely on our J21 No.65033 (sorry, C Class No.876), the Stainmore Railway Company are absolutely cracking on with providing us the best possible NER home for our loco and our growing rolling stock fleet.

Today saw the foundations finished for their second signal box project, the Junction Box. A fundraising effort has already raised enough money to purchase nearly half the required bricks but they need to raise a lot more. You will be hearing a lot more about this project and if you want to support it then please contact either the SRC or LCLT and we’d be delighted to have you on board!

FRAMED AND STITCHED UPThere’s a lot going at the moment for the LCLT with the latest member of our NER fleet arriving on...
10/05/2026

FRAMED AND STITCHED UP

There’s a lot going at the moment for the LCLT with the latest member of our NER fleet arriving on Wednesday to ensure an authentic freight train for our own J21 No.65033 (sorry, Class C No.876). Indeed, two members of the team are busy costing the restoration of the latest P7 hopper wagon that we hope to start working on soon.

Of course, No.876 will also be hauling passengers and as you probably already know, the Trust supported by SRC volunteers has been busy cracking on with one of its NER coaches; No.2051, a diagram 15 five compartment third. The images from this week probably don’t look much different from a fortnight ago but the devil, or delight, is in the detail. With the lower panelling removed the few problem areas of the frame have been exposed and the team have been busy either stitching up splits (glue and screw) or else splicing in fresh bits of wood to replace rotten sections.

This part of the job should be completed this month and in the next week or so we will be applying the first coat of specialist primer to areas previously coated in bitumen. By doing that sooner rather than later the team have plenty of time to assess how the primer reacts to the wood before we go any further.

More to follow soon……. stay tuned!

HOPPER DROPPERWe hope you liked our earlier teaser video; we’re sure that most of you correctly identified a NER P7 hopp...
06/05/2026

HOPPER DROPPER

We hope you liked our earlier teaser video; we’re sure that most of you correctly identified a NER P7 hopper wagon, the second of the two transferred to the LCLT from the fantastic Beamish Museum. Today saw the second P7 arrive and the team wasted no time in making an initial assessment for restoration on top of the work they’ve already done to have the wagon in NER Central Division livery to run behind our own J21 No.65033 (sorry, Class C No.876).

Restoration of the P7 also helps tell the important story of the coal and coke traffic from east to west as explained in the Heritage Fund supported ‘Westside Story’ project to mark the bicentennial of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

While the focus of the Trust absolutely remains on the locomotive, our friends, hosts and partners the Stainmore Railway Company will be working with us to make sure we suitably mark the 175th anniversary of the NER in 2029. That means rolling stock like this P7; choice pieces that belong in freight trains or, like our own coach No.2051, in a passenger rake behind our locomotive.

More on this wagon, 2051 and of course 65033 (sorry, 876) soon…….. stay tuned!

06/05/2026

A BIG TED BUT THIS ISN’T PLAYSCHOOL!

A nice teaser for you all! Those of a certain generation will probably get the Playschool reference as boys and girls we “look through the round window and the square window”.

What is it one of our volunteers can see as he videos through the Peckett and Kirkby Stephen East station window?

Stay tuned…. all will be revealed later!

ECCENTRIC BEHAVIOUR With the boiler still cracking on very nicely with J21 65033 (sorry, Class C No.876), let’s not forg...
01/05/2026

ECCENTRIC BEHAVIOUR

With the boiler still cracking on very nicely with J21 65033 (sorry, Class C No.876), let’s not forget the work to get a rolling chassis together. This week’s update shows the crank axle wheelset with the machining and whitemetalling of the eccentric straps underway. The eccentric straps are well worn as is everything with this loco! The team at LMS are machining out the bronze liners ready for whitemetalling.

Many thanks to everyone joining us as supporters and huge thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making the return of this unique locomotive possible.

More to follow soon……. stay tuned!

STOCKING UPWith work cracking on in Loughborough on our unique J21 65033 (sorry, Class C No.876), great effort continues...
24/04/2026

STOCKING UP

With work cracking on in Loughborough on our unique J21 65033 (sorry, Class C No.876), great effort continues at Kirkby Stephen East with rolling stock to give it appropriate rakes of 6-wheeled coaches and wagons to pull.

As well as privately owned No.131, the LCLT’s own No.2051, a diagram 15 five compartment third, is always making speedy progress thanks to volunteers from our friends and hosts, the Stainmore Railway Company. This week sees most of the thick bitumen coating removed from the body and focus on renovating the irons reinforcing the frame.

It is expected that the required minor frame repairs will be undertaken in May (or soon thereafter) by a specialist joiner; thanks to a donation by one of our supporters. While the focus of the Trust is very much on returning No.876 to steam, any donations towards this project are of course welcomed.

More to follow soon…… stay tuned!

BLAG-HOPPERSWell, not quite; cheesy pun generation aside this update further shows the great cooperation between us (the...
28/03/2026

BLAG-HOPPERS

Well, not quite; cheesy pun generation aside this update further shows the great cooperation between us (the LCLT), the Stainmore Railway Company and the North of England Open Air Museum at Beamish. Indeed, the LCLT has its very roots in Beamish as No.876 our locomotive, superbly rescued by Frank Atkinson CBE, and NER H2 Stores Van No.2 both came to the Trust from there. That relationship has continued with the 7-compartment clerestory No.818 that the SRC volunteers have beautifully refurbished.

That story isn’t over. While the LCLT focus of effort and money in 2026 remains firmly fixed on the locomotive as generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the LCLT and SRC are broadening their thinking to encompass passenger and freight stock appropriate to an NER C-Class; for your enjoyment and also in readiness for the commemoration of NER 175 in 2029.

To that end two de-accessioned NER P7 20-ton Hopper wagons are being transferred to the LCLT for restoration at Kirkby Stephen East; the first to arrive this Thursday, shown being loaded at Beamish, once worked at Wissington. The other due soon is ex-Central Division. The archive shot from Yanwath gives a sense of the authentic feel we are trying to recreate.

More to follow soon……. stay tuned!

HOMEWORK While giddy with excitement might be a slight exaggeration, it’s not far wrong. The team restoring NER coach No...
19/03/2026

HOMEWORK

While giddy with excitement might be a slight exaggeration, it’s not far wrong. The team restoring NER coach No. 2051, a diagram 15 five compartment third, have definitely got the bit between their collective teeth. Conversations this week have included rectification of any frame issues in the next few weeks and re-panelling of the lower sections. The waist height and above sections are all in very good condition and in the process of being stripped back to bare wood for priming and painting.

A couple of our volunteers have taken the drop lights home to get them ready soonest. See if you can spot the mistakes one of them has made (all easily corrected). The numbers on the luggage tag are the size of the pane of glass for each separate drop light frame; annoyingly they are all different sizes! The panes aren’t broken (well, most aren’t) but for operational purposes we are replacing them with safety glass.

The exterior is going to look very good very soon! There is of course a lot of work to do to fit out the interior and of course to provide the underframe. Any donations are of course welcomed and appreciated as we provide another vehicle to run behind J21 65033 (sorry; Class C No. 876).

More to follow soon…… stay tuned!

WE’VE BEEN FRAMEDA brief update on one of the Locomotive Conservation & Learning Trust’s rolling stock fleet; NER coach ...
13/03/2026

WE’VE BEEN FRAMED

A brief update on one of the Locomotive Conservation & Learning Trust’s rolling stock fleet; NER coach No. 2051; a diagram 15 five compartment third. Following an investigation phase that revealed how remarkably sound the vehicle is, actual restoration has begun. Today saw the team remove the last of the damaged or rotten lower panels to expose all of the lower frame. Where rotten frame pieces (and these are minimal) need replacing then that will begin in the next few weeks.

The chassis, to be built around a GER six-wheel underframe purchased in 2022, largely exists and will be constructed as finance and other priorities allow. More of that in the next few months.

This vehicle, disposed of to a local farmer in 1917, is in remarkable condition and will look fantastic behind No.876 soon; accompanied by similar vehicles No.131 and No.1111, and other NER passenger and freight stock including the LCLT’s superbly restored Van No.2.

With the Trust’s focus being on the J21 No.65033 (sorry, Class C No.876) there is limited finance available at this point. However, at least several private individuals have donated funds to speed the restoration and if anyone wishes to join them then we would be delighted to hear from them. We cannot wait to see this being hauled behind our locomotive.

More, much more, to follow on this vehicle soon……… stay tuned!

Address

The Locomotive Conservation And Learning Trust, 95a Hambalt Road
London
SW49EQ

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