Steam Engine 30075 Steams Back to Life After a Decade of TLC!

A green and black steam locomotive, known as 30075, has made its first official appearance after a decade-long restoration project led by a group of dedicated volunteers. This locomotive, built in 1960 and originally from the former Yugoslavia, was brought to the United Kingdom in 1990. In January 2016, it was moved to Shillingstone in Dorset, where a team called Project 62 began the challenging task of restoring it. The volunteers spent ten years working on the engine, carefully repairing and repainting it to bring it back to life. Their hard work paid off when 30075 made its debut as a Santa special at the North Dorset Railway, delighting children and train enthusiasts alike.

Project 62 is made up of railway fans who are passionate about preserving history. They are not only responsible for restoring 30075 but are also planning to restore another similar locomotive, number 30076. On the day of the debut, 30075 helped move 30076 into a siding, where it will wait for its own restoration. This next project is expected to take another ten years and will cost more than £130,000. Both locomotives were once used in Yugoslavia to move freight and raw materials at steelworks in cities like Zenica and Ljubljana. Now, thanks to the efforts of Project 62, these engines are being saved so future generations can learn about and enjoy them.

The North Dorset Railway has also been making improvements. In July, they completed a four-year project to double the length of their track to half a mile. Their goal is to eventually offer brake van rides to visitors at the museum, which is free to enter and also has a cafe. The station at Shillingstone was taken over by local people in 2005, who started by opening the museum and working on the railway. Next year will mark sixty years since the line was closed, making the restoration of 30075 and the railway even more special. The volunteers hope their work will inspire more people to appreciate the history of steam trains and the effort it takes to keep them running.