Steam

Finnish VR Class TR1 1060 appeal

Four broad gauge (5 foot) steam locomotives were imported from Finland some years ago and taken to the then embryonic Epping and Ongar Railway - where of course they could not have run without expensive regauging. Three of them have since been disposed of but 2-8-2 TR1 1060 has remained on site and the Railway's current owners are determined that it has to go because they have neither use nor space for it, preferably to a 'good home' but otherwise for scrap.

Ken Livermore of the North British Locomotive Preservation Group (www.nbloco.net) writes:

"Although outside our normal remit, some of our Members have requested that we launch an appeal to try to save the loco. We have found a new (at least temporary) home for No. 1060 at the Mizens Railway near Woking and I have contacted the Epping - Ongar Railway to let them know of our intentions. One of our Members is prepared to make a £10,000 donation to kick start the appeal.

They have agreed to a stay of execution whilst we try to raise their £25,000 asking price plus around £15,000 to cover road transport and I would like to ask if you could please include details of our appeal in / on International Steam.

My own view is that any steam locomotive that has survived into the 21st Century should be saved for future generations to enjoy and not scrapped. It did achieve a degree of fame in the 1976 film 'The Eagle Has Landed' starring Michael Caine and Donald Sutherland and further details of the class can be found on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR_Class_Tr1.

Donations to the appeal should be made payable to NBL Preservation Group and sent to my home address : Ken Livermore, Honorary Secretary, NBL Preservation Group, 4 Porchfield Close, Earley, Reading, Berks, RG6 5YZ, UK. You can contact Ken on ken.livermore AT btinternet.com for further information and progress.

The following pictures show the locomotive at Ongar (photo by Ken Livermore) and together with class mate 1040 at Kajaani (photo by Juhani Katajisto):