Press Office
Oliver Cromwell on the move again!
The locomotive that hauled the very last steam train for British Rail – the legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ on August 11 1968 - is to be returned to working order and the main line 36 years after being retired.
The National Railway Museum’s Britannia class Pacific No 70013 Oliver Cromwell is to be restored to steam by 2008, ready to star in a 40 th anniversary celebration of that historic last journey.
Oliver Cromwell will be a star exhibit at the NRM’s Railfest celebration of 200 years of railways between 29 May and 6 June, after which it is expected to move to the Great Central Railway, Leicestershire, for restoration work to begin.
Completion is planned for late 2007 returning Oliver Cromwell to operations at York, the GCR and on the main line. The locomotive will also be available for appearances throughout Britain. Each year Bressingham Steam Museum (where Oliver Cromwell was on display for the last 36 years) will see summer visits from one of a pool of National Railway Museum locomotives, including Oliver Cromwell.
Head of the NRM Andrew Scott said:
"This is a fantastic and not-to-be-missed opportunity to return a national icon to working order. The NRM is determined to have a main line flagship locomotive in operation after the eventual retirement of Green Arrow and what better engine to pick up the mantle than Oliver Cromwell?
"City of Truro - and indeed the restoration of 'O4' No. 63601 – have proved that these partnerships work, and we're delighted to be involved in a collaboration that will bring probably the most famous Britannia Class locomotive back to life.
David Ward, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Bressingham Steam Museum, added:
“We are delighted to be a full partner in the project to return Oliver Cromwell to steam and then see it working all over Britain. We are really looking forward to seeing No 70013 in steam in three year’s time delighting crowds around the country.”
The overhaul of the 1951-built express locomotive is collaboration between the National Railway Museum, Steam Railway Magazine, Bressingham Steam Museum, the Loughborough-based Great Central Railway, 5305 Locomotive Association and Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group Limited (who have jointly committed to carry out the overhaul work for free).
The Friends of the National Railway Museum will act as bankers to the project. Steam Railway Magazine has launched a campaign to raise the £70,000 needed to pay for parts for the restoration and the appeal is being backed by a range of incentives for donors, including certificates, footplate rides, behind the scenes tours at the NRM and train tickets.
Magazine Editor Tony Streeter said:
“Oliver Cromwell represents a historic landmark in the development of the railways and the end of the commercial steam age in this country. We would dearly love to see it working again in time for the anniversary of that last steam train. We’ve worked closely with the NRM in the past and we are proud to be doing so again. We are confident that our readers will once again support us in this historic project.”
To support the appeal, make cheques payable to FNRM (70013 Fund) and send to Lynne Best, Steam Railway, Emap Active Ltd, Bretton Court, Peterborough PE3 8DZ.