GER ‘Y14’ (LNER ‘J15’) No. 564
When is a ‘J15’ not a ‘J15’? When it’s a ‘Y14’… When Worsdell 0-6-0 No. 65462 was dismantled for overhaul in 2013, it represented the LNER-era ‘J15’ form that it had recognisably portrayed for its entire preservation life. When it re-emerged from overhaul at Riley & Son (E) Ltd in Bury two years later, it had been transformed back to its original 1912-built condition – in striking ultramarine blue livery as GER ‘Y14’ No. 564. Or at least it was as close to being original as was deemed practical, with the later vacuum brake and steam heat pipes protruding outwards from the running plates. But plenty of authentic touches were made, such as the replacement and lowering of the cab roof (now made out of timber and canvas), the fitting of a stovepipe chimney, dished smokebox door, Ramsbottom-style shroud encasing the Ross ‘Pop’ safety valves, and removal of the tender coal space ‘greedy boards’, to name the most visible retro-conversions. Part of the original strategy was to portray the engine as it progressed through the physical conditions and liveries of its half-century working life, which – inevitably – means black paint. But as M&GN Society engineer Keith Ashford outlined to Steam Railway, the pre-Grouping blue with red trim is so popular among members and visitors to the North Norfolk Railway (particularly paired with the vintage train) that there is no hurry to move it into the succeeding epoch. “Everything is reversible, but nothing is specifically planned so it will remain that way for the foreseeable future.” With a combination of longer trains and more powerful locomotives at the NNR’s disposal, No. 564 is best suited to the ‘book ends’ of the running season, paired with four Mk 1s and a van, although it will take five bogie coaches up the 1-in-80 Kelling bank with a skilled footplate crew. If you want to see the Stratford engine for yourself, you’ll most likely have to visit the ‘Poppy Line’ as it has so far only visited one other railway since overhaul (the Severn Valley in September 2017), although future forays haven’t been ruled out. The ‘Y14’s’ boiler certificate expires in August 2024.