‘Lost’ Finnish locomotive is uncovered... in Sudbury!

WHEN an urban explorer heard about a forgotten steam locomotive in the Suffolk countryside, he spent days trying to track it down after carrying out research based on stories from locals and studying maps.

What he found, encompassed by a thick growth of brambles and thorns, was a Finnish 5ft gauge 1953-built Tr1 2-8-2 No. 1077.

The man, whose hobby is to investigate and explore redundant and long-closed structures, described it as one of his best finds. His story was picked up by the national press; to protect the locomotive from vandals, its exact location has not been revealed.

Resting places

No. 1077 was one of a collection of Finnish steam locomotives brought over from the continent, with some going on to be stored at Ongar in Essex. No. 1077 has remained in its current location for more than 30 years, while the others have now been dispersed around England. One 0-6-0T is plinthed outside at timber merchant in Enfield, while Pacific No. 1016 was bought and restored in the gardens of former Steam Dreams owner David Buck.

A VR class Tk3 2-8-0 No. 1103 is also stored at Summercourt Scrapyard in Newquay, reportedly being up for sale after a proposed glamping venture fell through.