MYSTERY NRM ENGINE FOR NEW DONCASTER DISPLAY?
Doncaster-built engine planned to become permanent exhibit in town’s new rail heritage centre.
One of the National Railway Museum’s Doncaster-built locomotives could be about to return ‘home’ as part of the town’s new Culture and Learning Centre.
Construction of the new centre – which will eventually display the under-construction replica ‘P2’ No. 2001 Cock O’ The North once it opens in 2020 – began in October, and council plans “include an exciting new rail heritage centre showcasing memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection, and the possibility to display two locomotives built in Doncaster.” It is understood that one of those two locomotives will be the part-built Cock O’ The North.
Nick Stopforth, Doncaster Council’s Head of Libraries & Culture, told Steam Railway: “We are in a crucial stage of just going out with our main contract and sub-contract awards. When more of the partnership arrangements required are in place, we will be in a better position to say which locomotives will be on display.”
He added that the identity of the mystery engine could be revealed in February.
While Mr Stopforth did not comment on which locomotive will be displayed at the new centre, it is likely to be a National Collection exhibit, as all but four of the UK-based Doncaster-built locomotives are in York’s custody.
‘A4s’ Nos. 4464 Bittern, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60009 Union of South Africa are all privately owned by Jeremy Hosking, the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust and John Cameron respectively.
None are likely to take up residence in Doncaster; Bittern is currently in store at Locomotive Storage Ltd’s facility in Margate, ‘Gresley’ is under overhaul at York, while ‘Number Nine’ is earmarked for Mr Cameron’s proposed museum on his farm in Balbuthie, Fife, once its ticket expires later this year. The fourth, ‘A2’ No. 60532 Blue Peter, owned by the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust, is under overhaul at Crewe.
In response to Steam Railway’s enquiries about the proposals, an NRM spokesperson said: “As it’s Doncaster Council’s development, I think they would be best placed to comment.”
The NRM’s contingent consists of Stirling ‘Single’ 4-2-2 No. 1, GNR 4-4-2s Nos. 251 and 990 Henry Oakley, ‘A3’ No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, ‘A4’ No. 4468 Mallard and ‘V2’ No. 4771 Green Arrow.