It’s now easier to make donations via the Bluebell Railway Trust towards the BR Standard Class 2 tank 84030 locomotive project, thanks to the Trust’s online portals for one-off and monthly donations, with the ability to Gift Aid the donations also available.
The 2MT locomotives were built for light branch-line work. The tender engines, as this loco was originally, were almost unknown even as visitors to the South, whereas the 2MT tanks were used extensively on the Southern Region.
Thus, when BR Class 2 tender engine No. 78059 was rescued from Barry Scrapyard in 1983 without a suitable tender being available, the decision was taken to restore the locomotive in the tank-engine form, of which there are no surviving examples. The last 2MT tank having been numbered 84029, this locomotive takes the next number in the sequence.
The loco will be very useful on the Bluebell, since it will be capable of hauling all but our very heaviest trains.
The project is making good progress, and news reports are available here. This photo shows the newly built right-hand side tank.
Your help in completing this important and interesting project will be much appreciated – please do donate.
