North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group

The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) was formed in 1966 with the intention of preserving some of the steam locomotives then still working on regular goods or passenger trains in North East England.[1] At the time of its formation, its first president was Wilbert Awdry, the author of The Railway Series books and the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine.[2] Now the group owns four unique North Eastern steam locomotives, its aim is to have as many of its steam locomotives running on the main line or preserved lines as possible. In 2014, the LNER K1 (62005) ran on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and on the Jacobite service in Scotland. The LNER Q6 (NER T2, 63395) was undergoing boiler repairs at the start of the season but finished the season on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the LNER J72 (NER E1, 69023) ran on the Wensleydale Railway. The group have two workshops, one at Hopetown Carriage Works, Darlington and another workshop and base at Grosmont, the northernmost station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The shed at Grosmont is called deviation shed. Members of the group hold regular evening meetings to discuss railway subjects, have a membership newsletter, and have produced various publications. The group now also has a junior volunteers section, training young recruits at, mainly, the NYMR and Deviation Shed. These JVs will help with mainly the locomotives, although a small amount has been done on the carriages (K1 support coach).