J15 Final Steamings Announced

The M&GN Joint Railway Society's 101 year old J15 0-6-0 is coming to the end of her ten year boiler ticket at the end of the month. This sadly means that the locomotive will be withdrawn for overhaul shortly - however we have secured some extra steamings to see her out in fine style!

Our centenarian J15 was built in 1912 at Stratford works and had a long working life all over East Anglia. Nicknamed by crews the 'Little Black Goods', our locomotive was eventually withdrawn on 16th September 1962, whereby it was purchased by the then embryonic Society. After steaming in the 1980s and working the first train on the 'Kelling Extension', to what we now call Holt station, the locomotive was withdrawn from traffic. Thanks to the determination of our supporters and volunteers, she steamed once again in 2002 and has been in traffic ever since, but sadly now we must withdraw her from traffic once again to undertake her next heavy general overhaul.

When 7564 returns to steam, she will no longer be a J15. It is our intention to restore the locomotive to original 1912-as built condition as a Great Eastern Railway Y14. This will involve fabricating a new smokebox door, manufacturing a new cab roof and safety valve cover, removing the coal rails on the tender and replacing her original 'stovepipe' chimney, before repainting into an immaculate GER Blue livery. She really will be a sight to behold!

To see our beloved J15 out for one last time, she will be in steam from the Saturday 20th April to Friday 26th April. Day-to-day locomotive rosters on the NNR can be found on the 'Whats Running' page on the NNR Website. Don't forget, M&GN Joint Society members can take advantage of 70% discount on travel, subject to conditions.

After the 26th April, the J15 will be withdrawn and she will not steam again without your help. If you'd like to support her overhaul, you can do this in one of several ways:

- Make a donation (cheques payable to 'M&GNJRS')

- Join the J15 '200' Club

- Join the Loco Club

- Volunteer with the Society

Information on the J15 '200' Club and Loco Club can be found under theJoinpage and information on Volunteering can be found under theAboutsection.