All aboard the comeback
After a full decade of tinkering, polishing and plenty of volunteer elbow grease, a 1960-built Class 62 steam locomotive has rolled out for its first proper outing. This little workhorse, a Yugoslav version of the US 0-6-0 S100, first arrived in the UK back in 1990 and found its way to Shillingstone in January 2016.
The volunteer squad: Project 62
Meet Project 62 — a bunch of railway fans who aren’t paid in gold but in steam and satisfaction. Based at Shillingstone (but officially independent from the North Dorset Railway), they’re restoring two Yugoslav Class 62s — including the freshly finished 30075 and its still-under-repair sibling, 30076. These engines earned their stripes shunting freight at steelworks in places like Zenica and Ljubljana before coming to the UK.
Santa, steam and a grand debut
The refurbished 30075 made a suitably festive entrance as a Santa special, running on the newly extended stretch of line at the North Dorset Railway. After dropping off Father Christmas and the excited children, the star loco even nudged its partner into a siding so the next big restoration phase can begin.
Work to go — and the price tag
While 30075 is back in the limelight, 30076 still needs lots of attention. Volunteers expect that its overhaul could take another ten years and will cost north of £130,000 — so yes, more kettle-draining fundraising and more wrench-twisting sessions ahead.
Station revival and small victories
The station itself has a feel-good origin story: in 2005 locals took on the lease and slowly brought the site back to life, opening a free museum and a cosy cafe. It’s become a hub for preservation and friendly chatter — and a great place to watch coal and steam meet again.
Track progress and what’s next
In July, the North Dorset Railway finished a four-year project that doubled the running line to about half a mile (0.8 km). The plan is to keep expanding visitor experiences — one day you might be able to take a brake van ride after a museum visit, so keep your ticket warm.
A little historical bookmark
Interestingly, next year marks the 60th anniversary of when the original line was closed — a neat bit of symmetry now that steam is making a comeback here.
