OUR CENTENARIAN N2 is not only the oldest surviving locomotive to the design of Sir Nigel Gresley, but the oldest one that has steamed in the preservation era, having first emerged from the North British Locomotive works in February 1921. Owned by the Gresley Society since 1963, the engine came out for traffic for a heavy overhaul in 2018. The Society had planned for the work, and believed we had sufficient funds to complete the overhaul with a margin to spare for the unexpected items that usually occur with any steam engine, often mid-way through!

The overhaul was contracted to Northern Steam Engineering and began at the beginning of 2019. However, we have been hit hard by two factors. Firstly, Covid 19 has had an impact, in terms of both timescale and the cost of materials, despite the best endeavours of Northern Steam. But the number of items requiring replacement has also proved to be quite exceptional. These have included:  PONY TRUCK TYRES / CRANKPINS / EXPANSION LINKS / SAFETY VALVES / FRONT BOILER RING / FIREBOX TOP / FIREBOX TOP CORNERS / SUPERHEATER HEADER / SMOKEBOX TUBEPLATE & FIREBOX TUBEPLATE

Now has come the most recent bad news.  A new fire-box wrapper is required due cracking around the crown stays holes, together with associated backhead work.

Although we are talking with Northern Steam, who are being as helpful as they can, the stark truth is that the Society now faces a huge shortfall. So we are launching an appeal to raise £100,000 to complete the work.

Philip Benham, Gresley Society chairman, said: “Already an appeal has gone out to our 550 members for help, but £100,000 is a large sum in anyone’s money, so we are also appealing to all those who recognise the importance of No 1744 as the oldest Gresley locomotive, and want to see her return to steam. She may have missed out on her centenary year, however with your help she will steam again in her 101^st, and for many more years to come.”