Understand
Historic 1940s wartime steam locomotive No. 68029 recreated by Tanfield Railway
Overview
The Tanfield Railway in Gateshead has successfully reconstructed the 1940s-built steam locomotive No. 68029, 63 years after it was scrapped. Originally commissioned for World War Two logistics and later used by the London and North Eastern Railway and the National Coal Board across the North East, the engine has been recreated using historical records and an identical surviving locomotive with the help of modern techniques like laser cutting.
Key points
- The Tanfield Railway in Gateshead has recreated the 1940s wartime steam locomotive No. 68029, 63 years after it was scrapped in the 1960s.
- The original engine supported the war effort and later served industries, docks, and the National Coal Board across the North East.
- Because no known photographs of No. 68029 exist, the recreation relied on historical records and an identical surviving locomotive named Robert.
- Modern techniques such as laser cutting were utilised by the railway to build the replica.
- The recreated locomotive will feature in the Tanfield Railway's Run It gala over the weekend.