The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group has announced that it has received a grant worth £124,000 for boiler repairs to 69023 ‘Joem’.

The grant, from the Cultural Assets Fund, will allow the Darlington-built locomotive to steam in time to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.

Joem’s return to steam was put into real doubt with the coronavirus pandemic, but the award will allow the locomotive to be enjoyed by future generations at museum and heritage railways across the country.

Joem last steamed in 2017 and was withdrawn due to poor condition of its boiler.

The NELPG is based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway with Q6 63395 in operation on the line, 65894, which is currently at the Great Central Railway for their gala, and 62005 under overhaul at Carnforth, but can normally be seen in Scotland hauling The Jacobite tours out on the mainline.

Colin Foxton, Chairman of NELPG said “The award of the heritage grant is a significant milestone in funding the restoration of our Victorian designed J72 locomotive ‘Joem’. The Group’s volunteers can now confidently set about its completion knowing we have the funds in place to bring the locomotive back to life. We look forward to running the locomotive at museums and heritage railways from 2025 for the public to enjoy and experience the sounds, smells, and travel of the steam age”.

Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund said: “This steam locomotive is a fitting example of the rich steam and railway heritage of the north east and we at the National Heritage Memorial Fund are pleased to award this Cultural Assets Fund grant.

“Thanks to this funding the locomotive will be safeguarded from the risks it faced during the pandemic and will see the locomotive running again in 2025, enabling it take part in the 200th Anniversary celebrations for the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway”.

Heritage Minister Lord Kamall said: “This Darlington built steam locomotive is an important part of the North East’s industrial history and our nation’s railway heritage.

“Thanks to this funding for the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group, Joem the tank engine will be preserved for generations to come.”

For more information on the NELPG, please see their website at nelpg.org.uk