- TNP Nation
- Ethnon
2nd June, 2025
National Coal Board No.54
After nearly 5 decades, the Tanfield Railway has announced the return of a steam locomotive.
Built in 1952, National Coal Board No. 54 was used to help cope with the post-war demand for coal and after 25 years of service, it was driven out by diesel locomotives.
It left for a new life in Yorkshire, but the 73-year-old locomotive is set to return to the region for Tanfields’ next major event.
The locomotive was bought from Andrew Barclay to work at the East Hetton colliery and had a few short loans to nearby Trimdon Grange colliery.
No. 54 spent 20 years pulling coal trains, and when the National Coal Board cut down their fleet, the locomotive was renumbered to No. 22.
The locomotive moved around for a number of years before it settled at Fishburn Coke Works in 1974.
However, when the works switched to diesel locomotives just two years later, No. 22 was pushed out.
Thanks to preservationists from the Yorkshire Dales Railway, the locomotive was saved from being scrapped, restored and has worked tourist trains.
A recent overhaul saw the locomotive returned to No. 54 once more, with its red livery repainted.
No. 54 resides in Scunthorpe with the Appleby Fridingham Railway Preservation Society but will be taking part in Tanfield Railway’s ‘Legends of Industry’ Gala weekend.
The gala celebrates the 300th anniversary of the Tanfield line and will see No. 54 join six other locomotives at the gala.
No. 54 will be in action from pulling passenger trains and demonstration freight trains.
The gala runs from the 20th til the 22nd June and can be booked on the Tanfield Railway website or bought on the day.
“Plucky little No. 54 is a rare survivor from the East Durham coalfield. But back in its heyday it was one of scores of small locomotives that kept this vital industry going.
“It wasn’t glamorous express trains that made the North East work during the 1950s. It was locomotives like No. 54 beavering away in collieries, shipyards and steel works. That’s the real story of our railways, and it’s important that we remember that.
“It’s a sobering thought that for most of the pit villages where No. 54 worked, it will now be the largest surviving artefact from their industrial past. I’m really pleased that we’ve got the chance to bring it ‘home’ for a little while.”
Tanfield Railway General Manager, David Watchman
Tanfield Railway to welcome steam locomotive No. 54
National Coal Board No.54
After nearly 5 decades, the Tanfield Railway has announced the return of a steam locomotive.
Built in 1952, National Coal Board No. 54 was used to help cope with the post-war demand for coal and after 25 years of service, it was driven out by diesel locomotives.
It left for a new life in Yorkshire, but the 73-year-old locomotive is set to return to the region for Tanfields’ next major event.
The locomotive was bought from Andrew Barclay to work at the East Hetton colliery and had a few short loans to nearby Trimdon Grange colliery.
No. 54 spent 20 years pulling coal trains, and when the National Coal Board cut down their fleet, the locomotive was renumbered to No. 22.
The locomotive moved around for a number of years before it settled at Fishburn Coke Works in 1974.
However, when the works switched to diesel locomotives just two years later, No. 22 was pushed out.
Thanks to preservationists from the Yorkshire Dales Railway, the locomotive was saved from being scrapped, restored and has worked tourist trains.
A recent overhaul saw the locomotive returned to No. 54 once more, with its red livery repainted.
No. 54 resides in Scunthorpe with the Appleby Fridingham Railway Preservation Society but will be taking part in Tanfield Railway’s ‘Legends of Industry’ Gala weekend.
The gala celebrates the 300th anniversary of the Tanfield line and will see No. 54 join six other locomotives at the gala.
No. 54 will be in action from pulling passenger trains and demonstration freight trains.
The gala runs from the 20th til the 22nd June and can be booked on the Tanfield Railway website or bought on the day.
“Plucky little No. 54 is a rare survivor from the East Durham coalfield. But back in its heyday it was one of scores of small locomotives that kept this vital industry going.
“It wasn’t glamorous express trains that made the North East work during the 1950s. It was locomotives like No. 54 beavering away in collieries, shipyards and steel works. That’s the real story of our railways, and it’s important that we remember that.
“It’s a sobering thought that for most of the pit villages where No. 54 worked, it will now be the largest surviving artefact from their industrial past. I’m really pleased that we’ve got the chance to bring it ‘home’ for a little while.”
Tanfield Railway General Manager, David Watchman