Jubilee Victory

The following press release has been issued by the Bahamas Locomotive Society:

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a grant of £775,800 to the Bahamas Locomotive Society (BLS), a Registered Charity based at Ingrow on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, to restore its 1934-built ‘Jubilee’ class main-line steam locomotive 45596 BAHAMAS to running order.

The engine, of both local and national significance, is now 78 years old and was the last steam engine to be used by British Rail to experiment on in BR’s attempts to improve the performance of its fleet of steam engines. This was the fitting, in May 1961, of a unique double chimney and blast-pipe.

The BLS will contribute a further £130,000 to the restoration project to be run entirely by volunteers.

John Hillier, the BLS spokesman responsible for the bid, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the HLF for endorsing our plans to enable this famous steam locomotive to be restored to running order once more. We are also delighted that the restoration of an historic coach which will provide a unique setting for an Educational and Exhibition Resource Centre will be sited adjacent to our Museum at Ingrow.

The project will provide employment, training and skill development opportunities at our contractors and at our base on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. We would also like to acknowledge the support of our partners and countless individuals in helping us progress our plans towards a successful conclusion.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of the HLF Yorkshire and the Humberside, said:

“This project will deliver high quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The project offers lots of exciting opportunities for employment, volunteers, training and education in addition to wider public participation in the restoration of this magnificent steam engine. Once it is restored we hope it will also drive further tourism to Yorkshire.”

BAHAMAS is currently on view inside the National Railway Museum at York but in mid-April is due to return to Ingrow where work on the overhaul will begin. It is hoped that the engine will be operational again by early 2017.

In support of the project the BLS has developed several partnership arrangements with groups such as Welcome to Yorkshire, the Great Yorkshire Brewery and the Bahamas Tourist Office. It has a long term tenancy agreement with the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, one of its other partners.

45596 is seen in Oxenhope Shed on 20th May 2011 prior to leaving for the NRM last year. We are told the restoration will be to mainline standard, so soon the UK will have 2 green Jubilees in active service for charters.

Steams Last Blast Appeal: Successful.