Painting by Jonathan Clay
Help us to restore and maintain this historic loco!
The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust now needs to raise funds so we can take 19B through its expensive 10 year overhaul, to look after it and to operate it for the public enjoyment at 2ft gauge railways around Britain, so that everyone in its country of origin can see it, ride behind it and enjoy it.
About Darjeeling Tank 19B
Only one of the world-famous blue Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ‘B’ Class 2ft gauge tank engines has ever "escaped" India. Built by Sharp Stewart in Glasgow in 1889, 19B is from the original batch of four of these locomotives and survives in operating condition today, thanks to its owner, the late Adrian Shooter who rescued it from America and had it overhauled into operating condition at Tyseley, Birmingham, in 2003. Although the locomotive is now approaching its ten-year boiler overhaul it is currently operational and still has its original Lowmoor Iron boiler – the oldest working locomotive boiler in the world.
BBC South about the Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust in the summer of 2023
About Us
The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust has been set up by 19B’s Support Crew (who have cared for and operated the locomotive for 20 years) to acquire and operate the engine, and to continue their work of developing young people through a common interest in heritage steam. See About Us for more details. We have recently been granted Charitable status - our Charity Number is 1204461.
The trustees are drawn from interested parties associated with organisations such as the DHR Society, the Ff&WHR, the 19B Support Crew and others, who wish to see the locomotive remain operational and in the public view. 19B is now based at Statfold Barn, which has the huge advantage of an operating railway to run her, a museum to display her, and a respected and highly skilled workshop to help care for her.
The Support Crew particularly wish to follow Adrian Shooter’s established tradition of touring with the locomotive, visiting and operating on 2ft gauge railways elsewhere, in order to share her with the public as much as possible.
Get in touch
Painting by Jonathan Clay