Timeless Trains

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

WE’VE BEEN FRAMED

A brief update on one of the Locomotive Conservation & Learning Trust’s rolling stock fleet; NER coach No. 2051; a diagram 15 five compartment third. Following an investigation phase that revealed how remarkably sound the vehicle is, actual restoration has begun. Today saw the team remove the last of the damaged or rotten lower panels to expose all of the lower frame. Where rotten frame pieces (and these are minimal) need replacing then that will begin in the next few weeks.

The chassis, to be built around a GER six-wheel underframe purchased in 2022, largely exists and will be constructed as finance and other priorities allow. More of that in the next few months.

This vehicle, disposed of to a local farmer in 1917, is in remarkable condition and will look fantastic behind No.876 soon; accompanied by similar vehicles No.131 and No.1111, and other NER passenger and freight stock including the LCLT’s superbly restored Van No.2.

With the Trust’s focus being on the J21 No.65033 (sorry, Class C No.876) there is limited finance available at this point. However, at least several private individuals have donated funds to speed the restoration and if anyone wishes to join them then we would be delighted to hear from them. We cannot wait to see this being hauled behind our locomotive.

More, much more, to follow on this vehicle soon!

23/04/2025

20/04/2025

A GRAND DAY OUT

A busy (indeed record) Easter weekend at Kirkby Stephen East as our Stainmore Railway Company hosts gave No.3669 and No.818 a run out packed with train after train of passengers delighted to experience our Timeless Trains.

Meanwhile, an emptier than usual shed gave us a chance to have a better view of our No.2051 that is being stripped of its bituminous coating and steadily surveyed for full restoration.

Come and enjoy when next in Cumbria!

23/03/2025

While the Stainmore Railway Company volunteers remove the thick bituminous gloop from No.2051’s mahogany panels, Barras contributes to an exciting discussion about the vehicle’s restoration. More pictures and updates to follow soon!

01/03/2025

BODY MATTERS

While the full restoration at Kirkby Stephen East of NER 6-wheeler No.2051 is some way off there is nonetheless work ongoing in preparation for the project. Mounting the body on an accommodation chassis last year at least had the cheering effect of making it look like a coach again after nearly a century.

Recently, as part of a detailed survey to develop a scope of works, we’ve been looking under the panelling to see how solid the body frame is and the good news is that it’s in great shape! It may not look it under that unappealing bituminous paint but that covering has been a major factor in the coach being in such good condition after all these years.

Finally, delighted that the ‘wriggly tin’ that had been covering the roof can be of use to the Wickham trolley shed project at Kirkby Stephen East station.

25/02/2025

Wow! Just wow! Kirkby Stephen East and the Stainmore Railway Company continue to provide the most fantastic backdrop for our ever developing fleet! Exciting times!

19/02/2025

The picture says it all; Gresley TTO No. 60505 is nearly finished and looking GORGEOUS! Bringing this beautiful vehicle out into the sunlight has given us a chance to admire 60505; we can't wait to launch her into service later this year.

16/01/2025

VISITING FRIENDS

While not part of the Timeless Trains fleet, we are delighted nonetheless to be seeing this gorgeous historic vehicle at Kirkby Stephen East later this year as part of the Stainmore Railway Company’s S&DR 200 programme.

We have just announced the first item of rolling stock that will be visiting KSE for our S&DR 200 Gala over the August Bank Holiday weekend (23rd - 25th).
It is, as far as we are aware, the sole surviving operational passenger vehicle constructed by the S&DR in 1871 as a result of an Act of Parliament in 1868 requiring separate smoking compartments for railway passengers.
Moreover, it was specifically constructed to operate over the Stainmore route so, in this bicentenary year, it will be wonderful to see it back operating on a section of the railway for which it was built over 150 years ago.
For more details, please see our S&DR 200 page - https://www.facebook.com/stocktondarlington200

21/12/2024

RAKING IT IN

As heralded in our previous post, the arrival of Gresley TTO No.60505 into traffic is getting steadily nearer. The handiwork of painter Phil Anderson is sans pareil and the gloss finish is really starting to glow!

20/12/2024

RATHER ACCOMMODATING

This page has been quiet for a little while; Timeless Trains is a trademark set up to market the superb vintage rakes coming on stream at Kirkby Stephen East station, home of the Stainmore Railway Company. With the launch of NER Clerestory No.818 last year, the imminent completion of 60505 in 2025 (thus giving us a Gresley rake), and attention turning to our NER 6-wheelers it’s time to turn the wick up a bit. We offer a superb opportunity for film and television!

The next Timeless Trains project will be the restoration of North Eastern Railway coach No. 2051; a diagram 15 five compartment third. When the NER withdrew much of its four- and six-wheeled stock, a number of diagram 15 thirds were kept for use as strengthening coaches at busy times. Following disposal, it was retrieved to its current site from a farm in Cumbria; the surviving coach body was delivered there some 100 years ago after withdrawal from railway use.

Despite all the years in the open the coach body a superbly preserved example, largely due to the protection by a corrugated iron roof and liberally applied bitumen paint.

The restoration will require the creation of a new six-wheel underframe but, with the wheelsets and running gear already available, this is not as huge a task as it might otherwise have been. The acquisition of a GER six-wheel underframe in 2022 gave the restoration a huge boost and work on assembling these various components will begin in 2025. As of the summer of 2024 the body was mounted on wheels for the first time in a century, albeit an ‘accommodation chassis’, giving a taste of what we can look forward to.