With the first anniversary next month of the passing of Dame Vera Lynn – ‘The Force's Sweetheart' – the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced the start of the overhaul of the tender of steam locomotive 3672 Dame Vera Lynn.
An appeal to raise the £600,000 needed to pay for the restoration of the steam locomotive has raised £175,000 thanks to donations, but another £450,000 is still needed to fully fund the project.
However, with the funds raised so far, the start of the tender overhaul has been announced.
The overall plan for the NYMR's Motive Power Depot at Grosmont includes 3672 Dame Vera Lynn, and it is hoped that 3672 will be completed by 2024/2025 to tie in with the 80th birthday of the locomotive and the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Riley and Son will be responsible for the overhaul of the tender and will include a new tender water tank, new springs, new axle box bearings, and an overhaul of the brake gear.
Ian Foot, a member of the restoration team, said: “This is a monumental step in the locomotive's restoration; the project is doable, and the determination, passion and drive is there to see it succeed. However, like any other steam locomotive, it requires money, and we urge anyone who'd like to see it back on the tracks by its 80th anniversary to donate to the appeal.”
Clifford Brown purchased Dame Vera Lynn and Repton in the 1980s, became ill, and put both locomotives in trust to the NYMR, and whilst Repton has had regular overhauls, Dame Vera Lynn has remained out of action.
However, the NYMR still needs help to raise the funds to bring Dame Vera Lynn back to steam. A £10 donation will help towards nuts and bolts, and a £100 donation will go towards buying new fire bars. If you would like to donate, please see the appeal website on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website.
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I think it’s sweet, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway… Aiming to Restore this Steam Locomotive (named in honour of tha late great Forces’ Swetheart),
Especially as it’ll indeed be exactly a whole year since the passing of good ol’ Dame Vera Lynn.