Building a Working Replica of 2-4-0 "Blyth"

The Southwold Railway Trust is planning to construct “BLYTH”, the Sharp Stewart “No 3” 2-4-0 locomotive that was delivered in 1879 and ran on the Southwold Railway for nearly 50 years. We have over £18,889 in the Loco Fund to make a start and, thanks to local builders Duncan & Son, a well-appointed shed in Southwold in which to build it. We have already installed therein two 15 foot lengths of original 30lb rail on sleepers to support the construction but eventually the loco will run on a three foot gauge track on the Southwold Railway Steam Park sited at the end of Blyth Road, Southwold, planning permission for which was granted in February 2009.

We have launched the 2-4-0 Club to generate monies required for the project by seeking sponsorship in £240 units relating to specific components. Listed on the next page are 172 components in varying unit allocations, including 58 boiler tubes: we thought it a nice idea to commemorate those who worked on the Railway by naming tubes after them. We hope to raise £120,000 for the components with the actual assembly being undertaken by volunteers, ourselves and others, including local schools and colleges with which we are trying to establish links - we may also attract some Heritage Lottery money.

Sponsors will receive a Certificate of Donation noting the component and the gift: there will be a brass plate fixed to the loco, probably on the rear of the cab, listing the names of sponsors and the components sponsored. There will be an invitation to the annual Sponsors Open Day at which there will be the opportunity to partake in railway style events!

To become a sponsor click here to go to our Components Page, choose a component by scrolling through the lists (Rolling Chassis, Cab, Tanks, Controls etc.), complete the sponsorship form, then click through as directed on screen. If you are a UK taxpayer and the Gift Aid rules apply to you, then that is obviously helpful to us in adding a further 25% at no cost to yourself and which can go towards the assembly process – please complete the form as directed. Thank you, and welcome to the 2-4-0 Club!

Click here for details of all the components we will need and how you can help by sponsoring an item!