About us
Project62 is a collection of individuals who share a common goal of restoring two 62 class steam engines that we own. We are made up of shareholders in the project as well as volunteers working to restore the locomotives. We are reliant on financial support from the public as we have no regular income. As such, we are a Charitable Community Benefits Society, or CCBS - information on which can be found here
We have two 'USA Tank' Engines; 30075 (under restoration) and 30076 (awaiting restoration). We purchased the former in 1990 and the later in 2006. Both of these engines have been used for a variety of reasons, and even restored a few times. Our efforts are focused on 30075 at the moment - the third time that this engine has undergone deep maintenance and restoration.
30075 on the Dartmoor Railway
30075 on the Dartmoor Railway - Credit to Great Western MGM - YouTube
Use
Class 62 "Yankee Tank" steam locomotives are a patent build of the World War II USATC S100 Class 0-6-0T Switcher/Shunters designed by Colonel Howard G Hill. Many of these locomotives saw service in the UK - including 14 on the Southern Railway plus a number in industrial service with Austin Motors/BMC at Longbridge, the NCB in the North East and on the Longmoor Military Railway. Four original US built and two Yugoslavian built locomotives are preserved in the UK.
The class was very successful, proving powerful, economical to operate and relatively easy to maintain. During and immediately after the war, up to 400 were deployed across Europe and many were to become part of the locomotive fleets of railways in France, Greece, Hungary, Turkey, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.
106 of the original "S100" locomotives were taken into service after World War II to form Yugoslavian "Class 62". 90 further locomotives were built in Yugoslavia between 1952 and 1961 and added to the Class 62. Both our locomotives were built in Yugoslavia, with many adaptions to improve them.
Meet the tanks
30075 - Formerly known as JZ 62-669. Acquired from Store Steel in Slovenia in 1990 and . This locomotive was operational as recently as 2006. This engine is currently stripped and is undergoing extensive repair and restoration work. A detailed diary of which can be found here
30076 - Currently a static exhibit at Shillingstone station. Acquired from ArcelorMittal Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina in December 2006