Return Peckett 0-4-0ST 'Teddy' to steam

The aim of this appeal is to help return the unique and diminutive Peckett 'Yorktown' class 0-4-0ST No. 2012 'Teddy' to steam at the Battlefield Line in Leicestershire.

This popular little 1941-built locomotive is best known for its association with the Reverend E R 'Teddy' Boston and his Cadeby Light Railway, and during its last 10-year boiler ticket brought delight to many during operating spells at the National Railway Museum in York, Beamish Museum, the Bristol Harbour Railway, Locomotion at Shildon, and the Great Central, Chasewater, and Ribble Steam Railways.

'Teddy' last ran in 2017 at the Chasewater Railway, and the locomotive is currently under overhaul; a project which will also see it restored to as close to its original condition as possible.

Following 'Teddy's' move to the Battlefield Line, the boiler was lifted and sent away, and the extent of the work required became apparent. Despite being in overall good condition, wastage at the bottom of the barrel has left a small area below acceptable thickness, and this will require building up. Unfortunately, the small size of the boiler means that the only way to access it is to remove the front tube plate.

There are also some rivets that need renewing where the heads have wasted; a legacy of its 20 years outside at Cadeby.

Naturally this extra work comes with additional and not insignificant expense, with the total cost being almost twice what was originally expected. The money that had been set aside to complete the rest of the overhaul has now been redirected to the boiler, which means there is a shortfall to complete the remaining jobs that need doing on the frames and motion, and carry out a repaint.

We are so close to having 'Teddy' back in steam, and if the remaining funds can be found the locomotive could return to service early in 2025. If you can donate even a small amount, it would help return a big (though technically small) part of Leicestershire's railway heritage to steam.

Thank you!