Our Mission & Values
The Little Loco Group was formally formed in 2017 from former members of the Wainwright Villas Gang and supported by the Fenchurch Fund in the effort to fund & support the overhaul & restoration of the Bluebell Railway’s historic fleet of smaller engines and the railway’s collection of pre-grouping engines & projects representing this era of locomotive history. In line with these aims and those of the Bluebell Railways Locomotive policy the group aims to help keep an example of one of our two LBSCR A1X terriers as well as one of the three SECR P tanks in an operational condition at all times.
With the Fenchurch Fund having successfully fundraised & contributed towards the restoration & return to service of LBSCR No.72 Fenchurch and with the return to service of Captain Baxter through the efforts of the Wainwright Villas Gang, the Little Loco Group has now turned its focus on our next challenge: Project 27, the restoration & return to service of the Bluebell’s forgotten P tank No.27 Primrose.
What we do
Our main responsibilities are focused on fundraising, engaging with our supporters and the restoration & overhaul of the Bluebell Railway’s smaller fleet of engines.
We have created a strong & welcoming community within the Little Locomotive Group working closely with the Bluebell Railway’s Society, the Bluebell’s locomotive works as well as our suppliers to build a strong relationships for quality craftmanship. Your enthusiastic support is what enables us to move from fundraising into effective project delivery. Through our appeals, events and regular communication we want to ensure everyone who supports us feels part of the journey.
The funds we raise are used directly to:
- Manage the restoration of P Class No. 27 “Primrose” through Project 27, coordinating with the Bluebell Railway, specialist engineering firms & the working group to bring the forgotten P Class No.27 “Primrose” back to steam.
- Improve the LLG Volunteer engineering facilities, helping to improve the facilities & tooling available to aid the restoration efforts of the working group.
- Aid our fundraising efforts, to supporting our online presence & support the Fenchurch Fund with their fundraising activities.
Everything we do from planning to fundraising and project delivery is rooted in teamwork. We work to ensure every donation is used effectively and transparently, with the long‑term future of the Bluebell’s little locomotives at heart.
Contact the team
Have a question about Project 27 or you’d like to know more about how
you can support us? We would love to hear from you!
The Bluebell Railway's Little locos
The Bluebell Railway has the UK’s largest and most comprehensive collection of locomotives from the former Southern Railway and its three main constituents. It also, surprisingly, has the largest collection of BR standard-design steam locomotives.
This is the finest collection outside of the National Railway Museum in York and Shildon, and many are unique survivors of their particular design. A third of this collection is made up of the smaller 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 tank engines of class 1 or less power classification, of which the Little Loco Group helps to Assist, fund & support with the overhaul, Display & restoration of these engines.