Locomotive Engineering

Ashley, Tom and Josh are some of our youngest crews standing with our oldest locomotive – Premier – at Kemsley Down.

The Locomotive Engineering Department look after the steam and diesel locomotives.

If you would like to get involved in firing or driving a steam locomotive you must work within the Department on the maintenance of the locomotives, this way you will understand how they work and how to fix things if they develop a fault.

Based at Kemsley Down, most of the work is carried out in the Engine Shed. Volunteers will be trained on how to use tools and machinery. It can be a very dirty job and quite labour intensive at times.

Current jobs:

  • Melior’s new boiler installation
  • Battery-electric locomotive service and introduction to service
  • Superb’s boiler overhaul
  • Triumph’s overhaul
  • Alpha’s cosmetic overhaul
  • Leader’s repaint.

They are currently working on Work Weekends and Tuesdays at Kemsley Down. To volunteer to join the team, email info@sklr.net

A partially dismantled steam locomotive, it is missing it's smokebox, chimney and boiler coverings.

Melior’s boiler is to be replaced with a brand new – it will also undergo an overhaul and repaint. Photo: January 2026.

Steam locomotive Premier at the back of the engine shed.

Premier is at the back of the shed for maintenance. Photo: January 2026.

Superb at the back of the engine shed waiting for its overhauled boiler and new firebox. It is undergoing a repaint too. Photo: January 2026.

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