The 82045 S.L.T. project is now based on the Severn Valley Railway, and will be the home of the engine when complete. It was envisaged that the loco would be completed in 2017 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Nine Elms Depot closure, but the date has had to be put back until 2018.

In the latter years of Nine Elms depot, there were 16 allocations of the 82000 Class British Railways Standard 3 Tank Steam Locomotives. They were used on ECS movements between Clapham Yard and Waterloo and also on the 'Kenny Belle' (West London line between Clapham Junction and Kensington Olympia). The Std 3's were popular with crews as they were free steaming and also had rocking grates and hopper ashpans for easy disposal.

82019 at Southampton Docks, 8th June 1964. Photo: Colour Rail	82019 outside Nine Elms shed, 14th March 1967. Photo: John Wickham

The Std 3 steam loco is an ideal engine for heritage railways, it is powerful but economical, it works equally well in either direction, track wear and wheel wear is reduced significantly compared to a tender engine. Axle loading is light and so the loco is suitable for standard gauge heritage railways. Regrettably none of the class were saved from the scrapman's cutting torch. Hence the need to build a new locomotive.

Our origin as train drivers comes from Nine Elms Depot 1837 - 1967 and all train drivers have their own steam depots in their history. Heritage railways across the UK bring this era from our past into the present. If you can help in any small way (£5 - ?) please consider donating to this very worthy cause.

If you are interested in the history of Nine Elms, why not have a look at the Nine Elms website.