New build M&GN C class

Or sold, as has already happened with one of the unrestored IoM carriages, which has gone back to the island.
Not long ago the Bluebell Railway also sold a loco (USA Tank 30064) - a very rare occurrence for them even though they have loads more out of use.

 

Given that standard Midland 4-4-0s and 0-6-0s were provided with only minor alterations to both S&DJ and M&GN, a replica build could in theory be decked-out in Midland, S&DJ, M&GN, LMS and BR liveries without taking too many liberties. But I think it would still be difficult to find enough support to build such a replica. Most new-build support seems to be generated for large, named express locos from the mid-20th Century era.

The M&GN did not have any locos as impressive as the S&DJ 2-8-0s, two of which have survived. When the LNER took over operation of the M&GN in 1936, it took a dim view of the loco stud. Most were withdrawn over the following few years, leaving only a few shunting tanks to reach BR in 1948.

The 40 members of "Class C" Johnson Midland 4-4-0 had been the principal M&GN passenger motive power from the 1890s until 1936. Unlike their counterparts on the Midland/LMS, they were not modernized with superheaters or piston valves. The M&GN also had 15 4-4-0s of "Class A" inherited from its predecessor, the Eastern & Midlands Rly. These had been designed and built by Beyer Peacock in the early 1880s and bore a strong resemblance to the 4-4-0s built by William Adams during his earlier years on the LSWR. I am sure that the North Norfolk Rly will be looking towards Swanage with a view to borrowing No 563 for a gala.

 

Has there been any developments with this? It seems to be an interesting plan, but nothing beyond the first press release that I’ve seen.

 

You could drop them an e-mail but I suspect it has got no farther than that press release: I think we've reached peak "new builds" now. Happy to be proven wrong though.

 

Besides the above, I have not seen any mention of two 2ft gauge projects which are being privately funded: NWNGR Gowie https://www.gowrielocomotivetrust.com/about-the-project

and the Indian Dholpur ZA/6' new build: https://www.festrail.co.uk/appeal/pdf/hiag-2025-eng.pdf

 

Neither project would be mentioned here as this is a thread for a specific standard gauge loco.

Gowrie is mentioned in several of the FR threads.

The ZA6 has its own thread which was updated in March 2026.

If you have updates, feel free to add them to the relevant threads!

 

While I would agree with you, a new build is a new build regardless of gauge, the problem, as I see it, is a lack of marketing skills and an understanding of the right methods of fundraising for each project. Having a dream to replicate a locomotive from the past is one thing; making it happen is something else.

How much support has been given locally to the M&GN 'C' Class project in Norfolk, Suffolk and basically anywhere where the old M&GNR used to run? Contact all the local papers in the old railway area; look up if you have any well-known railway enthusiasts living in the area; people will know people; write a business plan.

As much as we would all like to be in the workshop building these locos, there is much more work that needs to be done at an administration level.