A STEAM locomotive is undergoing restoration in North Dorset.

The steam locomotive 30075 is being refurbished at the headquarters of the North Dorset Railway Trust at Shillingstone station.

The owners of the 30075, known as Project 62, are now poised to remove and lift the locomotive’s coal bunker off its rolling chassis so they can gain full access to the chassis.

They will also ascertain whether there has been any wasting of the bunker floor.

Prior to work beginning, the bunker and its fittings were photographed for future reference.

A spokesperson for Project 62 said: “The work is mostly being carried out by the group's volunteer Wednesday gang who have also carried out conservation work on the rolling chassis and also on the group's other locomotive at Shillingstone 30076.

“This has involved applying an oil/paraffin mix to help stave off the elements. Both the buffer beams of 30076 have also received a coat of bright red paint to make the locomotive look more presentable whilst it waits restoration which will commence once 30075 has been completed and returned to running order.”

The boiler of 30075 was removed earlier this year and taken to an engineering firm based in Henstridge where it will receive works to return it to a fully operational condition.

For monthly updates or to make a donation towards the restoration, visit project62.co.uk