Northern Chief departing from Dungeness on 14th April 2003. Click picture for a larger image.

GN outline two-cylinder 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive
Designed by Henry Greenly
Built by Davey Paxman & Co., (15470) in 1925

Overall length: 27' 7"
Weight in working order: 8 ton 10cwt
Driving wheel diameter: 2' 1.5"
Bogie and trailing wheel diameter: 1'
Cylinders: 5.25" x 8.5"
Current Livery: Brunswick Green

This locomotive was ordered at the same time as Green Goddess, by Count Louis Zborowski, and stored with her at New Romney until building of the line started.

She was used during construction and hauled the first official train on the occasion of the Duke of York's visit on 5th August 1926. Her early history is very similar to No. 1, but in 1936 she appeared with tapered boiler lagging, more pronounced than specified in Henry Greenly's original design.

Northern Chief did some work during the war but was in poor condition by 1946, and to get her through that first post-war season she had to be fitted with No.3's boiler. Following an accident at Dymchurch she received her own re-tubed boiler, before getting a complete overhaul at New Romney in 1947-48.

In 1952 her boiler was adapted to take a superheater, which led to all locos receiving a superheated boilers on their next refit. Her smoke deflectors were fitted in 1955.

In 1971 she was sent to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway to assist that company in locomotive trials, becoming the second RH&DR loco to visit the Lake District.

Until 1981, she retained her original Greenly designed tender. However, she is now on her third tender which was originally built for Green Goddess, but given to Northern Chief in 1989.

Northern Chief has always been liveried in one green or another, except during the war when she was painted black. At present, her green livery resembles that of British Railway's locomotives of the 1950's.

This locomotive, which became something of a television star courtesy of Channel Fours 'Classic Trains' series, celebrated 75 years of life during the year 2000.

Northern Chief was out of service for overhaul at K.A.D. Engineering between the Galas of 2003 and 2005.

Northern Chief Picture Gallery

• At New Romney in 1990
• At Hythe in 1996
• Side profile at New Romney
• With The Ghostbuster at Hythe, 1997
• Headlamp on at Hythe, 1997
• At Romney Sands in 1997
• Outside engine shed being prepared for the 75th Annivesary celebrations, 14th July 2002
• 75th Anniversary parallel run departing from New Romney, 14th July 2002

• RH&DR PC Desktop Wallpaper including Northern Chief

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Northern Chief Picture Gallery

Locomotives Menu Page
1 Green Goddess
2 Northern Chief
3 Southern Maid
4 The Bug
5 Hercules
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7 Typhoon
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9 Winston Churchill
10 Dr Syn
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14 Captain Howey

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