Join or Login as a Urie Society Member supporting us in restoring and running our two Urie S15s 506 and 499 whilst enjoying our regular newsletter “Stovepipe”. Register and manage your subscription online

The aim of the society is to preserve an example of Robert Urie’s class S15 4-6-0 locomotives for operation. In fact, the society owns the only two surviving Urie S15’s, numbers 499 and 506, built for the London & South Western Railway in 1920 at Eastleigh Works to haul heavy goods trains. To complement our engines, the society also owns a range of ten typical goods vans and wagons to form a short goods train.

FEATURED VIDEO

OUR LOCOMOTIVES

499 is a long-term restoration project to bring her from Barry scrapyard condition to full working order. Much work has been done, on the wheels, frames, boiler and tender. Most recently, our boiler appeal has successfully funded a replacement smokebox tube plate and angle ring. We are now launching a new appeal to raise £5,000 for machining the loco’s coupling rods. Donate via the link below and view recent progress on our News Page.

506 was restored from Barry scrapyard condition at Ropley between 1976 and 1987 and was launched into traffic in Southern green as 506 in October. 506 operated on the Mid-Hants Railway for fourteen years before being withdrawn in 2001 for another major overhaul. This Urie S15 steam locomotive returned to service on June 2nd 2019 after an 18–year absence. It has recently had a repaint and carries its British Railways number, 30506.

If you would like to contribute to 499’s restoration and our running costs please use the following Paypal donation button. Each penny brings us closer to having these last surviving Urie designed S15s back in service together. Alternatively, to donate via bank transfer or cheque, please contact our membership secretary at urieloco.membership@hotmail.com

ThankYou
Urie S15 No. 498 at Eastleigh in official photographic grey livery in 1920. (Mr A Major)
Urie S15 No. 498 at Eastleigh in official photographic grey livery in 1920. (Mr A Major)

Robert W. Urie introduced modern, standardized locomotive design practices to the London and South Western Railway (LSWR). Taking over as Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1912, he shifted the company away from the complex multi-cylinder experiments of his predecessor, Dugald Drummond, in favour of simple, robust, two-cylinder machines. His H15, N15, and S15 classes—paired outside cylinders with sloping grates and highly efficient superheated boilers, incorporating his patented “Eastleigh” superheater.

Learn about 506 and 499 with this video by the Watercress Line where our engines are held…

MEMORIES FROM FELTHAM

The memories of those who maintained, fired and drove the engines which we strive to restore are as valuable as any engine we restore at The Watercress Line. Though we may repair and replace parts of our engines, returning them to their running glory days, those personal memories are irreplaceable.

Join us as we speak to Mick Chandler who whilst based at Feltham Shed from the 1950’s progressed from cleaner to fireman and driver, with experiences on our very own Urie S15 499.

Share our posts