History of the Society

In 2011 when a group of like-minded individuals hit upon the idea of recreating a class D16/1 loco. This group became the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society and today they are well on the way to re-creating the locomotive to fill in the huge void in Britain’s railway history – the first mainline diesel locomotive.

The decision to build a new 10000 followed a detailed feasibility study by members which looked at the viability of the project, and compatibility with present day legislation.

The plan is to recreate and operate a third member of the class, as a living legacy for Britain’s first successful mainline diesel locomotive.

We are using a genuine 1947-built English Electric 16SVT mk1 power unit and the chassis from Class 58 locomotive, 58022, along with parts from other English Electric locos as they become available.  Remaining parts will be manufactured from new as required.

The recreated 10000 locomotive will have the exterior appearance of the original locomotive, the sound of the original locomotive and the original characteristics of the locomotive as far as reasonably practicable.

As a volunteer led project, completion of 10000 depends entirely on volunteer hours and donations. 

It is estimated that around £750,000 in order to make 10000 a reality; half the amount required for similar steam reconstructions. 

The project is inevitably a lengthy and complex engineering undertaking, but with many new builds becoming a reality, but it is entirely achievable.