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Coal tank back in traffic

The 124-year-old locomotive, carrying its original black unlined LNWR livery from when it emerged from Crewe Works in 1888, hauled a VIP special on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway on February 8.

John Hillier, director of the Ingrow-based Bahamas Locomotive Society, which carried out the restoration of the 0-6-2T which is owned by the National Trust, said: “It’s an icon of the Victorian age and there’s so much interest in this engine.

“There are not very many Victorian engines that are preserved in this condition and I think that’s one of the reasons it has captured the public’s imagination.”

The overhaul was supported by a £154,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and included a new cylinder block.

The locomotive was originally withdrawn from service in 1939, it was brought back into use after the outbreak of the Second World War.

It was again withdrawn in 1958, and then became the first locomotive to be saved by public fundraising.

The engine was later presented to the National Trust and, since 1973, it has been in the care of the society.