VALIANT walkers braved downpours to trek the track and raise money for Swindon and Cricklade Railway’s new steam engine.

Walkers set off from Mouldon Hill/Taw Valley Halt at 9.30am on Saturday to take part in a rare chance to officially walk along the railway line.

The seven-mile sponsored walk wound its way up to Cricklade, and then on to Hayes Knoll for a tour of the engine shed, followed by a stop at Blunsdon for tea, coffee and cake, before the final stretch back to the Mouldon Hill/Taw Valley Halt.

Bill Daly, who organised the event, said: “It was just one way of raising money to pay for our new steam engine, Spartan.

“Since we are the Swindon and Cricklade Railway it made sense to make it a walk about the railway, which is why we chose to walk along it.

“It went really well, despite the weather. The worst of the rain held off and I think everyone had a good time as well as helped to raise money for a great cause.

“As an incentive we said that any individual who raised more than £500 will get a free driver taster experience on our new steam engine.”

Swindon and Cricklade Railway have just three years to repay the £60,000 they borrowed to pay for their first ever steam engine, which arrived at the station in December last year.

The maroon Tkh 0-6-0 tank locomotive was built in 1953 by the Fablok company in Chrzanov, Poland and was a long-standing resident at the Spa Valley Railway, near Royal Tunbridge Wells. It was on the market for a time before it was bought by Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Pat Scott, treasurer of the railway, who was also one the walkers, said Spartan was an exciting addition to the organisation.

“It’s the first time that the railway have had their own steam engine,” she said.

“We’ve always had resident engines in the past, which we have had to pay to hire to use, so it’s very exciting we have our own one.

“It’s always nicer to have your own engine. And it means that the people who look after it will take all the better care of it because it’s theirs.

“Spartan was out over Christmas but not since then but we’re looking forward to seeing it on the railway as the season starts again.

“So far we have raised £10,000 in donations from members.”

For more information about Swindon and Cricklade Railway visit http://www.swindon- cricklade-railway.org/future.php#spartan.