It’s an exciting day for railway fans. Three locomotives will be moved between sites near the Steam Museum and Swindon Designer Outlet.

What’s happening and when?

Hinton Manor, the locomotive currently sat in the entrance to the Designer Outlet, is being moved to the Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, for restoration work. That move is expected to start around 10am.

7800 Class No. 7821 Ditcheat Manor, a green locomotive, will be moved out of the Steam Museum to the nearby Designer Outlet at around 12pm-1pm

A new train, the Swindon-built GWR Class 2800 No. 2818 will take Ditcheat Manor’s place and is expected to be installed in the museum from 1pm-2pm. It is being moved from the National Railway Museum, York. 

Can I watch?

Yes. The best views will be near the National Trust and outside the Steam Museum, where you’ll be able to see all the action.

Where do I park?

Designer Outlet car park, Kemble Drive.

Is the Steam Museum still open?

Not today, although the Swindon Designer Outlet is still open as normal. The museum will reopen tomorrow.

What do they say?

Museum curator Frances Yeo said: “Staff and volunteers at STEAM are very excited to be welcoming 2818 to Swindon. This is the first complete locomotive to be owned by STEAM and it will arrive in very good condition.

“Such rare locomotive moves at both STEAM and the Designer Outlet are going to be wonderful sights to see for all those coming to watch.

"The return of 2818 to the site where it was built is a momentous occasion in Swindon's history and we are looking forward to having the locomotive on display here at STEAM.”