A SWINDON-BUILT locomotive will return home this year.
The Swindon & Cricklade Railway and the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group announced that the ex-GWR 0-6-2T ‘5637’ will be back at the railway by the end of March.
Both parties came to an agreement to return the locomotive to Blunsdon following the completion of its contracted duties at the East Somerset Railway.
Allan Bott said: “This is another great acquisition for the railway. Not only will we have another fantastic Swindon-built locomotive on site, it also sees the return of a much-loved locomotive following a twenty-year absence.
“The 5637 is a powerful locomotive that will supplement the steam loco fleet and gives us two ex-GWR locomotives.”
The 5637 was restored back into working condition at the SCR between 1982 and 1998 before it was moved elsewhere.
It will be transported home immediately after the East Somerset Railway Gala Weekend ends on March 22 and is planned to be in steam for the SCR’s Gala Weekend a week later.
The locomotive’s boiler ticket expires in April, so a Heavy General Overhaul will begin at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, with a targeted completion date of 2022.
The SCR team says it is looking forward to working with the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group.
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