The relocation of a historic steam engine is underway, nine months after volunteers were asked to remove it from Swindon.
The General Steam Navigation Locomotive 35011 first arrived at Swindon and Cricklade Railway's Blunsdon site in 2019 amid plans for a complete renovation.
A 10-year multi-million pound project was set to restore the 1944 engine to its former glory and would be carried out entirely by volunteers at the General Steam Navigation Restoration Society (GSNRS).
However, in October 2024, National Heritage Lottery funding for the project was cut. In February 2025, Swindon and Cricklade Railway asked volunteers to take their locomotive elsewhere as it "does not align with the railway's future vision and business plan."
The restoration society has now secured a new home for the historic engine at Yeovil Railway Centre, and as of November 2025, moves are afoot.
Volunteers are still hoping to raise a further £2,800 on their GoFundMe page to help cover the full £10,000 cost of the move, but the first parts of the locomotive have already left Swindon.
"35011's trailing truck has arrived at Leaky Finders for ongoing work and our new container is now at the Yeovil Railway Centre," said a spokesperson for GSNRS.
"A track panel has also been moved at the storage location ready for 35011's frames and boiler to be moved.
"We still need help to reach our GoFundMe target, so please help if you can."
Once complete, director of the restoration society, Gerry Leyman, previously claimed it the restoration will "fill a missing link in the history of British steam locomotive development."
Since the steam engine was asked to leave Swindon, relations between the restoration group and Swindon and Cricklade Railway remain positive, and the Swindon railway is now focusing on securing its own future on the Blunsdon site.
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"It was never the intention that the loco should stay at the S&CR forever," said a spokesperson for the Swindon railway group.
"Unfortunately, the National Heritage Lottery Fund was not granted for GSN, and as a result, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway has requested that the loco continue restoration at a different line."
A spokesperson for the restoration society added: "Blunsdon has been a good home for the last five years and it has afforded GSNLRS the opportunity to lift the boiler, complete full surveys and remove various components for preservation and overhaul.
"With our new working base at The Yeovil Railway Centre, our dedicated volunteers are ready to commence the next phase of restoration.
"This facility will enable us to start to manufacture essential new components for 35011, bringing us closer to realising our vision of seeing her restored as she was when first built."
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