A historic steam engine's anniversary has reignited plans to bring it back to its former glory.
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the General Steam Navigation Locomotive 35011 celebrated 81 years since it first entered service.
The historic steam engine has had a bumpy ride this year, after it was axed from its home at Swindon and Cricklade Railway in Blunsdon, and funding was cut for restoration plans.
The engine first arrived at Swindon and Cricklade Railway's Blunsdon site in 2019, and a 10-year multi-million pound project was set to restore the 1944 engine to its former glory.
However, in October 2024, National Heritage Lottery funding for the project was cut. In February 2025, Swindon and Cricklade Railway told volunteers the locomotive "does not align with the railway's future vision and business plan" anymore.
Since then, members of the restoration group have been desperately fundraising to afford the move to a new site at Yeovil Railway Centre.
The celebration of General Steam Navigation's 81st year since entering service has given volunteers more motivation than ever to get the piece of history back to its intended design.
Director of the restoration society, Gerry Leyman, has claimed that once restoration is complete, it will "fill a missing link in the history of British steam locomotive development."
Over £3,000 has already been raised to help towards the total £10,000 estimated cost of moving the parts across Wiltshire and Somerset, but another £3,500 is still needed.
"Our new container is now at the Yeovil Railway Centre," said a spokesperson for the GSN restoration group.
"A track panel has also been moved at the storage location ready for 35011's frames and boiler to be moved.
"But we still need help to reach our GoFundMe target, so please help if you can."
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.
"It was never the intention that the loco should stay at the S&CR forever," said a spokesperson for the Swindon railway group.
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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