Restored historic steam locomotive to be auctioned

It is hoped Marcia, built in 1923, can remain at Kent and East Sussex Railway

A restored steam locomotive built more than 100 years ago is up for sale.

The Peckett & Sons 0-4-0T engine - named Marcia - has been kept at the Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) for over 60 years.

The locomotive was first built for use on an internal railway at a sandstone quarry in East Ayrshire, but has since become a favourite attraction at K&ESR among volunteers, staff and visitors.

K&ESR general manager Dr Robin Coombes said: “It’s a schoolchild’s dream to own a steam locomotive and you can do just that here on our line running from Tenterden to Bodiam.”

The diminutive locomotive, which weighs barely 12 tons, was constructed by Pecket and Sons of Bristol in 1923.

Her working career included stints at the West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co and then the Manchester Oxide Company, where she acquired her name in the 1940s after Marcia Clayton, who was the wife of the company's managing director.

It continued in operation until 1962 when it was donated to the K&ESR.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s Marcia was in regular use at steam events and was a roving ambassador for the K&ESR at county shows and other outdoor exhibitions.

The engine was withdrawn from service in 1982 for restoration, which was completed in 2011.

The auction, which is in its final day, started with an opening bid of £30,000.

K&ESR hope that whoever buys the engine will keep it there.