Restored steam engine for Kent and East Sussex Railway

The locomotive was restored while at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

An newly restored 84-year-old steam engine has been delivered to the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

The 73-ton locomotive, built in Swindon for the Great Western Railway, makes its inaugural journey on the Tenterden-based line on Sunday.

In December the engine will pull Santa Specials on the line between Tenterden in Kent and Bodiam in East Sussex.

Railway chairman Geoff Crouch said: "It is a milestone achievement brought about by the passion of volunteers."

Volunteers from the railway helped restore the engine while it was based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The first trip is for volunteers and supporters who bought shares in the engine.

The public will be able to travel on trains pulled by the GWR 0-602t 6619 locomotive from 1 December.