Railway welcomes return of steam engine after 43 years

The event will feature different locomotives which will run on the railway line

A heritage railway is holding an event to welcome the return of a steam engine after more than 40 years.

The 1953 British Rail Standard Class 2MT No. 78018 arrived at Shackerstone Station in 1978 but was resold and transferred a few years later.

It will run alongside two others on the Battlefield Line railway in Leicestershire.

Line director Adrian Lock said he could not wait to see people's reactions at the event.

The British Rail Standard Class 2MT locomotive spent 11 years at a scrapyard before work began to restore the engine.

"The locomotive has created quite a stir amongst the [railway] membership," Mr Lock said.

The Battlefield Line runs from Shackerstone Station to Shenton Station

Visitors will be able to ride behind the three engines on heritage coaches while a miniature railway will offer shorter journeys.

The railway line, which runs from Shackerstone to Shenton, opened in 1873 and is the last remaining part of the former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway.

The gala will take place on 3 and 4 February with tickets available to purchase on the day from the railway's ticket office.