Historic steam engines loaned to Swindon's Steam museum

The City of Truro is said to be the first British locomotive to have travelled as fast as 100mph

Two historical steam engines will be returning home to Swindon as part of celebrations planned next year to mark the town's link with the railways.

The City of Truro and the King George the Fifth were built in Swindon and will be loaned for display at the town's STEAM museum in November.

Next year marks the 175th anniversary of when Swindon was chosen as the site for Great Western Railway works.

They will be taken by road and rail from York's National Railway Museum.

STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway curator Frances Yeo, said: "King George the Fifth is particularly special to Swindon and STEAM.

"It was built in 1927 and released on to the railways at that point. It was a particularly fast locomotive, it's a very large locomotive and is very close to people's hearts in Swindon."

She said the other locomotive was believed to be the first British locomotive to have reached 100 mph, although there is a lot of debate about this issue.

"It's something we're very excited about, for us at STEAM and for people in Swindon, it's something to really look forward to."

Now the agreement is in place, both museums will work out the details of transporting the engines to Swindon.

The King George the Fifth will be carried on low loaders to Swindon in November