Retro video: 1950s loco back in steam on Keighley line

A STEAM engine made its first journey in 16 years today on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire.
The 75078 runs on the KWVR to OxenhopeThe 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope
The 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope

The 120-tonne British Railways Standard Class 4 locomotive 75078 was built in Swindon in the 1950s and initially operated between Waterloo and the South coast.

It was withdrawn from British Railways in the mid-1960s and the Standard 4 Locomotive Society purchased it from a scrapyard in 1972.

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They first restored the engine in 1977 and it ran for two 10-year periods until 1999.

The 75078 runs on the KWVR to OxenhopeThe 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope
The 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope

It is most famous for its appearance in the 1979 film Yanks, a period drama set in northern England during World War Two.

The society has restored the engine at Haworth at a cost of about £200,000 and spent today on test runs before next month’s planned debut at the railway’s winter steam gala.

The secretary of the society, Roger France, 61, said: “I can remember when engines of its type were working in the local area. I have spent my whole life looking after this particular engine, and this will in effect be its third cycle of operation once in the society’s possession.

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“It will be a big thrill for all of us to see it running again on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.”

The 75078 runs on the KWVR to OxenhopeThe 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope
The 75078 runs on the KWVR to Oxenhope

Mr France said the engine still needs painting in its original livery and the society hopes to have a formal launch ceremony later in the year, once this is complete.

The railway’s steam gala will run from Friday, February 27, until Sunday, March 1, and will display home fleet locomotives as well as visiting engines.

For more information, visit www.kwvr.co.uk