A significant financial boost has emerged for the restoration of a beloved locomotive featured in the classic film "The Railway Children." An anonymous benefactor has generously contributed £200,000 to aid in the revival of steam engine No 5775, a cherished piece of railway history.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) is set to embark on this exciting restoration journey thanks to this substantial donation. This locomotive holds a special place in the hearts of many, primarily due to its role in the iconic 1970 movie starring Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, and Lionel Jeffries.
Originally constructed in 1929 at the Swindon Works of the Great Western Railway, No 5775 has been out of commission for nearly 25 years. As Fran Hartley, one of the leaders of the restoration team at KWVR, expressed, the impact of the donation has significantly altered the timeline for their work. She remarked, "We are incredibly grateful for this generosity. It has allowed us to begin restoring a locomotive that means so much to the railway and to the public. Our volunteers are now making steady progress and bringing this remarkable engine back to life."
This six-wheeled pannier tank engine was once a familiar sight across southern Wales, operating on various Great Western Railway routes before being taken out of service by British Railways in 1963. Following its withdrawal, it was sold to London Transport, where it was rebranded as L89 and used for engineering and maintenance duties throughout London.
In a pivotal moment for its preservation, the locomotive was rescued in 1970 and transferred to the KWVR. Notably, it was painted in a fictional livery representing the Great Northern and Southern Railway for its film appearance. However, after being retired from service in 1999 due to the need for extensive repairs, No 5775 spent several years in storage before returning to KWVR's Haworth base for evaluation.
Adding to the excitement, earlier this week saw the release of the first portion of a £5 million government fund aimed at enhancing the KWVR, administered by Bradford Council. This funding was part of a larger £19.8 million Levelling Up initiative announced for Keighley in 2023. The charity's chairman, Matt Stroh, enthusiastically shared, "We’ve worked closely with the team at Bradford Council, and this is a great way to start the new year. We are delighted to be moving forward with these transformative plans. It will serve as the foundation for securing further investment, driving tourism, creating local jobs, and enhancing community pride."
From the £50,000 allocated, a feasibility study will be conducted, which includes hiring a project manager to oversee crucial infrastructure enhancements, improvements to signaling systems, track restorations, and better facilities.
