Vintage railway locomotive set to steam again in Derbyshire

The Orenstein & Koppel steam locomotive was built in Berlin, Germany, in 1914, before being sold to Bellefille Levau, of Saint-Pierre-les-Nemours ,which was developing a sand quarry south of Paris.

It worked there until the mid-1960s when it was sold to a narrow gauge railway enthusiast in Surrey, moving to England in 1967.

The engine, weighing just under seven tonnes, later moved to the Cadeby Light Railway, Leicestershire, where it stayed in the ownership of another enthusiast until 1995, when it arrived at the Midland Railway – Butterley, for restoration work to begin.

Now after a 20-year overhaul, the engine has been restored to operational condition, ready to work trains at the Golden Valley Light Railway, based at the Midland Railway – Butterley’s Swanwick Junction complex, near Ripley.

A spokesman said: “It is expected to be hauling passenger trains on advertised dates when Covid restrictions are lifted.”

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor…

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper.