Steam locomotive returns to the tracks after more than 2 decades of restoration. Photos: Instagram @scottishtrains
A 74-year-old steam locomotive is back in operation thanks to the efforts of a train enthusiast and a group of volunteers who spent more than two decades restoring the machine and getting it back on the tracks.
Ian Fraser, a former railway engineer with the London North Eastern Railway, bought the locomotive after meeting one of its former drivers. Since trains were one of his passions, he thought it would be an interesting project to undertake when he retired.
Train No. 46464, affectionately known as the “Carmyllie Pilot,” spent most of its working life transporting passengers between the Scottish towns of Angus and Fife, a journey of approximately 90 minutes, and was retired from service in 1966.
After Fraser bought the locomotive, he lent it to museums, and in 1978, the Carmyllie Pilot operated on a heritage railway until a problem took it out of operation and it returned to its owner.
Fraser passed away in 1992, but a group of volunteers resumed the restoration in the year 2000 and, over the past 24 years, worked to get the locomotive running again. Last month, in Aviemore, in the Highlands, the train finally returned to the tracks for the first time in 44 years.
Iain Smith, one of those involved in the restoration, told the BBC: “It was very exciting to see it running again.” “We managed to accomplish what we set out to do 24 years ago.”
Photos: Instagram @scottishtrains. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
2024-07-14T01:10:36Z dg43tfdfdgfd