A RESTORED loco is on track to take a leading role at a special celebration this summer.
The Ivatt – full title Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T, 41241 – has moved under its own power for the first time in five years.
Now it looks set to star in the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's 50th-anniversary celebratory gala, from June 24 to July 1.
An in-house steam test by the volunteer restoration team unearthed some issues with water leaks, but once rectified, Ivatt moved out of the shed and completed a two-mile run.
Project leader, Peter Turner, said: "A massive thanks goes to the team which has worked on the loco over the past few years.
"It has been hard pushing a team of volunteers against a set deadline but, with about two months to go until Ivatt's 'big reveal', I think the pressure has paid off.
"With a bit more effort on the home straight, we will have an engine to proudly show off at the reopening event."
The gala will also feature visiting locos, including – from June 25 to 27 – Royal Scot, for which pre-bookable tickets are being sold.
Other attractions will include a vintage train day, diesel gala and the renaming of a Class 66 locomotive.
For more details, visit kwvr.co.uk.
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