80080 to Bury in February

A second BR ‘4MT’ tank

– No. 80080 – has been slightly delayed in returning to service at the East Lancashire Railway, while new piston rods are made.

Undergoing a ‘ten-yearly’ overhaul at its Swanwick Junction base, the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust’s engine had been painted in November, while the manufacture of the piston rods had commenced in early December.

It is now expected to steam in January and arrive at Bury in February on an initial five-year loan. To bolster its steam fleet in the meantime, the ELR has extended its hire of GWR ‘42XX’ 2-8-0T No. 4270 from Locomotive Services Ltd to February; it was originally due to leave in December.