Pendennis Castle to be relaunched at Didcot

HISTORY was made at Didcot Railway Centre on Saturday, February 5, when No. 4079 Pendennis Castle moved under its own power for the first time since 1994 (in Australia) and 1977 (in the UK). This was a test in advance of the official launch on April 2 and 3, to allow any faults to be dealt with.

The volunteer members of the team who have worked on Pendennis over the past 20 years were also gathered together and each had a footplate ride.

Lady Judy McAlpine, widow of former owner Sir William McAlpine and aptly known as ‘The First Lady of Steam’ will be launching Pendennis Castle on April 2 at 11.15.

The RM played a pivotal role in returning the GWR icon to Britain from Australia in late 1990s, when after the loco’s owners talked to then editor Nick Pigott, he made just one suggestion – Pendennis Castle needed to go to the Great Western Society at Didcot.

Visit didcotrailwaycentre.org. uk/ to buy advanced tickets – or call 01235 817200.