1930s steam train to return to main line service

A steam train from the 1930s will return to main line service later this year.

Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund have agreed the return of the Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 under a new arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham.

The deal will see the popular locomotive hauling main line rail tours once again alongside its ongoing appearances on the Severn Valley Railway between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster.

Built in January 1934, the locomotive originally entered service as No 13268 before being renumbered 2968 the following year. Following the nationalisation of Britain's railways in 1948, it became No 42968.

At the end of its British Railways career, it was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry where it survived as the only remaining example of its class.

The Stanier Mogul Fund was established in 1971 with the aim of preserving the locomotive. It was purchased in 1973 and moved to Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley line.

Following restoration, it returned to steam in 1990 and entered passenger service the following year.

Apart from periods out of traffic for overhaul, the locomotive gave many years of service until 2013, including hauling main line rail tours.

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After its most recent overhaul, it returned to traffic in 2023 temporarily as 2968 before emerging from the Severn Valley Railway paint shop in April 2024 carrying its original LMS number 13268 for the first time in more than 80 years.

Gus Dunster, chief executive officer of the Severn Valley Railway, said: "It's going to be fantastic to see 13268 back out on the national network, hauling prestigious main line rail tours once again.

"It's a striking locomotive that's hugely popular with our visitors and has become a stalwart of both our regular services and special events.

"We're delighted to be working in partnership with Vintage Trains and the Stanier Mogul Fund to make this happen.

"This collaboration ensures the locomotive can continue to delight passengers both on the Severn Valley Railway and on the national network, giving even more people the opportunity to experience this remarkable survivor in action."

Peter Holder, chairman of Stanier Mogul Fund, added: "Everyone involved with the Stanier Mogul Fund is immensely proud to see 13268 returning to the national network.

"Our founders rescued this locomotive from Barry over 50 years ago and generations of members, volunteers and supporters have worked tirelessly to ensure that the sole surviving Stanier Mogul remains an operational ambassador for Britain's railway heritage.

"Seeing the locomotive back on the main line is another significant milestone in its remarkable preservation story, and we're grateful to both the Severn Valley Railway and Vintage Trains for working with us to make this possible."