Public help bring back piece of rail history

Operators Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) will unveil the 8F steam locomotive number 45170 for the first time on Saturday.

The cash to purchase the latest addition to the award-winning attraction was raised through a two-year campaign of donations from visitors and the general public.

Members of the team, who are working to breathe life back in to the historic locomotive, will be on hand to show the restoration work so far and explain the attraction’s plans for her future. There will also be tours of the locomotive in the museum work area.

The centre will be operating a steam and diesel passenger train service throughout the day as well as opening the doors of its railway museum.

Alongside the usual attractions at Bo’ness, visitors can get the chance to climb aboard and view 45170 where it is on display in the Museum of Scottish Railways from 11am-4pm, as well as guided tours behind the scenes of the steam locomotive workshops and running sheds.

There will also be a chance to ride on a steam locomotive footplate within the Station at Bo’ness and a miniature steam train will give rides at the museum.

The 8F locomotive was originally built by the North British Locomotive Co in Springburn, Glasgow in 1942.

She was shipped to Turkey in 1943 as part of a measure to keep Turkey Neutral during the War. Known in Turkey as Churchills they performed well until the end of steam in 1986.

The locomotive was rescued in 2010 and brought back to the UK. SRPS is aiming to restore her to full working order.

A spokesperson said: “We are offering you the chance to get up close to this special locomotive this weekend.

“The locomotive has a story to tell and we are particularly keen to hear stories and life in the NBL works, as well as stories of this class working in Scotland and elsewhere back in the day.