A SPANISH train which a community raised thousands of pounds to buy and bring some 1,200 miles to local railway tracks has a new identity after members of a society voted on a rebrand.
Krauss locomotive No.8457, dubbed the 'Train From Spain', was bought by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society last year and is being restored to its former glory.
The impressive machine was brought to the Lake District from its former home in Mataró, near Barcelona, in February, after a successful fundraising campaign.
Rail enthusiasts have now voted to name the train Whillan Beck, after the water course which passes under the railway at its Dalegarth terminus, and change its colour scheme to Caledonian Railway blue. The train was originally called Pinta after one of Columbus’ three ships, and is currently red in colour.
It's hoped the new identity will draw more tourists to the line and cement its place among the stock of trains at Ravenglass and Eskdale.
The locomotive, which was built in Munich to work at the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, is being brought up to specification and will run on the La'al Ratty line once fully restored.
Tests on the engine in November and December by Old Hall Farm engineers Alex Sharphouse and Jack Dibnah were able to prove its capability on long trains in all conditions, but a new tender must be built to give the driver a safe and comfortable working environment.
The cost of restoration work is estimated at £126,000.
The Train From Spain Appeal is asking for donations to finish the project at www.trainfromspain.org/donate.
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