A POPULAR steam engine that was instrumental in launching a north Shropshire heritage railway after 50 years has returned to its base in Derbyshire. 

Cambrian Heritage Railways, based in Oswald Road, recently bid farewell to 2217 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 steam engine ‘Henry Ellison’ after twelve month on loan from the  Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

Henry Ellison was built by Andrew Barclay and Sons Ltd at its Caledonia Works at Kilmarnock in Scotland.

It spent 23 years working at the Kilnhurst Tar Works of Yorkshire Tar Distillers near Swinton in Rotherham before being made redundant in the 1970 and then undergoing restoration.

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Andy Green, Cambrian Heritage Railways general manager, said the engine has been at the forefront of everything the group has done in bringing the railway back to Oswestry.

And he added that they were grateful to Henry’s full-time owners for allowing him to be part of their lives.

He said: “It is sad to see ‘Henry’ leave our railway and return home to the Ecclesbourne Railway. 

“The engine played a central role in our opening ceremony last April and was the mainstay of our operations throughout the running season.

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“Henry proved to be a very popular sight on the railway and we thank Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for the loan of such a star attraction.” 

Meanwhile, the award-winning Cambrian Heritage Railways has announced it will resume public services every weekend and specific midweek and evening journeys as well as Bank Holidays, from Friday, April 7 until September.

The journeys take passengers from the station platform at its building in Oswald Road down to its station near Stonehouse Brewery in Weston Wharf and back again.

Further information about Cambrian Heritage Railways and the forthcoming timetable can be found at www.cambrianrailways.com