This morning, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has announced that steam locomotive No.70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ will be visiting them to take part in their Festival of Steam.

Oliver Cromwell’s visit is thanks to the National Railway Museum and the 5305 Locomotive Association.

The Britannia class of steam locomotive joins GWR ‘King’ No.6023 ‘King Edward II’ (from the Didcot Railway Centre), and S160 No.5197 (from the Churnet Valley Railway).

An intensive timetable will be operating over the weekend of May 26-28th 2018.

Another guest is expected to be announced, keep an eye on our homepage for the latest news!

A brief history of No. 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’

Oliver Cromwell was built in May 1951. It is most notable for hauling a section of the last steam hauled service under British Railways in 1968. Saved for preservation by the National Railway Museum and placed in the national collection, most of 70013’s preserved life has been spent inside Bressingham Steam & Gardens as a static display. In 2004, however, it was decided to put a new lease of life back into 70013 by overhauling the engine, ready for hauling 40th-anniversary trains on the mainline in 2008. Ever since then, 70013 has been a popular engine on both the mainline and heritage lines. In particular, the Great Central Railway. 70013 is based when not on the mainline, where maintenance work is also carried out. 70013 carries BR Lined Green with late crest livery.

What do you think of this announcement? Tell us in the comments below!

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