Isle of Wight's welcoming locomotive train home after 27 years and a full restoration
The diesel locomotive's one of the Isle of Wight's most well-known from the post-steam era
One of the Isle of Wight's most well-known diesel locomotive trains is set to return home after 27 years and a full restoration.
The Class 03 shunter was built at British Rail's works in Swindon in 1962 and worked on the mainland until 1987.
It's set to return home to the Island during October and be featured at the Railway's Island Loco Gala and Festive Ales Festival over the weekend of 29th/30th November.
Marc Morgan Huws, Chief Executive at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, said: "The two Andys and Dale have undertaken a superb restoration of the locomotive, and their dedication is a testament to the allure of our railway heritage.
"We're delighted to be able to work with them to provide a home for 03 179 where she both fills an important gap in our collection, but also provides us with a much-needed diesel locomotive to help mitigate against the potential to have to operate diesel rather than steam trains in hot and dry spells."
This train was one of a pair of the class that survived withdrawal of the class by British Rail in 1987 by being transferred to the Isle of Wight to haul engineering trains.
The 03 179 was painted in the Network SouthEast livery of red, white and blue and remained at work on the island for 10 years before being sold and leaving the Isle of Wight in 1998.
The locomotive continued with private mainline operators until being withdrawn and disposed of in 2016.
It was the last Class 03 in the National Railway Service and required a full overhaul, which was completed by Andy West, Dale West and Andy Ashton.
Andy West, said: "To be able to return 03 179 to the Isle of Wight in its iconic livery is something we discussed back in 2017, nine years later that discussion is about to become reality.
"Our partnership with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway will see that 03 179 lives in the best possible place for its long-term future.
"We are so excited to be able to finally see the many hours of work come to reality and watch 03 179 be enjoyed by others while helping to tell the story of the Island's railway history.
"03 179 has a long and unique history with many highlights, and we want to thank the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Rushden Historical Transport Society, and everyone that has helped in any way during the last nine years in making the restoration possible."