Welcome
Hello and welcome to issue 523 of Steam Railway. It’s always a pleasure to welcome back an old friend, especially after a prolonged absence, so the return of No. 4079 Pendennis Castle after an incredible 44 years is a most pleasing occasion. You can read all about her overhaul and return in our lead feature, but as someone who has been heavily involved in a locomotive restoration project from what was essentially scrap condition, I have nothing but admiration for the work that project leader Drew Fermor and his team has achieved. ‘Ah,’ I hear you say, ‘but wasn’t it a runner when it came back from Australia? Surely, it can’t have been that hard...’. In actuality, the former exhibition engine was ‘tired’ to say the least, with ‘life expired’ probably being a more accurate description. It may have taken nearly four and a half decades, but I have no doubt that the results will be worth it, and that the toil will prove equally satisfying to the team who found a wealth of interesting and hidden items unseen for decades during their journey. I for one can’t wait to hear that wonderful Swindon ‘bark’ and I’m sure neither can you.
The above words extend to everyone working on a restoration or overhaul project, no matter how big or small your task. Most of us can only afford scant time to put into such projects because of life in general, and the bulk of those giving their hours certainly don’t get paid - it’s entirely based on the passion they feel for what they do. Next time you’re travelling behind your favourite - or indeed any - steam locomotive at a heritage line, or even on the main line, spare a thought - not just for the engine itself, but for those who helped to bring it back to life.

Finally, don’t forget to enter our exciting, limited-time competition to win six sets of tickets for the forthcoming North Yorkshire Moors Railway gala. You can find the details in our news section on page 15. We’ll be at the gala as well, so do please come and say hello. Enjoy your magazine.