Cambrian Heritage Railways in Shropshire has bid farewell to 2217 0-4-0 steam engine ‘Henry Ellison’ after a year on loan from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. The popular steam engine has returned to its base in Derbyshire.

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 undergoing restoration after being made redundant in the 1970. Last year, it played a starring role in the ceremony that marked the Grand Opening of passenger services between Oswestry and Weston Wharf for the first time in more than fifty years.

Cambrian Heritage Railways is a volunteer-based organisation located at Oswestry, Weston Wharf and Llynclys. It won the British Museum Marsh Award for volunteer participation last year, and has announced that it will resume public services every weekend and specific mid-week and evening journeys, as well as public holidays, in its 2023 season running from 7 April until September.

Cambrian Heritage Railways General Manager, Andy Green, 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. 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.”