A narrow gauge locomotive is set to return to steam as a new agreement is signed at the Statfold Barn Railway.

Black Hawthorn 0-4-0ST Portugesa has moved to the Staffordshire railway, where a full restoration will be continued after a previously stalled overhaul.

The 30 year deal has been signed between the Hawthorn Engine and Carriage Trust which owns Portugesa (later named Escucha) and the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust.

Portugesa was built in 1883 for export and in the 1920s was based in Spain until 1984, when Escucha (it gained this name in Spain) was brought back to the UK by the late Eric Maxwell.

Restoration began at the Tanfield Railway, which built a shed to house the locomotive.

Hawthorn Engine and Carriage Trust Chairman, Stewart Waugh said: “Opportunities for restoration to be completed in the North East were limited and the deal agreed with Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust was an unmissable opportunity to see Portugesa back in steam in a short period of time.

“We’re really pleased to be working with the Statfold team and can’t wait to see the locomotive in action. We’re also hoping that there might be opportunities for Portugesa to visit the North East once it is back in working order – we know Eric would have been very keen to see that.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes for many months to secure a bright future for as many of Eric’s collection as possible. This is a great step forward.”

Stratfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust’s Henry Noon said: “ It is a great honour to be entrusted with this historically important, British built, loco which will be restored to working order and given a secure home in the company of the renowned Statfold collection. It is intended that once restored the loco will tour other railways to be seen and admired by as wide an audience as possible. Eric visited us on many occasions and we would like to think he would be pleased with this collaboration”