Amberley Museum in West Sussex will welcome Decauville 0-4-0T works No.648, affectionately known as ‘Lily’, to its Rail Gala on 20 and 21 July.

The Museum, which is located in the South Downs, last welcomed a visiting steam loco eight years ago, and is “thrilled’ to confirm the visit of what it describes as “a remarkable piece of railway history”.

Lily’s history

The Type 3 loco was originally named ‘Dimitrias’, and was delivered new to the Thessaly Railway in Volos, Greece, in 1912.

The loco’s early years in service were at the Volos streetcar alongside her sister, ‘Argo’. When the street car retired, in 1939 Lily transferred to operating at a chrome mine in Lamia.

After the mine closed in the 1960s, Lily was left outdoors and neglected for over twenty years, until being rescued and restored.

In 1980, the locomotive was discovered and acquired by the German Steam Locomotive Museum in Neuenmarkt Wirsberg.

It moved to several different owners over the following years, including to a private collector in Berlin and eventually to the Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz.

In 1993, Lily was bought for restoration from a collection of parts by the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum.

Since last year, Lily has been based at the private Richmond Light Railway in Kent.

Lily is one of the last surviving examples of the type. Just four others are known to exist worldwide.

Photo opportunity

When Lily visits Amberley Museum, a special photo charter will be arranged by 30742 Charters on Monday, 22 July.

This will offer enthusiasts an opportunity to capture Lily in her full glory.

Prospective photographers must book their place on the charter through 30742 Charters.

The Museum says, “Don’t miss your chance to be a part of history as we celebrate the enduring legacy of locomotion.”

Other attractions at the Rail Gala

The Rail Gala will also offer visitors the opportunity to ride on both steam and diesel passenger trains,

1918 Bagnall Steam Locomotive ‘Peter’ will also run for the weekend, as it did at last year’s gala.

Several model rail exhibitors will also be present.

Gala visitors must book online in advance, and can do so via the museum’s website.

More about the Museum

Amberley Museum has more than twenty exhibition areas displaying vintage vehicles, communications, electrical goods and more, and includes nature trails, a narrow-gauge railway and historic buses.

The museum hosts events throughout the year. It is open to the public for the main season from 10 February until 3 November 2024, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm. It also opens on Bank Holidays.

The on-site Limeburners Café serves hot and cold food.

Dogs are allowed and must be kept on a lead.

Getting to Amberley Museum

The museum is located next to Amberley station near Arundel. Visitors arriving by train can buy two General Admission tickets for the price of one.

The museum is also close to major access roads in West Sussex, including the A27.