The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has welcomed back an old favourite.

The 77-year-old Great North-ern Railway Class N2 loco has returned for the first time in 23 years.

The N2, number 69523, was housed at Haworth from 1965 to 1975, last running on the branch line in July 1970. The train, which since 1970 has been at Loughborough on the Great Central Railway, is back for a couple of months participating in the Worth Valley's forthcoming 30th anniversary.

Railway vice-chairman David Pearson says: "Many of our volunteers were not born when she was a part of our regular running fleet of locomotives, but there are still plenty of us who recall her with affection."

As well as the anniversary celebrations, the N2 will be running on most other operating days.

It has also been hired for two private charters of photographers. The line is the only one in the country that can provide a correct combination of an N2 and a set of Kings Cross suburban coaches.

The return has boosted the local tourist trade with accommodation bookings being very heavy. Many visitors from the south, where the N2 ran on the London Underground for most of its working life, will visit.

The Railway is holding a celebration weekend as part of its 30th anniversary on Septem-ber 19 and 20. Steam trains will run from 9.10am-6.30pm.

A range of trains will run, including the Sir Berkeley and the North Eastern Saloon, which achieved fame as part of the film 'The Railway Children'.

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