A UNIQUE steam engine that shares its name with an iconic children's TV programme is to pass through Wrexham today (Thursday, May 2).
The express locomotive, 60532 Blue Peter, will rolls through the Wrexham, pulling its first train on the mainline for nearly 23 years.
The locomotive will depart the Crewe at 9.33 and will pass through Chester (10.58), Wrexham General (11.17), Chirk (11.31), Gobowen (11.35) and Shrewsbury at 11.58.
Blue Peter was completed in early 1948 and spent nearly all of its working life in Scotland until being withdrawn from service in 1966. The other 14 members of the class were taken out of service between 1962 and 1966 and scrapped.
Despite being named after a race horse, its association with the children's show Blue Peter meant it gained notoriety in the 1970s and beyond following a campaign for its restoration on the BBC television series. The locomotive has subsequently been featured several times in the programme.
In March 2024, following an extensive overhaul, 60532 returned to steam and will run on the mainline and heritage railways across Britain.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here