A LITTLE bit of locomotive history will be made later this month when an old favourite returns to the rails.

For the first time in around 70 years one of the streamlined trains that ran on the East Coast main line before the Second World War will return in its original 1930s livery on the North York Moors Railway.

The A4 locomotive, appearing under the guise of No 4492 Dominion of New Zealand in LNER “garter blue” livery, will be one of the stars of the autumn steam gala from September 30 to October 2.

It will be paired with a train of teak carriages, creating what is believed to be the first recreation of an LNER streamlined train since the railways were nationalised in 1948.

The engine, who’s true identity is Bittern, is one of Sir Nigel Gresley’s iconic A4 Pacific locomotives that brought the streamlined era to Britain’s railways.

Its sister engine, the National Railway Museum’s No 4468 Mallard, still holds the world speed record for steam of 126mph.

The railway’s general manager Philip Benham said: “We are thrilled to be staging such an historic event on the NYMR.

“This recreation takes us back to the golden decade of high speed rail travel of the 1930s.

“It will bring a lump to the throat of older stream enthusiasts and many railwaymen, while bringing an exciting recreation of the vintage days of steam to the modern generation.”

For full details visit nymr.co.uk