A STEAM locomotive that spent most of its career hauling coal to the River Tyne is returning to the North-East.

The No. 813 steam engine was built in 1901 and owned by the world famous Great Western Railway but sold to Backworth Colliery in Northumberland in 1934.

Since it was retired in 1967 the locomotive has been based on Severn Valley Railway, near Kidderminster.

It is returning to the region for the first time in 40 years as the star guest at the Tanfield Railway's 'Legends of Industry' steam gala weekend on September 15 and 16.

It will join a host of other steam locomotives based on the County Durham line, which is the world's oldest existing railway, along with two other locomotives that also spent time at Backworth.

Event organiser Chris Walker said: "This is of great significance in terms of the railway heritage of the area.

"We do not get visiting locomotive very often and this is a rare opportunity to see such an important one."

With its GWR numberplates replaced by a simple painted '12' minus other brass fittings, the locomotive will appear in a form which it hasn't been seen in since the 1930s.

Many other attractions are organised for the 'Legends of Industry' steam gala weekend including displays of vintage busses, guided tours of the Railway's behind the scene areas, a local band and many unusual trains operating to the most intensive timetable ever seen on the railway.

A free vintage bus link will connect the Tanfield Railway with Newcastle Central railway station on Sunday September 16.

For more information see www.trgala.co.uk