THE restoration of a locomotive made famous in the 1968 BBC television series The Railway Children is complete.

Work started in January to transform the Great Northern Railways saddle tank engine back to its original apple-green livery at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham.

Self employed signwriter Phil Anderson, from Phil Anderson Signs in Stockton, and volunteers Chris Potter and John Shiel painstakingly stripped the engine by hand before the painting began.

Some areas required up to seven coats of paint.

Visitors flocked to see the work progressing in the museum’s workshop.

With the finishing touches being added, Mr Anderson said the job became a labour of love for the trio.

"It has been hard work, but it’s been worth it," he said.

"There was more preparation involved than we initially anticipated.

"But it’s nice to stand back and look at it, because it’s something to be proud of."

Museum manager George Muirhead said museum officials were looking forward to moving the engine to prominent spot at the front of the building.

An official unveiling ceremony is scheduled for mid May.