AN EXCITED crowd waited with bated breath to see a famous locomotive reunited with two of its transatlantic sister engines.

Rail enthusiasts of all ages flocked to witness the A4 class Union of South Africa steam into Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham, earlier today (Friday, October 19).

The engine, one of only three operating A4s in the UK, will remain at the museum all weekend alongside its sister engines the Dwight D Eisenhower and the Dominion of Canada, which are already on show.

The Dominion of Canada has spent the past 50 years on show in Montreal, Canada, while the Dwight D Eisenhower has been in Wisconsin, USA.

All three engines are the same class as the Mallard, which is on display at the National Railway Museum in York, which holds the world speed record for a steam locomotive.

It is a major coup for the museum to bring them together.

Mel and Mandy Smith and their two-year-old grandson Christopher travelled from Wickham, near Newcastle, to witness the arrival of the Union of South Africa, which is owned by a private collector and resides in the UK

“We are very impressed by what we have seen today,” said Mr Smith, who was a train driver for British Rail for many years. “Christopher loves trains and we travel all over to see them.”

Mrs Smith added: “I just think having all the engines together is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Union of South Africa is visiting Shildon as part of a trip organised by the 30472 Charters group of rail enthusiasts.

Visitors will be able to enjoy all three A4s at the museum for free all weekend. And tonight and on Saturday night, steam fans can take part in an exclusive ticket-only photo shoot priced at £60.

Pam Porter, events officer at Locomotion, said she was thrilled to see so many people turn out to welcome the engine.

“It has been a brilliant day,” she said. “It is lovely to see so many children here with their parents and grandparents. I think events like these really bring different generations together.

“There is a lot of interest in steam trains at the moment, as the 75th anniversary of Mallard breaking the world record is approaching.”

To find out more about Locomotion visit nrm.org.uk. For photo shoot enquiries email mail.30742@btinternet.com