The summer season of steam railway rides on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway was launched on 25 March when Swindon's Mayor coun. Joy Brunt together with over 100 guests took a trip to the railway society's brand new engine shed at Hayes Knoll.

The dignitaries travelled from Blunsdon Station after the Mayor officially unveiled the newly restored pannier tank locomotive, engine 9682, the last of its kind to be built at the GWR works in Swindon.

The loco was in service from 1949 until 1965 when it went for scrap. It was rebuilt at a cost of £200,000 by Swindon Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Works Ltd.

Owned by the Southall Railway Group, which paid for the restoration, the engine made its running trials at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and is now on the Bodmin steam railway until September.

Coun. Brunt said she was delighted to be guest of honour for the loco's first trip as she had been a fan of railways since travelling on steam trains as a child.

Geoff Austin, chairman of the railway society trustees, said "it was a very successful day. The guests showed appreciation of the marvellous job being done at the society and the hard work of our members."

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway is open for Days Out with Thomas on 20 and 21 May and a Teddy Bears Picnic on Sunday 18 June. Trains run from Blunsdon Station between 11am and 4pm.