Rail fans were treated to a rare sight today when the historic Blue Peter engine passed through Nantwich Station.
The historic locomotive was witnessed pulling the “Welsh Marches Express” to Cardiff.
The locomotive is Arthur Peppercorn A2 design locomotive built in 1948 and is the only A2 locomotive in existence today.
Fourteen other locomotives of its type have since been scrapped.
It was named after the famous thoroughbred racehorse owned by Harry Primrose the 6th Earl of Rosebery which in 1939 won races including The Derby and 2000 Guineas.
The Horse earned almost £32,000 for Lord Rosebery which was more than enough to purchased three Peppercorn A2 locomotives at the time.
Blue Peter was withdrawn from operation in 1966 and was bought for preservation in 1968.
It gained fame in the 1970s and beyond following a campaign for its restoration on the BBC television series Blue Peter, and it has subsequently been featured several times in the programme.
In 2014, Blue Peter was purchased by the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust, where it received an extensive overhaul, and returned to steam in 2024.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Berry)
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