GWR ‘Castle’ No. 4079 Pendennis Castle is set to make its 21st century steam debut at Didcot Railway Centre’s August Bank Holiday Steam Up on August 28-30. The 4-6-0 last steamed in public back in October 1994 for then owner Rio Tinto in Australia. The 1925-built icon has been the subject of a thorough restoration by the Great Western Society (GWS) since it was repatriated from Australia in 2000.
“The plan is for No. 4079 to make an appearance at our Bank Holiday Steam Up event,” said Drew Fermor, 4079 project manager. “The aim is for Pendennis to be in steam and if possible, move up and down yard – and hopefully put it on the turntable. It will not be pulling trains as we will not have had time to thoroughly check it. It will, however, be lovely to be able to share it with people.