The Severn Valley Railway is giving a temporary home to a very special little locomotive, No 6 ‘Douglas’. The narrow-gauge engine will be on display at the SVR’s Engine House at Highley until November.

It’s on loan from its home base at the Talyllyn Railway, where it’s been in storage since January, following the expiry of its boiler ticket.

Positioned alongside the SVR’s giant loco LMR 600 ‘Gordon’, and painted in RAF blue livery, ‘Douglas’ will be a big attraction for visitors throughout the summer and beyond.

‘It really is in the perfect display setting,’ said Lewis Maddox, the SVR’s visitor engagement manager. ‘I suppose you could say that with ‘Douglas’ and ‘Gordon’ we now have our own ‘David and Goliath’ at The Engine House.

‘We think ‘Douglas’ is going to be very popular with visitors, especially anyone who’s familiar with the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ books of the Rev W Awdry. He based his grumpy engine ‘Duncan’ directly on ‘Douglas’ and both share the same distinctive tall chimney!’

Entry to the Engine House is included with travel tickets at the railway. There are plenty of attractions on display including King George VI’s royal carriage and the Travelling Post Office. There’s also an extensive outdoor play area for children, a café and gift shop, and interactive workshops and activities take place each day throughout the school summer holidays. There’s more information and bookings at svr.co.uk.