A steam locomotive that has regularly featured on children’s television delighted rail enthusiasts in Blackburn earlier this week.
The LNER Peppercorn Class A2 Blue Peter Locomotive was spotted at Blackburn station on Tuesday by Julie Ann Walton.
Julie, who shared the images with the Lancashire Telegraph’s Camera Club, said it was a real treat to spot the train, which is one of the most powerful express passenger steam locomotives in the UK.
She said: “Wow what a treat today, the magnificent Blue Peter locomotive steamed through Blackburn at speed, blowing her whistle on the way!
“Blue Peter is the last remaining L.N.E.R. Class A2 Pacific and was one of the most powerful express passenger steam locomotives in the UK.”
The train passed through Blackburn on its way to Oxenholme in the Lake District.
Julie added: “The magnificent Blue Peter 60532 Locomotive steaming out of Blackburn to Oxenholme in the Lake District, blowing her whistle as she entered the tunnel.”
Built in 1948, it remains the only Peppercorn A2 in existence, after the other 14 were scrapped.
Having been withdrawn from operation in 1966, it gained notoriety in the 1970s and beyond following a campaign for its restoration on the BBC television series Blue Peter.
READ MORE: Steam enthusiasts treated to famous locomotive passing through Blackburn
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Restoration work was then undertaken at York, Leeds, and Doncaster works, before it was unveiled in front of 60,000 people by the Blue Peter programme presenters at a Doncaster Works Open Day in 1971.
The locomotive has subsequently featured several times in the programme.
However, the train was not named after the show but rather a famous racehorse, having been designed by Arthur Peppercorn.
Blue Peter was a thoroughbred owned by Harry Primrose, and in 1939 won races including The Derby and the 2000 Guineas, earning almost £32,000 – enough to purchase three of the locomotives at the time.
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