The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has announced that they will soon welcome BR Standard 4 number 80080 thanks to an agreement with the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust (PRCLT).
 
The locomotive will arrive at the railway ready for them to reopen after the Coronavirus lockdown and will stay for an initial two years.
 
80080 joins 9466 at the EVR after the Pannier tank joined the fleet thanks to an agreement with JJP Holdings Ltd.
 
The BR Standard 4 was built in 1954 at Brighton Works but was transferred to the Western Region in 1962 where she operated on the Cambrian Railway routes.
 
Recently, 80080 has had a home at the East Lancashire Railway but moved back to PRCLT's West Shed at Swanwick after the Coronavirus lockdown.
 
Neil Ferguson-Lee, Vice Chairman Wyvern Rail plc said, "It has been a long-term ambition to increase our steam offering, and we're highly excited to be having such a fantastic locomotive at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Between 80080 and our well-loved Great Western pannier tank 9466, we have a really expanded our steam fleet. These, plus our two Barclay industrial tanks not to mention two 0-6-0 locomotives approaching the completion of their restoration, mean we have a steam fleet that would be the pride of many other heritage railways."
 
Simon Scott, CMEE at PRCLT said, "We are delighted to be working together and we are looking forward to the engine being part of the railway’s growth. We hope this will develop into a strong long-term working relationship."
 
Michael Holden.