A renowned road locomotive has been spotted in our district bringing a historic steam train on its journey home.
Talisman, hauling the steam locomotive Annie, travelled through Morecambe, Heysham and Carnforth on Wednesday as they headed to the Isle of Man.
Annie, one of the island's most loved narrow-gauge steam locomotives, is set to make a triumphant return to service this summer, after Groudle Glen Railway announced the completion of a major rebuild after almost a decade away from the railway.
They began the journey from Cumbria on Wednesday and were due to sail on the Manxman ferry from Heysham to arrive on the island this evening, supported by Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
En route, they were spotted on Morecambe Promenade on Wednesday.
Video credit: Dean Harrison
This was around the time that people were gathered on the central Promenade for the breaking ground ceremony for the Eden Project Morecambe.
Morecambe Model Exhibition posted: "We went to see the Eden ground breaking ceremony yesterday evening and this fabulous thing came past."
Annie, which was originally built on the Isle of Man in 1998 by renowned locomotive builder Richard Booth, has undergone an extensive overhaul by specialist engineers John Fowler & Sons in Cumbria.
Groudle Glen Railway said the project, costing close to £100,000, has secured Annie's future for generations to come and has been made possible thanks to a generous legacy from the Williamson family, together with fundraising efforts by the railway's volunteers and supporters.
Annie holds a special place in Manx railway history as the last steam locomotive to be constructed on the Isle of Man and has been a familiar sight hauling trains at Groudle Glen Railway for more than two decades.
Talisman is a remarkable recreation of a 1925 Fowler B6 "Big Lion" road locomotive; one of the most powerful steam road engines ever built. #
Constructed in Cumbria by engineer Alex Sharphouse and his team using original Fowler drawings, the ambitious project was completed in 2019.
The engine itself became a major engineering story, attracting national attention and proving that large-scale steam construction remains alive in the 21st century.
The locomotive's construction and testing were followed by television cameras and featured in programmes with renowned engineer, broadcaster and motorcycle racer Guy Martin, helping introduce a new audience to the world of steam engineering.
Since entering service, Talisman has become a star attraction at major steam rallies and heritage events across Britain, regularly drawing thousands of visitors wherever it appears.
As part of Annie's return to the Isle of Man, Talisman will undertake a series of public appearances and road runs around the Island, giving residents and visitors a rare opportunity to see one of the largest working steam road locomotives in the world at close quarters.
A number of planned stops and display locations will allow people to meet the crew, learn about the machine's remarkable story and witness first-hand the sights, sounds and spectacle of steam power in action.
The celebrations will culminate on Sunday June 28, when Annie will be officially relaunched into service at Groudle Glen Railway.
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