DEAN Forest Railway volunteers saved a mainline train operator a hefty bill after one of its locomotives needed a drink near Lydney.

The class 56 Devon and Cornwall Railway loco was on its way to Cardiff to pick up a scrap metal train when it ran out of coolant.

The driver called the Newport signal box and was eventually directed to the heritage railway for help.

A Dean Forest Railway (DFR) spokesman said: "The locomotive was coming through Lydney when a light came on in the cab.

"The locomotive was out of coolant so he contacted the Newport signal box and was put onto the loop.

"His control room contacted us and asked if we could help out.

"The loco was brought up to Lydney Junction and we sent down our last service of the day with some hoses so it could take on some coolant.

"He was soon off but if he hadn't have been able to come here, the company would have needed permission from Network Rail to send down another engine to recover it.

"That would have been pretty expensive for the company."

It is hoped the good turn will be returned when the DFR has it diesel festival in the summer.