A PLEA from York National Railway Museum for Prairie tank 5521 to stay in the city has changed Dean Forest Railway's celebratory event on June 13-14.

But disappointment that 5521 was not coming to the Forest was eased when restorer Bill Parker stepped in to offer the services of one of the most iconic locomotives in British railway preservation.

Coming to Lydney will be one of the two 2-4-0 Beattie Well Tanks (30587) that were saved for preservation, and on which Parker's Flour Mill works at Bream did the restoration work.

The engine – which was built in 1874 – is probably the oldest preserved locomotive working in the British Isles.

The railway's vice-chairman and chief mechanical engineer, Paul Lansdell, said: "It is an exciting engine to have at the railway. Thanks go to Bill for his help and other assistance to give the forthcoming event a significant boost."

Press officer Terry Palin said: "We were looking forward to having Bill's Prairie at the railway, but it was difficult to refuse the National Railway Museum's request, particularly as Bill offered to obtain the services of the Beattie.

"It is an exciting locomotive to have at the railway as it has never been to the Forest before, except when in 2001, it was removed from the museum and taken to the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean, where it was restored to running order over 12 months.

"It returned to steam in November 2002 and returned to its former location on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Its sister engine, 30585 has also been overhauled and in 2006, the pair were re-united for the first time since 1962 at Bodmin."

The Well tank is set to stay at Norchard until the end of June. For more details of when it runs consult the railway's web site http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk">www.deanforestrailway.co.uk

There will be double celebrations next year when 200 years of railways in the Forest will be celebrated, as will the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Dean Forest Railway.

Plans for next year are already being discussed and preliminary discussions are centred on a fortnight's running with several guest locos, along with formal occasions for local and national dignitaries, as well as celebrations for members and shareholders and several other events.

As a bonus for the railway the Dean Forest Prairie Group's locomotive, 5541, should have completed its major overhaul and be in service in 2010.