Scottish steam engine on track

The restoration has begun of a famous Scottish steam engine brought home from South Africa after more than 60 years.

The work is being carried out by Eura Conservation, renowned for its conservation of “historic and culturally-valuable metal artefacts” and by a Glasgow Museums conservation and collections’ team.

Six engineering apprentices from ScotRail, the train operator, will also work on the steam engine – and gain a unique insight into the heritage of their chosen careers.

The apprentices, based at ScotRail’s maintenance depots in Haymarket, Edinburgh and Corkerhill, Glasgow have been split into two teams of three.

Each will work for three months on the “Mountain Class” engine which was designed and built in Glasgow for South Africa’s harsh terrain and vast distance.

Their secondment is part of a sponsorship package by FirstGroup which brought Locomotive 3007 home and will see it put on display at the new Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde scheduled for opening in 2011.

The locomotive – which pulled the renowned Blue Train from Johannesburg to Cape Town until 1988 when mothballed – is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of British engineering and a pinnacle of more than 100 years or railway technology.

Its restoration is taking place at the Transport and Technology Workshop at the recently expanded Glasgow Museums Resource Centre in Nitshill, Glasgow.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “Our apprentices are delighted to be conserving part of Scotland’s proud engineering heritage. The locomotive’s return to Glasgow will give new generations the chance marvel at this wonderful example of the rail revolution Scotland gave to the world.”

He added: “Glasgow’s transport collections are of international importance and it is fitting that the Mountain Class locomotive will be at the heart of the new museum.”

Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture and Sport Glasgow, said:” The conserved locomotive will be one of the most talked about exhibits at the Riverside Museum when it opens in 2011.

“The collaboration between FirstGroup, Eura and Glasgow Museums will provide the apprentices with a unique opportunity to work on an exhibit that continues to tell the story of Glasgow’s rich industrial heritage and which will be enjoyed by visitors to the museum for decades to come.”

Eura Conservation Ltd said it was proud to have been commissioned to undertake the conservation of “one of the largest objects ever acquired by Glasgow Museums.”

Project director Richard Baister said: “The whole team is looking forward to delivering the museum’s vision for the locomotive.”

Conservator Cabe Rice said: “It will be a privilege to work on such a high-profile conservation project.”

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