OPERATORS on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway say their prayers have been answered with the return of a cherished steam engine.

Its taken 11 years and £600,000 to restore 45428, The Eric Treacy, named after the former Bishop of Wakefield, which is back operating in time for the final weekend of the railway’s Spring Steam Gala. The event, which has run over the past two of weekends, has been hit by a spate of bad luck, with several engines developing mechanical problems. Philip Benham, general manager of the railway, said: “The return of Eric Treacy into traffic must be a case of divine intervention.

“It strengthens the line-up of engines we so badly need for a gala of this kind.”

He said the A4 Pacific engine Sir Nigel Gresley would also be making a return this weekend following major repairs. “Along with a number of other engines, there will be plenty to see and do over the weekend,” he said. “With fair weather too, we hope to get back on track and give our passengers a great day out, and an exciting summer season ahead for all our visitors.”

The timing of the return of this Black 5 engine was also fitting because it marked 32 years to the day since the former Bishop of Wakefield died of a heart attack at Appleby station on the Settle to Carlisle line, waiting for a rail tour. The bishop made a name for himself as a prolific railway photographer and his work features in numerous books. The Treacy collection of 2,000 railway images is housed in the National Railway Museum in York.