THE restoration of an historic steam locomotive has reached a milestone.

Steam Locomotive No 44 Conway was built by Kitson & Company of Leeds in 1933 for Stewarts and Lloyds, an iron and steel tube maker in Northamptonshire.

The locomotive spent its working life at Corby iron ore quarry, and is now owned by the Middleton Railway Trust.

Volunteers are working on its cosmetic restoration in the conservation workshop at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, in County Durham.

The project aims to restore Conway to as-built condition and, over the last academic year, Darlington College engineering students have built a new smokebox.

On Tuesday, June 21 representatives from Darlington College and the Middleton Railway Trust met at the museum where the smokebox was officially handed over.

Tutor Dennis McCabe said: “We are delighted that our level two and three engineering students have been able to get involved in such a valuable restoration.

“It’s great to see the students achieving the objectives for the project.”

The project has included alterations to the rear cab windows for which The Middleton Railway Trust had replacement spectacle plates cast and machined.

Chairman Malcolm Johnson said: “It’s been a challenge to make these replacement spectacle plates, and we’re thrilled with the result.

“It’s another step closer to bringing the locomotive back to the condition it was in when it was first built.”

Visitors to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon can observe the conservation workshop from a viewing platform in the main Collection Building- open daily from 10am to 5pm, parking and admission free.

Conway’s restoration is supported by the Middleton Railway Trust, PPG Aerospace and Darlington College, for details visit middletonrailway.org.uk.

For information about Locomotion, which will host the Flying Scotsman following its decade-long £4.2m restoration in July, call 01388-777999.