COUNCILLORS hope to bring a 19th century steam engine back to the town where it was cast.

The historic coffee pot locomotive was built at Head Wrightson, in Thornaby, in 1870. 

It was sat on the former Halfords roundabout for many years before it was sent to Preston Park Museum and Grounds in 2012. 

But Cllr Luke Frost, member for Mandale and Victoria, called for it to return to its “rightful home” in Thornaby at Stockton Town Hall this week. 

The compact locomotive spent its working life at Seaham Harbour before it came to Stockton on a permanent loan in 1970. 

It was part of the display on the Halfords roundabout before it was moved for works on the St John’s crossing redevelopment.

Cllr Jim Beall, cabinet member for culture, leisure and health, said the council didn’t own the engine and it was loaned to the museum. 

Councillors were told the authority has a “duty of care” to maintain the old locomotive and that it does carry out conservation work.

But Cllr Beall said they had to get the permission of the owner to carry out a “substantial” renovation or work to modify the engine. 

And, as yet, the authority has failed to track down its owner. 

Cllr Beall said: “Since hearing of this, I’ve asked our legal team to commence action to gain ownership for the council.

“I understand this can be a long and protracted process – and hopefully it’s not too costly to get it not the ownership of the council.

“That would then permit us to do more.”

Councillors were told resources “hadn’t been identified” for any “potentially costly” renovation of the engine. 

However, Cllr Beall didn’t rule out its return to Thornaby if and when it was renovated.

He said: “We would be happy to consider any suitable, secure location for its display.

“A location close to the original Head Wrightson yard where it was constructed would help illustrate its origins and draw attention to the importance of Head Wrightson’s engineering in the borough and further afield.”

Cllr Frost told the chamber the engine could have been brought to Thornaby for £37,000 – but the price was too high for Thornaby Town Council. 

The Thornaby Independent Association member added: “We’re very passionate and take our heritage and history very seriously over the river in Thornaby.

“I will be pushing in the future for it to return to its rightful home.”