The restoration of the locomotive has cost �200,000

Pete Duncalfe was one of the volunteers who found the Great Western Railway 0-6-2 Tank No 6695 - built in Newcastle in 1928 - in Wales in 1979.

"Driving her out of Swanage for the first time, I had to pinch myself that she was really hauling a train and that I was driving her," he said.

The engine will now carry tourists on the Swanage to Norden line.

Back in 1979, I never thought that 6695's restoration would take 26 years Pete Duncalfe

The locomotive was rescued from the Barry scrapyard in south Wales and brought to the Swanage Railway.

The restoration, carried out by the locomotive volunteer group, cost more than �200,000.

Mr Duncalfe, 44, said: "Going to Barry scrapyard on that weekend to help prepare 6695 for the move to Swanage does seem a long time ago.

"Well, it was 26 years ago that she arrived at Swanage in August 1979. I was 17 years old at the time.

"But, in those days we were mad and we thought we could achieve anything.

Pete Duncalfe has been restoring trains since he was 16

"Back in 1979, I never thought that 6695's restoration would take 26 years but, as they say, the best things are worth waiting for."

The locomotive was built by Armstrong Whitworth for the Great Western Railway in 1928 and spent its career working in the Midlands and south Wales.

The tank locomotive ran more than 620,000 miles before being withdrawn for scrap in the summer of 1964.

On 11 February this year it carried its first passengers since 1962.