Ref. 71938-07A RARE engine has arrived at the Steam museum where it will make its permanent home.

Glorious a diesel electric locomotive regularly passed through Swindon in the 1970s when she was in service on the western line of British Rail.

Steam curator Felicity Ball said: "Glorious is very interesting to railway enthusiasts and many people were sad when her class were taken out of service. She was withdrawn in 1994.

"These engines really won the hearts of the public. Only 49 engines of this class were built."

Glorious is a Class 50 and was built in 1968 in Newton-le-Willows, in Lancashire.

She originally ran on the west coast mainline to Scotland but was then moved to the western line.

She bears the yellow and blue livery of British Rail.

Visitors to Steam will be able to climb in to her cab for a look round. She will be a permanent stationary exhibit.

She arrives in time for the Swindon Railway Convention being held on September 18 and 19.

The showcase of the convention will be the arrival of the City Of Truro steam engine, which was built in Swindon.

This locomotive will be offering live steam rides on a running track that is being laid especially for the festival.

Steam spokesman Jeff Salter said: "There will be tremendous interest when City Of Truro arrives.

"She is on a tour of Britain at the moment and when she arrived in Truro 2,000 people went to see her over a weekend.

"She is bringing live steam to Steam which is what we have always hoped to do.

"We will have her here for a week she will be a huge draw for our convention which with its model railways and trade stands will be our biggest event to date.

"There will also be guided walks by former railway workers and the Railway Village, including the Railway Cottage, a recreation of a Great Western Railway employee's cottage will be open to the public."

Admission to the convention costs £6.60 for adults, £4.20 for children and £4.30 for senior citizens.

Family tickets cost £16 for two adults and two children, or £19 for two adults and three children.

Train rides behind the City Of Truro are £3 for adults and £2 for children.

Catherine Turnbull