Steam train found in convent included in local railway celebrations

“When we found the engine we just couldn’t believe it, we were in absolute silence, Sister Margaret broke the quiet as she lent out the cabin and said ‘which one is the whistle?'”

The words of Alex Alder, the owner of “Newstead” – a steam locamotive which has been on a remarkable journey.

Built in 1929, the locamotive worked in the coal industry until 1972, when it was bought by a vintage vehicle collector named Malcolm Saul who saved it from scrap and built a shed around it to keep it safe.

When he passed away, there was concern the train had been lost forever, but it was found in 2015, in a convent in Hertfordshire.

“It was a bit like an Egyptian mythical tomb, we really thought it was a rumour, we didn’t believe it would be there but it was and it was just perfectly preserved,” Mr Alder said.

Newstead was one of two heritage trains that passed through Blaenavon High Level station on Friday, celebrating the opening of a second platform at the station.

Along with a 153-year-old locamotive called Fenchurch, the two are part of the railway’s celebrations over the weekend.

Mr Alder continued: “South Wales has huge heritage for the mining and iron industries and these engines were coal mining engines. To see it back here working really hard up those big Welsh hills is fantastic.”

Blaenavon Heritage Railway is entirely volunteer-led, and since being founded in 1983, has operated steam and heritage diesel services on weekends and bank holidays.

The director of the railway, Alex Hinshelwood, who is also station master at Blaenavon High Level said: “It’s pretty special, we started the construction of platform two ten years ago, and to see the project completed and two passenger trains sat at Blaenavon is pretty special.

“Everyone at the railway is a volunteer, from the management through to the engine drivers and guards and this event is by far the biggest in the calendar year.

He added it had taken “a lot of organising, conversations and planning to get it done”.

“Most of our evenings are talking about business and dealing with issues that crop up, but it’s really nice when we get a day like today where we can enjoy it.”

Among those on board one of the trains on Friday was Louis Ba Thein, 54, from Neath.

“I’ve always been interested in trains, ever since I was taught about Thomas the Tank engine at home, I had everything, and from there I’ve been interested ever since.

Jamie Warner, a volunteer with Blaenavon Heritage Railway said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, very special, we have grand plans to develop the railway and we want to utilise this railway more.”