One of the stars of this year's Swanage Railway Autumn Gala will be a steam locomotive which has hauled the Royal Train twice.

The iconic Duchess of Sutherland, the only one of its class still operational, is 80 years old.

But she's recently had a major nine-month overhaul, costing £150,000.

Now she's back on the rails and will be visiting Swanage as part of the railway gala, scheduled for October 12-14.

The Duchess will be coming down from the Midland Railway-Butterley in Derbyshire, where she is based in The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust's 'West Shed Museum'.

The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust (PRCLT) acquired the steam locomotive in 2001.

Kate Watts, spokesman at the PRCLT, explained: "In its heyday, the Duchess worked express passenger services on the west coast railway lines for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway and was in direct competition with famous locomotives such as Flying Scotsman and Mallard on the east coast.

"After being withdrawn from service in 1964 it was saved from being scrapped when it was purchased by Billy Butlin and displayed in one of his popular holiday camps."

It was returned to the track with the help of a National Lottery grant, and in 2002 - as part of the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations - became the first steam locomotive to haul the Royal Train in 35 years.

Then, in 2005, the Prince of Wales travelled on the Settle to Carlisle line, spending part of the journey on the Duchess' footplate.

Ms Watts said: "When the Duchess locomotives were retired from the West Coast main line in 1964, there was a plan to use them on the southern region to replace worn out locos.

"Sadly this plan got overtaken by the Bournemouth line electrification. So come and see the glorious Duchess of Sutherland at the Swanage Railway – it might be the only chance for some time."