An historic locomotive which has been out of service for more than 15 years is steaming back for a railway gala this weekend.

The Bulleid Pacific class locomotive No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ was withdrawn from service on the Swanage Railway in January 2003 – after hauling trains on the relaid Purbeck Line for 13 years – as it required a major overhaul.

It is back in action for the heritage railway's Autumn Steam Gala which began yesterday and runs until tomorrow.

At least seven steam locomotives will be in action for the gala – 1938 London Midland and Scottish Railway No. 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’, 1945 London Midland and Scottish Railway Stanier ‘Black 5’ No. 44871 and 1954 British Railways Class 4 Tank No. 80078.

Trains will run the five and a half miles between Swanage and Norden – with some steam trains running four miles further on to the River Frome bridge, within sight of Wareham.

Swanage Railway Company executive chairman Trevor Parsons said: “Our Autumn Steam Gala will feature an exciting and varied timetable.

“The appearance of ‘257 Squadron’ hauling passenger trains for the first time since 2003 will be a special occasion because it was the first main line express steam locomotive to run on the Swanage Railway in 1990."