A POPULAR miniature rail attraction is set to make history operating two steam locomotives together for the first time ever.

Little Western Railway at Trenance has purchased a second operational steam locomotive, which was originally built for a private railway in East Sussex.

The locomotive was built by Exmoor steam railway who are highly regarded around the world for manufacturing miniature and narrow-gauge steam locomotives.

Richard Curtis, the owner of Little Western Railway said: “This addition will now allow us to operate a regular steam timetable in the summer holiday rather than what we have done in previous years where steam trains only run three days a week.

“This is due to the extra work that is required to service and maintain steam locomotives and running a single locomotive all week just isn’t possible for us.

“We are very fortunate that our visitor numbers are doing well, especially when compared against other businesses in the hospitality industry. Because of this we feel the new locomotive is a way of rewarding our loyal and regular customers for their support over the last few years.

“Years ago, seaside towns often had a miniature railway. Today there are just a handful of these original railways remaining. We are proud to see ours going from strength to strength following its rebuilding, just five years ago.

“Since taking over the railway its success has surpassed our expectations. We now have a fleet of locomotives and carry more passengers than some full-size heritage railways. With this purchase we believe this is the first time since 1980 that there have been two operational steam locomotives at the railway.

“The locomotive’s new name will be revealed on Easter Sunday when we will make history for Little Western when we will run two steam locomotives together for the first time ever.”