Locomotive 44422 is pictured earlier this month being transferred to another heritage line, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

The 1928 Collett-designed 6695 tank engine was rented by the West Somerset Railway for 25 years from its owners, the 6695 Locomotive Group, in 2017.

But with £450,000 of work needed to put it back into service, WSR has cut its losses and terminated its hire. The £140,000 already spent on repair work contributed to thye rsilway’s loss, as reported at Saturday’s annual meeting

Originally based at the Swanage Railway, 6695 was damaged on a low-loader when being transported to the WSR gala in 2015.

Nigel Clark, of 6695 Locomotive Group, said: “The engine was due to be withdrawn at the end of 2015 for a planned heavy overhaul, so work was started early to tackle the repairs needed.

“Following the WSR’s difficulties, our 25-year agreement with them was recently terminated.”

Now the remaining engineering work will be completed by the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.