Complete the restoration of the steam engine Pendennis Castle, Champion of the Great Western Railway, being carried out by volunteers who need our help. My fathers dying wish.

My father wanted us to help restore the GWR (his real love) engine Pendennis Castle, rather than buy remembrance flowers. He'll think it will lead us all and so many other families, onto some mad railway trips. I'm sure we'd all enjoy it and remember him with fondness and affection

Pendennis Castle's claim to fame dates from 1925 when the GWR lent the locomotive to the London & North Eastern Railway for trials against Sir Nigel Gresley's mighty new Pacifics exemplified by No.4472 “Flying Scotsman”. Working 16-coach trains on the East Coast main line from Kings Cross, the stalwart Castle covered itself in soot and glory, thoroughly out-performing its larger competitors. Its exploits were the talk of every schoolboy in Britain and the GWR rather cheekily sent “Pendennis Castle” to stand alongside “Flying Scotsman” at the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley with a notice proclaiming it to be the most powerful passenger express locomotive in Britain.

No.4079 left England on 29 May 1977 to work in Australia.

Returning to the UK from Australia in 2000. Restoration was started in 2005, with the original intention that a return to main line service would take place in 2008. As of the start of 2013, restoration is still ongoing, by volunteers, funded by donations.

http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/guide/projectitems/4079project.html