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Following 5 years of restoration, the Lord Oliver Brown steam locomotive is well and truly back in action after being lovingly restored by friends and family of Oliver Brown, an 11-year-old boy from Plymouth who died from a rare blood cancer in 2019. 

The train had its official launch on Sunday 9 March, the date of Oliver’s 17th birthday, on Plym Valley Railway where it carried its first passengers in 17 years. 

Plymouth’s Town Crier, John Pitt, welcomed those gathered at the railway station and the plaque displaying the name of the train, ‘Lord Oliver Brown’ was then unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Tina Touhy, alongside Nicola, Oliver’s Mum. 

Ticket holders were transported on the newly restored steam train to and from Plym Bridge. Tickets were all sold in support of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) - the charity which offered hospice stays, end of life care and bereavement support to Oliver and his family.

The locomotive’s official unveiling was the first time many had seen the 1959 Polish ‘Tkh’ engine in its full restored glory, painted in a striking pink and green colour scheme, Oliver’s favourite colours, and also incorporating the CHSW logo. 

The restoration has been a labour of love, with everyone involved keeping Oliver’s fun and mischievous character at the front of their minds through 5 years of work to get the engine back up and running. The locomotive is owned by Marc Bellin and its new livery was designed by his Network Rail colleague Richard Gibson, a friend of the Brown family and part of the team working on the project. 

Nicola Brown, Oliver’s Mum spoke at the launch saying:

“Just looking at the train, it epitomises Oliver. It’s so bright and colourful and it just makes you smile, and that’s what Oliver did everyday of his life, made people smile. 

He would have been in his element today, and I’m so proud that we can wish him ‘Happy Birthday’ in such a remarkable way.

Reflecting on the day was Annabel Roberts, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, who said: 

This is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the charity’s work in Plymouth, and around the whole region. I think this train will appeal to train enthusiasts and families alike.

The sense of joy and pride was palpable by everyone as they watched on as the locomotive took around 600 passengers aboard throughout the day. Around £5,000 was raised for CHSW on the first of many journeys for this steam train in its new life and home at Plym Valley Railway. 

For more information about the Lord Oliver Brown locomotive please visit The Lord Oliver Brown Locomotive on Facebook or lordoliverbrown on Instagram.