A historic steam train once used in mines is coming to a museum.

Amberley Museum, near Arundel, will be welcoming the locomotive Decauville 0-4-0T works No.648, also known as "Lily", to their Gala event on July 20 and 21.

The train, originally named ‘Dimitrias’, was first delivered brand new to the Thessaly Railway in Volos, Greece, in 1912.

She is now one of the last surviving examples of her type with only four others known to exist around the world.

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Lily spent her early years in service at the Volos streetcar alongside her sister ‘Argo’ before transferring to the operations of a chrome mine in Lamia, also in Greece, in 1939.

After the mine closed in the 1960s, the train was neglected outdoors for more than two decades until it was discovered and acquired by the German Steam Locomotive Museum in Neuenmarkt Wirsberg in 1980.

Over the years, Lily changed ownership several times before being purchased for restoration in 1993 by the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum.

Since 2023, the train has been located at the private Richmond Light Railway in Kent for enthusiasts to see.

As part of Amberley Museum's Gala weekend, the locomotive will be there.

Visitors at the Rail Gala will also be able to ride on passenger trains, both steam and diesel, that will be running all day.

A 1918 Bagnall Steam Locomotive will also be running for the weekend.

As well as this, there will also be several model rail exhibitors on site for visitors to enjoy. 

More information, including tickets for the event, can be found at https://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/whats-on/rail-gala-weekend/.

A special photo charter has also been organised offering train enthusiasts a rare opportunity to take photos.

Tickets need to be booked for this experience.

A spokesman for Amberley Museum said: "Amberley Museum is honoured to welcome Lily and invites visitors to witness this extraordinary piece of railway heritage first-hand at the upcoming Rail Gala event.

"Don't miss your chance to be a part of history as we celebrate the enduring legacy of locomotion."