THE Severn Valley Railway will bid a sad farewell to one of its most loyal and hardest-working servants today.

The Great Western Railway-designed pannier tank number 1501 affectionately known as the "old faithful" is being forced into retirement because its 10-year MoT certificate runs out today.

Unlike car certificates which can be renewed, the 1501 would have to be completely stripped down to the last nut and bolt before being rebuilt if it was to get a new certificate.

For this reason, it is unlikely to run again in the foreseeable future.

The train was stripped and rebuilt when it got its last certificate in 1997. Since then it has travelled 60,000 miles on the Severn Valley's Kidderminster to Bridgnorth line.

The 1501 is being given celebrity status on the railway's Yuletide holiday trains service, which started on Boxing Day and runs until Tuesday.

The locomotive will be operated on as many trains as possible during the post-Christmas period and is expected to carry a wreath on the front, symbolising both the festive season, and its last few days as a live engine.

Marketing manager John Leach said: "1501 has been a terrific performer for us over the last 10 years.

"It was never designed for hauling passenger trains, but it has coped superbly with just about everything we've thrown at it. It really is like saying goodbye to an old friend."

The 1501 was originally one of a small class of tank engines built in 1949 for shunting empty stock trains around London's Paddington station before arriving on the Severn Valley Railway in 1970.

For more information on the Severn Valley's festive season service call 01299 403816.