Opportunity of a lifetime at Barrow Hill

The two trains, A4 4489 Dwight D Eisenhower and A4 60008 Dominion of Canada, will be unveiled this weekend at the centre.

People will be given the chance to see the trains in a genuine working engine shed environment before they depart for their respective home countries next month.

The visit of the two A4s has put Barrow Hill Roundhouse in a very exclusive club – as the trains have only been allowed to visit two other museums in the UK.

Alexa Stott, marketing manager at the roundhouse, said that hosting the two locomotives was an honour.

She added: “The visit of the two A4s has cemented our reputation as a premier venue.

“These are two unique, stunning locomotives and they have only been able to come to this roundhouse. It took 12 months of negotiation for us to make it happen.

“It’s massive for the area – we will have thousands of people come from all over and it will bring business to local hotels and restaurants as well.”

The roundhouse, which is the last surviving in the UK with an operational turntable, attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year.

During the event, the two A4 locomitives will line up alongside the A2 Blue Peter, as well as the A1 Tornado and the A4 Bittern.

The A4 Bittern was also presented with a plaque last week commemorating its historic 90mph runs in 2013.