After 36 years operating over the Southern Region of British Railways and the former Southern Railway, No. 30777 was set aside for preservation by the British Transport Commission.
Initially stored at Fratton deport near Portsmouth, Sir Lamiel eventually found itself within the reserve collection area of the National Railway Museum at York.
In the late 1970s, assistance came along in the form of the Humberside Locomotive Group based at Hull. 30777 was sent to Hull soon afterwards for restoration by their team and in February 1982 emerged in steam again, the first time for 21 years.
Since then Sir Lamiel has graced the main line again, travelling to many parts of the national system including its old stamping ground of the Salisbury to Exeter line.
This programme traces the history of its preserved status and narration covers in detail its very beginnings in Southern days.
In 2006, Sir Lamiel re-entered the main line business again for the third time following a long overhaul at its new base of the Great Central Railway. We cover its overhaul and the first few main line tours from York in the summer of 2006.