The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has won a major national award for its work locating and restoring an historic loco ordered during the Second World War.

The heavy freight engine - one of 935 "War Department Austerities" - was found by K&WVR volunteers 35 years ago in the ownership of Swedish Railways.

The loco was bought and shipped to this country, and has since undergone a full restoration.

Now the K&WVR has been given a Heritage Railway Association accolade - a certificate of commendation in the John Coiley Award for Locomotive Projects - in recognition of its work.

Jim Shipley, for the K&WVR, said: "This award honours the enthusiasm, determination and skill displayed over 35 years by our volunteers in preserving a priceless piece of Britain's railway history. It's particularly fitting that the award should be made in the name of the late Dr Coiley, as he was a good friend of our railway and was very supportive of our rescue of this locomotive and all that was involved in returning it to operating condition."

Post-1945, the War Department Austerities - or "Dub Dees", as they were known to railwaymen and legions of 50s and 60s train-spotters - were used throughout Europe as transport workhorses, but by 1967 they had been consigned to the scrap heap in favour of diesel and electric locos.

Rumours persisted that two had survived as part of Sweden's Strategic Reserve and in 1972 a contingent from the K&WVR travelled to the country and found one, in a forest at Mallansjö.

Swedish Railways agreed to its sale and the following year it was brought to the Worth Valley line.

Major restoration work - by a team of dedicated volunteers from the Haworth locomotive works - began in 1993, using cash from various sources including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Science Museum.

The engine, now numbered 90733, will be among the stars of a three-day event next June marking the 40th anniversary of the K&WVR.

The John Coiley Award will be presented at the Heritage Railway Association's annual meeting in February.