A project to restore the locomotive which transported the body of the famous politician from his London state funeral to Oxfordshire is almost finished.
The National Railway Museum in York said yesterday that carriages from the train will be reunited with its accompanying steam locomotive next week.
The finishing touches are being put on the 34051 Winston Churchill engine ahead of the 50th anniversary of the politician's funeral.
Sir Winston had a state funeral on January 30 1965 at St Paul's Cathedral.
The National Railway Museum in York said yesterday that carriages from the train will be reunited with its accompanying steam locomotive next week.
The finishing touches are being put on the 34051 Winston Churchill engine ahead of the 50th anniversary of the politician's funeral.
Sir Winston had a state funeral on January 30 1965 at St Paul's Cathedral.
MARK KEHOE
After the service attended by the Queen and statesman from 112 countries his body was placed on a Battle of Britain locomotive.
Thousands gathered to pay tribute at stations as it traveled from Waterloo to Sir Winston's final resting place in Bladon, Oxfordshire.
The churchyard where his remains are is close to Blenheim Palace where the politician had been born 90 years beforehand.
James Lester, who last month unveiled the nameplates for the restored train, had stoked the engine of the locomotive on the day of Sir Winston's funeral.
Speaking previously to the BBC, he said: "This project has meant a lot to me as Churchill's Final Journey will not only tell the story of a remarkable man, it will tell the tale of many railwaymen who played a part in his last journey from the capital to his final resting place."
Thousands gathered to pay tribute at stations as it traveled from Waterloo to Sir Winston's final resting place in Bladon, Oxfordshire.
The churchyard where his remains are is close to Blenheim Palace where the politician had been born 90 years beforehand.
James Lester, who last month unveiled the nameplates for the restored train, had stoked the engine of the locomotive on the day of Sir Winston's funeral.
Speaking previously to the BBC, he said: "This project has meant a lot to me as Churchill's Final Journey will not only tell the story of a remarkable man, it will tell the tale of many railwaymen who played a part in his last journey from the capital to his final resting place."
MARK KEHOE
The restored train is set to go on display in the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum in York as part of their Churchill's Final Journey exhibition.
Staff and volunteers of the Mid-Hants railway at Ropley, Hampshire have helped restore the trains.
The 34051 Winston Churchill steam locomotive, built after the Second World War by the Southern Railway, is part of the Battle of Britain class.
Staff and volunteers of the Mid-Hants railway at Ropley, Hampshire have helped restore the trains.
The 34051 Winston Churchill steam locomotive, built after the Second World War by the Southern Railway, is part of the Battle of Britain class.
MARK KEHOE
They were all named after RAF Squadrons and Air Force commanders and Sir Winston, who famously was Prime Minister during the conflict.
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