FORMER drivers of the Wonderland Miniature Railway are overjoyed their beloved steam locomotive, Henrietta, is "back where she belongs".
The arrival of the miniature steam train that worked the tracks at the Cleethorpes railway for more than 25 years reunited the old drivers who started working there when they were just nine-years-old – instilling in them a life-time love for locomotives.
And seeing the old engine – which left the resort when the railway closed in 1976 – back by the seaside brought them great joy as they reminisced about the job they described as "a dream come true for any little boy".
Henrietta was bought by Grimsby-born film archivist Rob Foxon and is currently on display as part of the seaside railways exhibition in Griffin Hall Museum at Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.
Mr Foxon said: "Before we all had grey hair we all worked together on the miniature railway. Henrietta was always my favourite locomotive as it was for many others and when I learned she was up for sale I couldn't resist buying it. I am not broke but I am now badly bent, although it was worth it.
"I wanted to bring her back to Cleethorpes because that is where she spent most of her working life and it is where she belongs. My wife is just as impressed she has returned because she is no longer in our living room!"
Many will recall happy memories of the steam-operated miniature railway which ran around the Boating Lake below the big dipper at Wonderland, carrying thousands of holiday makers during the 1950s and 1960s.
She was built in 1947 by Jack Newbutt for the Kenton Grange miniature railway in north London but when that closed she was bought by the East Coast Amusement Company (Wonderland) and Jack and his family moved to Cleethorpes.
Jack has since died but his son, Mike, also worked at the Wonderland maintaining the locomotives and eventually driving them – including his favourite, the Grimsby Town, the whereabouts of which is sadly unknown.
Mike and his friend, Ray Crome, started working there aged nine-years-old, often working from 9am to 10pm seven days a week.
Mike said: "It was a dream come true for all of us. It was so busy there, it never stopped. It is such a special engine and we have a lot of affection for it."
When Wonderland closed down Henrietta went on to Coniston Miniature Railway and was then bought by the owner, Major Hext where she stayed until his collection was auctioned off following his death last year.
Mr Foxon added: "She was a rich man's toy for too long. She needs to be in Cleethorpes where everyone can see her."
Recalling more happy memories, Doug Best, 89, who was an engineering fitter and photographer for the Wonderland added: "It was such a fun job. The wages were terrible but it was such a nice place to be we could put up with it. It is great to see Henrietta back in Cleethorpes."
Mr Foxon now hopes a demo track will be built at Cleethorpes Light Railway that Henrietta will be able to use.
