The 1968 version also starred Frederick Treeves as the father

Sir Berkeley, built in Leeds in 1890 by Manning, Wardle and Company, featured in the 1967 BBC TV version of Edith Nesbit's classic children's story.

It is a rare contractor's locomotive used in the construction of railways.

The engine will be restored by volunteers from the Middleton Railway in Leeds and its owner, Vintage Carriages Trust, based near Keighley.

Under the agreement, the locomotive will be based and overhauled at the Middleton Railway.

This is just a few yards from the factory where it was built.

Thrill fans

Once restored, it will join the Middleton Railway's fleet of engines which make regular trips up and down the line in south Leeds.

Paul Holroyd from the Vintage Carriages Trust said he was delighted at the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Fiona Spiers, the HLF's regional manager, said: "It's great to know that the locomotive which thrilled fans of 'The Railway Children' all those years ago will now continue to thrill visitors to the Middleton Railway."

The 1967 BBC version of the famous story was the first of version of three versions to star Jenny Agutter and was filmed at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Ms Agutter returned to railway for the 1970 cinema film version which also featured Dinah Sheridan, Iain Cuthbertson and Bernard Cribbins.