A WORKING locomotive has been rescued from the scrap yard to take pride of place at a quarry. The locomotive, nicknamed Billy Smart due to its resemblance to a fairground attraction, was lifted by two cranes and placed at the entrance to the Cemex Barring

A WORKING locomotive has been rescued from the scrap yard to take pride of place at a quarry.

The locomotive, nicknamed Billy Smart due to its resemblance to a fairground attraction, was lifted by two cranes and placed at the entrance to the Cemex Barrington plant.

Quarry manager John Drayton said: "We had a great day, lots of people came to watch.

"Billy is part of our heritage and he'll attract a lot of attention."

Billy was bought by the works in 2001 and with his brother Mr D, named after Mr Drayton, carried loads of up to 150 tonnes of chalk and clay from the quarry for crushing and use in cement making.

The quarry railway lines closed in 2005 and while many of the engines found homes at museums Billy, a British-built Thomas Hill Vanguard, was left behind.

Mr Drayton said: "Billy will be popular with the visitors especially the children."

- Mr D can be seen at Rutland Railway Museum.