The locomotive is currently on static display at the Designer Outlet Centre in Swindon, the BBC reported.

It ran on various lines in the Midlands, Wales and West of England, including briefly on the West Somerset Railway in 1998.

Edward Martin, WSRA chair, said it would be “amazing” to see it return to it’s former glory.

Ditcheat Manor is one of nine surviving Great Western Railway “Manor Class” locomotives built between 1938 and 1950.

West Somerset Railway Association bought the steam engine in 2008, three years after its boiler ticket expired, and discovered it needed “extensive and expensive” repairs.

The locomotive has been on static display since 2010, with renewed plans to restore it to life.

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West Somerset Railway Association

The railway association has estimated the significant investment required to fulfil the project as intended, although the extent of repairs needed is currently unclear.

“Until a full assessment is done we’re not quite sure of anything,” Mr Martin said.

“It’s not easy to assess a locomotive while it’s on public display in a shopping centre.”

The charity said it does not yet have the money required to pay for the restoration, but has “renewed fundraising efforts”, including installing new signage at the shopping centre calling for help.

WSRA is prioritising finishing two ongoing steam engine restorations at its Williton workshop before turning full focus to Ditcheat Manor.

It said it will therefore not be until at least the early 2030s before it could be back on the rails again hauling passenger trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

“It’s a very valuable locomotive,” Mr Martin added. “We just hope we can achieve the goal in not too long a time frame.

“It would be just amazing to get it back on this railway”.