SPECIAL celebrations are being arranged to mark the 75th anniversary of the construction of the Steam museum's flagship exhibit, the King George V locomotive.

King George V was built at the Swindon Works in June 1927 for a cost of £7,546. It was designed under the instruction of the GWR's general manager Sir Felix Pole.

On Friday, June 14, Friends of Swindon Railway Museum will welcome Swindon mayor Stan Pajak to a special reception for people who have worked on or helped restore the Great Western Railway locomotive No 6000.

About 100 guests, including ex-railway workers, members of the 6000 Association and people involved in the preservation movement are expected for to attend the event.

The following day, visitors to Steam will be able to enjoy a special display of objects and photographs about the engine, which are not normally on public view and ex-drivers will be on the footplate telling their own stories about working on this legendary locomotive.

At 2pm on that day, author John Chackfield will give a lecture on CB Collett, the designer of the engine. This will be followed by a book-signing of his new biography on Collett in the Museum Shop.

The locomotive was the first of the King class, and made its maiden journey on the famous Cornish Riviera Limited Express on July 20, 1927.

The locomotive moved into Steam from Swindon's old GWR Museum to take up its position on the reconstructed station platform. Visitors can now get on board the world-famous locomotive.

In March, a painting of Swindon's King George V locomotive sold at auction for nearly £40,000 almost £10,000 more than estimated. The work by Britain's finest steam train artist Terence Cuneo, who died in 1996, was commissioned by the Bulmer Cider Mill in Hereford, which negotiated its sub lease in 1968, restored it and used it at its visitor centre to entertain guests.

Steam marketing manager, Emma Valentine, said: "The magnificent locomotive is a symbol of this famous railway company, which set standards that the world followed and shows the skills of the Swindon workforce, which was renowned throughout the country."

Steam, which recently won a European Museum of the Year Special Commendation, tells the story of the Great Western Railway, through the use of hands on and interactive exhibits, realistic character figures, audio-visual displays and actors performances.

Next Saturday, the 10th book in the well known Western Main Line series published by Middleton Press entitled Taunton to Exeter will be launched at Steam's book shop.

This is the first British main line to be covered in such a comprehensive manner, and the work involves 960 pages, 1,200 photographs and a plethora of detailed maps. The coverage of the London to Brighton route took three volumes.

The latest book completes the journey of 305 miles.

Authors Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith will be signing copies at the museum between 2 and 3pm.