THERE could be a light at the end of the tunnel for a railway engine that once boosted Blackpool tourism.

Diesel locomotive No. 37407 -- which carries the name Blackpool Tower -- was thought to have come to the end of the line after lying redundant at a yard in Crewe since October.

But the engine has recently been seen in action at the yard.

Pip Dunn, news and features writer for Rail magazine, said rail chiefs are keeping Blackpool Tower in what's known as "strategic reserve", meaning that it could still be returned to service.

He said the Class 37 locomotive was built in1965, and has travelled all over the UK in 35 years of service. English, Welsh, Scottish Railways (EWS), which owns it, was due to bid it farewell as the next generation of super powered locos took over the tracks, but this could still change.

Blackpool historian Brian Crompton said that although it has been going strong for nearly four decades, the loco was only named after the resort's famous landmark in 1995, to coincide with the centenary of the Tower, and has been an excellent advertisement for the seaside town. "It would be a shame if Blackpool Tower went for good -- it would be tragic to lose this piece of our history," he said.

Andy Lickfold from English, Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) said Blackpool Tower was initially withdrawn because there is not as much work for it now with the introduction of more modern engines. But Pip, from Rail magazine, said there could still be light at the end of the tunnel: "Imagine you have an MOT for your car -- most of it is sound, but the wheels are worn down and unusable. "Do you scrap the whole car, or do you invest in another set of wheels and give the car a few more years life?

"The engine clearly still runs because it has been spotted at Crewe train station.

"Whether this means it will be used simply for shunting things around or could still operate on main lines is not clear at this time."