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D1015 was stored at Swindon, where it was put on display on the turntable at the behest of the Works Manager. In 1978 the DTG were asked if they would be interested in carrying out a cosmetic restoration. The DTG undertook the work and even managed to get the locomotive to move under its own power, although at the time they had been informed that the locomotive was not for sale.<ref name=D1015Preservation>[http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015-history-pres.php DTG Website, ''D1015 Western Champion: Preservation History''] (retrieved 3 February 2023)</ref>
In mid-1979 an audit highlighted that D1015 had not been disposed of, and instructions were given for it to be scrapped. The DTG learnt of this and managed to stop the scrapping by interceding with a personal appeal to BR Chairman Sir Peter Parker. A price of £6,000 + VAT was agreed, and on 25 January 1980 D1015 became the DTG's third locomotive;<ref name=D1015Preservation/>[http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015-history-pres.php DTG Website, ''D1015 Western Champion: Preservation History''] (retrieved 3 February 2023)</ref> they already owned SVR residents [[BR Class 42 D821 Greyhound | D821 Greyhound]] and [[BR Class 35 D7029 | Hymek D7029]].<ref>[http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/about.php westernchampion.co.uk About Us]</ref>
The DTG continued to work on the locomotive at Swindon until it could move under its own power on two engines. It appeared at the September 1985 Old Oak Common open day but suffered a fractured bearing in one engine, requiring an engine change. The locomotive returned to Swindon, where the Group decided that a complete rebuild of the locomotive should be undertaken. In December 1990 D1015 was moved to a new home in the carriage shed at Old Oak Common.<ref name=D1015Preservation/>
