44871

LMS Black 5 4-6-0

The Black 5 (or Class 5 Mixed Traffic) was designed by Sir William Stanier when he was Chief Mechanical Engineer for the London Midland and Scottish (LMS) railway. The 5-MT was first introduced in September of 1934. There were a number of experimental engine types, which variously had double exhaust pipes, steel fireboxes and roller bearings. With the exception of engines with various types of valve gear (particularly those with Caprotti valve-gear) they all looked remarkably similar. With their 6ft driving wheels and boiler pressure of 225 lb.sq. in. they had a tractive effort of 25,455 lb. which combined with the 9 tons of coal and 4,000 gallons of water made them very suitable for mixed traffic work in all areas. A total of 842 of these locos were built and they became one of the most numerous classes in Britain.

Locomotive 4871 was built by the LMS at Crewe in 1945 and later renumbered 44871 by British Railways. It was one of the last steam locomotives in use at the end of steam under British Railways operation. 44871 was used with 44781 on the Carlisle to Manchester leg of the infamous end of steam ‘15 Guinea’ farewell special on 11 August 1968.   Locomotive 44871 was withdrawn from service the day after on 12 August 1968. In 1972. 44871 returned to steam based at the Carnforth Steamtown depot. The locomotive also carried the name Sovereign for a while. In 2006, the locomotive was sold to Ian Riley who undertook a full renovation in 2009, and then working the Jacobite service between Fort William and Mallaig from 2020. A heavy overhaul was completed in 2017 to ensure its continued presence on the Jacobite and other main line excursions.

This locomotive is presently owned by Ian Riley and is based at the East Lancs Railway when not undertaking Jacobite duties or main line charters.