The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced that Black 5 No 44806 has its future secured thanks to a new agreement between the railway and Peter Best.
LMS Stanier Class 5 No. 44806 was one of the last locomotives to be withdrawn from service, hauling trains up until 1968, when BR retired all steam locomotives from the mainline.
Under the new agreement, ownership of the locomotive has been transferred to Mr Best, who is starting the overhaul of the engine immediately. The work includes boiler work, which will mean the locomotive will have a new boiler certificate, something it needs before it hauls trains once again.
The NYMR was going to start the overhaul after other vital projects had been completed. The new agreement will see work start immediately, with Mr Best financing the locomotive's overhaul.
Peter Best, owner of S160 No. 2253 ‘Omaha', will work alongside NYMR engineers to manage the project.
Once the overhaul is complete, 44806 will then haul trains once again as part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's hired fleet.
What did the officials say?
Chris Price, general manager of the NYMR, commented:
“The opportunity to sell the locomotive to Peter and see it return to the railway, lovingly restored, is truly wonderful, and I would like to thank both Peter and the support of our longstanding benefactor, Adrian Beecroft, without whom the locomotive would not have been at the Moors in the first place.”
Peter Best added:
“This will be my tenth and last major restoration or new build that I have project managed and financed, but what better engine to tackle than a good Black 5. The NYMR is my favourite heritage railway, and the current team have made me feel welcome again. I am looking forward to the day when 44806 makes its debut at Battersby.”
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Great news i was photographed next to her on the 21st July 1968 at Lostock Hall, that is why my 5″ gauge L M S Black Five has the number 4806. Have been on the footplate many times when she was at the Llangollen railway.
Good old black five my father drove this engine at Lostock Hall 10D 44806 glad its being saved. This was at Lostock till it shut down in 68 then he moved to Preston ( Heapey) was is nick name