The Watkinson Trust has shared a video showing the first movements made by their London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 ‘Black Five' No.5025.
This key milestone indicates 5025 is very near to entering traffic, once ‘running in' has been completed at the Strathspey Railway.
The video can be viewed below, courtesy of LMS Black 5 5025 Facebook Page:
5025 was last in service back in 1994, hauling trains on both the Strathspey Railway and mainline tours, mostly in the North of Britain.
The locomotive was then stored for a number of years, while The Watkinson Trust were raising funds towards overhauling the Black Five, which was estimated to cost around £350,000.
Good news came in 2012 when the overhaul began in Aviemore Locomotive Shed, where the majority of the ‘bottom-end' overhaul was carried out, while the boiler overhaul, new tender tank and reprofiling of the wheel sets were carried out at Ian Riley and Sons, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Strathspey Railway Company, the Strathspey Railway Trust and Strathspey Railway Association.
The overhaul has seen the locomotive restored to 1934 condition, including having the original chimney height.
As can be seen from the video, one of the last big jobs is to fully paint the locomotive.
5025 is set to be painted into LMS livery and should enter service at the Strathspey Railway later in the year and the Highlands will once again have the sound of a Black 5.
Although approaching the end of 5025's overhaul, any support is still very much appreciated by The Watkinson Trust.
For more information or to support The Watkinson Trust, please visit their website here.
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Why has it got a Jubilee chimney?
It’s because it’s in as built condition. The first Black Fives built, which includes 5025, were built with taller chimneys until the standard, squatter type was adopted.
Thanks
This is certainly another highlight of the year 2021, especially for the UK Preservation Movement… let alone the Sensationally Well-Preserved, Strathspey Railway Too.
This ex-LMS Black Five Loco, is also one of 18 Black Five Locos to have Thankfully entered UK Preservation.
That is brilliant news , well done to all concerned.