45596 Bahamas: Jubilee steam locomotive renamed at Swanage for anniversary of South Atlantic conflict

To mark the 40th anniversary of the South Atlantic conflict, the Bahamas Locomotive Society agreed to have flagship locomotive, LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas, renamed and renumbered to 45606 Falkland Islands.

The original 45606 was built in 1935 but was scrapped in 1965.

The naming ceremony took place on Thursday 22nd September 2022 at Swanage station on the Swanage heritage railway.

The locomotive had earlier that day arrived at the Swanage Railway with a Railway Touring Company tour from London Victoria.

During the break at Swanage, the newly cast nameplates, which came from the original, were unveiled on the platform.

Following the ceremony, the locomotive hauled the tour back to London Victoria and it is hoped that the locomotive will carry the nameplates until it returns north.

Once the locomotive has hauled the Railway Touring Company tour on the 11th November, 45596 will return to its usual identity and the nameplates will be donated for auction for a Charity fundraiser.

Keith Whitmore, Chairman of Bahamas Locomotive Society said “We are delighted to be able to facilitate a commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict and to remember the fallen on both sides of the conflict. We have never before allowed 45596 Bahamas to change identity, but we consider it really important to remember the fallen along with the veterans from this conflict, as a one-off our loco will carry the identity of long scrapped sister LMS Jubilee Class locomotive 45606 Falkland Islands”.