The Severn Valley Railway has confirmed the sale of LMS Black 5 No. 45110.
Whilst the buyer has remained unnamed, managers at the heritage railway say that the locomotive's restoration would not be considered in the foreseeable future.
Funds from the sale will play an important role in boosting the railway's finances.
The locomotive was a popular locomotive at the railway, but has not steamed since 2008.
45110 left the railway by road on the 15th August, with the timing of the announcement “restricted as a condition of the sale”.
It has also been confirmed that the locomotive will return to the Severn Valley Railway for a future event once the overhaul is completed.
This is not the first time that a steam locomotive has been sold by the SVR. In 1994, both 45690 Leander and 45699 Galatea were sold, and are now on the mainline running with West Coast Railways Co.
The SVR has also confirmed that it is considering the sale of other rolling stock.
“We know that some people may be upset that this particular locomotive has left the SVR,” said Chris Walton, the chairman of SVR (Holdings) Plc, “However, it's clear that selling it was absolutely the right thing to do. The board believes that it is in the best interests of both the railway and the locomotive itself for us to move 45110 on to a new owner. This significantly increases the chances of the loco being restored and back in steam in the near to medium term, and of course the funds we have received will help a great deal to improve the SVR's financial position, as we plan for 2024, in the expectation that this will also be a challenging year.
“The loco left the SVR by road on 15th August, with the timing of the announcement restricted as a condition of the sale. I'm pleased to add that after discussions with the new owner, it is possible that the loco will return to the SVR for a future event.”
As one of the pioneering preservationists at the SVR in the 1960s, David Williams has witnessed many SVR successes and challenges. He's added his support to the decision to sell the locomotive: “45110 is of course an iconic engine, and many people at the SVR have a strong and understandable emotional attachment to it. However, its sale now vastly increases the chances of its restoration and return to service. When you look at the bigger picture, that's clearly for the greater good of the heritage railway movement.
“We know that an expensive restoration, costing in the region of £1million would be unthinkable for the SVR in its current financial circumstances. The railway needs to focus on building up its reserves once more so that it's in good shape to thrive in the future, and this sale will contribute towards that end.”
On August 11th 1968 I saw 45110 return to Lostock Hall loco, from Liverpool,, I think, light engine at about 9.30 pm. This was probably the last official run by a steam loco under British Railways before steam was eliminated. Interesting because the firebox door was open, with a characteristic red glow, as it turned off the West Coast main line onto the Farmington back line on its way to the shed.
I also saw 45110 returning to Lostock Hall on 11/8/68, but earlier in the day, around lunchtime, at Leyland. It was returning to Lostock Hall from Manchester having worked from Liverpool on the 15 guinea special in the morning. Must have done more mileage that day running light, backwards and forwards , than hauling passengers.
Locomotives in private hands is very likely the future, especially if they have the funds to keep the engines running – and the heritage railways can hire them as needed. As we are all too well aware, these are very challenging times and new business models are necessary.
I’m wondering if it’s West Coast who’ve bought 45110. If they have it will most likely be down to them wishing to make up for what they did with 4920, unless they secretly decide to dress 45110 up as 5972 so that they can get Olton Hall back out and running again.
why would they do that? there not even the same company let alone design?
Would be good seeing 45110 running again rather than be stored inside a shed or museum gathering dust but it would be great to see her on the mainline as we’ve got Crewe, Horwich & Armstrong Whitworth built examples out on the mainline but we’ve not got a Vulcan Foundry built example out or a Derby engine (however the latter should be filled by 44806 in the future for Whitby runs). With where 45110 was built, Vulcan Foundry was right next door to the school that I went to. Nothing remains of the foundry now as a housing estate’s been built on it.