About the Trust


Work on the overhaul of 5025 began at the beginning of 2012. This was thanks to grants or promises of support from the Strathspey Railway Company, the Strathspey Railway Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund the Strathspey Railway Association and the significant amount which had already been raised from our supporters though appeals.

Major progress has been made on the locomotive and tender frames, axleboxes, motion, dragboxes and valve gear at Aviemore and on the major rebuild of the boiler, reprofiling of the tyres of the locomotive and tender wheels and construction of a new tender tank at Riley Engineering of Bury. Work has also included the casting and machining of a pair of new cylinders

The WEC Watkinson Trust originally hoped to return 5025 to service in 2015, however owing to the amount of work needed, we now hope that the engine will be ready towards the end of the 2019 season. ( see edit below)

We are still on track for 2019 to be the year in which the oldest and best example of a L.M.S. Black Five steams again. Due to a very tight budget the original intention was to return 5025 to traffic by carrying out the minimum necessary work. However, she is an iconic locomotive and quite early on the sensible decision was taken to restore her to “as new” condition. This has resulted in considerable extra work and expense and has left the Watkinson Trust desperate for funds.

Edit, we were heavily delayed waiting for the boiler, this has put the completion date back to around summer 2020.

Further edit, owing to covid lockdown, this has been further delayed, completion date is now summer 2021.

The original budget of £354,050 has been spent wisely and with care. However, additional boiler work has cost a further £39,345, new cylinders and frame repairs £33,350, and other work such as a new cab, injectors and super heaters upwards of £22,500.

Although most of the work now being carried out is labour intensive, certain costly goods and services are essential to finishing the job and it is only with your help that we can make it happen.

We still need to complete the tender tank and the under frame, produce boiler cladding, purchase copper pipe and various fixings and fastenings and pay for transport, crane hire and specialist machining.

The Watkinson Trust would like to thank you for any generous donation you are able to make towards a successful conclusion.

Please use the “Donate” facility below to support this worthwhile project through Paypal.














Wednesday 29 November 2017

A big leap forward 29.11.2017

As reported in the last post, the smoke box saddle has arrived back at the shed.  It has had new sides welded in place, which have then been machined to the correct width.


The riveting gang with smiling faces, they have just completed riveting the smoke box saddle into its place between the frames.


Hard on the heels of the saddle was the arrival of the cylinders.


The cylinders had been away to have the valve liners re-positioned.



The right hand cylinder was the first to be hung in position.  At this point it is held in place by two of the bolts.


The left hand frame, prepared to receive the cylinder.


The left hand cylinder being hung into its position.


The front end, fully riveted together with both cylinders fully bolted to the frames.


More lubrication pipes added.


More fittings added.


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Monday 13 November 2017

13 November 2017 update

The frames were moved forward to allow the cab to be removed.


Once on the floor the riveting of the cab commenced.  These are smaller rivets that those used on the frames and so a period of trial and error commenced.


Some of the roof guttering's are still bolted together awaiting riveting.


A close up, a few rivets will have to be removed and re-done.


No pictures yet, but the smoke box saddle has returned from the engineers and is being prepared for fitting.  The valve liners have been refitted into the cylinders which are expected back next week.

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