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.














Sunday, 31 December 2017

End of year update 2017

Since the loco was re-wheeled and returned to the engine shed, work has centred on the fitting of the horn clips, the springs and the dust shields.
The picture below shows the centre driving axle.  The horn clip has been bolted into place but still awaiting its split pins.  The horn clip is the metal plate just below the brass oil filler / drain plug.  The loco has a brand new set of springs, one of which is shown in place under this axle box.  Final adjustment of the springs will not take place until the loco is fully rebuilt.


This picture of the same axle has been taken from a slightly different angle.  It shows the axle disappearing into the axle box, at this point just above the brass filler / drain plug, is the dust shield which is a form of collar around the axle.


 The vacuum pipework has been completed and tested, holding 21" without dropping.
The picture sequence runs from the rear through to the front.

1, under the cab.


 2. Above the rear driving wheel.


3, mid way along the frame.


4, above the cylinder.


5, Through the frame and down in front of the saddle.


6, finally through the front buffer beam, into the swan neck and into the flexible pipe ( otherwise known as the vacuum bag!)  This in turn locates onto its stop which is known as the dummy coupling.



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