5025 The oldest surviving LMS Black 5: 2021

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 1 August 2021

5025, the public launch

5025 emerged from the shed, fully painted and lined out on Monday 26th July.

On its way to the engine shed, via the coaling bench.

Inside the shed ready for the big day.

In steam outside the shed. Picture by Vanilla Moon Photography

Launch day Tuesday 27th July. A Link to the press & Journal newspaper report which contains a video of the event.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/3344023/strathspey-railway-steam-locomotive-makes-its-first-public-appearance-in-decades-after-mammoth-520000-restoration/

Later in the day 5025 did two return trips to Broomhill. Seen here passing Boat of Garten on its way to Aviemore. Photo by Boat station master Robert Walters.

Approaching Aviemore on the same trip, weather closing in.

Departing from Aviemore Speyside signal box, with the rain now pouring down.

The first public run is scheduled for Saturday 07th August.

Wednesday 30 June 2021

5025 is now in the paint shop (carriage shed)

5025 has now entered the carriage shed for painting in LMS black.

The next update will not be until it emerges fully finished, at the public launch.

Thursday 20 May 2021

A pictorial record of the first run down the line.

On tuesday 18th May, 5025 went on a run down the line, testing and gauging. This is a pictorial record of the day.

At Aviemore shed.

Aviemore station.

At Boat of Garten

Boat up platform

Boat down platform

Taking water at Boat

Checking the clearance at Tullochgorum bridge

A tight fit.

Another tight fit at Broomhill bridge

At Broomhill station

A series of pictures taken at the end of the extension on Dulnain bridge.

L to R, Paul, Tom, Nathan & Benny

On the extension between Dulnain and Broomhill

Between Boat and Aviemore

After the light engine runs, a set of coaches were collected for the first loaded test run. Seen here at Speyside.

Running round at Broomhill

Backing towards the train

Backing towards the carriages

Preparing for departure

A successful day.

Friday 14 May 2021

First days in steam

Earlier this week, Wednesday 12th May, 5025 had it's fire lit and was brought into light steam. On Thursday it was brought to full working pressure, ran up and down the yard, it also managed a trip into Aviemore station.

On Shed

Meets up with 828 whilst running up the shed exit road.

On the mainline at Speyside box

At platform 3, Aviemore station

Another view at Aviemore station.

Finally returning to the shed.

Tuesday 20 April 2021

More progress 19.04.2021

There are many small jobs remaining on the to do list, these are gradually being ticked off.

Inside the cab;

The steam chest pressure gauge has been fitted. It is lower down, positioned on the cab front, behind the reverser. This is to avoid it being damaged by a spanner when removing a wash out plug, if it was positioned in its more traditional position.

The vacuum pipe gauge has been fitted.

The new brake valve has been machined, built up and fitted.

Towards the right hand side of the backhead a new blow down valve has been fitted.

Above, on the right hand side are the boiler pressure gauge, (top), and the steam heat supply to the train pressure gauge, (lower)

Left hand cab pipework bracketed up.

The right hand cab pipework has received the same treatment.

At the front end, attached to the smoke box is a new, replica works plate.

A view of the front whilst standing on the running plate, showing the cover which is over the atomiser shut off and the regulator oil non return valve.

Another view looking down whilst standing in the same position. This shows the left hand steam pipe cover, which has been repaired and bolted into position.

A view along the top of the boiler showing the left hand clack cover. This has been repaired, reshaped to fit better and awaits being finally bolted down.

Another view of the cover from the other side, whilst standing on the running plate, just in front of the cab.

The safety valves have now been fitted.

The cab front windows have now been glazed and fitted.

The cab side windows have been made and await fitting. Many thanks to Robin of the 46464 group who made these.

The other side of a side window frame.

There are many lengths of pipework that need final fixing, then various brackets and clamps need making to hold them in place. This is the right hand injector to clack pipe that has had the bracket treatment.

Temporary tie wraps still in place in this view.

Bracket and clamp in position.

Another bracket and clamp.

And another.

A general view looking towards the front with the wheel set from 46464 in the foreground.

A general view the other way, looking towards the rear, with on the right, the boiler and firebox from 46512 under repair.

A parcel delivery, this contained the wheel flange lubricators which are spring loaded, holding graphite blocks against the wheel flanges to reduce wear. Just need to work out how to hold them in place now.