Black 5 45491 arrives at GCR

The Great Central Railway has welcomed two new arrivals in the last week. Ex-LMS Black 5 No. 45491 and a Sentinel shunter are both privately owned and are undergoing restoration.

The '5' was built in 1943 and has not steamed since it finished its first career with British Railways. It requires boiler work but has a new tender. Returning it to operational condition is expected to take more than a year after which it will run at the GCR.

The line was synonymous with the class in the days before closure in the 1960s. The locomotives were often called upon to work semi-fast passenger trains between Nottingham Victoria and London Marylebone, besides freight services.

The GCR is already host to a Black 5 in the shape of No. 45305 which is the custody of 5305 Locomotive Association.

Phil Wainwright, the locomotive's owner said: "I am delighted that the engine is now with the GCR; the loco crew there are renowned for doing brilliant work and it will be fantastic to see her running. GCR and the 5 are the perfect pairing!"

The Sentinel shunter 'Neepsend' also requires restoration. The locomotive was a resident of the GCR in the early 1970s as the preservation of the line began. Both locomotives have come to the GCR from the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley.