LMS Stanier Class 5MT 4932

LMS Stanier Class 5 No. 4932, British Railways No. 44932, is a preserved British steam locomotive. She is one of 18 members left of the famous Black 5 class which had 842 members constructed between 5 manufacturers. 44932 is also the only remaining member of the class which was built at the LMS's Horwich Works.

Overview

4932 was built in 1945 by the LMS at their Horwich Works – works no. 154. She was renumbered as 44932 by British Railways after the 1948 nationalisation of Britain's railways.

After completion at Horwich Works she was allocated to Blackpool Central's 24E Shed where she remained for nearly 6 years until January 1952 when she was transferred to Accrington near Blackburn. Further shed transfers were to follow throughout her career with British Railways including Agecroft - Greater Manchester, Leicester, Annesley & Derby. Her final shed allocation was Rose Grove's 10F shed where she was allocated to in both July 1965 & from March 1966 till her withdrawal in August 1968. Her final service life was just under 23 years.

Preservation

After being bought from British Railways for preservation she became a popular engine on the mainline between overhauls. She even in the early days of preservation wore Lined Brunswick Green, this wasn't a common livery for the class as most were always seen in black but some are thought to have been tried out in various shades of green at some points but this isn't likely.

Today 44932 is owned by David Smith and is based at West Coast Railway's Carnforth base on the former British Railways 10A Motive Power Depot.

Fame in Preservation

In 2013 during the 45th anniversary celebrating the end of steam in August 1968, she took part in 2 special one off railtours, the first was on Wednesday 7 August working one of the Statesman Rail's Fellsman trains which was renamed for the occasion "The Fifteen Guinea Fellsman" which she ran in double headed form with sister engine 45231 The Sherwood Forester from Lancaster to Carlisle and back via The Settle & Carlisle line both ways, she even got to wear the famous 1T57 Headboard for the occasion alongside the regular Fellsman headboard.

Then on the Sunday of the same week 11 August, 44932 was given the honours of double heading once again with sister 45231 but she was this time tucked inside behind her sister. 44932 was covering for the unavailable 44781 which sadly didn't survive to preservation and it was suggested that she was renumbered for the occasion as 44781, but this sadly didn't happen. 45231 & 44932 were working the Carlisle to Longsight leg of The Railway Touring Company's "Fifteen Guinea Special" 45th anniversary train. Other engines that played roles in this special were a 3rd sibling engine no 45305 (allocated to the original train in 1968 but replaced by 45110) & BR Britannia Pacific no 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

Allocations

The shed locations of 44932 on particular dates.