LMS Black 5 5025

Yes, it is a cut-out. I have found photos of 5026 and 5029 with similar. Don't know what it is for, though.

 

44871 has a similar cut out on the fireman's side.

 

I understand that it was to allow access to a plug in the top of the valve chest immediately below. I think it was a take-off point for measuring equipment to find the steam chest pressure.

This is 2968's cylinder, very similar except that there is a much larger gap between it and the running plate.

 

Interesting, as photos I've looked at of 5025 in BR and preservation days show a straight steampipe cover with no cut-outs. Must be for practicality.

Richard.

 

A momentous occasion. Last time 5025 would have stood at Platform 3 would have been when it was a railtour regular the 70s and 80s. https://thewatkinsontrust.blogspot.com/2021/05/first-days-in-steam.html

 

Is the plan to leave off the raised platform between the leading frames? The first engines of the class didn't get it as built, but it was soon fitted: must have been quite a long reach to the top lamp iron before that.

 

The perils of the smart phone and social media. A casual visitor who hasn’t been seen in ages, happens to turn up when 5025 is in steam and bang, the news is out before anyone can put an official announcement out.

5025 has continued to run up and down between the shed and station, testing and fault finding, fortunately only a few small items have needed attention so far. Next week it is hoped to do a gauging run to Broomhill, as the loco has never been past Boat of Garten before.

LMS2968, you are correct in what the cut out, swage or flute? in the steam pipe covers were for. I have asked our expert, Lms5025, who said that the first 25 built had this feature, it was to access a plug in the top of the valve chest for recording pressures. The plan was always to restore 5025 as close to as built condition as possible, therefore the step in front of the smoke box door has been omitted.

The loco will eventually go into the paint shop (carriage shed) to be painted in LMS black.

 

'Fifty Twenty Five' took me eastward several times from Lancaster on spotting trips to the Eastern/North Eastern Regions back in the day. Can't wait to reacquaint myself with this Green Ayre machine!
Well done to all those involved in this wonderful overhaul and re-build!!

 

It's nice that 5025 has survived with an original domeless boiler too, being fortunate in affording even more authenticity to its as-built condition.
Is the vacuum pump drive being refitted to the driver's side crosshead? I see in the photos on the 5025 Restoration page that it was fitted whilst the Loco was partly assembled some time ago.

Richard.

 

Agreed! I rode behind her many times both to and from Manchester Victoria on the celebrated 'Belfast Boat Express' when she was at 10A.
Here she is entering Lancaster with the southbound 'BBE' at Easter 1968 when the train had been strengthened to 11 bogies.

 

These recent posts give me an excuse to post my picture of 45025 (as it was at the time, of course) at Bolton on the 20:55 Manchester Victoria to Heysham on 18th April 1968. The technical quality is poor but it is atmospheric.

 

No.5025 seen near Pitlochry with the return leg of a Perth to Aviemore excursion on July 20, 1981

 

The person who was doing the vacuum pump project left us. Currently, in the engine shed, we are down to two full time engineers and an apprentice, with just a handful of regular volunteers. The priority was to get a working locomotive, so the project stalled. It will probably be re-visited in the future, as seen on the blog, the bracket and its fixings on the crosshead were made. The pump itself was being worked on, although it was always going to be a dummy, the lubrication needed to be sorted to stop it grinding itself to bits.

 

Lovely picture. I was on the train that day. Was it really 40 years ago?

Peter

 

Fortunately I was in Scotland in September 1982 to see 5025 on the first public steam excursion to Kyle, the only time I've seen it on the main line.
Prior to this there had been a private charter and later some more, for Toyota I think.
After those it was many years before we saw steam to Kyle again.

 

That top image is an absolute cracker, so atmospheric, thanks for sharing.

 

Ahh, I was trying to work out what was missing, makes sense now!

Chris

 

That's not to say the other two aren't great either BTW! Just that first one encapsulates everything I love about Scottish steam and is a proper 'wish I was there' shot. I hope you have got it printed and displayed somewhere.

 

All the photos above are absolutely superb, the silhouette especially! And you know what? I actually think a nicely turned-out rake of BR Mk1 stock in blue and grey looked nice. Much better than many later liveries, which quite frankly, I found absolutely hideous!

Thank you for sharing those photos, it's scary thinking that it's 40 years ago though!

Richard.

 

By 'eck Alan, that's an amazing shot! A month or two later I was to begin my railway career as a 'Mechanical Signalling Probationer (MSP)' in Lancaster S & T. Memories of climbing those signals (and lots more like them + taller) with a grease gun in one hand and no such thing as a safety harness make me shudder! No wonder I 'transferred' to the BTP at Preston just over a year later!