David Shepherd and Black Prince

David Shepherd owned Black Prince for (I believe) 47 years.

Is that a record amount of time for one individual to own a standard gauge steam locomotive? (Also bearing in mind it spent most of it’s time in his ownership in operation)

 

John Cameron bought 60009 in July 1966 - 55 years ago.

 

..... and whats more, he still owns it.

Peter

 

An expensive way for a Scotsman to cheer himself up after the Sassanachs won a certain trophy!

 

Some of us know what is truly valuable and what is transitory. Many an Englishman has been dining out on the World Cup since winning it.

 

Unfortunately for that augument, it's bit out of kilter. Father Time gets in the way.

60009 W/D 1 June, Cameron bought it 'July 66'.

So far so good, but it's my recollection that the World Cup final was on 3oth July, so unless he signed off on the purchase between about 5.30 pm Saturday and midnight on that Sunday, it was already gone by the time of the match.

 

While I think that John Cameron and 60009 must hold the record, two other locos are/have been in the ownership of one individual for longer than the 47 years David Shepherd owned Black Prince. Esmond Lewis-Evans bought O1 65 in about 1962 and owned it until his death in 2017. Admittedly, the O1 was considerably less visible than 92203, being dismantled and stored in various locations for a number of years until its move to the Bluebell Railway. The other engine is N class No. 31874 which, to my knowledge has been owned by John Bunch since its purchase from Dai Woodham at Barry. It left the scrapyard in 1974, so if it was purchased several months before departure, this probably makes 48 years (and it it doesn't, it soon will!) Of course, it's another loco which hasn't been in operation for nearly as long as 92203 or 60009 in its preservation career, but hopefully we won't have too long to wait before seeing it in action again.

 

The late Bill McAlpine bought Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST McAlpine no 31 in 1965, and although he died a couple of years ago, the loco is still owned by the family